Mitutoyo Group Philosophy System
In January 2007, when the Mitutoyo Group’s Code of Ethics (Mitutoyo Group Code of Conduct) was established, the company set up a new philosophy system for the Mitutoyo Group by reconsidering Mitutoyo’s significance of existence and social mission by going back to the spirit of its founding, and reconfirming the meaning of the corporate motto and the guiding precepts.
Founding Spirit
A strong desire of the founder to set up a company
The founding spirit is an unchanging thing, the starting point of Mitutoyo's management, and a place of trust for all employees.
1.To contribute to people’s welfare through support of the advancement of Buddhist understanding
- Our founder’s first desire was to contribute to the peace and happiness of humanity through the support of Buddhist missionaries, who form the core of co-existence and co-prosperity. Our company was established to fulfill this desire.
- In addition, he was of the opinion that a company should be “a place of coexistence” where employees gather to connect with and enhance one another in pursuit of happiness together, and must be “a way of life” where one builds up his/her character.
2.To see that Mitutoyo excels in its field of expertise and in its business conduct throughout the world
- The company's founder's decision to domestically produce micrometers was based on the spirit of coexistence of “not causing trouble to anyone” and “being of benefit to the world and the people.”
- In an age where technology had not yet been established, we started our business with a high ambition that “as long as we perform, we will be recognized as the best in the world and trusted.”
Mitutoyo Group Management Principles
The company's significance of existence and basic management objectives
To contribute to the wellbeing of society through precision measurement technologies
This means achieving the following six things:
Six guidelines in Mitutoyo’s management principles
Provide solution engineering to support our client business development
- We not only provide products and services, but also leverage our technologies and know-how in precision measurement to contribute to problem-solving and value creation for our customers.
- Through these efforts, Mitutoyo's technologies and know-how will be further improved to achieve a virtuous cycle of contributing to the resolution of more challenging issues and the value creation for our customers.
Contribute globally to the advancement of industrial measurement capability and address social issues through precision measurement technologies
- We contribute to the development of the world's industry and technological progress by improving the precision measurement technology and improving economic efficiency, and also enabling measurement of objects that have been considered difficult to respond to.
- We address social issues through precision measurement technologies.
Cultivate shared prosperity among all stakeholders engaged in corporate endeavors and contribute to the collective creation of value through collaboration
- We uphold fair and equitable business relationships with all stakeholders, including those within our supply chain, thereby continuously developing relationships of mutual trust and reliability.
Promote global peace, human well-being, and a sustainable global environment
- We support initiatives aimed at promoting world peace and enhancing human welfare.
- Through our corporate activities, we contribute to the achievement of a sustainable global environment.
- Through our corporate activities, we make meaningful contributions to local communities.
Apply business practices that reflect the integrity of Mitutoyo and our world leading brand
- In order to fulfill our social responsibility as the world's top brand, we not only comply with laws and regulations, but also engage in sincere corporate activities in accordance with high corporate ethics.
- We work towards enhancing management transparency and fulfilling our accountability as a company open to the society.
- In order for the Mitutoyo Group to continue to fulfill its social responsibilities, we take appropriate measures to respond to risks arising in all aspects of our business activities.
Engage in corporate activities that uphold human rights and nurture a vibrant corporate culture that inspires a passion in our personnel to strive for and achieve their utmost potentials
- We will build a corporate culture in which employees can share the joy and happiness of working and growing together while taking pride.
- We provide a place (a way of life) for employees that gather to connect with each other to develop and become independent as good members of the society
- We are committed to conducting corporate activities that uphold human rights, fully understanding that respect for human rights is a crucial mission for companies to fulfil.
Corporate Motto
Basic policies for operating the company to realize its management principles
"“Good environment, Good people, Good technique”
Developing people before making products, and creating an environment for developing people"
- 1.Good technologies are created by good people
- 2.To ensure this, we must first develop people before making products
- 3.In order to make a good person, we need to have a good environment to nurture them
Guiding Precepts
Action guidelines for implementing management principles
“Sincerity, Thoughtfulness, Determined Spirit”
- 1.“Sincerity” means to do something with one’s whole heart and without deceit in words and actions.
- 2.“Thoughtfulness” means to think deeply and make the right decision before taking action.
- 3.“Determined Spirit” is to challenge yourself with courage, not give up until the end, and do your best.
Mitutoyo Group Code of Conduct
The Mitutoyo Group Code of Conduct stipulates the ethical standards and standards of conduct that must be observed by us, the officers and employees of the Mitutoyo Group, in all aspects of corporate activities.
In accordance with this code of conduct, we must choose to adhere to ethics without hesitation when there is a conflict between corporate interests and ethics.
1.Relationship with customers
- We will comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and standards regarding the quality, safety, reliability, and environmental protection of products and services provided to customers in each country and region where we operate, as well as our in-house rules.
- In the unlikely event that a problem occurs, we will immediately check the facts and report it to the relevant persons within and outside the company, clarify the cause and responsibility, and do our best to prevent the spread of damage and prevent recurrence.
- We will not offer bribery to our customers. In addition, we will judge the entertainment, gifts, and donations in accordance with our in-house rules and will not give private rebates or commissions.
2.Relationship with business partners
- (1)Sales partners (Partners involved in sales, such as trading companies, etc.)
- As for an agreement with the sales partners, we will conclude a fair contract in accordance with laws and regulations, and comply with the terms of the contract.
- We will judge the entertainment, gifts, and donations to the sales partners in accordance with our in-house rules and will not give private rebates or commissions.
- (2)Purchase partners (Partners involved in development, purchase, manufacturing, distribution, etc.)
- We will select our purchase partners based on reasonable, fair and transparent criteria.
- As for an agreement with the purchase partners, we will conclude a fair contract in accordance with laws and regulations, and will comply with the terms of the contract.
- We will not make unreasonable demands or set up regulations for our purchase partners using our superior position.
- We will judge the entertainment, gifts, and donations from the purchase partners in accordance with our in-house rules, and strictly refrain from any action that may cause misunderstanding by a third party.
3.Relationships with government and administration
- We will comply with the Public Offices Election Act, the Political Funds Control Act, and other political laws and regulations, both within and outside Japan, and will not make any donations to individuals or political organizations or political parties beyond the scope of the law.
- We will not offer bribery, or entertainment and gifts in violation of laws and regulations, the equivalent provisions, and related laws and regulations in foreign countries to public officials (including deemed public officials) and politicians, etc. who have influence over business negotiations, etc.
4.Maintaining and promoting free and fair competition
- We will comply with all relevant laws and regulations and will not engage in any conduct that would impede fair and free competition.
5.Handling of intellectual property rights
- (1)Intellectual property rights of the Mitutoyo Group
- The Mitutoyo Group’s intellectual property rights created in the course of business shall be appropriately protected and utilized.
- (2)Intellectual property rights of others
- We respect the intellectual property rights of others, including patent rights and copyrights, and strive to prevent infringement of rights.
6.Handling of confidential information
- (1)Confidential information of the company
- The Mitutoyo Group will clarify which of the know-how, technical and business information held or managed by it should be kept confidential, and will manage it properly and strictly as a corporate secret.
- In addition, we will strictly manage the confidential information of other companies that we have learned through work and will not leak it to others. We will not get in touch with other companies’ trade secrets without a legitimate route.
- (2)Personal information
- We will appropriately manage the handling of internal and external personal information in connection with business in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and internal regulations so that personal privacy is not infringed.
- (3)Insider information
- If we become aware of other companies’ important information that is not disclosed to the public through work or through family members or friends, we will not directly, or indirectly through family members or friends, sell the company's stock.
7.Stance to anti-social individual/group
- We will not be involved in any antisocial forces that threaten the civil society and impede economic activity.
8.Relationship between the company and employees
- (1)Respect for human rights
- In all aspects of our business activities, we respect the fundamental human rights of all people involved, and we will not engage in acts that discriminate against and impair the dignity of individuals on the basis of race, creed, sex, age, social status, nationality, ethnicity, religion, or disability.
- We will not use our status or position to force someone to do unreasonable work or to commit acts equivalent to bullying (discriminatory treatment, mental and physical violence, etc.). Furthermore, we will not engage in any conduct that may be misleading as sexual harassment.
- (2)Eliminating unjust labor
- We will comply with labor laws and regulations, and will not commit any illegal acts such as unfair labor, forced labor, and child labor in all aspects of our business activities.
- (3)Workplace health and safety
- We will comply with the laws and regulations of each country and region, maintain and aim at improving a bright, safe, and comfortable working environment, and take all possible measures to prevent industrial accidents, death from overwork, and mental failure (depression, etc.).
- (4)Respect for free opinion
- We respect the personalities and opinions of others, and welcome anyone to freely suggest and express their concerns and complaints.
- A person who expresses his/her opinion shall not suffer any disadvantages.
- (5)Response to illicit behavior
- We will not overlook any illicit behavior. If a potential illicit behavior is detected, it shall be immediately reported to the immediate supervisor or notified to the helpline.
- In the unlikely event that a higher-ranking official orders to commit an illegal act, the same shall be refused. If any disadvantage is suffered as a result of refusal to commit the illegal act, the helpline shall be notified.
9.Social Responsibility
- (1)Legal compliance for protecting world peace
- We understand the purpose of laws and regulations for ensuring safety, including those of other countries, and we will not involved in any transactions that impede the maintenance of world peace.
- In the case of export of cargo and provision of technology, we will perform strict management in accordance with procedures stipulated in relevant laws and regulations and internal regulations.
- (2)Preservation of global environment
- During the provision of our products and services, we will make every effort to reduce the burden on the global environment in every process.
- We will ensure that our head office, business offices, and sales offices are fully equipped with in-house education on environmental conservation, as well as energy conservation, waste reduction, and recycling.
- We will make environmental information known throughout the company and actively disclose it to outside parties.
- (3)Contribution to industry and technology
- We will contribute to the development of the world's industry and technological progress by improving the precision measurement technology and improving economic efficiency, and also enabling measurement of objects that have been considered difficult to respond to.
- We will contribute to the promotion of science and technology worldwide through grants to research institutions and other institutions.
- We will actively promote the dissemination and passing on of technologies and skills related to precision measurement.
10.Conflict of interest
- (1)Prohibition of transaction of feelings, etc. between officers and employees, etc.
- If any transactions are to be performed with a relative, friend, or any other third party with a personal interest, the same shall be reported to the immediate supervisor or the Compliance Office and appropriate instructions shall be received as this may conflict with the company’s interests.
- (2)Prohibition of competitive trading and conflicting interest transactions by directors
- Our directors shall not engage in any business of the company for themselves or for any third party or engage in any transaction contrary to the interests of the company, without the approval of the company.
