Diversity

Kirin Holdings was selected as a Nadeshiko Brand Company by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). The Nadeshiko Brand and Semi-Nadeshiko Brand recognize companies that are outstanding in terms of the empowerment of women in the workplace.
Kirin has been systematically cultivating and promoting its female employees in accordance with "Kirin Group's Long-Term Plan for the Advancement of Women 2030", a long-term plan for promoting female employees’ active participation formulated in 2022. Going forward, we will continue efforts to establish an environment where women can build their careers while balancing their work with various life events, such as giving birth and raising children. We will also pursue efforts aimed at enhancing the management capabilities of female managers. Furthermore, by moving forward with such initiatives as work motivation reforms, which will enhance the independence and productivity of employees and provide them with opportunities to take on new challenges, we will promote the establishment of an organization where not only women but all employees can fully exercise their capabilities.

In 2013, Kirin Holdings was included in Diversity Management Selection 100, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. “Diversity management” refers to corporate management that involves the provision of opportunities for a diverse group of talent to leverage their capabilities to their full potential, thereby bringing about innovation that leads to the creation of new value. With this inclusion, Kirin Group was highly evaluated for turning a wide variety of employee perspectives, including those of female employees, into corporate strengths and using those strengths to create new products and value for its customers. Going forward, the Group will continue to pursue growth through the utilization of diversity as a corporate organization in which all employees can play an active role.

Kirin Holdings has received the Gold rating in the PRIDE Index for eight consecutive years. The PRIDE Index is a rating initiatives that promote workplace equality of gender minorities, including LGBTQ+, conducted by the work with Pride Association.
At our company, we respect human rights and strive to foster a corporate culture that leverages the abilities of a diverse workforce by fostering an environment in which LGBTQ+ employees can work vibrantly while promoting understanding among all employees.
In 2017, we explicitly stated in our Compliance Guidelines, which serve as the code of conduct for all group employees, the protection of individual dignity, and prohibition of unfair discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Additionally, we eased the eligibility requirements for condolence leave, which were previously limited to family members of legal marriages, to include de facto marriages and same-sex marriages. We have also conducted training to raise awareness of these changes.
Furthermore, in 2023, we officially formed an ally community within the company called KIRIN ALLY Community (commonly known as KAZ) as part of our efforts to deepen employees' understanding of LGBTQ+ issues.

Kirin Holdings has been recognized as a Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization 2024 (White 500) by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Health Council, marking our eighth consecutive year receiving this award. This award is given to outstanding corporations that practice excellent employee health management in collaboration with health insurers. The Kirin Group has formulated the Long-term Management Vision, Kirin Group Vision 2027 (KV2027), aiming to become a global leader in CSV and create value across Food & Beverages to Pharmaceuticals. One of our key priorities is health, and the group is working to realize community enrichment. Moving forward, to enhance employee health management, the Kirin Group will advance the health science sector by leveraging its strengths. Moreover, as a company delivering good health to customers, we will actively promote healthy lifestyles among employees. This includes enhancing employee engagement, ensuring a healthy working environment, and providing opportunities for employees to work safely and healthily. Additionally, the group will continue to focus on mental health and the prevention of lifestyle diseases, while striving to improve health literacy. As a beverage manufacturer, Kirin will also promote responsible drinking initiatives among employees to set an excellent societal example.

Ai Sato from Kirin Holdings’ Health Science Division’s New Business Group was awarded Woman of the Year 2025 by Nikkei Woman, which is a monthly magazine supporting women’s careers and lifestyles. This award recognizes working women who have distinguished themselves in various industries throughout the year. Since 2019, Ai Sato has been collaborating with Meiji University to develop and experiment with a new technology that enhances the salty taste of food using electric current. This technology addresses the issue of excessive salt intake among Japanese people, which affects their healthy life span. Mrs. Sato and her co-developer successfully developed the spoon and bowl format experimental device called Eleki-Salt, which enhances the inherent salty taste of food by about 50% without sacrificing overall flavor.
In 2019, through the Kirin Business Challenge, which supports employees in commercializing their ideas, the Kirin Group successfully commercialized Eleki-Salt and brought it to market in 2024.