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 nine 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 Company, Limited has been certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Health Council as a “Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization 2026 (White 500),” in recognition of its outstanding practice of health management in collaboration with health insurers.

The Kirin Group has established its Long-Term Vision “Innovate2035!” and set out the vision: “Vitalize the world through innovation by our people and technology, as a global leader in CSV.” We believe that improving employees’ health—including their physical, mental, and social well-being—is the most important foundation for achieving this vision.

Going forward, the Kirin Group will continue working toward the implementation of health management by strengthening the Health Science domain and leveraging the Group’s unique strengths. As a company committed to delivering health and well-being to customers, we will encourage employees to take proactive steps to maintain and improve their health. We will also create environments and opportunities in which every employee can work safely and in good health, with energy and an enhanced sense of fulfillment and engagement.

In addition, we will continue working to improve health literacy. As a manufacturer of alcoholic beverages, we will also promote initiatives to ensure that our employees’ responsible drinking practices serve as a positive example for society.

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.