Total Commitment to Compliance

A Stronger Ethical and Legal Compliance-Oriented Awareness

Compliance Education
Protecting Personal Information

Compliance Education

Raising Compliance Awareness

To have a stronger CSR focus and to account for recent changes in the law, Hitachi, Ltd. has completely revised the Business Ethics Handbook that all employees—including temporary staff—relied on as a code of conduct and reissued it as the Corporate Ethics and Compliance Handbook of Hitachi. Specifically, we expanded the sections on human rights, information disclosure, and contributions to local societies, and made other subjects easier to understand. In fiscal 2008, we will use this revised handbook for training and education programs and will have all Group companies strive for heightened ethical awareness and renewed commitment to total compliance.

Corporate Ethics and Compliance Handbook (Excerpt) (PDF format, 71KBytes)

The Corporate Ethics and Compliance Handbook Table of Contents

Sincere and Fair Business Activities

Sales Activities
Provision of Safe High-Quality Products and Services
Observance of Engineering Ethics
Procurement Activities
Respect of the Hitachi Brand

Environmental Protection

Relations with Society

Disclosure of Company Information
Use of Inside Information and Prevention of Insider Trading
Contribution to Local Communities
Relations with Politics and Government Administration
Prevention of Anti-social Transactions

Observance of Laws Governing Imports and Exports
Observance of Laws and Respect of the Culture and Customs of Each Nation and Region
Regarding Gifts, Business Entertainment, Etc.

Respect for Human Rights

Management Foundations

Management and Use of Information
Management and Preservation of Company Assets
Arranging a Work Environment That Draws Out Employee Strengths

Revised February 2008.

Seminars in Asia

[image]A corporate ethics and compliance seminar in Asia
A corporate ethics and compliance seminar in Asia

Over 100 Hitachi Group companies are operating throughout Asia (in seven countries excluding Japan and China). Ensuring that every employee has strong ethical standards requires special emphasis on local laws and regulations.
Hitachi Asia, responsible for operations in the Asian region, has been holding Corporate Ethics and Compliance Seminars for Group companies. In fiscal 2007, around 100 managers participated in seminars held in the Philippines, Indonesia, and India.
In fiscal 2008, we plan to increase education by holding seminars in more Asian countries. While respecting the local laws and regulations, we will strive to develop employees with high ethical standards.

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Protecting Personal Information

Privacy Mark (Japan)

In line with our Policy for Information Security and Standards on Information Security Measures, we have worked hard to prevent information leaks and unauthorized disclosure of information by holding e-learning courses for all employees, including temporary workers, and by implementing periodic audits. In February 2007, we earned Japan's Privacy Mark certification.^*1 In July 2007, Odaira Memorial Tokyo Hitachi Hospital became the first corporate-affiliated hospital in Japan to obtain that certification, following an examination by a screening organization specialized in healthcare.
In 2007 alone, 17 Hitachi Group companies earned Privacy Mark certifications, and as of March 2008, the total rose to 58. Additional Hitachi-affiliated hospitals are seeking certification in fiscal 2008 and will reinforce personal information management as they prepare for the scheduled renewal of the Privacy Mark in February 2009.

*1: Privacy Mark
Certification awarded by the Japan Information Processing Development Corporation (JIPDEC) to companies and organizations recognized for properly managing personal information.