Human Rights Policy

Okinawa Cellular Group Human Rights Policy

The corporate principles of the Okinawa Cellular Group are to pursue the physical and emotional well-being of all employees while simultaneously contributing to the development of Okinawa’s economy through our business. As a company that supports the information infrastructure of society, we work to solve social issues.
We are cognizant that that respecting human rights is a key social responsibility, and we pledge to contribute to the sustainable growth of society by acting in accordance with the Okinawa Cellular Philosophy and the Okinawa Cellular Code of Conduct so that we can fulfill our responsibilities.

We fulfill our responsibilities to respect human rights by not violating the human rights of others, and in cases where an impact on human rights actually occurs or may occur as a result of our business activities, we take appropriate action to correct the situation.
Furthermore, in cases where negative impacts on human rights caused by suppliers or business partners are directly linked to the business, services, or products of the Okinawa Cellular Group, we call on the relevant parties to not violate human rights.

The Okinawa Cellular Group Human Rights Policy (this “Policy”) elucidates our human rights initiatives for ensuring that we fulfill our responsibilities to all stakeholders in accordance with our corporate principles.

1. Compliance with International Norms and Laws

We shall support and respect international norms relating to human rights including the International Bill of Human Rights, the International Labor Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, and the Children’s Rights and Business Principles. In addition, we established this Policy in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and shall promote initiatives for respect for human rights.
We shall comply with the applicable laws and regulations in each country and region where we conduct business. In cases where there are discrepancies between internationally recognized human rights and regional laws and regulations, we shall pursue methods for respecting the international norms on human rights to the greatest extent possible.

2. Scope of Application

This Policy applies to all officers and employees of the Okinawa Cellular Group (including regular, contract, and temporary employees). Furthermore, we shall call on our suppliers and business partners to prevent violations of human rights in accordance with this Policy and shall promote respect for human rights through collaborative efforts.

3. Human Rights Governance

The Company’s Sustainability Committee, chaired by the Representative Director and President, shall establish policies on human rights initiatives, develop and review implementation systems, confirm the degree of progress toward achieving our goals, and perform other roles. Significant matters shall be reported to the Board of Directors via the Full-time Executive Committee and monitored by the Board.

4. Continuous Implementation of Human Rights Due Diligence

We shall establish human rights due diligence mechanisms and continuously carry out the matters set forth below in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Furthermore, we shall designate priority human rights issues from among the human rights issues that may arise within all the business activities of the Okinawa Cellular Group, as set forth in the attachment and take appropriate action to address those issues.

Identification and assessment of negative impacts on human rights
We shall identify and assess actual and potential negative impacts on human rights that the business activities of the Okinawa Cellular Group may have on society. We are aware that the human rights environment may change over time, and we shall periodically assess impacts on human rights.
Prevention and mitigation of negative impacts on human rights
To prevent and mitigate negative impacts on human rights, we shall integrate responsive measures into organizational processes, taking into consideration the results of assessment of impacts, and take appropriate measures. When implementing measures, we shall prioritize those measures intended to address the most serious impacts on stakeholders.
We shall conduct appropriate education and training for all officers and employees to ensure understanding and dissemination of this Policy and awareness of human rights. In addition, we shall work to deepen understanding of this Policy among suppliers and business partners.
Monitoring the effectiveness of measures
To fulfill our responsibilities concerning respect for human rights, we shall continuously monitor the status of implementation of measures for preventing and mitigating negative impacts on human rights and periodically confirm the effectiveness of those measures.
Disclosure
We shall appropriately disclose in our Sustainability Report and on our Website the status of progress of human rights initiatives and the results of those initiatives.

5. Remediation and Remedies

If it becomes clear that the business activities of the Okinawa Cellular Group cause or contribute to negative impacts on human rights, we shall take action to remediate those negative impacts through appropriate means.
In addition, we shall establish and operate a reporting desk that can be accessed by internal and external stakeholders as an effective remedy. We pledge to ensure the anonymity and confidentiality of individuals who make reports and to protect them so that they do not suffer any disadvantage as a result of making reports.

6. Dialogue and Discussion with Stakeholders

We shall endeavor to improve initiatives for respecting human rights by engaging in dialogue and discussion with relevant stakeholders concerning responses to actual and potential negative impacts on human rights. Also, based on the results of those dialogues and discussions, we shall periodically review this Policy for revision, including key human rights issues.

This Policy was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and signed by the Representative Director and President.

Established on November 1, 2023

Takashi Suga,

Attachment: Key Human Rights Issues of the Okinawa Cellular Group

Pursuing Employee Well-Being and Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We recognize the importance of employees’ physical and mental health for the Okinawa Cellular Group to remain a company where all employees are happy and energetic, and we respect employees’ rights and diverse work styles. In addition, we shall pay close attention to violations of the human rights not only of employees, but of all people who work in our supply chains and shall take appropriate action.

Prohibition of discrimination and harassment
We prohibit all forms of discrimination and harassment based on gender, age, nationality, race, ethnicity, origin, thought, creed, religion, illness, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and so on in all aspects of work activities. In addition, we guarantee equal pay for equal work and comply with the legal minimum wage.
Creation of safe and supportive work environments
We shall protect the safety and health of all employees including appropriate management of working hours and create comfortable, vibrant, and supportive work environments.
Prohibition of forced labor and child labor
We shall not allow any labor practices that violate human rights including forced labor, human trafficking, and child labor in any form.
Respect for the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining
We shall respect fundamental labor rights including the freedom of association and the right of workers to collective bargaining.

Ethical Use of Technology and Data That Supports Innovation

We shall promote innovation centered on telecommunications and shall strive to deliver inspiration that exceeds customer expectations. In addition, we shall appropriately address negative impacts on human rights caused by technological development and the use of information and data and contribute to the sustainable growth of society by pursuing their ethical use.

Avoiding human rights violations caused by technological development
We are aware that new technologies may cause the risk of human rights violations including unfair discrimination and pursue research and development, utilization, and social implementation of technologies based on high ethical standards.
Protection of privacy and respect for the freedom of expression
We shall rigorously protect the privacy of customers through strict security measures and appropriate personal information controls and respect the freedom of expression on communications and the Internet in all countries and regions.

Provision of Services and Products with Consideration for Human Rights

To create a safe, secure, and prosperous society, we respect human rights in the provision of services and products, endeavor to ensure that customers can use our services and products with confidence, and pledge to prevent any negative impacts on human rights in our supply chains.

Respect for human rights in the provision of services and products
We shall exercise the utmost care to ensure that there are no expressions that could lead to discrimination or harassment in the services, products, and advertisements we provide, and endeavor to provide services and products with consideration for the health and safety of customers.
Creation of services and products that are easy for everyone to use
We shall provide services and products that can be used safely and comfortably by all people, regardless of age or disability, and work to ensure accessibility to services for seniors, persons with disabilities, and persons with physical or mental limitations.
Harmony with local communities and elimination of human rights violations in supply chains
In the construction of facilities, etc., we shall give due consideration to the human rights of local residents and closely monitor to ensure that human rights violations do not occur in our supply chains from the use of conflict minerals, etc.
Avoiding negative impacts on human rights from the progression of climate change
We shall endeavor to prevent negative impacts on human rights from the progression of climate change and take action to mitigate burdens on the environment throughout the value chain.