Long before the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) came into popular use, Murata adopted a philosophy of CSR on which it based its business. Well ahead of today窶冱 concept of CSR, the ideas of 窶彡ontributing to cultural development,窶 窶徘romoting corporate development and the mutual prosperity of those working with us,窶 and 窶徇anaging with appreciative people窶 were practiced within our company. These ideas express the standards for all employee activities, and at Murata, CSR means putting these philosophies into practice.
We aspire to be an 窶廬nnovator in electronics窶—a company that creates and delivers new value for customers and that revolutionizes the limitless world of electronics. In fulfilling this vision, Murata focuses on customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction, which are both important for the Company. Specifically, this means providing customers and society with new value so that we continue to be chosen by society and fill our ranks with employees who are proud to work with us.
Today, society faces many global issues, and Murata is doing its part to bring about prosperity for all by confronting those issues in a positive manner through the application of our company philosophy. To that end, we ensure a thorough understanding of the Murata CSR philosophy and a commitment to the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle in day-to-day business by all our employees as we realize our goal of becoming a company respected by society and meriting continued presence in society
Murata窶冱 electronic components are used in a variety of electronic devices that assist people in their daily lives, such as mobile phones, computers, home appliances, automobiles, and industrial robots. As a component manufacturer holding top market share for numerous types of products, Murata strives to fulfill its corporate social responsibility in the form of product responsibility, in other words by providing a stable supply of safe, top-quality products. We also continue our research and development in materials, products and manufacturing methods to advance product features, multifunctionality, miniaturization, and energy conservation.
Our ambition is to contribute to the creation of true prosperity for all with the products we make.
We work hard to be a good corporate citizen with strong corporate governance and ethics in all of our business activities, and we ensure that the activities of all Murata employees are in line with our goals.
The Corporate Ethics Policy and Code of Conduct was completely revised in April 2007 and distributed to all employees. We also provide employees with a variety of information through our in-house magazine and Intranet to ensure a thorough understanding of this policy. Moreover, each year employees learn from case studies culled from actual work and interpersonal relationship situations. In this way, we place the fostering of correct judgment based on the Corporate Ethics Policy and Code of Conduct at the center of our compliance promotion activities. We believe that a thorough understanding and sharing of the important values reflected in the Corporate Ethics Policy and Code of Conduct are directly related to sincere efforts at compliance.
On the environmental front, we have formulated the Murata Environmental Charter, establishing the Group窶冱 environmental policy and action plan on preventing global warming, reduction of waste, and chemical substance countermeasures as part of our daily activities. We consider reducing CO2 emissions, in particular, as one of the main pillars of our CSR activities, and consequently plan a 35% CO2 unit reduction ratio relative to fiscal 1990 by fiscal 2010.
In March 2007, our ISO14001 certification for individual sites was converted into multi-site certification for the Group in Japan. With this certification, we are developing and enhancing an environmental management system that incorporates everything from design and development to production and sales, and we are improving groupwide environmental communications.
We remain fully aware of the impact of our production activities and products on the environment and our responsibility with regard to those repercussions, and we will continue to focus on reducing our environmental impact.
Since Murata established the Murata Science Foundation in 1985 with the objective of contributing to sciety through the development of science and technology, the foundation has promoted the advancement and development of science and technology and has fostered research leading to the resolution of problems in the humanities and social science areas.
Moreover, calling on Murata窶冱 knowledge, technology, and talented people, the foundation holds science classes at elementary and junior high schools around Japan to combat the drop in interest in the sciences among young children. These educational programs feature MURATA BOY, Murata Manufacturing窶冱 bicycling robot, to stimulate children窶冱 interest in science.
Environmental education programs that raise children窶冱 awareness of environmental preservation are also part of our efforts as an environmentally conscious corporation. Additionally, we believe that creating, preserving, and stimulating regional culture is our social responsibility, and based on that belief, each operating site has been engaged in green activities to blend in with local cultures and nature.
In fiscal 2007, we also initiated the Murata Forest program in Kameoka, Kyoto, to promote forest preservation as well as communication with local residents. Murata will continue to use its various resources effectively to contribute to local communities and society at large.
Murata has established a CSR Promotion Office to advance CSR activities, and in fiscal 2008 we established the CSR Promotion Committee, of which I am the chairman. I am happy to report that with these new developments, we will move forward with CSR activities as a management strategy of ever greater importance.
We welcome your candid opinions and look forward to your continued support.
Murata窶冱 Philosophy
The Business of Murata, Contributing to Society
