(1) |
Businesses are more backward
in disclosing information on social issues than in disclosing
environmental information
In the 2003 survey, valid replies were received from 502 companies,
and the percentage response was 25.1%. Approximately 95% of
those companies replied to the questionnaire on environmental
issues whereas the percentage of companies that replied to the
questionnaire on social issues was less than half, at approximately
44%. |
(2) |
There is still a gap between
manufacturing and non-manufacturing industries in terms of establishment
of environmental policies and introduction of environmental
management systems (EMSs)
Manufacturers have been actively taking environmental measures
since early on, and in the 2003 survey as well, there was a
large gap among the industries in terms of the progress made
in establishing environmental policies and introducing EMSs.
In particular, the delay of the service, telecom and financial
industries in taking environmental measures is conspicuous.
|
(3) |
Little progress has been made
in effectively using environmental accounting in decision-making
process by managers
The percentage of companies that had introduced environmental
accounting had reached 60% of the companies that gave valid
replies, but only half of them replied that the value reflected
decision-making by managers based on environmental accounting.
|
(4) |
Less than half
of the companies surveyed disclosed negative information in
their environmental reports
Less than half of the companies that published environmental
reports disclosed information on the violation of laws or ordinances,
accidents/pollution and complaints, in their reports. |
(5) |
An increasing number of companies
are able to grasp the condition of soil and underground water
contamination
The percentage of companies that carried out activities for
grasping the condition of soil and underground water contamination
in the precincts of their offices and plants exceeded 60% of
companies that gave valid replies. In particular, those efforts
are advancing in the electric equipment, transport equipment
and chemical industries. |
(6) |
An increasing number of companies
are able to grasp the condition of soil and underground water
contamination
The percentage of companies that carried out activities for
grasping the condition of soil and underground water contamination
in the precincts of their offices and plants exceeded 60% of
companies that gave valid replies. In particular, those efforts
are advancing in the electric equipment, transport equipment
and chemical industries. |
(7) |
Half of businesses consider
management of environmental and social risks the responsibility
of the board of directors
Half of the companies that gave valid replies made it clear
that the grasping and management of environmental and social
risks was the responsibility of the board of directors. In particular,
the risk management recognition level, as a responsibility of
the board of directors, is low in the pharmaceutical and transport
equipment industries. |
(8) |
The response to health hazard,
accident or product/service defect when information on such
incidents is received varies from one company to another
The percentage of companies that had established in advance
policies and procedures to ensure swift response to problems
with products and/or services that were identified was high
for the foodstuff, glass/earth/stone and chemical industries
and low for the construction, pharmaceutical and electric power/gas
industries. |
(9) |
Flexible working-hour systems
are in place but issues remain to be addressed in terms of other
working patterns
Approximately half of the companies that gave valid replies
had in place flexible time and short-hour work systems, but
only a limited number of companies allowed their employees to
work at home or at satellite offices. |
(10) |
Businesses generally regard
environmental consideration as their overseas materials procurement
standards
A little less than 90% of the companies that had overseas materials
procurement standards included environmental consideration in
such standards. Meanwhile, only a handful of companies confirmed
whether overseas suppliers respected fundamental human rights
and workers' rights. |