KOSE Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazutoshi Kobayashi) has now additionally formulated medium- to long-term targets in the “KOSÉ Sustainability Plan,” which summarizes the Group's sustainability strategies and goals, and the corporate message “To beautiful people, to the Earth.” We will strengthen efforts that embody
At the same time, we announced the progress status for fiscal 2023 ※1 on sustainability promotion activities on various important themes, including the targets newly formulated this time.

※1　https://corp.kose.co.jp/ja/sustainability/plan/pdf/kose_sustainability_progress2023.pdf

Upward revisions and new formulation of medium- to long-term targets

Additional formulation points for the current “KOSE Sustainability Plan” medium- to long-term goals are as follows.

[To people] An important theme that contributes to people and society
As a result of rapidly promoting company-wide group-wide initiatives for the 2 themes that have been set since the 2020 target was initially formulated, the target was achieved ahead of schedule, and the target until 2030 was revised upward.
・ “Support for a beautiful, healthy, and happy life”
・ “Contributing to a society where people can play an active role regardless of gender”

[To Earth] Important themes that contribute to the global environment
Regarding responses to climate change and plastic issues, we have newly formulated targets to strengthen efforts throughout the value chain based on social demands.
・ “Reducing CO2 Emissions” Target to reduce CO2 emissions to virtually zero
・Various targets related to “sustainability-friendly design for plastic containers and packaging materials”

KOSE Sustainability Plan P11-13 　https://corp.kose.co.jp/ja/sustainability/plan/pdf/20210430.pdf
Corporate Site “Sustainability” Medium- to Long-Term Targets 　https://corp.kose.co.jp/ja/sustainability/plan/goal/

“To beautiful wise people, to the Earth.”　
“To people”: Status of sustainability promotion activities

Social Contribution Activities
The Group's corporate message is “To beautiful wise people, to the Earth.” As shown by, all of our employees share a strong determination to use wisdom related to beauty for people and the planet. In social contribution activities, we have set up this way of thinking and the “Basic Policy for Social Contribution Activities,” and now we have established 5 new priority areas and are proceeding with our efforts.

In 2024, we will promote activities in the field of skin care, including UV protection, as an effort to “raise awareness for the next generation.”

・I would like supplementary teaching materials supervised by our company with information on protecting the skin from ultraviolet rays
It will be distributed to junior high schools and high schools.
・Plan UV protection courses for middle and high school students and people involved in sports.
・Outdoor departments that are easily affected by ultraviolet rays, even in brand business activities
We plan to carry out a campaign to support people who do outside activities.

Going forward, we will continue to focus on people's well-being and contribute to local communities through activities that contribute to “support beautiful, healthy, and happy lives.”
■KOSÉ Corporate Site “Together with Local Communities”　https://corp.kose.co.jp/ja/sustainability/community/

Initiatives that respect diverse individuality

The Group has set “Diversity and Inclusion Management Practice” as one of the foundations of its medium- to long-term vision “VISION2026,” and has promoted initiatives that respect diverse individuality.

[Examples of in-house initiatives] Unconscious bias training, support for women's activities, child-rearing employee support*5, etc.
[Examples of social initiatives] Development of a 40-color foundation, transmission of advertising messages to dispel gender stereotypes, etc. (efforts in line with adaptability ∞ ※6)

In order to further accelerate “3G*7,” which is currently being promoted company-wide, it is important to add the concept of fairness (equity) from the viewpoint of D&I, and to respect diverse individuality more than ever before in both the “workplace” and “customers/society.” Therefore, in order to further promote understanding and behavior change among employees, we have created a “KOSÉ DE & I Handbook” to understand diversity, and is developing it internally. At the same time, we have begun expanding the application of the personnel system to employees with same-sex partners from 2024/4 ※8.

Going forward, we aim to create a corporate culture that creates innovation through the fusion of diverse individuality, and we will continue to promote various initiatives to respect diverse individuality through both cultivating a culture and a system.

*5 Released on 2024/3/21 　KOSE selected as a “Nadeshiko Brand” for the 5th year of Reiwa as a company promoting the active participation of women ~ Contributing to a society where people can play an active role regardless of gender ~
*6 Released on April 30, 2021 　 “KOSE Sustainability Plan” Progress Report KOSE Announces 8 Items to Further Formulate Medium- to Long-Term Sustainability Targets and Clarify “Adaptability”
*7 A neologism indicating the direction of creating new customers, taking the initials Global (internationalization), Gender (gender), and Generation (generation)
*8 Released on 2024/4/1　 KOSE Expands Personnel Systems and Benefits to Same-Sex Partners ~Eligible for Vacation, Leave of Absence, and Various Allowances~

“To beautiful wise people, to the Earth.”　
“To Earth”: Status of sustainability promotion activities

Climate Change Response Initiatives
The Group is promoting various initiatives aimed at realizing a decarbonized society throughout the value chain, such as production sites and manufacturing.

[Initiatives at production sites]
In February 2023, all electricity used at the Sayama Plant (Sayama-shi, Saitama) was switched to renewable energy. Furthermore, at the Gunma Plant, we are promoting energy saving with large-scale air conditioning equipment, etc.

[Product Initiatives]
With toners such as “Sekkisei Clear Wellness Pure Conch SS” of our representative skincare brand “Sekkisei,” and the “Medicated Sekkisei Brightening Essence Lotion,” which was launched in 2024/3, we calculate the “carbon footprint” of CO2 emissions throughout the product life cycle, and are investigating measures aimed at reducing CO2 emissions and developing environmentally friendly products.

https://corp.kose.co.jp/ja/sustainability/environment/actionplan/pdf/SKCW-lotion_CFP.pdf

Appropriate Use of Plastics and Resource Recycling Initiatives

Our group uses plastics for various purposes, such as cosmetic containers and packaging, and storefront fixtures. The impact on the global environment related to plastics is an urgent issue to be solved, and it is important to promote resource recycling and waste reduction while using plastics effectively and appropriately in the future. In order to clarify these directions in manufacturing within the Group, the “KOSÉ Group Plastics Policy” consists of two perspectives: “reduction of environmental impact” and “partnership with stakeholders”^※9” has been formulated, and container design based on 4R (Reduce/Reuse/Recycle/Renewable) is being promoted.

*9 Corporate website “Response for Resource Recycling” KOSÉ Group Plastics Policy:　Response to resource recycling