Sustainability Management

  1. Basic Policy
  2. Sustainability Promotion System
  3. Sustainability Priorities
  4. Sustainability Awareness Raising
  5. Participation in Initiatives

Basic Policy

The mission of the Yamaha Group is to continue to create excitement and cultural inspiration together with people around the world by utilizing the assets, various resources, unique expertise, and sensibilities originating from sound and music. To put this philosophy into practice, the Yamaha Group is working to understand the impact of its business activities on the environment and society and pursue dialogue with stakeholders while overcoming challenges toward the creation of a sustainable society.
The Group is also actively contributing to the accomplishment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a set of shared targets embraced by the global society, through its business activities.
The goals and targets of the SDGs are emphasized in the development of products and services and in efforts to improve business processes. Specific examples of these efforts include advancing music promotion activities to contribute to Goal 4 "Quality education" and practicing sustainable timber procurement to help achieve Goal 12 "Responsible consumption and production" and Goal 15 "Life on land."

[ picture ] Sustainable Development Goals : SDGs

Sustainability Promotion System

Under the guidance of the Board of Directors, Yamaha Corporation established the Sustainability Committee as an advisory body to the president in January 2021. This committee is tasked with discussing directives for Groupwide sustainability initiatives, monitoring these initiatives, and reporting to the president on these matters.
Five working groups—the Working Group for Climate Change, Working Group for Resource Circulation, Working Group for Procurement, Working Group for Human Rights, D&I, and Working Group for Social and Cultural Contributions—have been formed under the Sustainability Committee to formulate activity policies for important Groupwide themes and monitor trends in their respective areas. The working groups act on a cross-business basis by coordinating with the relevant divisions to advance self-driven activities based on the theme of their assigned area. Companywide strategies pertaining to the priorities examined by these working groups are decided by the Sustainability Committee, the Managing Council, and the Board of Directors, and these strategies shape the policies and measures of divisions and Group companies.

Sustainability Promotion System

Sustainability Priorities

The Yamaha Group has established sustainability priorities for the medium to long term based on the impact of its business activities on the environment and society as well as on stakeholder expectations and social demands.

Priority Identification Process

  1. Identification of Sustainability Issues
    Identification of sustainability issues within the Yamaha Group value chain based on ISO 26000 (an international guidance on social responsibility) and the SDGs
  2. Evaluation of Importance of Issues from the Perspectives of Stakeholders
    Evaluation of importance of identified issues out of consideration for feedback from customers, employees, and local communities; ESG evaluation items; opinions and requests from NGOs; and advice from outside experts
  3. Evaluation of Importance within the Yamaha Group
    Evaluation of importance of identified issues out of consideration for Yamaha’s management vision and medium- to long-term management policies
  4. Identification of Sustainability Priorities
    Selection of issues warrants a strong approach based on results of important evaluations followed by identification of sustainability priorities through discussion among senior management

After the sustainability priorities were identified, targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) for evaluating progress toward the sustainability priorities were set by relevant divisions and for the Sustainability Division, and action plans were formulated with this regard. The targets, KPIs, and action plans have been approved by senior management. Through progress monitoring by the Sustainability Division and annual reviews by the Managing Council, which is chaired by the president, and by the Sustainability Committee, we are promoting efforts to address our sustainability priorities.

[ picture ] Process for identifying priorities

Sustainability Priorities and Progress in Related Initiatives

Sustainability priorities Major initiatives Classification under the Make Waves 1.0 medium-term management plan Fiscal 2021 progress and results Future issues and medium-term management plan targets Related SDGs
Development of products and services with a focus on social and environmental issues Response to societal issues Culture/Society
Music Culture and Education
  • Announced digital instruments with improved functions for accommodating musical expressions commonly used in the Middle East
Universal Design
  • Engaged in initiatives with 20 cultural arts organizations after SoundUD™ was recognized as a venture for enhancing the profitability of cultural arts by the Agency for Cultural Affairs
  • Took part in R&D project for enhancing multilanguage translation technologies outsourced from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
  • Achieved SoundUD™ Consortium membership of 340 companies and organizations
  • Introduced voice readout functionality to 63% of touch screen-equipped digital musical instruments
Health and Safety Solutions
  • Launched eight new headphones and earphones (all new models) equipped with Listening Care function for reducing burden on ears
Workplace
  • Enhanced remote meeting systems and other technologies and product lineups for addressing online meeting demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Established teleworking consultation helpdesk
  • Proposed speakerphones as a remote class solution for supporting school education amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Remote Solutions
  • Officially released and promoted use of SYNCROOM online remote ensemble performance service
  • Developed Distance Viewing next-generation live viewing system
  • Received 2020 Good Design Award and Bronze Award in the category of Service Design in the IAUD International Design Awards 2020 program for deploying Remote Cheerer powered by SoundUD™ remote cheering system jointly together with J.LEAGUE and professional baseball teams and utilizing the system for basketball, professional wrestling, track and field, and para-sports events
Music Culture and Education
  • Promote SoundUD™ through government projects, distribute software development kits for applications for inbound tourists, and began offering translation services
Universal Design
  • Promote SoundUD™ through government projects, distribute development kits for applications for inbound tourists, and began offering translation services
  • Expand range of electronic musical instruments equipped with voice readout functionality
Health and Safety Solutions
  • Equip over 70% of headphones and earphones with functions for reducing burden on ears
Workplace
  • Provide approximately 200,000 teleworking opportunities (people/places) and implement workstyle reforms
Remote Solutions
  • Propose solutions matched to new lifestyle patterns
[ icon ] GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
[ icon ] QUALITY EDUCATION
[ icon ] DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
[ icon ] INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
[ icon ] REDUCED INEQUALITIES
[ icon ] SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
[ icon ] CLIMATE ACTION
[ icon ] PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
Response to environmental issues Environment
  • Certified aggregate total of 75 models of Yamaha Eco-Products over the period of the medium-term management plan (aggregate total of 454 models, 16% of sales)
  • Commenced shipments of automotive thermoelectric power generation modules
  • Promoted development of organic solvent-free coating technology
  • Promoted development of alternatives for scarce timber resources
  • Certify aggregate total of 120 models as Yamaha Eco-Products over the medium-term management plan period (by March 31, 2022)
  • Introduce waste heat power generation module into the automotive market
  • Develop organic solvent-free coating technology
  • Develop sustainable materials surpassing scarce timber resources
[ icon ] AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
[ icon ] INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
[ icon ] RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
[ icon ] CLIMATE ACTION
[ icon ] LIFE ON LAND
Development of regional community-based business and social contribution activities Support for the spread of instrumental music education in schools Culture/Society
  • Delivered instrumental music education opportunities to aggregate total of 710,000 people in 4,100 schools in six countries (Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Brazil, and United Arab Emirates) through the School Project
  • Provided aggregate total of approximately 7,500 students from 77 schools in seven countries in Africa and the Middle East with opportunities to play musical instruments
  • Provide opportunities to play musical instruments to aggregate total of 1,000,000 people in 3,000 schools in seven countries through the School Project (by March 31, 2022)
  • Provide aggregate total of approximately 8,300 students from 75 schools in seven countries in Africa and the Middle East with opportunities to play musical instruments
[ icon ] QUALITY EDUCATION
[ icon ] DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
[ icon ] SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
[ icon ] RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
[ icon ] PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
Support for youth development orchestra/band
  • Held online musical instrument maintenance seminars for 15 organizations in seven countries in Latin America (total of 34 seminars) and online seminars for cultivating repair technicians for 31 individuals in eight countries
  • Commenced trial initiatives in two new candidate countries for support activities
  • Continue to provide musical instrument maintenance seminars and repair technician training in Latin America and expand efforts to new countries and organizations
  • Expand scope of supported countries by two countries over the medium-term management plan period (by March 31, 2022)
  • Support the spread of wind instrument bands and orchestras best suited to specific countries and regions around the world
Community support
  • Conducted five new support initiatives (making for an aggregate total of 12 initiatives over the medium-term management plan period) as part of a project to build communities through music (Oto-Machi Project)
  • Launch 10 new support projects as part of the Oto-Machi Project over the medium-term management plan period (by March 31, 2022)
Lowering of greenhouse gas emissions Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during business activities Environment
  • Examined measures for accomplishing medium- to long-term emission reduction targets certified by Science Based Targets
  • Expanded use of renewable energy (began sourcing 100% of power purchased at headquarters from renewable energy in April 2021)
  • Implemented initiatives for reducing emission from logistics (logistics downsizing, transportation distance reduction, shift to modes of transportation with lower emissions, joint transportation trials, etc.)
  • Received third-party greenhouse gas emission verification
  • Examine possibility of raising medium- to long-term emissions reduction targets and advance initiatives for accomplishing reduction targets
  • Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions through energy conservation activities and proactive shift to renewable energy
  • Advance development of products with high energy efficiency
  • Implement emissions reductions activities through coordination with suppliers and logistics partners
  • Continue to receive third-party greenhouse gas emission verification
[ icon ] AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
[ icon ] CLIMATE ACTION
Response to climate change
  • Commenced detailed scenario analyses based on recommendations of Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
  • Identify and quantify climate change-related risk and opportunities through analyses based on scenario of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-​industrial levels
  • Ramp up analyses and disclosure pertaining to material items (timber use, supplier and other base water risks, etc.)
Sustainable procurement of timber Prevention of use of illegally lumbered timber; expansion of use of certified timber Environment
  • Improved timber due diligence (DD) system
  • Conducted DD on all timber purchased and judged 99.4% of purchases as low risk
  • Increased ratio of certified timber to 48%
  • Switched to lower-risk timber
  • Improve DD (improve inspection accuracy) and accomplish 100% rate of purchases at low risk
  • Increase ratio of certified timber (fiscal 2022 target: 50%)
  • Develop musical instruments (such as for the cabinet material of pianos) that use timber with a lower risk
[ icon ] RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
[ icon ] CLIMATE ACTION
[ icon ] LIFE ON LAND
[ icon ] PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
Procurement of timber with an awareness of cycle-based forest preservation
  • Advanced planting of African blackwood trees in Tanzania (1,900 trees planted over 1.5-hectare area, making for aggregate total of 7,400 trees planted), expanded scope of activities, and provided education on rice field cultivation and tree planting
  • Held Sakhalin spruce tree planting event in Hokkaido
  • Conducted research and made three results announcements related to African blackwood and Sakhalin spruce trees (in collaboration with Kyoto University)
  • Provide technical support to produce high-quality timber from African blackwood and promote tree-planting projects
  • Promote joint research with academic institutions (such as Kyoto University) to develop forest resources and optimize usage efficiency
Promotion of the "3Rs" in products Packing and packaging material measures Environment
  • Downsized packaging and cut back on use of plastic packaging materials
  • Began transitioning to certified paper shopping bags in place of plastic shopping bags
  • Promote streamlining of packaging (introduce packaging/cushioning material with a low environmental impact and advance downsizing efforts)
  • Implement measures for shopping bags and other single-use packing materials (stop using plastic, etc.)
[ icon ] RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
[ icon ] LIFE BELOW WATER
[ icon ] LIFE ON LAND
Product measures
  • Set long-term roadmap for product "3Rs" initiatives
  • Launched and began shipping retrofit pianos (with silent functions installed, Disklavier models upgraded, etc.) in Japan, North America, and Europe
  • Promote the "3Rs" in relation to products based on long-term vision
  • Enhance services to allow customers to continue to use the musical instruments they cherish (piano retrofitting, etc.)
Systematic initiatives for the respect of human rights System/framework development Society
  • Conducted monitoring of and provided feedback to domestic and overseas Group companies based on the Guidelines for Labor and Human Rights
  • Performed human rights education and on-site meetings using the Yamaha Human Rights Guidebook
  • Strengthen human rights monitoring frameworks
  • Enhance internal training and initiatives for promoting awareness of human rights
[ icon ] DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
[ icon ] REDUCED INEQUALITIES
Supply chain CSR management
  • Completed assessments, corrective measures, and transaction reviews of 3,748 companies subject to simultaneous assessment in 2019
  • Conducted assessments of 149 new suppliers
  • Held sustainable timber procurement briefings for procurement representatives (Japan, China, and Indonesia)
  • Conduct simultaneous supplier CSR assessments (every three years)
  • Perform assessments when beginning transactions
  • Hold seminars targeting procurement personnel and suppliers
Promotion of diversity and human resources development Global human resources management Society
  • Established Group employee training guidelines and performed monitoring based on these guidelines
  • Conducted global selective training for senior management candidates
  • Promote human resources management based on the Group-standard grading and employee training guidelines
[ icon ] GENDER EQUALITY
[ icon ] DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
[ icon ] REDUCED INEQUALITIES
Accommodation of diverse workstyles
  • Expanded teleworking systems (eliminated usage reason and number restrictions, established allowance systems, etc.)
  • Established new systems for supporting employees in balancing work and medical treatment
  • Expand work–life balance support systems
  • Broaden scope of applicability for teleworking systems to prevent employees from having to take posts that separate them from family and to accommodate nursing care needs
Promotion of diversity and inclusion
  • Increased ratio of female managers within the Yamaha Group to 16.0% (worldwide total)
  • Established the Working Group for Gender Equality as a Companywide advisory committee
  • Held awareness-raising campaigns in conjunction with International Women's Day (declaration of support for UN Women Unstereotype Alliance, discussions with other companies, etc.)
  • Arranged training for employees returning from childcare leave
  • Held diversity and inclusion online seminar for all domestic and overseas employees
  • Conducted unconscious bias training
  • Awarded with the highest rating of gold in the PRIDE INDEX for second consecutive year in recognition of sexual minority consultation venue and internal and external awareness-raising activities
  • Improve ratio of female managers to 17% on a Groupwide basis over the medium-term management plan period (by March 31, 2022)
  • Implement internal systems
  • Conduct awareness-raising activities to promote understanding inside and outside of the Group

The Make Waves 1.0 medium-term management plan, launched in April 2019, defines social contribution through our business as an important strategy and sets KPI targets as non-financial management goals related to our sustainability priorities of spreading instrumental music education within emerging countries and of procuring sustainable timber.

Sustainability Awareness Raising

The Yamaha Group aims to promote sustainability throughout the roles and duties of all members, from managers to new recruits. To this end, we conduct training and seminars and make use of resources such as the Company intranet to educate employees and raise awareness on sustainability. Since fiscal 2018, we have been promoting deeper understanding of the SDGs through posters, Company newsletters, and internal events in order to help all Group employees realize the connection between their work and the SDGs.

Sustainability information site on the Company intranet
Posters and Company newsletters introducing the SDGs
Sustainability education course as part of new recruit training
Lecture explaining the SDGs to lower- and upper-level managers
SDGs exhibition at Company event

Participation in Initiatives

With a commitment to cooperating and forming ties with global society as we work toward building a sustainable society, Yamaha Corporation signed the UN Global Compact in June 2011 and is working to adhere to the Ten Principles. In addition, we actively participate in subcommittees* of Global Compact Network Japan as a member.

* Fiscal 2021 subcommittee participation: Environmental Management, Kansai, Human Rights Due Diligence, Human Rights Education, Disaster Prevention/Mitigation, ESG, and Reporting

Organization in Which the Yamaha Group is a Signatory or Member

  • UN Global Compact
  • Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
  • Science Based Targets
  • SoundUD™ Consortium