Kao Corporation

At Kao, we believe that embracing the world’s diversity makes businesses and society stronger and more beautiful. This month, we want to celebrate our Kao Pride and LGBTQIA+ employee resource groups and their great contribution to an inclusive workplace where people can be their authentic selves and are valued for who they are. Today, meet Riem, Technical Training Manager in our Global Salon Team and member of the Kao EMEA LGBTQIA+ All Stars Community. #Pride2024

A state-of-the-art travel experience: The Heathrow T5 store of our British luxury brand Molton Brown offers innovative gifting and guides customers through its complimentary services via a hologram. From a Personal Fragrance or Gifting Consultation led by Molton Brown’s Fragrance Experts to the brand’s new engraving service so customers can leave their unique mark on an Eau de Parfum or Toilette bottle, Molton Brown is dedicated to creating the most memorable gifts, beautifully wrapped for take-off. Make sure to stop by on your next trip via Heathrow! #Fragrance #LuxuryCosmetics #TravelRetail #GiftingService

Becoming an essential company in a sustainable world: our recently published Integrated Report outlines focused strategies and actions to realise our Mid-term Plan K27 and bold vision to protect future lives. The report focuses on four frameworks that will guide Kao towards achieving its ambitious goals: 🎯 Build Global Sharp Top businesses that have high customer demand and profitability on a global scale. 🧩 Global Sharp Top organizational management: develop talented individuals with exceptional skills and creativity to address important needs. 📈 Improving capital efficiency and profitability and maximising the value of our management capital. 🤝 Build businesses through co-creation with partners and maximise our technology assets. Kao CEO Yoshihiro Hasebe reinforces Kao’s vision and commitment as part of its K27 plan: “We aim to be the one and only company in the world to provide sharp value proposals that customers wholeheartedly support. This is the essence of the Global Sharp Top mindset.” Access the full message and report via the link in the comments. #AnnualReport #IntegratedReport #BusinessStrategy 

We are excited to share that our Sustainability Report 2024 is out today. It includes key actions as part of our ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, and how these contribute to our Global Sharp Top business strategy. Focus areas covered in the report include: 🌍 new initiatives to promote biodiversity, human rights and DE&I 🌴 improved traceability for palm oil procurement 📈 the impact of ESG activities on Kao's financial results and business growth Dave Muenz, Director, Managing Executive Officer in charge of Kao’s ESG Division, shares in his message: “At Kao, we strive to optimize our business operations across the value chain through ESG-focused Yoki-Monozukuri, and bring value to our communities through solutions to social issues. Our ESG strategy the Kirei Lifestyle Plan puts the consumer at its center, illustrating the direction of our action and setting ambition targets. Based on this, in 2023, we accelerated our initiatives looking towards our mid-term plan K27 with the visions of “sustainability as the only path” and “protecting future lives”. Read the top messages by our CEO Yoshihiro Hasebe and Dave Muenz below and access the full report via the link in the comments. #ESG #Sustainability #Report #MakingLifeBeautiful 

“My hair is a sign of strength for me - this strength gives me a feeling of security and self-confidence“ This personal statement made by Andrea, who was already part of the relaunch campaign of our haircare brand Guhl, was a true inspiration to our team and is now at the heart of the brand’s new campaign, showing how hair can be an expression of inner strength. „We want to focus on authentic images and everyday moments - and real stories, like the one Andrea shared with us during our last collaboration.”, says Anna Katharina Strohm, Associate Director Marketing, Guhl Europe. “Andrea has beautiful hair that she sees as a sign of strength. A truly inspiring perspective that we wanted to reflect as authentically as possible." In line with its “Genuinely Familiar” campaign two years ago, Guhl is setting itself apart from traditional hair care advertising and making a statement for more representation and diversity. The campaign for the new Guhl Bond+ Repair line was developed in collaboration with David+Martin and is now live on German television, Youtube and Social Media. #Guhl #Haircare #InnerStrength

Biodiversity is not just an environmental issue – it impacts all areas of our life and is directly linked to the health of our society and the success of businesses. But where exactly do businesses and nature intersect? To answer this, Kao conducted a biodiversity risks and opportunities analysis as recommended by the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) on Nature-related Financial Disclosures. The report outlines how Kao’s business and supply chain are interfacing with areas that are especially important for biodiversity. The report is an important first step to identify touchpoints with biodiversity and assess how our business depends on and impacts nature. Kao also released a revised Action Policy on Biodiversity, which provides more detailed information and reflects specific actions towards conservation and restoration of biodiversity, as well as Kao's stance on international biodiversity information disclosure and target setting. #Biodiversity #Sustainability #ESG #MakingLifeBeautiful 

How do we make businesses and society stronger? By embracing the world’s diversity of cultures, nationalities, beliefs, ethnicities, genders, identities, and abilities. We are convinced that diverse teams are better teams - delivering better results and letting people grow and develop. On today’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, we want to celebrate our employee resource groups and their great work to create an inclusive environment and a safe space for people every day – and all our employees at Kao and their individual backgrounds! ❤️ We believe that bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability, and development. This is why today we are joining the many voices that help promote the importance of cultural diversity. #Diversity #CulturalDiversity #ESG

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage, and this year’s theme is “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation.” Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao has been innovating ways to make life more beautiful for over 130 years. From diverse traditions to technological advancements and a pioneering spirit, AAPI heritage enriches our world in countless ways. Kao values the opportunity to foster an inclusive environment where every voice is heard and every heritage is celebrated.  Join us as we celebrate the rich cultures and invaluable contributions of AAPI communities around the world. #AAPI #AAPIHERITAGEMONTH #DEl #Kirei

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption released its 18th annual Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list recognizing organizations with the most robust adoption benefit programs. Kao USA Inc could not be more proud to be honored again this year – tying for #69 on this competitive list. In addition to being named in the top 100, we are also proud that we ranked #4 for consumer products companies. Kao recognizes the important role of families and children, and takes action to benefit the families within our company. The support Kao offers to employees can make a critical difference in creating a successful adoption scenario. Kao supports employees who wish to adopt by providing mother, fathers and domestic partners with paid leave to help them recover and/or to care for and bond with a newborn, whether they are parents by birth or adoption. Our policy includes foster care benefits and more! See the link for the official list in the comments below! #adoptionfriendly

Early this month, 25 Kao USA Inc employees based in Cincinnati had the opportunity to support the American Heart Association by attending and representing Kao Corporation at the 2024 Go Red Experience at the Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds Professional Baseball Team.  AHA is an incredible organization doing lifesaving work and research related to heart health in the United States and globally. In the Americas Region, Kao and the Kao Network of Women are proud Corporate Sponsors of the AHA and #GoRedForWomen. Many employees are also personally generous and double their impact with the employee donation match benefit at Kao USA Inc.  At this event, attendees were inspired by speakers, had the opportunity to learn hands-only CPR and take some batting practice on the field. Special thanks to Amy Jones Davis and Katie Heineman and all volunteers who made this an extraordinary event benefitting many!