Initiatives for SDGs

In December 2021, we decided to work on promoting SDGs through our corporate activities.
We will introduce our efforts so far.

 Establishment of SDGs promotion team

  We have set up an in-house SDGs promotion team so that each department and group company can promote SDGs.

Carbon neutrality

・Our CO2 emissions standards
Our one-year in-house CO2 emissions (Scope1, Scope2) were 4154 tons in the fiscal year ended July 2019 (August 2018-July 2019).
(Our emission survey was conducted by Juroku Bank, which was supervised by WasteBox Co., Ltd., and met the standards of the GHG protocol.)

We started working on carbon neutral in 2021, but in 2020 and 2021, the factory was not fully operational due to the coronavirus pandemic.
FY2019 was the most recent period when the factory was fully operational, we have decided to make effort for carbon neutral based on CO2 emissions in FY2019.

In addition, since “YAMAKATSU MINOTOEN Co.,” and “Oda Pottery Co., Ltd.” became group companies after 2020, the comparison of CO2 emissions with FY2019 is conducted separately for Yamaka Shoten Co., Ltd. alone and for the total of the group companies.

for the manufacturing flow of our products

・CO2 emissions(Scope1, Scope2) result in FY2024
CO2 emissions of “Yamaka Shoten Co., Ltd.” alone in FY2024 were 2755 tons (66.3% compared with FY2019).

CO2 emissions of the total of the group companies in FY2024 were 3356 tons.

(CO2 emissions of the group company “Oda Pottery Co., Ltd.” are accounted for based on the results since it became our group company in April 2024.)

・Divided by site and by energy.
(Assuming total emissions for the FY2019 as 100)

By Site

By Energy

・Target CO2 emission reduction for FY2025

25%(Yamaka Shoten Co., Ltd. alone, compared with FY2019)

・Efforts for that

a）Regularly check of CO2 emissions

From FY2022, we have been regularly checking our company's CO2 emissions

b）Promotion of solar power generation

We installed solar power generation device on the roof of our porcelain factory and decal processing factory in 2022. About 20% of the electricity used in our factories have been switched to renewable energy.

We are also considering to install a new solar power generation system in another place.

c）LED lighting
The lighting that is always used in the company is switched to LED.

d）Adoption of energy-saving products
When we purchase or replacing new electric appliances and company cars, we will actively adopt energy-saving products.
Energy-saving air conditioners, cars, etc. that were replaced after 2022

e）Research on air-fuel ratio during firing products in porcelain factory
Since 2022, we have been strengthening research on the "air-fuel ratio" when firing products.

By properly adjusting the ratio of air to fuel, the same firing can be done with less fuel.

・About long-term efforts
In order to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, it is important to reduce CO2 emissions by using LPG in our factory. However, now, it is difficult to establish the manufacturing methods that significantly reduce energy, or to find other energy that could reduce CO2 emissions.
Carbon neutrality is one of the social issues. We will explore the possibility while referring to information from external organizations.

 Review of office supplies and packaging materials

a）Promotion of the using paper products certified by FSC
We switch paper products (copy paper, business cards, catalogs, etc.) to FSC certified paper products as much as possible.

b）Promote simple packaging
We will try to pack products as simply as possible.

c）Review packaging materials
We will switch packaging materials such as packing tape, cushioning material, etc. to environmentally friendly products as much as possible.

Promotion of digitization and mechanization

We will promote digitization and mechanization in various workplaces, strive to improve work efficiency, go paperless, and improve the work environment.
･Utilization of the cloud (we are striving to improve operational efficiency and go paperless)
･Utilization of RPA (automation of input work, automatic distribution of information, etc.)
･Mechanization of work

Mechanization introduced after 2022 and utilization of RPA

Recycled Ceramic Tableware

We started selling recycled ceramic tableware in April 2022. The ceramic tableware is manufactured from natural clay and stone, but it does not return to the original clay and stone after firing. Recycled tableware is a product that uses recycled raw materials (raw materials that are made by crushing used ceramic tableware and partially mixing it with new raw materials).

Click here for the details

Garbage separation

We post a garbage disposal manual at each site.

 Compliance

We will strive to enhance compliance by creating compliance rules and setting up a workplace consultation desk.

 Promotion of work-life balance and diversity

・Promoting work-life balance and diversity,

a)Create an environment where both childcare and nursing care can be balanced with work.
･Make an effort to support the childcare and nursing care leave system
･Inform people who do not currently need support to the system so that it will lead to future support.

b)Regularly check overtime hours, try to solve problems in each department and control overtime.

c)Promote the active participation of women in various workplaces.
d)We establish a "subsidy system for health management" in which the company will pay part of the costs of flu vaccinations and medical checkups.


・Main indicators of employment status

Annual Holidays
115 days
Separately, 5 days of planned grant of paid holiday.

Rate of taking annual paid holiday
80.5% (Persons enrolled on May 10, 2024, results for the past year/Previous year was 74.5%)

Average overtime hours per month
5.6 hours (actual results in 2023 for overtime workers／Previous year was 8.9hours）

Rate of female managers
17.9%　(As of August 2024)