The Ethisphere Institute, a leading US think-tank, has named Kao Corporation – the parent company of Kao Salon Division – as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies.
Kao is a leading consumer goods company and the only Asian company to have made the list of the World’s Most Ethical Companies every year since Ethisphere began its ranking in 2007.The Ethisphere Institute develops and shares best practices in business ethics and corporate social responsibility. The World’s Most Ethical Companies list recognises companies which have demonstrated outstanding performance in transparency, integrity, ethics, and compliance.
The Institute surveys and evaluates companies worldwide across five categories. These cover ethics and compliance programs, corporate citizenship and responsibility, culture of ethics, governance, and leadership and reputation.
Kirei Lifestyle Plan
In April 2019, the Kao Group established the Kirei Lifestyle Plan (see video above), an ESG strategy. The Japanese word ‘kirei’ describes something that is both clean and beautiful. For Kao, Kirei not only encapsulates appearance, but also attitude. It’s about creating beauty for oneself, other people, and for the world around us.
Since its start in 2021, the Kao Group Mid-term Plan 2025 (K25) has proclaimed “protecting future lives” and promoting “sustainability as the only path” as its vision. The Kao Group will continue to integrate its ESG strategy into its management practices. By maintaining and practicing a high level of ethical awareness it aims to develop its business and provide better products and services. It also aims to work towards its purpose, “to realise a Kirei world in which all life lives in harmony.”