Mizuho's CSR Management

Promoting Coexistence with Stakeholders on the Basis of the Basic Principles of the Consolidation and The Mizuho Code of Conduct

Mizuho is proactively expanding its business against the background of increasingly global markets. In order to coexist with international society, it must further strengthen initiatives that take into account the needs of a wide range of stakeholders and the global environment with a view to creating a society capable of sustainable development.

In order to coexist with international society, Mizuho must further strengthen initiatives that take into account the needs of a wide range of stakeholders and the global environment with a view to creating a society capable of sustainable development. Based on this approach, Mizuho places CSR initiatives at the heart of its corporate activities as it works both to fulfill its responsibilities in its core business and to make the most of the management resources it has built up through its core activities.

In taking up these initiatives, it depends on the Five Basic Principles of the Consolidation announced when Mizuho was first established, as well as the concrete concepts and guidelines embodied in The Mizuho Code of Conduct, to guide it in its managerial decision making and daily behavior as it endeavors to promote coexistence with its various stakeholders.

Additionally, in order to pursue CSR activities that adopt a global perspective, we participate in international initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact^*1 and the UNEP Finance Initiative^*2.

*1. United Nations Global Compact

Ten voluntary, universal principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption that the UN encourages companies and civil society organizations to support and enact within their sphere of influence.

Human Rights

1. Principle 1:Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
2. Principle 2:make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour

1. Principle 3:Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
2. Principle 4:the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
3. Principle 5:the effective abolition of child labour; and
4. Principle 6:the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment

1. Principle 7:Businesses are asked to support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
2. Principle 8:undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
3. Principle 9:encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption

1. Principle 10:Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

*2. UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)

Aims to identify, promote and realize the adoption of best environmental and sustainability practices at all levels of financial institution operations.