Aiming to create a more robust system capable of accepting and properly handling a broad range of compliance-related reports within the Group from employees around the globe, in October 2018 Denka established new rules on whistleblowing based on the latest guidelines formulated by the Consumer Affairs Agency. In line with these rules, we have thus upgraded our conventional compliance hotline system into the Denka Group Helpline. Among the changes, we expanded the scope of eligibility for individuals making reports and began accepting reporting from cohabiting families of officers and employees while establishing external contacts capable of receiving reporting in multiple languages. Aiming to encourage the proactive use of this helpline, we sent out a message from the Company president to all Denka Group officers and employees while distributing a handbook and card featuring instructions about how to contact and use the helpline.
Although the number of reports received annually via the former compliance hotline system ranged from one to four, the number of reports received in fiscal 2018 increased to seven, reflecting the October 2018 upgrading of said system. In response to these reports, efforts are now under way to swiftly yet prudently investigate in detail the problems brought to our attention. Specifically, dedicated teams were launched to address each whistleblowing case and are acting in collaboration with external lawyers to ensure that necessary correction measures are implemented in a way that protects whistleblowers’ privacy.