Japan Markets ViewESG A to Z Vol. 11
KIRIN HD(1)

Feb 13, 2024

Topic

Introduction of Kirin Holdings’ (Ticker: 2503) CSV management, Purpose, main responsibility as an alcohol producer, and health-related initiatives

Interview Summary

What is the Kirin Group’s CSV management like?: CSV is a concept of solving social issues while creating economic value at the same time. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Kirin Holdings made donations as part of our corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. However, we felt limitations to our activities since we cannot continue them in the event of an economic downturn. Therefore, we shifted our focus from CSR to CSV. CSR is a concept of giving back a certain amount of corporate profits to society. Meanwhile, CSV emphasizes the creation of both economic and social value.
What is the Kirin Group’s CSV Purpose?: We defined our CSV Purpose with four priority issues. They include “A Responsible Alcohol Producer” as a foundation for CVS, along with “Health and Well-Being,” “The Environment,” and “Community Engagement.”
https://www.kirinholdings.com/en/purpose/
How do you think about your responsibility as a liquor (alcohol) producer, which is the foundation of the CSV Purpose, and how do you respond to it?: The Kirin Group is working to promote appropriate alcohol consumption under the slogan, “Slow Drink.” Specifically, we strive to prevent underage drinking and drunk driving. We are also developing non-alcoholic products, and clearly indicating alcohol content. In addition, we discontinued Free Flow service. Although alcohol has the positive element of helping people feel better during times of celebration or sadness, it should be consumed in moderation.
What are your initiatives in the field of “Health and Well-Being,” one of your CSV Purpose?: The Kirin Group is applying its beer fermentation technology to the field of health, focusing on three areas: food to increase the number of healthy people, health science to reduce disease, and contribution to healthcare professionals. In the food & beverages and health science fields, we are working to maintain immune functions by utilizing LC-Plasma, prevent lifestyle-related diseases through calorie control, and improve brain function. In the area of pharmaceuticals, we are working on particularly intractable diseases and special medical areas, aiming to meet the needs for medical products, which are difficult for medical manufacturers to develop. We desire to realize a peaceful society, taking into consideration both economic and social value.