In August 2022, Gakkan Group expressed its support for the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) established by the Financial Stability Board (FSB).
An index that reflects the performance of Japanese companies excellent in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures. The Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the world's largest public pension fund, has also adopted this index as its ESG investment index in passive management. It is used as an important investment benchmark by investors around the world.
TOPIX, a leading stock index that reflects trends in the Japanese market, is used as a universe to determine the weights of constituent stocks, with a focus on the disclosure of environmental information and the level of carbon efficiency (carbon emissions per net sales).
CDP is an international non-profit organisation based in London that works with institutional investors to ask companies and cities to disclose their strategies and data on climate change, water and forests, conducts analyses and evaluations based on the responses, and discloses the results to institutional investors and others. It rates climate change initiatives on an eight-point scale(A、A-、B、B-、C、C-、D、D-).
The Gakken Group was awarded a "B Score, "the third highest rating, in the CDP 2024 Climate Change Report. This indicates that we are aware of our environmental risks and impacts and are taking action to address them. We will continue to strengthen our efforts to address environment-related issues and enhance disclosure.
This system, jointly run by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan Health Council, recognises companies that have demonstrated excellence in health management, based on initiatives in line with local health issues and health promotion initiatives promoted by the Japan Health Council. In March 2025, twelve companies in the Group were recognised as excellent health management companies.
In accordance with Act on Advancement of Measures to Support Raising Next-Generation Children, companies that have formulated a general action plan for business owners, have implemented the goals set out in the plan, and meet certain criteria can apply for certification (Kurumin certification) from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) as "companies that support child rearing". In Gakken Group, 7 companies have received "Kurumin" certification and 1 company has received "Eruboshi" certification, and several other companies are working diligently to obtain certification in the near future. We will continue our efforts to enable each and every employee with diverse characteristics and values to play an active role.
This certification system is based on the Law for the Promotion of Women's Activities (went into effect in April 2016), and is a certification mark issued to companies that meet certain standards and whose status regarding the promotion of women's activities and other aspects of their activities are satisfactory. GAKKEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., I.C.Net Co., Ltd., Arukikata Co., Ltd., and Gakken Logistics Co., Ltd. has obtained this certification.
In July 2022, Gakken SmileHeart (now Gakken SmileHeartful) was certified as an excellent employer under the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's "Certification System for Excellent Small and Medium-sized Employers Regarding Employment of People with Disabilities (Monisu Certification System)" in recognition of its past efforts to "create employment for people with disabilities," "create a workplace environment where people with disabilities can work easily," and "provide training opportunities to support career advancement.
Combining the initials "P" and "a" of "Positive Action," the design depicts a woman full of creativity and vitality. The design is intended to appeal for the realization of a future in which both men and women are active and energetic, and in which companies work to create a gender-equal society by encouraging women to demonstrate their abilities and ensuring equal opportunities and treatment for both men and women. Gakken Group is also a participant in the 'Council for the Promotion of Women's Activities' of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare(MHLW).