External Evaluations

External Evaluation of Our ESG Initiatives

Corporate evaluation of ESG investment

ESG investment refers to investment that selects investment targets not only in terms of finance but also in consideration of ESG (environment, society, governance) factors that are non-financial information. Numerous ESG investment evaluations have been conducted at home and abroad.
The Company continues to be selected as a constituent of all ESG indices adopted by the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF).

<Status of Inclusion in the ESG Index>

FTSE4Good Index Series

We are selected as a member company of the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2003.
FTSE4Good Index is created by FTSE Russell (UK), a leading global index provider, and organized by companies that meet global standards concerning the environment, society, and governance based.

FTSE Blossom Japan Index

We are selected as a member company of the FTSE Blossom Japan Index since 2017.
The index for Japanese equities is created by FTSE Russell (UK) and organized by companies that meet diverse standards concerning the environment, society, and governance based on ESG evaluation.

FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index

We are selected as a member company of the FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index since 2022.
The index for Japanese equities created by FTSE Russell (UK), is designed to measure the performance of Japanese companies that demonstrate strong ESG practices. The index is constructed so that sector weights align with the Japanese equity market.

MSCI NIHONKABU ESG SELECT LEADERS INDEX

The index for Japanese equities is created by MSCI (U.S.A.) and composed of companies with high ESG ratings from each industry.

MSCI JAPAN EMPOWERING WOMEN INDEX

We are selected as a member company of the MSCI JAPAN EMPOWERING WOMEN INDEX. The index for Japanese equities is created by MSCI (U.S.A.) and designed by companies with excellent gender diversity in each industry.

Morningstar Japan ex-REIT Gender Diversity Tilt Index

We are selected as a member company of the Morningstar Japan ex-REIT Gender Diversity Tilt Index and are selected for Group 1, the top of the group.
The index for Gender diversity in the workplace is created by Morningstar(U.S.A.)and designed by companies that have strong gender diversity policies embedded in their corporate culture and that ensure equal opportunities to employees, irrespective of their gender.

S&P/JPX Carbon Efficient Index

We have been selected as a member company of the S&P/JPX Carbon Efficient Index since 2018. An ESG index jointly developed by S & P Dow Jones Indices and Japan Exchange Group (JPX). For the constituent stocks of Tokyo Stock Price Index (TOPIX), the inclusion ratio in the index will be determined in consideration of the disclosure status of environmental information and carbon efficiency (carbon emissions per unit of revenue).

SOMPO Sustainability Index

We are selected as a member company of the SOMPO Sustainability Index.
The index for Japanese equities is created by SOMPO Asset Management Co., Ltd. and composed of companies with outstanding ESG-related initiatives. We have been adopted for the fifth consecutive year since 2020.

iSTOXX MUTB Japan Platinum Career 150 Index

We are selected as a member company of the iSTOXX MUTB Japan Platinum Career 150 Index. This index was jointly developed by Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation and Deutsche Börse-affiliated STOXX with a focus on human capital management. It comprises 150 companies that are active in building the careers of their employees from the three aspects of long term view, active learning and social contribution. We have been adopted since 2023.

<Evaluation of Major External Surveys>

CDP

CDP is an evaluation for the environmental activities of the world’s leading companies and these results are disclosed to institutional investors. We have responded to climate change and water security, and in 2023, for the first time, we achieved the highest possible score, A, in climate change.

  2021 2022 2023
Climate Change B B A
Water Security B B A-

MSCI ESG Ratings

MSCI ESG Rating is provided by MSCI (USA). It’s designed to measure a company’s resilience to long-term industry material ESG risks. How well ESG risk is managed compared to other companies in the same industry is evaluated on a 7-point scale (leader: AAA, AA, average: A, BBB, BB, laggard: B, CCC). We have been received an AAA rating since 2023.

2022 2023 2024
AA AAA AAA

Eco Vadis Sustainability Assessment

The Eco Vadis Sustainability Assessment is provided by EcoVadis (France), an international assessment organization.
The evaluation is based on a company's policies, measures, and performance in the four areas: environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.
We awarded the "Silver Medal," which is given to the top 25% of all companies evaluated.
Since 2023, we have been received the Silver Medal, which is awarded to the top companies among all evaluated companies.

NIKKEI SDGs Management Survey

The survey has been sponsored by Nikkei Inc. since 2019. It targets listed companies and leading unlisted companies nationwide, and evaluates the company's "SDGs management" on a five-star scale from the four pillars of "SDGs strategy / economic value," "social value," "environmental value," and " governance."
We have been received 4 stars for the fourth consecutive years since 2020.

2021 2022 2023

NIKKEI Smart Work Management Survey

The survey has been sponsored by Nikkei Inc. since 2017. It targets listed companies and leading unlisted companies nationwide, and evaluated by adding a management base such as corporate governance to “Smart Work Management” that is defined from the three elements of "Realization of diverse and flexible working styles," "System to create new businesses," and "Ability to develop markets" for maximize the performance of the organization.

2021 2022 2023
 

Toyo Keizai CSR Survey

The survey has been sponsored by Toyo Keizai Inc. since 2005, and it evaluates companies from the four perspectives of "human resources utilization," "environment," "corporate governance + sociality," and "finance" related to CSR.
In 2022, it was implemented for 1,631 companies, it was implemented for 1,631 companies, and our company was ranked 133rd.

2022 2023 2024
133rd 140th 121st

*THE USE BY Niterra Co., Ltd. OF ANY MSCI ESG RESEARCH LLC OR ITS AFFILIATES (“MSCI”) DATA, AND THE USE OF MSCI LOGOS, TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS OR INDEX NAMES HEREIN, DO NOT CONSTITUTE A SPONSORSHIP, ENDORSEMENT, RECOMMENDATION, OR PROMOTION OF Niterra Co., Ltd. BY MSCI. MSCI SERVICES AND DATA ARE THE PROPERTY OF MSCI OR ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS, AND ARE PROVIDED ‘AS-IS’ AND WITHOUT WARRANTY. MSCI NAMES AND LOGOS ARE TRADEMARKS OR SERVICE MARKS OF MSCI.

*Morningstar, Inc., and/or one of its affiliated companies (individually and collectively, “Morningstar”) has authorized Niterra Co., Ltd. to use of the Morningstar Japan ex-REIT Gender Diversity Tilt Logo (“Logo”) to reflect the fact that, for the designated ranking year, Niterra Co., Ltd. ranks within the top group of companies comprising the Morningstar® Japan ex-REIT Gender Diversity Tilt IndexSM (“Index”) on the issue of gender diversity in the workplace. Morningstar is making the Logo available for use by Niterra Co., Ltd. solely for informational purposes. Niterra Co., Ltd. use of the Logo should not be construed as an endorsement by Morningstar of Niterra Co., Ltd. or as a recommendation, offer or solicitation to purchase, sell or underwrite any security associated with Niterra Co., Ltd. The Index is designed to reflect gender diversity in the workplace in Japan, but Morningstar does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the Index or any data included in it. Morningstar makes no express or implied warranties regarding the Index or the Logo, and expressly disclaim all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Index, any data included in it or the Logo. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Morningstar or any of its third party content providers have any liability for any damages (whether direct or indirect), arising from any party’s use or reliance on the Index or the Logo, even if Morningstar is notified of the possibility of such damages. The Morningstar name, Index name and the Logo are the trademarks or services marks of Morningstar, Inc. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Major Award and Certification

The following are the main awards and certification received by our Group for our CSR-related initiatives.

In Fiscal 2024

Recipient Award Organizer

Niterra Co., Ltd.

Received the Excellence award of “6th Platinum Career Award”
Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

Niterra Co., Ltd.

Certified as “Eco-First Company”
the Ministry of the Environment

In Fiscal 2023

Recipient Award Organizer

Niterra Co., Ltd.

Certified as KENKO Investment for Health Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program for 2024 (White500)
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Conference)
SparkTec WKS CO., LTD. Certified as KENKO Investment for Health Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program for 2024 (organizations under the large enterprise category) the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Conference)
Niterra Co., Ltd. Health Insurance Society, NITTOKU ALPHA SERVICE CO., LTD. Certified as KENKO Investment for Health Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program for 2024 (organizations under the SME category) the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Conference)
Niterra Co., Ltd. Selected as “The Sustainability Yearbook Member”
S&P Global
Niterra Co., Ltd. Certified as “SPORTS YELL COMPANY” Bronze for 2024
JAPAN SPORTS AGENCY
Niterra Co., Ltd. Certified as a Silver Rating, of “PRIDE Index 2023”
work with Pride
Niterra Co., Ltd. Selected as “Climate Leaders Asia-Pacific 2023” Financial Times、Statista
NGK SPARK PLUGS (INDIA) PVT. LTD. Received ”DivHERsity Awards 2023” HerKey

In Fiscal 2022

Recipient Award Organizer
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program for 2023 (White500)
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Conference)
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received the Excellence award of “NIKKEI Integrated Report Award 2022” Nikkei Inc.
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as “The Sustainability Yearbook Member” S&P Global
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as “SPORTS YELL COMPANY” for 2023
JAPAN SPORTS AGENCY
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as an AA Website in Sector Ranking and All Markets Ranking of "All Japanese Listed Companies' Website Ranking 2022" Nikko Investor Relations Co., Ltd.
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received Bronze Class in the Sustainability Site Awards 2023 Association for Sustainability Communication
NITTOKU SMILE CO., LTD. Certified as “Monisu”.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Ise Plant Certified as “Japanese Red Cross Society Golden Order of Merit” Japanese Red Cross Society
NGK SPARK PLUGS (INDIA) PVT. LTD. Received ”DivHERsity Awards 2022” HerKey

In Fiscal 2021

Recipient Award Organizer
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected to the ”Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index” S&P Dow Jones Indices
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as “The Sustainability Yearbook Member” S&P Global
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received Bronze Class in overall category and in glass and ceramics products of the “SUSTAINA ESG AWARDS 2021”
SUSTAINA
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as a Silver Rating, of “PRIDE Index 2021”
work with Pride
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received the Excellence award, of the “22th Telework Promotion Awards” Japan Telework Association
NGK SPARK PLUGS (INDIA) PVT. LTD. Selected as one of the Top 25 Safest Workplaces in India at the KelpHR Posh Awards® 2021
*Posh: Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace
KelpHR
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as “Nagoya City Childcare Support Company Certification” and received the Excellence award
Nagoya City
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as “SPORTS YELL COMPANY” for 2022
JAPAN SPORTS AGENCY
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received the “Aichi Family Friendly Company Award” Aichi Prefecture
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as “2022 the Health & Productivity Stock Selection”
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program for 2022 (White500)
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Conference)
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as one of the Nadeshiko Brands
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange

In Fiscal 2020

Recipient Award Organizer
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected to the ”Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index” S&P Dow Jones Indices
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as “Kurumin”
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as “Zero-Emission challenging company”
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received Silver class in glass and ceramics products industries of the “SUSTAINA ESG AWARDS 2020”
SUSTAINA
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as “Work-Life Balance Promotion Company”
Nagoya City
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received ”IkuMen/IkuBoss Enterprize Award, Aichi Prefecture Family Friendly Company Award” of the 2nd year of Reiwa
Aichi Prefecture
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program for 2021
Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Conference) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as “SPORTS YELL COMPANY” for 2021
JAPAN SPORTS AGENCY

In Fiscal 2019

Recipient Award Organizer
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected to the ”Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index” S&P Dow Jones Indices
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as “The RobecoSAM Sustainability Yearbook Member”. RobecoSAM
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received “Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare commendation”, the 55th National Blood Donation Promotion Campaign Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received Bronze Class in overall category and Silver Class in glass and ceramics products industries of the “SUSTAINA ESG AWARD 2019”
SUSTAINA
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program for 2020 (White500)
Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Conference) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as “SPORTS YELL COMPANY” for 2020
JAPAN SPORTS AGENCY

In Fiscal 2018

Recipient Award Organizer
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected to the ”Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index” S&P Dow Jones Indices
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as “The RobecoSAM Sustainability Yearbook Member” RobecoSAM
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as one of the Nadeshiko Brands
METI and the Tokyo Stock Exchange
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program for 2019 (White500)
Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Conference) and the Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry (METI)
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as “Aichi Health Management Promotion Company”
Aichi Prefecture
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received the Excellence Award of “Internet IR Award”
Internet IR 優秀賞2018 大和インベスター・リレーションズ
Daiwa Investor Relations Co. Ltd.
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received Bronze Class in overall category and Silver Class in glass and ceramics products industries of the “SUSTAINA ESG AWARD 2018”
SUSTAINA
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Achieved the highest Rank of DBJ's Health Management Rating System
Development Bank of Japan Inc.

In Fiscal 2017

Recipient Award Organizer
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected to the ”Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index” S&P Dow Jones Indices
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received Blue-chip company of "Aichi women shine Company"
Aichi Prefecture
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program for 2018 (White500)
Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Conference) and the Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry (METI)
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as Bronze Class company, RobecoSAM Sustainability Award 2017
RobecoSAM

In Fiscal 2016

Recipient Award Organizer
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as “Eruboshi”
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received the Corporate Environmental Achievement Award (CEAA) 2016 The American Ceramic Society
(AcerS)
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received 2017 Aichi Environmental Award Aichi Prefecture
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Certified as Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program for 2017 (White500) Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Conference) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as New Diversity Management Selection 100 METI
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as Semi-Nadeshiko Brands METI and the Tokyo Stock Exchange

In Fiscal 2015

Recipient Award Organizer
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received Incentive Award, Empowerment Grand Prix for Activities by Women Japan Productivity Center
Working Women's Empowerment Forum
NGK SPARK PLUGS (U.S.A.), INC. (WEST VIRGINIA FACTORY) Received Five-Diamond Employer Award West Virginia Chamber of Commerce

In Fiscal 2014

Recipient Award Organizer
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as one of the Top 100 Global Innovators Thomson Reuters
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received FY2014 Excellence Award, Nagoya City Accreditation and Commendation System for Companies that Promote Increased Roles for Women Nagoya City
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Miyanojo Plant Received Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, 33rd National Convention for the Promotion of Factory Greening Japan Greenery Research and Development Center

In Fiscal 2013

Recipient Award Organizer
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as one of the Top 100 Global Innovators Thomson Reuters

In Fiscal 2010

Recipient Award Organizer
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Received the Incentive Prize at the 14th Environmental Communication Awards Ministry of the Environment, etc.
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. Selected as one of the Top 100 Companies in Japan The Nippon Foundation
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.