Fuji Oil Holdings Inc - First Japanese RTRS Member
Having this leading food company as an RTRS member adds to other highlights such as the recognition from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee and the joint actions conducted together with the Global Alliance for Sustainable Supply Chain (ASSC).
Soy-based food producer Fuji Oil Holdings Inc. is the first Japanese organization to join the Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS), as part of its commitment to sustainable sourcing and to society’s sustainable growth.
Fuji Oil Holdings Inc. develops and produces vegetable oils and fats, industrial chocolate, margarines, and soy-based products, such as dairy products and textured soy, including non-dairy products and textured soy protein. While focusing on safety and quality is part of their routine, the company is specially concerned with environmental issues and complies with its responsibility as a food product manufacturer.
As part of its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policy, the Japanese organization is committed to carrying out its activities from a sustainability perspective not only to contribute to the company’s growth, but also to create value for the society.
“As an entity, we conduct environmentally, socially and economically sustainable procurement. This also implies that we focus our efforts on the acquisition sourcing of palm oil, cocoa and soy produced in a sustainable way, in order to fulfill our responsibility as quality food producers”, said Hiroshi Shinano, Executive Officer of Fuji Oil Holdings Inc.
Aware of the environmental and social challenges existing in the production of their main raw materials, Fuji Oil Holdings Inc carries out different initiatives intended to prevent deforestation and eliminate child labor in agricultural production. The Japanese organization joined RTRS in May 2020 with the aim of developing a soy supply policy, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We believe that ensuring the sustainable supply of soy for our products is key to contribute to the implementation of the SDGs. Our efforts are focused on announcing progress in a short time, but we will proceed carefully and proactively”, said Hiroshi Shinano.
RTRS started to engage with the Japanese market in September 2018 when representatives of the Association traveled to Tokyo to connect with some of the leading organizations in the sector and key players in the soy supply chain in Japan. In 2019, after a thorough technical process, RTRS production and chain of custody schemes were officially recognized as compliant with the Sustainable Sourcing Code for Agricultural Products of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Games were postponed to 2021.
Following this recognition, RTRS connected with the Global Alliance for Sustainable Supply Chain (ASSC), which basically promotes sustainable supply chains, protects human and labor rights in Japan and raise awareness about environmental issues around soy supply chains, facilitating the connection between companies, civil society organizations and international initiatives.
In early 2020, RTRS and ASSC held a seminar to present the Association´s main guidelines for the promotion, trade and use of responsible soy and to provide support to organizations in the process of adaptation and compliance with the Sustainable Sourcing Code for Agricultural Products of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee. The meeting included the participation of 60 representatives of more than 35 Japanese organizations, including Fuji Oil Holdings Inc.
“With Fuji Oil Holdings Inc. joining RTRS, many Japanese companies will recognize the importance of sustainable soy in their supply chains and globally,” said Takeshi Shimotaya, ASSC Executive Director. “We believe that RTRS can be the main driver of sustainability through its initiatives because it knows the sector at the global level and recognizes the relevant role of sustainable soy for Japanese organizations,” concluded Takeshi Shimotaya.
As a global multisectoral platform, RTRS celebrates having new members and the work of organizations like ASSC that promote collaborative synergies to drive sustainability in the Japanese market.
