The Kureha Group aims to grow sustainably while contributing to society at large, and we believe that each of our employees is at the core of achieving this goal. We aim to build responsible, mutually beneficial relationships with our employees, from the day they join us until the day they retire, valuing their health and job satisfaction while they play an active role in achieving our business goals. We will also continue to improve employee engagement by creating a work environment that is receptive to diverse values and allows them to be put to use.

In accordance with the Company's corporate governance structure, the Board of Directors makes decisions on important matters, such as human resources development policies and personnel systems. In addition, the Board of Directors regularly receives reports from the Human Resources Department, an executive division, on the status of efforts to achieve synergy between the Company and its employees, and monitors and supervises these efforts.

In our efforts to promote synergism between company and employees, the human resources departments at the head office and business sites work together to study and promote various measures. In addition, the human resource departments of the entire Kureha Group share and exchange information and opinions not only on human resource policies but also on initiatives for human resource development and health promotion, and the entire Kureha Group promotes initiatives for human resource development, enhancement of work-life balance, health promotion, and improvement of the workplace environment.

Kureha has introduced an engagement survey in FY2023 with the aim of improving employee engagement. For details and future initiatives, please refer to the following initiative case study, "Survey of Integrated Stress Checks and Engagement."

Under "synergism between company and employees," one of the most important measures in the management policy, the Kureha Group recognizes that employee growth and engagement are essential for the company's sustainable growth, In order to further improve the level of employee engagement, we have introduced the "Survey of Integrated Stress Checks and Engagement" from FY2023. We believe that the company's growth will be enhanced if employees feel attachment to, pride in, and have high expectations of the company, are highly motivated to work, and continue to grow. The psychological connection (engagement) of employees to the company is broadened by a variety of values, ranging from "I am proud of the company," "I like my colleagues," and "I enjoy my daily work," to "I share the company's vision and policies" and "I have opportunities to grow through my work," each of which is a driving force for employees to work with high motivation. We believe that each of these values is a driving force for employees to work with high motivation. In order to support each employee with diverse values to work with high motivation and grow, we will work on clarifying and spreading the Group's corporate philosophy, vision, management policies, and departmental policies; creating a comfortable and rewarding work environment; promoting human resource development and growth support; and promoting dialogue with diverse human resources and respecting their values.
After the survey is conducted, management, the human resources department, and each workplace will analyze the results to understand the actual situation, and consider policies and implement countermeasures. We will continue to implement the survey and establish internal management indicators to improve mental health status and engagement.

Kureha has decided to hold "Kureha Town Hall Meetings" in FY2023 and beyond, where the President and Directors can directly interact with employees. Through the Town Hall Meetings, we aim to improve engagement and realize "symbiosis between the company and employees" by fostering a sense of unity and understanding of the company's policies and management's thoughts.

All regular employees are members of the Kureha Labor Union except for those who have been specially determined in consultation with us. Note that the results of the negotiations between labor and management will apply to all regular employees, including those who have been exempted from the Labor Union.
Kureha and the Kureha Labor Union hold a monthly management council as a space to respect the constructive opinions of both labor and management. With a common understanding of Kureha's management situation and various other issues, we discuss various measures to improve the work-life balance of our employees and other improvements in working conditions, introducing programs for flexible workstyles and enhancing benefit programs. Moreover, we usually try to provide at least one month's notice of any changes in business. We also hold regular labor-management co-sponsored events and branch council meetings at each business location to promote communication between the Company and staff. We will continue to maintain close and amicable communications between labor and management in order to grow the Company and improve the economic status and welfare of all of our employees.
Furthermore, in its remuneration system, the Company adheres to paying salaries above the legal minimum wage and applies a uniform payment level across genders in the same job category and grade.