Japanese firms are boosting sustainability via fairtrade workplaces

Fairtrade Label Japan’s “Fairtrade Workplace Registration System” has seen a significant expansion 18 months after its launch, with participating companies now spanning a wide range of industries. The system encourages businesses to switch office beverages and supplies to Fairtrade-certified products, seeing how it is linked to employee well-being and corporate value.

The system allows companies to engage in sustainable procurement consistently and easily. Firms report that the initiative fosters sustainability awareness and loyalty among staff by connecting daily choices to global social contributions. Recent data shows that major corporations are achieving substantial scale in their ethical consumption efforts.

For example, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) Group served over 200,000 cups of Fairtrade-certified coffee within its offices during the 2024 fiscal year. The company began using certified coffee for guests in 2006 and reached a cumulative total of one million cups in 2018. DNP has since expanded its ethical procurement to include snacks made with certified sugar, ice cream, and novelty items made from Fairtrade cotton. The company stated that these efforts provide employees with opportunities to deepen their understanding of human rights through direct participation.

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) has also demonstrated long-term commitment, maintaining a “Gold” status in the registration system for two consecutive years. The shipping giant has served a cumulative total of approximately 710,000 cups of Fairtrade coffee to date, and switched all coffee and tea served in its office tea rooms to Fairtrade-certified products.

Maiko Shiozaki, Secretary General of Fairtrade Label Japan, noted that the system is particularly effective for internal education. Companies can translate their corporate purpose into tangible daily actions by replacing everyday items like coffee with Fairtrade alternatives. Shiozaki added that the initiative is also proving to be a draw for younger talent who prioritise sustainability when choosing employers, offering a high cost-performance ratio for social contribution.