Kao establishes 'Life-in-Harmony Foundation' to address social challenges

Kao Corporation, the owner of Oribe and Molton Brown, has launched its first global corporate citizenship initiative to help tackle social challenges.

The "Life-in-Harmony" Foundation hopes to further drive the company's strategic business transformation towards a company that "protects future lives by offering solutions that positively contribute to society".

It will address strategic areas in line with Kao’s sustainability strategy, with activities focused on business related to improving hygiene, extending healthy life expectancy, and supporting people with disabilities, the elderly and their families.

The foundation will initially commence with two projects, one focused on promoting water security through innovation, and the other to increase accessibility for people with disabilities.

Both projects comply with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to ensure clean water and sanitation (Goal 6) and reduce inequalities (Goal 10).

Yumi Takeuchi, President of the Life-in-Harmony Foundation, said: "We've established the foundation with the aim of contributing to Kao’s 'Kirei' mission to make life beautiful for people and the planet.

"Our past business activities at Kao were mainly focused on the provision of products and services. As part of our commitment to sustainable development and to become a company that protects future lives, we need to go beyond this and create solutions to broader social challenges, including responses to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"As part of our work with the foundation, we will identify the social issues that must be addressed, and work with diverse partners with whom we share values and aspirations, to realise a society in which all people can live enriched lives, and no one is left behind."

Earlier this year, Kao strengthened its focus on sustainability, outlining key strategies and milestones to achieve net zero plastic packaging waste by 2040 and negative waste by 2050.

The company set out to accelerate its reduction and recycling efforts, including new sustainable packaging initiatives to support both the reduction of fossil-based plastic and increased use of recycled material for packaging.