Control and reduction of substances
of concern contained in products
Establishment of the Product and Environment Committee
The Product and Environment Committee has been established among the related departments as part of JTEKT’s initiatives to recognize and manage the substances of concern contained in our products. This committee promotes the activities by working groups which are in charge of collecting information, managing data, and holding in-house training programs and so on, by arranging Section Meetings.
Major FY2020 results
Initiatives of the Product and Environment Committee’s Supplier Working Group
JTEKT has established the seven working groups under the control of the Product and Environment Committee. These working groups engage in activities aiming at accurate data management from obtaining to reporting processes.
In FY2020, the Supplier Working Group conducted the survey for the purpose of grasping the management systems for chemical substances contained in products from all the suppliers. Moreover, in FY2020, in order to understand the management systems for rubber resin, electrical components and other products for which the management of chemical substances is important, JTEKT conducted remote audits of the management systems of 12 companies and provided continued guidance for their issues to promote further improvement.
Reduction of substances of concern
in production activities
Reduction of substances regulated by PRTR
JTEKT is taking actions to manage and reduce the chemical substances released into the environment from production activities.
JTEKT made an amended report retroactively due to an error that was discovered in the report of emissions and transfers of substances regulated by PRTR for FY2019 in the administrative report in FY2020. The error was caused by calculations based on incorrect component information for some of the chemical substances. From now on, to properly manage the substances regulated by PRTR, JTEKT will strive to improve management accuracy by regularly reviewing the component information of registered products for errors or changes.
In FY2020, JTEKT’s emissions and transfers of substances regulated by PRTR was approximately 33.5 t, reduced by approximately 8.8 t compared to the previous year.
Of the substances regulated by PRTR, VOC emissions were approximately 30.3 t, and xylene 1, 2, 4-trimethylbenzene used in the painting process accounted for the majority. To further pursue reduction in use, we will work to completely eliminate the use of kerosene in the production process in accordance with the Environmental Action Plan 2025.
Yearly transition of the used amount of chemical substances
(JTEKT alone)
*Past results have been partially revised after reconfirming.
FY2020 Breakdown of emissions and transfers of substances regulated by PRTR
Proper storage and control of PCB devices
The Act on Special Measures concerning Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Wastes requires the storage, disposal, and notification of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl), widely used as insulating oil. At JTEKT, PCB is reported, properly stored, and disposed of in accordance with this act. Since the disposal deadline was reached at the end of March 2021 for regions carrying out disposals at JESCO Kitakyushu, in FY2020, JTEKT conducted a re-investigation to find out if there were any remaining PCB equipment not only at production sites but also sales sites, welfare facilities, and all other buildings liable to have remaining PCB equipment.
As a result, a total of 1,019 lighting ballasts were discovered and disposed of by the end of March 2021.
From FY2008 to FY2021, JTEKT disposed of 256 high-concentration PCB transformers and capacitors and 6,406 high-concentration PCB lighting ballasts, completing disposal of all high-concentration PCB-emitting wastes owned by JTEKT.
From now on, in accordance with the act, JTEKT will report, properly store, and dispose of wastes that are also found to contain small amounts of PCB.
Measures for soil and groundwater
Since 1998, JTEKT’s Kariya and Okazaki plants have been implementing ongoing measures to prevent external leaks and to purify groundwater of trichloroethylene, a substance previously used in detergents and other materials. We do this by using a pumping and aeration system (*1).
In 2020, the Okazaki Plant implemented an effective microbial purification system (*2) in which nutrients are injected as part of the measures for achieving complete purification. From FY2021, JTEKT will continue to monitor progress and strive for complete purification.
JTEKT reports the assessment results about groundwater to government agencies and provides local residents with explanations at community meetings.
*1 Pumping and aeration system: A system of pumping groundwater up and spraying, and blowing air from below to aerate and separate organic solvents to be removed by adhering to activated carbon.
*2 Microbial purification system: A method of restoring contaminated environments by utilizing microbial function. The purification capability of microbes living in the environment is enhanced by injection of nutrients, etc.
Measured trichloroethylene value (maximum)
(Environmental standard: 0.01 mg/ ℓ)
Measured trichloroethylene value (maximum)
(Environmental standard: 0.01 mg/ ℓ)
Initiatives to replace CFC devices
Production of HCFC refrigerants has been discontinued since 2020 in accordance with the Montreal Protocol and Ozone Layer Protection Act. To update air conditioners using R22 , which is an HCFC refrigerant, JTEKT confirmed the use of air conditioners using R22 in FY2020. By 2025, JTEKT will discontinue use of air conditioners using R22 to contribute to ozone layer protection and CO2 reduction.
Initiatives for biodiversity
Biodiversity Conservation Action Guideline
In order to reduce the environmental burden created by our business activities and bemindful of biodiversity, JTEKT established the Biodiversity Conservation Action Guidelines in March 2011 based on the Environmental Action Plan 2015 of our JTEKT Group Environmental Vision.
Biodiversity Conservation Action Guideline
JTEKT’s aspiration
JTEKT’s biodiversity conservation activities focus on the three main initiatives of 1) protecting the rare living species that inhabit or grow at each plant, 2) enhancing the local natural environments surround- ing each plant and 3) developing environmentally-minded profes- sionals in order to achieving conservation of biodiversity on an ongoing basis. We engage in activities to protect the rare living species at each plant based on objective evaluations incorporating the viewpoints of experts and academics.
Biodiversity risks and opportunities in business activities
In the life cycle of business activities that begins with the procurement of raw materials, JTEKT and biodiversity are mutually affected as JTEKT faces risks including water and energy resource consumption and emissions into the atmosphere and water areas. JTEKT also has opportunities to mitigate climate change by providing products such as vehicles with improved environmental performance to reduce CO2 emissions and reduce flood risks at business locations by conserving water resources through forest conservation activities.
Impact on biodiversity
The environment on which we continue to live in abundance is based on the maintenance of biodiversity. To conserve biodiversity and protect sustainable use, in the business activity life cycle that starts with the procurement of raw materials, JTEKT endeavors to understand the direct and indirect impact on biodiversity, such as use of resources including water and energy, release into the atmosphere and bodies of water, and reduction of CO2 emissions through the provision of products and promotes activities that have a positive impact on natural capital.
Map of JTEKT biodiversity conservation activities
Business locations in both Japan and overseas of JTEKT and the JTEKT group endeavor to promote biodiversity conservation initiatives by connecting the activities of individual plants.
Each business location has established activity themes as it carries out the activities.
JTEKT will continue to promote the initiatives in order to expand the circle of activities.
■ Overseas
■ Japan ▶ The window for the activity will pop up when you click on the name.
Water District Conservation
Kokubu Plant
Participation in the Ishikawa Cleanup operation in Yamatogawa River
<Purpose>
To improve the water quality of the Yamatogawa River and revive the clear stream
<Activity>
Conducted cleanup activities around the Yamatogawa River and its tributary, the Ishikawa Riverbed
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Thinning and Forest Conservation
Shikoku Plant (Tokushima)
Participation in the Tokushima Collaborative Forest-Building Project
<Purpose>
To establish a forest environment and create an environment where diverse creatures can live
<Activity>
・ Signed a partnership agreement with Tokushima Prefecture & National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization in Tokushima
・ Thinning, logging and planting in undeveloped forests since 2011
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Rare Animals and Ecosystem Protection
Tadomisaki Plant
Conservation of the little tern nesting ground
<Purpose>
To conserve the habitat of the rare little tern (koajisashi) designated as “Breeding Population: Endangered (EN)” and “Migrating Population: Vulnerable (VU)” on the Aichi Prefecture Red List
<Activity>
Conserved the nesting environment by weeding and installing shelters
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Rare Animals and Ecosystem Protection
Kariya Plant
Participation in the conservation of the rabbit-ear iris habitat at the Kozutsuminishi Pond
<Purpose>
To conserve the habitat of rabbit-ear iris (kakitsubata), a national natural monument, in the Kozutsuminishi Pond
<Activity>
Weeded reed and twig rush, the natural enemies of the iris, and cut and removed bamboo that had proliferated in the hilly area, an important source of water for the pond
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Thinning and Forest Conservation
Hanazono Plant
Satoyama conservation activity of the “Okazaki Nature Experience Forest”
<Purpose>
To conserve the local satoyama “Okazaki Nature Experience Forest” to pass on the rich nature of satoyama (bordering area of foothills and farmland) to the future
<Activity>
Cared for the “Okazaki Nature Experience Forest” by maintaining the biotope and bamboo forest, weeding the undergrowth, and repairing the walking path
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Rare Animals and Ecosystem Protection
Toyohashi Plant
Conservation of the sea turtle nesting ground “Sandy Beach Fureai Walk”
<Purpose>
Conservation of the nesting grounds of loggerhead turtles designated as a Vulnerable species
<Activity>
・ Collected garbage on the sandy beach
・ Conducted environmental learning about loggerhead turtles
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Water District Conservation
Shikoku Plant (Kagawa)
Participation in the Kagawa satoumi preservation activity
<Purpose>
To preserve a sound condition of the sea, perceive the sea and land integrally to maintain the water quality of the Seto Inland Sea
<Activity>
Participated in marine garbage collection and environmental education at the coast of the Seto Inland Sea
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Rare Animals and Ecosystem Protection
Nara Plant
Conservation activity for Japanese rosy bitterling
<Purpose>
To protect the Japanese rosy bitterling (Nippon baratanago) listed in the 4th Red List as “Critically Endangered” and in the Nara Prefecture Red Data Book as “Threatened”
<Activity>
Bred Japanese rosy bitterling in the biotope at the plant with the support of Kindai University; will expand the circle of protection by transferring the bred plants to companies and schools including nearby group companies
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Thinning and Forest Conservation
Iga Proving Ground, Kameyama Plant
Conservation of the Iga Proving Ground Forest of Symbiosis
<Purpose>
To prevent miscellaneous forestation in the forest around the Iga Proving Ground
<Activity>
Signed a Social Contribution Forest Agreement with the Mie Forest Management Office for approximately 25.4 ha of forest around the Iga Proving Ground and planted resistant red pine trees to prevent the deterioration of pine
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Rare Animals and Ecosystem Protection
Toyota Branch Office
Conservation of the chestnut tiger butterfly resting grounds
<Purpose>
To secure a resting place for the traveling chestnut tiger butterfly (asagimadara)
<Activity>
Planted nectar sources on the premises and established resting grounds for the chestnut tiger butterflies that travel between the Nansei Islands and the Tohoku region
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Rare Animals and Ecosystem Protection
Kanto Plant (Hamura)
Participation in the Tokyo Greenship Action
<Purpose>
To conserve the Yokosawairi Satoyama Conservation Area, one of the conservation areas in Tokyo
<Activity>
Implemented satoyama environmental conservation activities such as planting rice and removing waterweed from paddy fields in collaboration with the local NPO Yokosawairi Tanbonokai and Tokyo
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Water District Conservation
Kanto Plant (Sayama)
Participation in the Iruma River Cleanup Campaign
<Purpose>
To preserve the water quality of the Iruma River
<Activity>
Conducted cleanup activities along the Iruma River
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Thinning and Forest Conservation
Okazaki Plant
Kitayama Wetland Conservation
<Purpose>
Ecosystem conservation of Kitayama Wetland designated as a natural monument in Okazaki City and Aichi Prefecture
<Activity>
Extermination of weeds including non-native plants found in the wetlands
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Thinning and Forest Conservation
Head Office/indirect Departments
Tree-Planting Project in Asahi Area, Toyota City
<Purpose>
Contribution to revitalization of local communities through conservation of Toyota’s forest environment
<Activity>
Support for transport of timber from forest thinning for the Asahi Kinoeki Project
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