Given the global presence of the MC Group, MC discloses information through its corporate websites in seven languages＊Including websites of overseas subsidiaries＊ (Japanese, English, Chinese, Portuguese, French, Russian and Korean), and annually releases its corporate brochure in six languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish). The goal is to ensure accurate information disclosure to audiences around the world.
MC has created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page on its corporate website, and strives to respond to inquiries as quickly as possible. In addition, the relevant divisions promptly address customer inquiries via the Head Office’s main telephone line.
Mitsubishi Corporation Life Sciences Limited develops seasonings, food-quality-improvement ingredients, and health food ingredients utilizing the power of microorganisms, primarily yeast. It uses yeast extracts to offer low-sodium seasoning alternatives and is also developing them as supplement ingredients for the health and beauty fields. Moreover, in the medical and nursing care sectors, MC is proposing solutions to the issues affecting the elderly - such as difficulties in swallowing, aspiration pneumonia, and nutritional deficiencies - through improved food texture formulations and thickening agents, protein food formulations, sweeteners, etc. MC also proposes materials and applications for plant-based foods, and develops and sells materials that make effective use of unused resources.
In this way, the MC Group will continue to develop safe and secure foods in the medical, nursing, and healthcare fields, thereby contributing to the betterment of society.
In the food-related business, which is directly linked to consumers, the MC Group is working to address various related challenges through its business.
Cermaq, an MC subsidiary, considers the provision of healthy and sustainable food to be its core mission. A salmon producer, Cermaq has the ambition to produce healthy and nutritious food to a growing world population and play a role in improving the global food system by engaging in multi-stakeholder partnerships. Farmed salmon is one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are fundamental for the formation and functionality of the nervous system and known to help lower the risk of cardiovascular diseaseIt . It is also a sustainable food product, with a low carbon footprint and an efficient feed conversion ratio compared to other animal proteins. Cermaq considers salmon farming as part of the solution to solving the world’s food needs and engages actively in partnerships to build best practice and share knowledge across the food industry.
Lawson, Inc., an MC consolidated subsidiary, manages and operates convenience stores. Lawson is closely connected to consumers within the food products value chain, and conducts the following initiatives.
Lawson is committed to supporting healthy and long-lived lifestyles, something which is possible because it is a convenience store that is aspires to be is ‘”close”’ to its customers, and makes them feel confident in the knowledge that there is always a Lawson nearby. Lawson has introduced a "Meal Solutions" initiative which aims to provide healthy everyday food. This initiative offers a wide range of meals, makes these meals convenient to purchase, and takes into account health considerations. Thus, it is highly rated by consumers who want not only quick and easy meals but also to pursue or maintain a healthy diet. Additionally, Lawson offers “self-medication support” towards those who are concerned about their own health in order to help customers maintain good health by offering consultation services.
Lawson’s subsidiary SCI, Inc. oversees Lawson’s supply chain management and is responsible for supplying original products that are also safe and reliable. SCI conducts rigorous quality assessments, and in procuring raw materials only selects products that have passed a stringent screening process based on Lawson’s quality control standards. In the product manufacturing process, for example at plants that produce rice products, a unique system for food sanitation management that includes a recommendation to obtain JFS-B certification, a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HAACP) standard originating in Japan, has been established to prevent incidents involving food poisoning or contamination. In this way, Lawson procures safe raw materials and carries out rigorous quality control to prevent any negative health impacts on consumers. Furthermore, Lawson has established the "Lawson Farm" project, which provides stable supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables that are safe, reliable and high quality to stores in the Lawson Group. As of January 31, 2023, there are 16 LAWSON Farms in Japan, all of which are working to acquire JGAP and ASIAGAP＊GAP: Good Agricultural Practice
LAWSON Farms will acquire regular Japanese JGAP and international-standard ASIAGAP＊ certification.
Lawson's products are labeled with food labels in compliance with the law. Additionally, Lawson lists boxed lunches, rice balls, sandwiches, cooked noodles, prepared foods, and fast-food items containing allergens on its website. The labeling information is checked internally and by external organizations to ensure customer safety.
In order to prevent the sale of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes to those under 20 years of age (the legal age for drinking and smoking in Japan), Lawson displays a notice on the screen visible to customers on the point of sale (POS) cash register explaining that the sale of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes to those under 20 years of age is prohibited. At the POS, customers who appear to be under 20 years of age are asked to confirm their age with an ID card. In addition to providing regular training for store employees, Lawson displays posters and makes in-store announcements to encourage understanding and cooperation from customers.
From crime prevention and disaster preparedness to safety measures and children’s health initiatives, there is an ever-increasing expectation for convenience stores to play a broader role in society. To meet these expectations, the Lawson Group participates in the Safety Station activities of the Japan Franchise Association, helping to build safe and secure communities and promoting healthy environments for young people. Lawson also implements anti-crime measures to combat theft and other crimes, while also supporting women and children who seek safe harbor in-store.
〈Examples of Safety Station Activities〉
When people with food allergies consume an allergen it can trigger anaphylaxis. Similarly, consuming large quantities of certain substances can potentially damage one’s health. To prevent such problems, the MC Group strives to label its food products in a way that is easy to understand in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. To ensure that consumers understand product characteristics and are in a position to make appropriate purchasing decisions based on health and other factors, Mitsubishi Shokuhin Co., Ltd., Lawson, Inc. and other MC Group companies make it a top priority to comply with laws and regulations such as Japan’s Food Labeling Act. These companies provide information which is easy to understand from the consumer standpoint such as quality labeling, warnings related to alcoholism, acute alcohol poisoning, and underage drinking, as well as clear allergen warnings.
Offering low-carbohydrate/high protein/fiber-rich bakery products and nutritionally-balanced Natural Lawson brand products
Lawson, an MC subsidiary, offers health-conscious products such as Bran Bread, which is low-carbohydrate, and bakery products made using pearl barley, which contains a lot of nutritional components such as dietary fiber.
In addition, the Natural Lawson brand, which focuses on raw materials with the theme of beauty and health, not only allows customers to enjoy the original taste of the ingredients, but also develops unique products such as confectionery, rice balls, and salads to support their healthy lifestyles.
In addition to striving for nutrition information labels that are easy for consumers to understand, Mitsubishi Shokuhin is also working to develop health-conscious Karada Shift products.
As a company engaged in the healthcare sector, MC is involved in the following initiatives with its Group companies to help provide people in Japan and around the world with better access to healthcare.
MC Healthcare Holdings, Inc., a MC consolidated subsidiary in Japan, is contributing to the improvement of hospital operations as well as the enhancement and stability of domestic medical systems through procurement and inventory control of medical supplies and equipment, group purchasing and system installation support. MC Healthcare is also applying its experience and expertise in the rapidly growing Chinese market. Nippon Care Supply Co., Ltd. is a pioneering provider of rental welfare equipment and in-home nursing care services. In order to raise the quality of life of the elderly and enable them to continue living independently in their accustomed area, Nippon Care Supply conducts its core business of renting welfare equipment as well as other businesses including providing meals to day service facilities and other institutions. In doing so, Nippon Care Supply is contributing towards a healthy longevity society where all senior citizens can live comfortably and with peace of mind.
As a convenience store closely connected to consumers, Lawson, Inc., an MC consolidated subsidiary, is focusing on the sale of pharmaceutical products in order to provide convenience to customers in an aging society and to curb national healthcare costs. In regard to pharmacy services provided under health insurance, since 2003 we have been working on the development of stores with drug dispensing pharmacies on the premises with the aim of creating community pharmacies. In addition, from the perspective of promoting self-medication, we have been fostering alliances with drug dispensing pharmacies and drugstore chains throughout Japan, and handling over-the-counter medicine (non-prescription drugs) in our stores. In addition, as a Lawson exclusive initiative based on “community,” some of our stores offer onsite health checkups and machikado (street corner) community health consultations. In cooperation with local governments, health checkupscheck-ups and consultations, which were previously conducted at government offices and community centers, are now available at convenience stores, a more familiar and accessible location for residents.
Cermaq, an MC subsidiary, engages in external sustainability initiatives in line with its strategy, which emphasizes partnerships to find solutions for salmon and seafood sector inline related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, three goals have been identified as high priority for Cermaq, including Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 13: Climate Action, and Goal 14: Life Below Water. Cermaq engages in industry and multi-stakeholder initiatives to find solutions, on different levels.
Examples of initiatives include:
GSI is a leadership initiative established by global farmed salmon producers. It seeks to provide a highly sustainable source of healthy protein to feed a growing global population, in tandem with minimizing the environmental footprint, and continuing to improve the industry’s contributions to society.
Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship. Established in 2016 by nine of the world’s largest seafood companies (including Cermaq, Thai Union, Nissui, Maruha Nichiro, and Mowi) working together with leading scientists across disciplines and universities, to explore transformative risks and opportunities to promote sustainable seafood operations and ensure a healthy ocean.
Cermaq has been a Global Compact member since 2011 aligning with their strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption, and actions that advance societal goals.
