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| The Asahi Kasei Group has implemented a variety of systems to support employees in establishing a healthy work/life balance, including childcare leave systems. In a ranking of “Companies with employee-friendly working environments” published by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun in 2006, Asahi Kasei was ranked No. 1 in the number of male employees who took childcare leave. The company conducts a variety of activities to promote a healthy work/life balance, for example by scheduling “‘No overtime’ days” several times each month, and holding “open house” days on which employees' children can come to see where their mothers or fathers work.
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| The number of female employees taking childcare leave was 111 in 2004, 121 in 2005, and 152 in 2006. Of the female employees who take childcare leave, 95% return to work afterwards. After returning to work, these employees can use a “childcare schedule” system that allows them to work shorter hours until the child enters elementary school. 140 employees in 2005 and 118 in 2006 used this system offered by the company to help them balance their work and their childraising responsibilities. Asahi Kasei recently introduced a new “kids support” system that allows mothers to work shorter hours while their children are in the first three years of elementary school. In June 2007, the company received a “Kurumin” certification mark, which is granted by The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to companies that have made substantial efforts to implement next-generation childcare support policies.
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