Integrating HRDD and Kaizen for Sustainable Management
10/31/2025
This report outlines four steps for identifying, preventing, and mitigating human rights risks in supply chains, presenting a perspective that reframes corporate human rights due diligence (HRDD) from compliance to value creation.
Historically, HRDD has often been treated simply as a “legal compliance” or “obligation,” with limited cases where it has led to practical implementation on the ground or transformed corporate culture. Going forward, efforts are needed to move beyond such formalistic approaches and embed HRDD at the core of the business.
Given this context, this report highlights “Kaizen,” Japan’s unique management philosophy, as one concrete example of how to integrate HRDD into a company’s core. HRDD and Kaizen share common principles such as continuous improvement, accountability, and proactive problem-solving, presenting measures that can be integrated into daily business processes.
Message from the Project Member
Kaizen is not just a method for improving efficiency, it is also an approach that involves continuous improvement through ongoing dialogue, and it shares affinity with the HRDD concept. This report focuses on traditional Japanese management philosophy, reframing HRDD as a continuous Kaizen framework that extends beyond risk management. We hope it provides new insights for considering HRDD.
