For Our Employees

I think a good aspect of FAST RETAILING is its corporate environment, demonstrating a flat, highly transparent organization in which employees are evaluated fairly regardless of age, gender and nationality and everyone is encouraged to voice their opinions and ideas.
Right now, however, there are only three non-Japanese officers and one female officer. It will be difficult to become a genuinely global company, much less No. 1 in Japan and worldwide, without at least half of our executive officers and managers being non-Japanese people and/or women. I see this as part of our corporate social responsibility. It is extremely important to create a positive feedback cycle in which the company meets its responsibility to society, wins the respect of the public and attracts outstanding human resources. To this end, “diversity” is a keyword with regard to our employees.

While talking about promoting diversity is important, demonstrating respect for individuals is a first step. It is nearly impossible to transcend considerable cultural differences and cultivate internationally minded leaders without seriously addressing ways for balancing personal satisfaction and corporate growth.
From this day forward, the FAST RETAILING Group will develop a structure in which everyone is evaluated against the same standards and receives equal treatment for the same skills and performance under a personnel system that is consistently applied across the enterprise. We are moving in a direction in which competent individuals within the Group can freely relocate, receive many opportunities to succeed, and take on leadership responsibilities in FAST RETAILING’s global business.

In regard to hiring persons with disabilities, we have consistently adopted a proactive stance that has been publicly recognized. The underlying idea is simple— society includes persons with a broad range of abilities and disabilities, and our customers are just as diverse. Our workplace should thus reflect the same realities. From this awareness, each UNIQLO store hires at least one person with disabilities and supports them in realizing their full potential. Doing the right thing based on this simple idea and steadfastly addressing essential issues are positive characteristics of FAST RETAILING.
Our efforts to expand opportunities for women have steadily evolved as well. More women are serving as store managers, and they are staying with the company longer. While we provide career training to change how people think about work and encourage personal development, we have also taken steps to eliminate as many disincentives for female employees as possible. Examples include enabling women to more easily take time off and strictly implementing our “no overtime days” policy.
These approaches are not only for a small fraction of employees. Personal growth for any business person requires shorter work hours to allow for individualized training, time with family, and opportunities to broaden experiences by interacting with people outside the company. From the perspective of personal growth, we must also greatly improve the way we work. After all, this too leads to respecting individuals.
A team means nothing without mutual respect for the daily lives and personal growth of each and every one of its members. I believe creating teams that respect individuality in all its vibrant diversity will ultimately lead to corporate and personal growth, as stated in the FR WAY.