A Diverse and Proactive Workforce
We respect diverse values and aim to create a workplace that brings out the individual strengths of each employee and allows them to play an active role.
Women Empowerment
For many years, Otsuka Pharmaceutical has been striving to foster a supportive work environment with a project promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (currently known as the D&I Promotion Project) at the forefront. One of the initiatives is the "Otsuka Women's Workshop", a forum for women to exchange information about marriage and parenting. "WING" is another similar initiative — a cross-organizational voluntary study group that identifies issues and discusses solutions to improve the company.
In 2017, the Otsuka group signed the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), a set of principles offering guidance to businesses on how to promote the advancement of women in the workplace.
In 2025, the percentage of female executives is projected to be 11.8%, which includes executive officers at a rate of 14.6%*1.
- *1As of Aprilst, 2025
Male Involvement in Childcare
In recent years, more male employees have been proactively taking the initiative in contributing to housework and parenting. In light of this important growing trend, we are implementing initiatives for our managers to enhance their understanding of DE&I and necessary new management styles.
These initiatives — including the DEI Seminars (formerly known as IkuBoss*2 Seminars) and IkuBoss Corporate Alliance — help to raise awareness and facilitate the exchange of information. In addition to highlighting male role models employees, we have created a friendly atmosphere for participation in housework and parenting by establishing a consultation service.
As a result, the childcare leave uptake rate, which was 3.7% in 2016, reached 100%*3 in 2022 and 2023. The average number of days taken in 2024 was 29.
- *2work-life balance
- *3Number of male employees who took childcare leave during the year (January 1 to December 31) / Number of employees whose spouses gave birth during the same period.
Normalization
We are creating a workplace where all employees can use their skills, regardless of mental or physical disabilities.
In October 2011, we established Heartful Kawauchi Co., Ltd. in Tokushima City. This special subsidiary aims to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities, where all participants can take active roles and fully demonstrate their skill sets. Currently, the company handles printing business cards, web page creation, providing office and production support, and an agricultural business that grows greenhouse tomatoes.
In 2015, Otsuka Pharmaceutical was recognized by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as an excellent company for the employment of persons with mental disabilities, specifically for its outstanding efforts and proactive social contributions. In 2020, the company became the first to receive the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's Monisu Certification in recognition of its efforts to promote and stabilize the employment of people with disabilities.
Heartful Kawauchi's Agri-Business
Heartful Kawauchi's Magokoro Farm Cosmos employs people with disabilities and has received praise for its agricultural business efforts. In 2017, it was granted an AnAnGAP Certification, a commendation of excellence from Tokushima Prefecture, following a thorough inspection of the farm's production and quality control system. In 2018, the Chugoku-Shikoku Agricultural Administration Office selected it as a Discover Mura no Takara (Discover treasure of our villages initiative) site — an excellent example of regional revitalization that brings out the full potential of an agricultural, mountainous, or fishing community.
LGBTQ＋
Since our establishment, we have prioritized valuing people, believing that all business activities must be based on respect for human rights. We express our company's stance on human rights through the Otsuka Group Global Code of Conduct, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Code of Conduct, and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Compliance Program. We are committed to creating an environment where employees of various sexual orientations and gender identities can work comfortably.
We promote a positive internal culture and awareness through regular information dissemination, such as LGBTQ training and e-learning for all employees, as well as conducting training sessions for managers, executives, HR personnel, and interviewers. We have established multiple consultation channels, enhanced internal facilities, and introduced HR policies that recognize same-sex partners in official documents and extend benefits available to spouses to same-sex partners.
As a result of these efforts, we were granted silver certification in the PRIDE Index 2023, an initiative by the general incorporated association "Work with Pride" that assesses companies' LGBTQ+ efforts.
Elderly Employees
To support the active contributions of elderly employees, we provide resources tailored to each life stage, such as life-planning seminars*4 and enhanced employee benefits. In addition to our standard re-employment system allowing continued employment until age 65, we also offer an extended system for employees up to age 67.
These individuals continue to thrive in departments where they can apply their extensive experience and skills.
- *4Life-planning seminars: These seminars are held for employees who have reached the age of 57, giving them an opportunity to think about their future career and life plans.
Global
Otsuka Pharmaceutical is expanding its business globally based on our corporate philosophy of contributing to the health of people around the world. We employ people of various nationalities backgrounds, as we believe having a diverse workforce is essential.
Our overseas offices conduct business following the culture and customs of each region. The number of Japanese expatriates at our overseas offices is minimal — we proactively hire local staff. Localized management and empowering local workers have helped us achieve corporate growth.
Furthermore, efforts are underway to enhance workplace environments. Our U.S. subsidiaries, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., and Otsuka Pharmaceutical D&C, as well as our European subsidiaries, Otsuka Pharma GmbH and Otsuka Pharma (Switzerland) GmbH have been recognized as a "Great Place to Work®"*5 by the global organization conducting workplace culture and social consciousness surveys.
- *5Great Place to Work is an organization that conducts surveys and analyses on job satisfaction. It certifies companies and organizations that meet specific standards related to job satisfaction and is active in approximately 60 countries.