Shiseido has been selected and awarded the 2012 World’s Most Ethical Companies designation. The announcement was made on March 15 by the Ethisphere Institute, a U.S.-based international think-tank dedicated to advocating best practices in business in such areas as corporate ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

In addition to strengthening governance and thoroughly adhering to sound corporate ethics, global companies are currently urged to address major management challenges by taking a leadership role concerning social and environmental issues while also ensuring profitable, sustainable growth. Representative director and president Hisayuki Suekawa of Shiseido Co., Ltd. commented: “We are honored to be selected at this time to receive this honor, which was presented in recognition of Shiseido’s specific and practical initiatives toward the environment and CSR that have been promoted throughout the Group as well as its potential of realizing sustainable growth by clearly stipulating a Supplier Code of Conduct and practices with our business partners.”

President Suekawa also stated: “Going forward, based on the Shiseido Group corporate philosophy “Our Mission, Values and Way,” Shiseido will undertake greater efforts to promote highly ethical activities and disclose honest and highly transparent information with the aim of enhancing the trust of our five stakeholders, namely, consumers, business partners, shareholders, employees, and society and the earth.”