Soy sauce makers
Kikkoman's soy sauce is #1 in the world. Beyond shoyu (soy sauce) the company's products include cooking sauces, sake, and wines. In Japan it sells ketchup and other Western foods under the Del Monte brand. The company also produces industrial-use enzymes and bottles Coca-Cola in Japan. The company is more than 300 years old and is still controlled by descendants of its founding families.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Nov 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Kikkoman Corporation
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Climate Change score of A-
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of A-.
Source: CDP
(2023)
CDP Water Security score of A
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of A.
Source: CDP
(2023)
3.9% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 3.9%.
Source: Forest 500
(2023)
1/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2023 KnowTheChain benchmarked 60 food and beverage companies on their efforts to identify and tackle forced labour risks in their supply chains. This company received a score of 1/100. The average score was a disappointing 16/100 and the highest score was 56/100.
Source: KnowTheChain
(2023)
3/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 3/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
Animal Testing
This company appears on PETA's list of food and beverage companies that tests on animals, signifying that: it has not signed PETA's Statement of Assurance document; has definitively conducted, funded, commissioned, or allowed animal testing that is not explicitly required by law or by written requirements by government agencies; and has not adequately resolved this issue in private discussions with PETA.
Source: PETA
(2024)
21/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 21/100 in the Food Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 18 Nov 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global
(2022)
12% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2023 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #210/350, with a total score of 12/100.
13.5% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2023 and is ranked #439/816, with a total score of 13.5/100.
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
UN Global Compact participant
The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.
Source: UN Global Compact
(2020)
Non-GMO products in USA
This company has products that have been verified as compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standard, North America's only independent verification for products made according to best practices for GMO avoidance.
Source: Non-GMO Project
(2021)
Alcohol - minor involvement
Kikkoman is a manufacturer and importer of wines and sake in Japan. Only represents a small portion of total company revenue.
Source: company website
(2020)
Animal Testing
In 2015 PETA's (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, USA) learned that Kikkoman had been conducting and funding experiments on animals in order to make health claims about its products. Kikkoman ended its practice of animal testing soon afterwards as a result of PETA's campaign.
Source: PETA
(2015)
Company Details
Type:
Family-owned private company
Revenue:
3.4 billion USD
(2014)
Employees:
5,622
(2014)
Subsidiaries: