DE&I

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)
— Becoming a Company That Engages with People and the Future

As a company engaged in reproductive medicine, Kitazato Corporation places great importance on respecting human diversity and creating an environment in which each individual can fully demonstrate their capabilities.

Because we handle products that are deeply connected to the beginning of life, we believe that respect for people forms the very foundation of our company.
By valuing the individuality and perspectives of our employees and enabling professionals from diverse backgrounds to thrive, we aim to grow as a company that continues to shape the future of reproductive medicine.

Kitazato Corporation’s DE&I Message

In order to realize our corporate philosophy, “Happiness, for the Next Generations”, Kitazato Corporation is fully committed to creating an environment in which people with diverse personalities, experiences, and values can succeed.

Products that support reproductive medicine are created through human expertise and ingenuity.
Believing that value is generated not from a single correct answer but from diverse perspectives, we strive to be a company where every employee can work authentically and with confidence.

D: Diversity — Respect for Differences

We respect all forms of diversity as sources of value, including but not limited to the following:

• Gender, age, nationality, and disability
• Experience, career paths, and areas of expertise
• Working styles and lifestyles
• Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)
• Values and cultural backgrounds

We believe that bringing together diverse talent leads to new ideas and technological innovation.

E: Equity — Ensuring Fairness

To ensure that each employee’s abilities and motivation can be fully realized, we provide fair opportunities and appropriate evaluations.

• Equal access to education and development opportunities for career advancement
• Fair and transparent evaluation systems
• Support for diverse working styles aligned with different life stages
• A culture that encourages challenges beyond organizational boundaries

Understanding individual differences and providing the necessary support is a key responsibility of the Company.

I: Inclusion — Creating an Inclusive Culture

We aim to foster an inclusive corporate culture in which each individual feels valued and can work in their own way.

• Psychologically safe workplaces where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas
• Promotion of cross-functional communication
• A culture that welcomes challenge and innovation
• Mutual respect for and appreciation of differences
• Systems that enable employees from diverse backgrounds to succeed

We believe that Kitazato’s unique value emerges when diverse talent comes together.

Key DE&I Initiatives

Kitazato DE&I Day (Held Annually)

An initiative designed to deepen mutual understanding among employees, eliminate bias and assumptions, and share the belief that “Everyone is different, and everyone is valuable.”

Examples of Themes

• Understanding and accommodating disabilities
• Awareness of sexual minorities (LGBTQ+)
• Recognizing unconscious bias
• Understanding nationality and cultural diversity
• Learning the value of diverse professional perspectives in reproductive medicine

Promotion of Women’s Empowerment

Kitazato Corporation maintains a high ratio of women in management positions, with women actively contributing across various fields.

We will continue to advance the following initiatives:

• Expansion of leadership development programs for women
• Ensuring fairness in promotion and appointment opportunities
• Development of flexible working arrangements
• Support for balancing childcare, caregiving, and career development

As a company engaged in reproductive medicine, we believe that incorporating women’s perspectives is indispensable.

Promoting Understanding and Support for LGBTQ+ Employees

To ensure that all employees can work with peace of mind regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, we promote the following initiatives:

• Internal education programs on LGBTQ+ topics
• Consultation channels for employees seeking support
• Awareness-raising through internal communications
• Fostering a corporate culture that respects diverse gender identities and family structures
• Creating a workplace free from discrimination and prejudice

As a company engaged in reproductive medicine, we place strong value on understanding and respecting diversity in gender and family structures.

Mid-Career Hiring and Generational Diversity

• Active recruitment of external talent to introduce new perspectives
• Career development frameworks that enable contributions from early-career to senior professionals
• Strengthening of skills transfer and knowledge succession
• Support for diverse working styles, including remote work and reduced hours

We believe that diverse career backgrounds strengthen our organization and drive the creation of new value.

Work–Life Balance Support

(Childcare, Caregiving, and Life Events)

• Promotion of the utilization of childcare leave
• Encouragement of parental leave for male employees
• Creation of workplaces where paid leave can be taken easily
• Systems supporting the balance between childcare and career development
• Provision of flexible working arrangements

By valuing a culture of mutual care and consideration, we aim to be a company where employees can face important life milestones with confidence.

The Value Created by Kitazato Corporation’s DE&I

• Realization of our corporate philosophy, “Happiness, for the Next Generations”
• Innovation generated through diverse perspectives
• A culture of challenge fostered by psychologically safe workplaces
• High-quality products and services achieved through the full engagement of each employee
• Deeper contributions to addressing societal challenges in reproductive medicine