Health and Productivity Management
Policies
The NISSIN FOODS Group considers it a key corporate challenge to ensure that all employees maintain their health as well as demonstrate their maximum capabilities and apply them to their work.
In August 2018, we issued the NISSIN FOODS Group Declaration of Health and Productivity Management and developed a promotion structure for health and productivity management.
In addition, we implement various initiatives relating to employee health with the chief executive officer (CEO) of NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS as the person with ultimate responsibility.
These initiatives are regularly reported at meetings of the Management Committee attended by Group company executives and at meetings of the Labor-Management Committee where Group company representatives and labor union representatives discuss issues.
NISSIN FOODS Group Declaration of Health and Productivity Management
NISSIN FOODS Group Declaration of Health and Productivity Management
"Bi Ken Ken Shoku"
-Eat wisely for beauty and health-
As the originator of the instant noodles industry, it is our important mission to contribute to the health and wellness of our customers through our foods.
To achieve this, our employees must be healthy. As the NISSIN FOODS Group, we will position our employees’health promotion and maintenance as a key corporate challenge, creating an ideal work environment to promote, encourage, and support their health.
Koki Ando
President & Representative Director, CEO
NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
Structure
Initiatives
Health and Productivity Management Strategy Map
To contribute to customers’ health through food, it is essential for each employee to balance well-being*1 and high performance. Therefore, the ultimate goal of health and productivity management is set as employee job satisfaction.
To increase employee job satisfaction, key performance indicators (KPIs) are established to measure the effectiveness of initiatives and visualize how individual measures contribute to solving issues.
Among these KPIs, particular emphasis is placed on improving presenteeism*2 scores, with the goal of achieving an average score of 95% through various measures.
- *1A concept that refers to an individual or group being in a good state physically, mentally, and socially
- *2A state of low productivity due to work with health problems
Related Information and Data
Coverage: Employees of NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS (including employees on temporary assignment to companies such as NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS, NISSIN CHILLED FOODS, and NISSIN FROZEN FOODS)
| Indicators | FY 3/2023 | FY 3/2024 | FY 3/2027 targets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifestyle disease improvement indicators | ||||
| 1 | Percentage of employees taking regular health checkups*1 | 100.0% | 100.0% | Maintained 100% |
| 2 | Percentage of employees taking reexamination or detailed medical examinations*1, *2 | 89.5% | 85.4% | 90% or higher |
| 3 | Health guidance implementation rate*1, *2 | 96.0% | 90.4% | 100% |
| 4 | Specific health guidance implementation rate*1 | 67.2% | 73.5% | 80% or higher |
| 5 | Percentage of employees with lifestyle disease findings*1 | 42.0% | 39.9% | 30% or lower |
| 6 | Percentage of employees maintaining an appropriate weight*1 | 66.2% | 67.2% | 70% or higher |
| 7 | Percentage of employees skipping breakfast*1, *3 | 37.5% | 30.4% | 30% or lower |
| 8 | Percentage of employees with regular exercise habits*1, *4 | 29.7% | 30.0% | 35% or higher |
| 9 | Smoking rate*1 | 20.6% | 19.3% | 14% or lower |
| 10 | Number of women’s health seminars held*1 | 1 times | 4 times | 5 times |
| 11 | Percentage of employees getting sufficient sleep*1, *5 | 56.4% | 62.8% | 65% or higher |
| 12 | Percentage of employees with high-risk hypertension rate*1, *6 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% or lower |
| 13 | Percentage of employees taking hypertension treatment*1 | 86.5% | 87.9% | 100% |
| Mental health promotion indicators | ||||
| 14 | Percentage of employees taking stress check examinations*1 | 90.1% | 93.9% | 98% or higher |
| 15 | Percentage of high-stress employees*1 | 14.4% | 13.9% | 10% or lower |
| 16 | Self-care video viewership rate | ― | ― | 60% |
| 17 | Implementation rate of individual meetings with supervisors | 73.0% | 73.2% | ― |
| Work-life balance promotion indicators | ||||
| 18 | Average monthly overtime hours | 22.4 hours | 21.6 hours | ― |
| 19 | Average annual paid leave use rate | 14.8 days | 15.6 days | ― |
| 20 | Percentage of employees taking childcare leave (women/men) |
92.6% (39.2%) |
76.9% *7 (64.6%) | ― |
| 21 | Number of employees taking nursing care leave | 1 | 0 | ― |
| Indicators for the ultimate goal of health and productivity management | ||||
| 22 | Absenteeism-related losses*1, *8 | 2.2 days | 2.2 days | 2 days or less |
| 23 | Number of employees on sick leave | 37 | 35 | ― |
| 24 | Presenteeism-related losses*1, *9 | 93.9% | 94% | 95% or higher |
| 25 | Improvement of work engagement*1, *10 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3 or more |
| 26 | Turnover rate | 5.3% | 4.6% | ― |
| 27 | Job satisfaction score*11 | 79% | 80% |
Challenging target: 85% Commitment target: 70% |
| 28 | Health investment amount*1 | 196 million yen | 202 million yen | ― |
- *1Employees of NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS (including employees on temporary assignment to companies such as NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS, NISSIN CHILLED FOODS, and NISSIN FROZEN FOODS) as well as part-time and temporary workers
- *2Employees selected based on internal criteria
- *3Percentage of employees who responded in health checkup surveys that they skip breakfast at least three times per week
- *4Percentage of employees who responded in health checkup surveys that they engage in light, sweat-inducing exercise for at least 30 minutes, two or more times per week, for over a year
- *5Percentage of employees who responded in health checkup surveys that they feel sufficiently rested through sleep
- *6Percentage of employees with systolic blood pressure of 180 mmHg or higher or diastolic blood pressure of 110 mmHg or higher
- *7Calculated based on the definition set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The denominator includes employees who gave birth in the relevant fiscal year, but those on prenatal/postnatal leave are not included in the numerator, which may make the percentage appear lower. In FY 3/2024, all female employees who gave birth took either prenatal/postnatal leave or childcare leave.
- *8Average number of leave days taken due to health-related issues. This is calculated by surveying the number of paid leave days taken for health reasons and combining it with the number of sick leave days. In FY 3/2024, 2,703 employees responded (response rate: 64.8%).
- *9A state of low productivity due to work with health problems, based on the WLQ-J (the Japanese version of the Work Limitations Questionnaire prepared by Tufts University School of Medicine).
A score lower than the standard value of 94.0% indicates decreased work performance and productivity. In FY 3/2024, 3,568 employees responded (response rate: 93.9%). - *10Based on questions regarding work engagement from the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (“I feel energized when I am at work.” and “I am proud of my work.”). In FY 3/2024, 3,568 employees responded (response rate: 93.9%).
- *11Percentage of positive responses in employee surveys (employees who selected the top two ratings out of five). We have set both a challenging target and a commitment target that must be achieved.
Strengthening of Industrial Health Structure
Enhanced Health Checkups
We conduct health checkups with tests beyond those required by law for all employees for the early detection and treatment of lifestyle diseases. In addition, we analyze employee health checkup results and provide health guidance or consultations with industrial physicians as well as referrals to hospitals to employees who need medical examinations.
Starting from FY 3/2020, we have expanded comprehensive medical examinations for NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS employees*, which were previously limited to managers, and made available to employees who are 45, 50, and 55 years old.
We actively reach out to employees who require reexamination or detailed medical examinations based on the results of health checkups or comprehensive medical examinations to undergo such examinations. We also bear the full costs for these examinations. For cases where employees undergo treatment while working, we provide support to maintain a balance between work and their treatment through advice from the overseeing industrial physicians and industrial health nurses (public health nurses and nurses) according to consultation from the employee in question.
- *Employees of NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS (including employees on temporary assignment to companies such as NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS, NISSIN CHILLED FOODS, and NISSIN FROZEN FOODS)
Provision of 24-Hour Consultation Service
We have established a 24-hour consultation service in collaboration with external service providers, allowing employees and their families* to seek advice via email or phone on matters such as health, healthcare, nursing care, childcare, and mental health. In April 2018, NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS started providing a health consultation service at the Tokyo Head Office, staffed by industrial health medical practitioners. In May 2020, the company also launched an online consultation service. By working closely with industrial physicians, we utilize the information gathered from these consultations to aid in disease prevention, recurrence prevention, and support for employees returning to work after a leave of absence.
- *Employees of Group companies in Japan (excluding some companies), spouses of employees and temporary employees, and family members supported by employees, temporary employees, or their spouses
Establishment of an Industrial Health Staff Structure
To make it easier for employees to consult about their health, we have assigned industrial physicians and public health nurses to various business sites, including NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS’ Tokyo Head Office and Osaka Head Office, “the WAVE,” and plants directly managed by NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS (Kanto Plant, Shizuoka Plant, Kansai Plant, Shiga Plant, and Shimonoseki Plant), and expanded the number of consultation service desks available. In FY 3/2024, our in-house industrial health medical practitioners (industrial physicians, public health nurses, and nurses) conducted 331 health guidance consultations and 175 general health consultations.
Additionally, since 2021, we have held general meetings twice a year for industrial health medical practitioners (industrial physicians, public health nurses, and nurses). These meetings provide a platform to discuss the roles of industrial health medical practitioners as well as to share issues, measures implemented and case studies of health guidance and consultations at business sites in Japan.
Collaboration with the Health Insurance Association
NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS established the NISSIN FOODS Group Health Insurance Association in April 2024 to cover employees of its Group companies in Japan*. This allows us to manage employee health and medical information (such as results of medical examinations and specific health checkups), which was previously managed externally, within the Group. The information is analyzed in a way that does not identify individuals and is used to develop measures for maintaining and improving employee health.
- *Employees of NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS (including employees on temporary assignment to companies such as NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS, NISSIN CHILLED FOODS, and NISSIN FROZEN FOODS), UJI KAIHATSU DEVELOPMENT, NISSIN NETCOM, and NISSIN BUSINESS SUPPORT PLUS
Initiatives for Employees
To ensure that each employee can choose measures suited to their physical and mental condition and work towards better health, we have developed multiple measures across three categories: physical health, mental health, and work environment.
Initiatives for Physical Health
Since employees’ physical health forms the foundation for both well-being and high performance, we have implemented measures focused on themes such as exercise, diet, and sleep. In particular, we have placed a strong emphasis on promoting exercise and addressing women’s health issues.
Apple Watch-Based Exercise and Brain Age Study Project
To encourage employees to engage in exercise, we asked employees to participate in an initiative using the Apple Watch app, requiring continuous aerobic exercise for three months. Additionally, to examine the relationship between exercise and brain function, employees underwent a brain age assessment both before and after the exercise period. The results showed that employees who walked an average of 8,000 steps or more per day exhibited a trend toward a younger brain age. This suggests that consistent daily exercise activates brain function. We plan to develop further exercise promotion measures based on these findings.
| Samples | Average age | Average change in brain age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below reference value* | 115 | 39.6 | -2.50 |
| Above reference value* | 130 | 46.7 | -4.88 |
- *The reference value is set at an average of 8,000 steps per day.
Women’s Health Issues
Women face various health issues depending on their life stages, including menstrual pain, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), infertility, pregnancy and childbirth, and menopause. To address these, we have created several programs under the theme “Plus One Option,” which help resolve health issues unique to women, allowing them to choose programs that suit their individual situations. Additionally, we are working on raising awareness and providing correct knowledge to male employees who work alongside female employees.
| Employee participation measures |
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|---|---|
| Environmental improvements |
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Initiatives for Mental Health
Mental health issues are difficult to surface, so it is important for the company to visualize the mental health status of each employee and actively engage with them. Based on survey results and data collected via Apple Watch, we implement measures to help employees understand their stress levels and take proactive steps for self-care, as well as to activate internal communication through 1-on-1 meetings, maintaining psychologically healthy conditions.
Self-Care Support for Stress
With the spread of COVID-19, the work environment changed significantly due to an increase in telework and work from home, creating new stress factors, such as confusion about new work styles. In response, we launched the Telecommuting Depression Prevention Team in August 2020. We identified employees with stress and, when necessary, implemented corrective measures. To detect employees who were under stress, regardless of self-awareness, we used the MF100 Fatigue Stress Meter (produced by Murata Manufacturing) to measure autonomic nervous balance for NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS employees*. Among those identified, 12% were determined to need preventive measures, and we distributed books on self-care and basic knowledge about the autonomic nervous system. Additionally, we conducted online consultations with industrial health nurses from the NISSIN FOODS Group. In FY 3/2022, we expanded the coverage to include MYOJO FOODS, NISSIN CISCO, NISSIN YORK, and BonChi.
In addition, we started a joint research project with Keio University in FY 3/2023 to develop algorithms aimed at improving employee well-being. By analyzing electrocardiogram (ECG) data, step counts, and sleep time collected via Apple Watch, we discovered that autonomic nervous system activity indicators, which show stress and fatigue, are linked to presenteeism levels. We are using these research results to implement measures that help employees understand their stress levels and address them proactively, allowing them to work in healthy conditions.
- ECG feedback image
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ECG measurement with Apple Watch
Visualization of daily conditions
- *Coverage: Employees of NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS (including employees on temporary assignment to companies such as NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS, NISSIN CHILLED FOODS, and NISSIN FROZEN FOODS) working from home
Organizational Activation Support Based on Engagement Survey Results
We have been conducting surveys to understand the engagement* of NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS employees, starting from June 2022. Based on the results, we have implemented measures such as 1-on-1 meetings and career consulting to activate the organization. We plan to expand the coverage to employees at Group companies in Japan.
- *The relationship where individual growth and the organization’s growth direction are aligned, and both contribute to each other
Initiatives for Work Environment
The work environment for employees has a significant impact on work-life balance and productivity, making it an important theme that requires active engagement. Accordingly, we conduct surveys on satisfaction with the company and communication within departments. Based on these results, we are working to improve the environment to allow employees to fully demonstrate their individuality and abilities. Additionally, with the diversification of work styles, we are establishing systems to support the balance between work and childcare and nursing care as well as encouraging the use of paid leave to ensure that employees from diverse backgrounds and values can work comfortably.
Other Initiatives
Our efforts to support the promotion of health and productivity management extend beyond the NISSIN FOODS Group. We share our initiatives and insights at seminars with business partners and other stakeholders. We are also strengthening collaboration with business partners in the supply chain, aiming to improve the well-being of both the Group and business partners. To achieve this, we issued the Declaration of Partnership Building.