DIC is Selected for the Inclusion in Leading ESG Indices FTSE4Good and the FTSE Blossom Japan for the Second Consecutive Year —Efforts to reduce environmental impact and ensure tax transparency given high marks—

Tokyo, Japan—DIC Corporation announced today that it has been selected for the second time in a row for inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index, a globally recognized environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment index, and the FTSE Blossom Japan Index, an ESG investment index consisting solely of the Japanese companies in the FTSE4Good Index.

The FTSE4Good Index was developed in 2001 by United Kingdom–based FTSE International Limited (trade name: FTSE Russell), a wholly owned subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group plc, to designate companies demonstrating outstanding ESG practices. To ensure data reliability and market transparency, FTSE Russell assesses information disclosed by companies regarding their ESG management and initiatives using a proprietary ratings model.* An overall ESG rating of at least 3.3 out of 5—as of December 31, 2019—is required for companies to be included in the FTSE4Good Index in 2020. Selection for the FTSE4Good Index meant DIC was again automatically added to the FTSE Blossom Japan Index, which is used by Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF).

DIC’s inclusion in these two indices in 2020 reflects the high marks given for the DIC Group’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact and ensure tax transparency and compliance, as well as steps taken to enhance its disclosure of information regarding purchasing and its Responsible Care activities. DIC is now on the list of three major global ESG investment index series—the MSCI ESG Indexes, Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI Asia Pacific Index) and FTSE4Good Index. The Company is thus a constituent of all four ESG investment indices used by the GPIF.

Recognizing ESG as essential to the realization of a sustainable society, DIC works with its approximately 170 Group companies around the world to conduct its operations in a manner that incorporates related concerns. Guided by its “Color & Comfort” brand slogan, the Group will continue to promote ESG initiatives tied to its business activities and enhance disclosure, as well as maintain an accurate grasp of related social imperatives with the aim of contributing to sustainability for society.

* The FTSE Russell ESG Ratings model consists of 14 themes (including Climate Change, Water Security, Biodiversity, Pollution and Resources, Health and Safety, Labor Standards, Human Rights and Community, Customer Responsibility, Anti-corruption, Tax Transparency, Risk Management and Corporate Governance) encompassing 300-plus indicators.

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