Sustainability | SocietyDiversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our Approach

The TDK Group comprises numerous Group companies operating globally. While TDK has traditionally promoted Diversity & Inclusion, we have added the concept of Equity, which is essential to the success of our diverse team members. Equity is not only treating all team members fairly; it is recognizing and addressing that there are groups of people (including women, people with disabilities, etc.) who have historically faced challenges that have prevented their full participation in society and the workplace. We can continue generating innovative creativity and enhance our competitiveness by establishing an environment in which Team Members with diverse backgrounds can display their skills.

In addition, a key component of TDK's mid- to long-term human resources strategy is inclusive leadership practices. Inclusive leadership practices include competencies and behaviors that create an environment where all team members feel accepted, supported, a sense of Belonging. Having a sense of Belonging enables team members to maximize their potential and create a positive impact on our business and the world. Our leaders lead by example and actively demonstrate inclusive practices, drive transformation, and promote engagement through clear goals and open feedback.

Our approach to DE&I is based on increasing:

• Awareness, understanding, and appreciation of:
  ◦The importance and meaning of DE&I at TDK
  ◦Team Members’ roles in DE&I
• Action that leads to:
  ◦Inclusive leadership
  ◦Integration of DE&I into everything we do
  ◦Increased engagement and belonging
• Accountability for:
  ◦Creating an inclusive culture
  ◦DEI Metrics, including Team Member Engagement participation

Related link

Governance

In 2020, a DE&I Promotion Department was established within the Japan HR Division, Human Resource HQ, and in 2023, a global DE&I team consisting of HR department leaders from Asia, Europe and US was established. With the aim of encouraging inclusive behavior on a global scale and creating individual and organizational accountability for DE&I, we are working to raise awareness of DE&I in collaboration with the human resources and business divisions across the globe and in each region.
In addition, the plans and progress of activities are regularly reported to the Board of Directors.

Please see the link for the governance system of human resources as a whole.

Related Information

Strategy

Global DE&I will support TDK’s overall People Strategy through the following strategic actions:

• Embedding DEI strategic focus in Global / Local HR activities.
• Increasing sense of Belonging amongst all team members as measured in TDK’s Team Member Engagement survey.
• Identifying and making targeted development investments to create a strong, diverse talent pipeline.

Risk Management

TDK will monitor progress towards DE&I goals and make necessary adjustments to address shortfalls. Key metrics to be monitored include:

• % of females in Top, Middle, and Junior management
• % of females in STEM positions
• % of females in revenue generating positions
• % of female external and internal hires
• % of females participating in TDK’s Global Management Development programs
• % of females participating in expat assignments
• Team Member sense of Belonging as measured by TDK’s Team Member Engagement survey

Metrics and Targets

Medium- to Long-Term Targets

We continue to promote the enhancement career growth and development of female team members.
As stated by our CEO, Noburu Saito, in our 2024 Integrated Report (0000_h1h4_en), “It has been two years since I became President. Looking back at those two years has really reinforced my sense that TDK is a company with unlimited potential. One major reason I feel this way lies in our embracement of diversity, in all its many forms... The strength of diversity lies not simply in having a lot of individuals with different personalities and abilities. It requires a connection, harmony, a fusion. In that sense, I believe TDK’s true strength as an enterprise is an organizational culture that allows our diverse human resources to maximize their individuality, motivation, and abilities.”
Based on this idea, we are focusing on the active participation of women as part of diversity, further bringing out their abilities, value, and potential, and linking this to the growth of the TDK Group.

Related Information

Initiatives

International Women's Day Week

Since being officially recognized by the UN in 1975, International Women's Day, which is celebrated on 8th March, has become a day to recognize the achievements of women in the social, economic, cultural and political spheres, and various events are held around the world to mark the occasion.

While progress has been made, we recognize that the journey towards gender equality and organizational change is not yet complete. We are committed to furthering the development and celebrating the achievements and contributions of women within our company, our industry, and beyond,

The five days from March 3 to 7, 2025 were designated as International Women's Day (IWD) Week. CEO Noburu Saito and TDK’s Corporate Officers sent powerful video messages of support to all female TDK team members. Mr. Saito also posted a message about the importance of International Women’s Day to TDK on the International Women’s Day website. Regional and local IWD events were held throughout the global TDK organization. For a detailed report, please see the link below.
(Link to an article on the TDK HP ‘News Centre’)

We have been actively engaged in various activities to promote the development of female employees, including seminars, mentoring programs, and dispatching employees to external training institutions from TDK Corporation (Japan). However, we aim to take these efforts to the next level. Taking International Women's Day as a stepping stone, we will continue to work toward creating an inclusive corporate culture where all employees feel a sense of belonging and can contribute to the transformation of the company and society to the fullest extent possible.

Related Information

Initiatives supporting LGBTQ+

TDK strives to create an inclusive environment and feeling of belonging for all team members. In support of the LGBTQ+ community and TDK’s LGBTQ+ team members, we partnered with Out Japan, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, in 2023 to host an information session for Corporate Officers and Managers about challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Since then TDK Corporation (Japan) has been working on activities such as e-learning education for team members, education for recruitment staff, the establishment of consultation services, and the introduction of regulations regarding same-sex partnership. Currently we are working on activities to expand the circle of LGBTQ+ allies.
TDK Corporation participated in the Tokyo Rainbow Pride event held in April 2024 and announced both internally and externally that the TDK Group is an LGBTQ+ ally. In June, LGBTQ+ awareness month, the TDK logo was colored in rainbow colors, and the TDK Group's solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community was communicated globally via multiple social networking services.
In addition, TDK Corporation received the Gold Award in the ‘PRIDE Index 2024’, an evaluation index for initiatives supporting the LGBTQ+ community certified by the general incorporated association “work with Pride”.
The TDK Group will continue to practice inclusive leadership and create a sense of Belonging amongst all of its team members in order to achieve its Long-Term Vision of accelerating the transformation of society towards a sustainable future.

Inclusive Leadership Practices

TDK made inclusive leadership practices a key component of its Long-Term Vision (Accelerating transformation for a sustainable future) and People Strategy. In 2024 we conducted in-depth research, including interviews with each of our Corporate Officers, to identify the defining traits of inclusive leadership at TDK:

• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Inclusion
• Respect
• Encouragement
• Self-Awareness

Our inclusive leadership practices model was introduced to the top leadership of TDK as well all members of our Territorial Career Development Program, a five-module program designed to enhance the leadership capability of supervisors and managers.

Continued participation in Dow Jones Sustainability Index

TDK continues to hold itself accountable for DE&I outcomes through participation in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, a family of benchmarks that identify and track the stock performance of the world's leading companies based on their sustainability performance, encompassing economic, environmental, and social criteria.

Strategic partnership with Women in Electronics

TDK partnered with Women in Electronics (WE), an organization dedicated to advancing gender parity in the electronics industry through their program pillars of leadership growth and development, mentorship, and community. TDK’s corporate commitment to fostering inclusion aligns perfectly with WE’s mission. This alignment demonstrates a mutual dedication to empowering both men and women in the electronics industry with leadership tools, career resources, and fresh perspectives to drive true innovation in our industry. Over 50 TDK female team members from the Americas and Europe are now WE members.

Related Information