Employees who witness or suspect a corporate ethics or legal compliance violation are, in principle, to first report to or consult with their direct superior. If unable to do so, they may opt to take the issue to the consultation office operated by their division or plant, or directly contact the chairperson or secretariat of the Legal Compliance Committee by means of a special hotline or email. During FY 2006, at the request of the labor union in response to the enactment of the Whistleblower Protection Act, we added representatives of the labor union to reporting and consultation offices. The Executive Meeting, attended by representative directors, also accepts a range of proposals and opinions from employees regarding corporate ethics and legal compliance.

We are aggressive about protecting the confidentiality of employees reporting possible violations. During FY 2006, provisions prohibiting discrimination against employees making such reports or seeking advice, and establishing disciplinary action for false accusations, were added to labor contracts and company regulations.