Most cacao beans, the raw material for chocolate, are produced in developing countries in Africa, Central and South America, and Asia. Some regions face challenges such as child labor on farms, poverty among farmers, and deforestation. In Ghana, where approximately 70% of the cacao beans imported by Japan are produced, it is said that one out of every five children is engaged in child labor.
Against the backdrop of these challenges, the platform was established in January 2020 with the aim of realizing a sustainable cocoa industry. As a “place” for diverse stakeholders to co-create and collaborate, 60 companies/organizations and 127 individuals, including industry associations, food manufacturers, trading companies, NGOs, and consulting firms, are participating.
In September 2022, companies and NGOs, which are particularly interested in solving the problem of child labor in the Platform, formulated the “Sectoral Action for the Elimination of Child Labor,” which outlines specific actions expected of them from their respective standpoints.
This recently released report summarizes the implementation of actions to eliminate child labor by the 17 companies/organizations* that have expressed support for the action, and includes the following examples
Preferential procurement of raw materials produced in areas where initiatives aimed at the elimination of child labor are being implemented, as well as certified raw materials.
Measures to address child labor risks in the supply chain
Education support and school environment improvement in cacao-producing countries
The Platform hopes that this report will be used as a collection of concrete examples of activities that contribute to the realization of responsible corporate behavior and procurement, and will lead to the realization of human rights due diligence by companies involved in the cocoa industry.
We will also continue to contribute to the achievement of SDG 8.7, which aims to “eliminate all forms of child labor,” by regularly communicating our efforts.
17 companies/organizations
Only 16 organizations that agreed to the release of the information are listed.
Trading companies, processors, manufacturers, retailers
ITOCHU SHOKUHIN Co.
Ezaki Glico Co.
Confitera Corporation
Barry Callebaut Japan Inc.
Fuji Oil Group Honsha Co.
Meiji Holdings Co.
Morinaga Seika Co.
Yuraku Confectionery Co.
Lotte Corporation
NGOs, knowledge institutes, and certification bodies
Authorized NPO ACE
OWLS Consulting Group, Inc.
Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting G.K.
Japan Chocolate and Cocoa Association
Certified NPO Fairtrade Label Japan
Rainforest Alliance
Government and government agencies
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
© Source JICA