Updated Nintendo Policies Push For Increased Transparency And Diversity

Recent weeks and months have brought a lot of attention to allegations of misconduct at Activision Blizzard, with a leaked email from Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser reacting and explaining that "every company in the industry must create an environment where everyone is respected and treated as equals, and where all understand the consequences of not doing so." The allegations and related court cases have led to multiple major gaming companies making commitments to strong ethics and governance in how they work, and Nintendo has emphasized this further in a series of additions to its latest Corporate Governance Report.

This document expands on Nintendo's previous statements and goals around encouraging a diverse and inclusive workforce. It goes further than the original report, also providing transparency on the number of women in management positions in the company.

• The company respects human rights in its recruitment process, selecting employees on the basis of their competence and skills regardless of gender, age, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, conducts fair employee appraisal and treatment in accordance with the quality and quantity of skills demonstrated by employees, and helps employees demonstrate their skills even further.
• The company does not have specific targets for the appointment of women, foreign nationals, and mid-careers to managerial positions. However, as a global company engaging in the entertainment business, which is characterized by increasingly diversifying customer needs and preferences, it is essential that we leverage the talents of a diverse workforce. Therefore, we are committed to respecting the personality and strengths of each and every employee, including employees from our overseas subsidiaries, and developing an environment where employees of diverse backgrounds can maximise their potential.
• As part of these efforts, we are recruiting women and creating an environment in which women can build successful careers. We intend to increase the proportion of women in managerial positions from the current proportions in the Nintendo Group's principal offices globally (23.7% as of March 31, 2021) and Nintendo Co., Ltd in Japan (4.2% as of March 31, 2021).

There is also an expansion to guidance on the appointment and theoretical dismissals of directors, providing transparency on the process.

Transparency seems to be a key focus for Nintendo in its most recent Corporate Governance Report update, across multiple areas. With language that emphasizes an eagerness to welcome and enhance overseas and diverse contributions to the company's management, it's clearly looking outward as it moves forward.

Source: NintendoLife