Risk Management

The Obayashi Group will improve its corporate value and fulfill its social responsibilities to its stakeholders by accurately grasping and preventing risks associated with corporate activities and minimizing the impact of their occurrence. We have established a risk management system that encompasses the entire group.

Risk Management System

Organizational structure for sustainability management, showing oversight by the Board of Directors and Audit & Supervisory Board, with the Sustainability Committee, Directors' Roundtable Meeting, Management Meeting, risk management committees, and sustainability-related expert committees coordinating sustainability initiatives across the company.

Obayashi identifies and analyzes any risks that might impact the Group through function-specific risk management committees, such as the Corporate Ethics Committee and the Central Health and Safety Committee, and the Business Plan Committee and its various subordinate committees for each sustainability-related fields. Important decisions are referred to the Board of Directors and Management Meeting for discussion. These bodies determine and evaluate the risks related to each agenda item. They discuss whether the determined response to the potential manifestation of a particular risk is appropriate and make decisions accordingly. In addition, each department assesses the risks inherent in its business processes and builds any necessary avoidance and mitigation measures into those processes. The Internal Control Audit Department, which is Obayashi's internal audit arm, audits each department's risk management efforts.

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Information Security

Obayashi established an information security policy in FY2001 and started developing more detailed security measures. However, the way in which people use information systems is changing as digital technology advances and work style reforms progress, and external attacks on information systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Consequently, the Company' s policy was fully revised in March 2021 to better deal with growing information security risk. The revision expands the scope of application to the entire Obayashi Group and ensures that the policy conforms with the unified standards of the National center of Incident readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC), which was reorganized into the current National Cyber Office (NCO). It has also been renamed the Obayashi Group Information Security Policy. Since then, the policy has been updated and communicated annually to deal with new information technologies and devices. This unified framework ensures the Group conforms with Japanese and overseas laws, regulations, standards, and other rules on information security frameworks including Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), training, auditing, and safety management measures. The new policy sets concrete standard measures with which Obayashi Group companies must comply. We will work to raise the level of information security throughout the Group by implementing these practices.

Obayashi Group Information Security Policy (Basic Policy)

  • To protect information assets owned by OBAYASHI GROUP and provided by the clients and others from risks caused by inevitable force, risks caused by information handling, and risks caused by external attacks or unauthorized access, the company shall establish the information security management system, and take the preventive measures in preparation for emergencies.
  • The company shall review the company's information security management system at planned intervals to ensure and continually improve the suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.
  • The company shall continually train all users and owners of information assets so that they are aware of the importance of information security management and proper handling of information assets.
  • Users and owners of the information assets shall comply with the company's information security related standards and strive to contribute to the effectiveness of the information security management system.
  • Users and owners of the information assets shall comply with laws, regulations and social norms related to information security.

Information Security System

Information security management structure of the Obayashi Group, showing oversight by the Crisis Management Committee and Chief Information Security Officer, with information security supervisors, CSIRT, and security management functions established across business divisions and group companies.

In addition, we provide trainings on information security to all employees and subcontractor staff twice a year. These trainings are to reaffirm rules related to information security and privacy, and to cultivate a sense of awareness of the users and managers of information assets. We also have a Personal Information Protection Policy (Obayashi Corporation Privacy Policy), established in 2005 as information was becoming a big part of society.

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Business Continuity Plan Initiatives (BCP)

Disaster response organization structure showing the relationship between local disaster task forces, the head office disaster task force, the Disaster Prevention Information Center, and specialized response teams under the leadership of the President.

The Obayashi Group has formulated a BCP to anticipate disaster risks, such as large-scale earthquakes, and is drafting and implementing measures to prevent business interruptions and to recover quickly in the event of a disruption.

As part of its BCP, the Company strives to always maintain a solid supply chain of people and goods to help eliminate various bottlenecks that would become key obstacles when attempting to conduct business in the event of a disaster. This is done by establishing, in advance, systems relating to personnel and suppliers and subcontractors as well as measures to secure materials, equipment, fuel, and other vital supplies required for ensuring business continuity and restoring infrastructure. For example, the Company has set up a system to instantly check the safety of employees and receive damage updates from construction sites, Company facilities, Group companies, suppliers and subcontractors in the event of an earthquake-related disaster. The system enables the Company to swiftly identify the extent of damage and the operable parts of the supply chain. Obayashi also secures the resources it needs to ensure business continuity by establishing multiple potential channels in regular times in terms of logistics bases and vehicles that can be operated during a disaster, and signing disaster support agreements with fuel supply companies.

Furthermore, the Company enlists the cooperation of all main and branch offices for earthquake disaster drills that are conducted in May each year, and branch-specific earthquake disaster drills are conducted independently by individual branches every November, both to confirm initial BCP response and identify any issues. The Company addresses any issues that emerge during the earthquake drills through appropriate PDCA cycle implementation in an effort to further improve its BCP.

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Risk Evaluation

Obayashi's internal audit department conducts a company-wide survey and interviews each year. The department identifies economic, social, and environmental risks and reviews the effectiveness of the risk management process. The contents of that assessment are discussed by the Board of Directors.

As for the financial auditor, we review its structure and quality every year, and select an appropriate company. Obayashi also communicates important information concerning the company to stakeholders in a fair and timely manner on the TDnet system provided by the stock exchange for timely disclosure.

Business Risks

Below business risks are listed on the 122nd Securities Report, Section 3 [Business Risks*] (Available only in Japanese). These are information that is judged to have the potential to affect the Group's business performance or corporate evaluation. The forward-looking statements in the text are the judgments of the Obayashi Group as of the end of consolidated fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.

(1)Legal regulations on business Amendment, establishment, or charge of applicable standards
of laws and regulations, such as the Construction Business Act,
Building Standards Act, Real Estate Brokerage Act,
Antimonopoly Act, and Industrial Safety and Health Act and
the expenses associated with complying with such laws and regulations
would be reflected in business income and expense and
could impact business results.
To address such risks, the Obayashi Group continually monitors
trends in the establishment, amendment, and abolition of legal regulations
in each business division and the Legal Department, and works to accurately
reflect the accompanying costs in income and expenditure forecasts for
estimating costs and making decisions on business feasibility.
(2)Construction market trends If the credit of a customer, subcontractor, or joint construction company becomes
unstable and funds cannot be collected or construction is delayed,
this could affect the performance of the Obayashi Group.
To address such risks, the Obayashi Group conducts thorough
credit checks before and during transactions and secures
transactions terms for receipt of payments for construction and payment for
construction according to the degree of completion in its construction business,
which is the core business of the Group.
(3)Construction work problems and
serious accidents
If a major defect occurs in any aspect of design, construction, etc.,
or a serious accident involving a person, structure, etc. occurs, this
could result in the expense of a large payment for compensation and affect
the performance and corporate value of the Obayashi Group.
To address these risks, the Obayashi Group acquired ISO 9001 certification,
an international standard for quality management systems,
and built a strict quality management system. The Group also established the
Safety, Quality & Environment Division and established a comprehensive system
for managing safety and quality. The Group also hedges such risks by enrolling
in construction insurance, liability insurance, and other types of insurance.
(4)Customer/vendor credit risk If the credit of a customer, subcontractor, or joint construction
company becomes unstable and funds cannot be collected or construction
is delayed, this could affect the performance of the Obayashi Group.
To address such risks, the Obayashi Group conducts thorough credit
checks before and during transactions and secures transactions terms for
receipt of payments for construction and payment for construction according to
the degree of completion in its construction business, which is
the core business of the Group.
(5)Changes in construction material
prices and labor unit prices
A sudden rise in construction material prices, difficulty in procurement,
rise in labor costs, or shortage of skilled workers, could cause a decline
in profitability due to an increase in construction costs or payment
of damages due to delays in the construction period, etc. in
the construction business, which is the core business of the Obayashi Group.
This could affect Group performance.
To address such risks, the Obayashi Group continually ascertains the future
construction capacity of the Group based on assessment
of excess construction capacity of subcontractors, etc., and strives to maintain
the level of orders received in line with this.
When overseas procurement is used for domestic construction, the Group
arranges forward exchange contracts as needed to hedge risks. The Group also
formed the Rin-yu-kai, an organization of suppliers that provide mutual
support, in each region and is working to build a stable supply chain,
while also working to develop labor-saving automation technologies,
machinery, and other equipment.
It also works to purchase early, ascertain accurate costs, including future predictions,
and calculate appropriate cost estimates. Furthermore, the Group strives to build
relationships with multiple suppliers and seek alternative materials, while working
to enhance risk communication efforts such as identification of possible concerns
and countermeasures with internal and external parties to diversify and minimize risks.
(6)Pricce fluctuation of assets If the market value of real estate for sale, business real estate, investment
securities, etc. held by the Group declines significantly, this could
result in the recognition of valuation losses or impairment losses and affect the
performance and financial base of the Obayashi Group.
To address such risks, the Obayashi Group formulates investment
plans that balance investments with consideration of the financial
base in its medium to long-term business plans. The Group also sets
decision-making and screening standards for individual investments and investments
are strictly screened in advance by the Investment Committee, etc.
After acquisition, the management of the entity acquired, business conditions,
and market price of investments are checked regularly.
(7)Long-term business risks If a significant change occurs in the business environment during a PPP project
or renewable energy project that has a long project term, or a serious accident
occurs during the course of a project, this could result in deterioration in the
profitability of the project in question and the posting of losses due to the cost of
the response, and could affect the performance and corporate value of the Obayashi Group.
To address such risks, the Obayashi Group prepares in advance by formulating medium
to long-term investment plans that take the balance with the financial
base of the Group into consideration and strictly screens investments,
as stated above in "Price fluctuation of assets." The Group also hedges risks through appropriate
allocation of risk with business partners and subcontractors,
enrolling in insurance, and taking other steps to mitigate risk according to
the business scheme. Moreover, the Investment Committee and related
divisions also monitor a project as needed after it begins, and endeavor
to prevent the expansion of losses by exiting projects, depending on the profit conditions.
(8)Risks in overseas business In Asia, the U.S. and other countries where the Obayashi Group operates
its business, a significant change in the business environment, such
as political instability due to terrorism or conflict, fluctuation
in economic conditions, sudden fluctuations in exchange rates, change in
legal system, or other significant change could affect the performance
of the Obayashi Group.
To address such risks, the Obayashi Group operates its business in countries
and regions having relative stable political climates and works to
accurately ascertain conditions in the supervised region and respond in
a timely manner in the Asia and North America Group branches
(located in Singapore and the U.S.). To mitigate currency risk, the Group
also receives payment for contracted work in the local currency and pays subcontractors
in the local currency and uses the same currency for net sales and
costs, in principle. When procuring materials overseas for domestic construction,
the Group enters forward exchange contracts as needed to hedge exchange rate risk.
(9)Confidential information leaks If personal information or confidential information is leaked due to external
attacks, employee fraud, etc., this could result in a loss of social trust, or
compensation for damages, etc., and could affect the performance and corporate
value of the Obayashi Group.
To address such risks, the Obayashi Group formulated the Rules on
Protection of Personal Information and the Information Security Policy
and established an information management system. Also, to respond to new risks
associated with the increase in opportunities for external access to business
systems and taking computers outside the company due to the normalization of
telework, and the diversification and sophistication of cyber-attacks,
the Group also regularly evaluates risks and continually responds
to changes in risk through technical measures and human management
through education, training, etc. to manage personal information and
confidential information appropriately.
(10)Risks associated with large-scale
natural disasters and infectious deseases
In the event of a large-scale natural disaster such as an earthquake,
tsunami, windstorm, or flood, or an outbreak of a highly contagious infectious
disease, the Obayashi Group's business activities and performance may be
affected due to damage to ongoing construction or paralysis of the head
office or main branch functions. As a countermeasure against
such risks, the Obayashi Group has formulated a Business Continuity
Plan (BCP) for each type of risk, continues to provide education and
training, and periodically reviews the BCP to prepare for emergencies.
In the BCP for large-scale natural disasters, we promptly confirm the safety
of employees, etc., and damage to construction sites in
the event of a disaster, and secure restoration personnel,
response bases, supplies, and distribution routes, to establish
a system that enables us not only to restore sites, but also to promptly
restore and support reconstruction efforts for our customers' business
facilities, infrastructure, and local communities.
In the BCP for infectious diseases, the basic policy is to identify and
implement measures necessary to ensure the safety of employees
and other personnel and business continuity in accordance with
the characteristics of infectious diseases, and to reduce the impact
on the business by establishing in advance the organizational structure
necessary for information gathering and decision making.
In addition, the Obayashi Group has secured the financial base necessary
for business continuity even in the event of a major natural
disaster or an epidemic of infectious diseases that seriously affects its
business activities for a certain period of time.
(11)Climate change risks If a carbon tax is introduced to transition to a carbon-free society,
it may affect the business performance of the Obayashi Group. Furthermore,
if the temperature in the summer rises or if natural disasters become more
severe as physical risk, it may affect the business activities
and business performance of the Obayashi Group.
The Obayashi Group proclaimed decarbonization as a target for 2040 to 2050 in
the Obayashi Sustainability Vision 2050 that we revised in June
2019 as a measure against those risks. In addition, we set the establishment
of an environmentally responsible society (e.g., reduction of CO2 emissions)
as ESG materialities and are working to reduce the environmental impact of
the Obayashi Group and our entire supply chain. Moreover, we announced our support
for the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in July 2020. We are identifying and
assessing climate change-related risks and opportunities and then conducting
scenario analysis. Together with this, we are taking measures based on
the analysis results.
The natural disaster risks and measures against them are as described
in (10) above.
(12)Risk Related to Excessive Working
Hours of Employees
Compliance with labor-related laws and regulations, including
overtime work restrictions, is becoming increasingly important.
Excessive working hours may adversely affect employee
health and safety, reduce productivity and engagement, diminish the
value of human capital, and hinder the Group's ability to attract
and retain talent over the medium to long term. In addition, inadequate
responses to risks arising from workforce constraints, project
schedules, delivery deadlines, business practices, or other external factors
may negatively affect project management and costs, resulting in a loss
of social trust due to administrative guidance, penalties, or other actions,
which could adversely affect the Obayashi Group's business activities
and operating results.
As a countermeasure, the Obayashi Group ensures proper management of
working hours and identifies signs of excessive working hours
at an early stage while promoting workload balancing across the organization. The Group
also reviews conventional work practices and improves operational efficiency through
the use of ICT tools. In the construction business, efforts are made to
ensure appropriate staffing, establish effective construction execution systems,
and pursue order acquisition activities based on adequate project schedules. In addition,
through the promotion of flexible workstyles and the encouragement of leave utilization,
the Group works to maintain employee health and create a comfortable working
environment, thereby reducing these risks.
(13)Risks related to human rights issues
across the supply chain
If human rights issues arise within our Group or its supply chain,
this could adversely affect our Group's corporate reputation and performance due
to loss of social trust and credibility. As countermeasures to this risk,
the Group has established the Obayashi Group Human Rights Policy and
implements human rights due diligence initiatives based on international
human rights norms such as the Guiding Principles on Business and
Human Rights. Furthermore, based on the Obayashi Group CSR Procurement Policy
and the Obayashi Group CSR Procurement Guidelines, the Group promotes the
implementation of CSR procurement throughout its entire supply chain.

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