China- Beijing Sanlitun store launched its all-product recycling initiative in 2006 , established its environmental policy the following year , and has since developed technology to reduce the amount of water used in the jeans finishing process by up to 99 %.
Passionate about giving back to society , Tadashi ensures a portion of profits from the business is used to help support people living in difficult circumstances , and Uniqlo works with the UNHC for Refugees , donating millions of pieces of clothing to refugees globally .
On a personal level too , Tadashi and his family donate millions to various causes and via the Yanai Tadashi Foundation , support aspiring students in acquiring advanced knowledge on a global platform .
Keen to create a truly global team and ensure equity , Tadashi announced in January plans to hike salaries of his staff and managers in Japan by upward of 40 % to match the levels of its overseas operations . “ I have said that we intend to send at least one-third of our employees overseas and bring one-third or half of the staff from overseas in order to create a genuine global headquarters ,” Tadashi said during an earnings presentation in April .
His commitment to equity and fairness hasn ’ t always been well-received , however .
Last year , he was criticised for continuing to operate in Russia even as international pressure to isolate the country for its invasion of Ukraine saw waves of companies pull out .
Though strongly against the war , Tadashi believes clothing is a necessity of life , an email published by Nikkei asserts .
“ The people of Russia have the same right to live as we do ,” he said . businesschief . asia 21