"マグロ漁業に見る｢海の人権問題｣と日本の食卓 問題企業の取引先に三菱商事､マルハニチロ," 21 May 2024

[Unofficial description by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

It was reported that two Japanese companies are major clients of Zhejiang Ocean Family Co., Ltd., a major Chinese fishing company that was allegedly involved in human rights abuses including physical and verbal violence and extremely long working hours.

In response to an interview by Toyo Keizai, Mitsubishi Corporation and Maruha Nichiro Corporation respectively said they will ask Zhejiang Ocean Family Co., Ltd. to take corrective measures and reconsider their business relationship. Maruha Nichiro Corporation claimed that the investigation report by the local Chinese law firm appointed by Zhejiang Ocean Family Co., Ltd. found no evidence of human rights violations. Zhejiang Ocean Family Co., Ltd. did not respond to Toyo Keizai.

Toyo Keizai points out that the companies' established procurement guidelines and surveys of their business partners are not enough to monitor the situation.