Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) lie at the heart of the Ricoh Group’s business strategies. This came about in 2023 when Ricoh expanded its diversity and inclusion approach by also committing to equity. This move signaled an emphasis on creating work environments where diverse individuals can thrive. We spoke with Shun Yano and Mami Morimoto from Ricoh’s Human Resources Department, Kaori Fujii from the Japan DEI Council, and Maiko Okano from the ESG Strategy Department about the company’s commitment to DEI and how it is embedding equity in its organization.

Why Ricoh committed to DEI

Management identified a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce as one of its seven material issues as part of the Ricoh Group’s mission to realize a sustainable society. The goal is to foster a corporate culture where employees from diverse backgrounds can maximize their potential, connecting their experiences to Fulfillment through Work. Promoting DEI is a key management strategy to achieve this.

Shun Yano, who heads the HRIS Department in the Human Resources and General Affairs Department, explains why DEI is crucial. He says, "Ricoh is a global player, with diverse businesses, from multifunctional printers to digital services and office services outsourcing. We need varied solutions to meet wide-ranging customer needs and expectations. Empowering diverse talent to collaborate drives our DEI initiatives."

Yano also highlights how DEI benefits Ricoh’s employees. "Addressing diverse customer needs satisfies the intellectual curiosity of employees. Creating an environment where employees can find fulfillment through diverse solutions aligns with our mission of Fulfillment through Work. That’s the essence of our DEI approach." For Yano, creating a space where talent can contribute to solving societal challenges is key to fulfilling Ricoh’s broader role.

What equity means at Ricoh

Ricoh added equity to its diversity and inclusion strategy to ensure equal access to opportunities by providing support tailored to individual needs.

Yano explains the increasing importance of equity. "The ultimate goal of DEI is inclusivity. Diversity is just the first step. Collaboration between diverse individuals fuels innovation. It’s not enough to simply create environments where people respect diversity. We need to implement processes that allow diverse people to achieve fair outcomes, which is why equity is so vital."

The Ricoh Group’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement emphasizes this commitment. It states that, "At Ricoh, we embrace and respect the collective and unique talents, experiences, and perspectives of all people. Together, we inspire remarkable innovation. That’s how we live the Ricoh Way." The company has translated that statement into 22 languages and distributed it to all regions. In addition to engaging in global initiatives, such as live broadcasts of International Women’s Day events, DEI Councils in different countries tailor initiatives to local cultures and business environments.

One significant DEI initiative in Japan has been to increase the ratio of women in managerial roles and encourage women of all ages to pursue leadership opportunities. Yano notes that, "This is just one aspect of diversity. Ricoh also needs to consider equity to take its efforts a step further. Equity is not just about gender. For example, no employee, regardless of gender or nationality, should face barriers in striving to achieve results from having to reduce working owing to meet childcare commitments. Anyone can find themselves in different circumstances at any time. Giving everyone access to the same opportunities, whatever their situations, is what I think equity is all about."

Mami Morimoto, who develops digital talent strategies and is part of a global equity project, agrees that fostering understanding of equity and implementing systems to achieve inclusion is crucial. She says, "Ricoh already offers programs for flexible working arrangements and hours. But even if people can use these programs, they don’t always get equal opportunities to succeed in the roles they want to pursue. We need to ensure that these opportunities are equitable, regardless of the roles people choose."

DEI as the platform for Ricoh’s growth as a digital services company

In Japan, members of the DEI Council and departments encouraging awareness of social contribution activities have led initiatives to deepen understanding of equity. Key efforts this year have included DEI Empowerment Month in February, an International Women’s Day event in March, and Ricoh Global SDGs Action 2024 in June.

Kaori Fujii, who leads the DEI Council in Japan, explained the purpose and scope of DEI Empowerment Month. "Equity is a very complex concept, so we started by explaining it with a simple video. But that alone would not be enough for people to retain the information. That’s why we initiated DEI Empowerment Month on February 6, Ricoh’s Foundation Day, to explain equity as part of DEI. We kicked everything off by having Chairman Jake Yamashita deliver a commemorative message highlighting DEI, followed by the announcement of DEI Empowerment Month. Throughout the month, we shared weekly content, including the video, articles on DEI, and a panel discussion, all designed to encourage employees to engage in discussions about DEI at work."

Fujii notes that the primary goal of DEI Empowerment Month was to encourage employees to familiarize themselves with and explore the concept of equity in a personal way. After the DEI Empowerment Month, all departments engaged in discussions about equity, with employees assigned homework to present their own equity initiatives and make personal equity declarations. She recalls that the response to these challenges was much more positive than she had anticipated.

She says, "Many groups reported gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of communication through departmental discussions about equity. Engaging with colleagues they rarely interacted with provided fresh perspectives and fostered empathy. Some departments took DEI Empowerment Month as an opportunity to organize workshops encouraging internal collaboration. One participant noted that the workshops improved their understanding and awareness of DEI, while also recognizing the need for regular reviews as insights can fade over time."

She adds, "Some employees realized the significance of considering others’ perspectives in their own work. A team member from new business development remarked that the lean startup methodology, which emphasizes timely feedback loops from customers, closely mirrors DEI processes. This feedback reminded me of how well DEI aligns with Ricoh’s role as a digital services company catering to diverse customer needs."

Recognizing the need for equity at Ricoh

In 2024, DEI took center stage at Ricoh Global SDGs Action, an initiative that began in 2019. The ESG Center’s Business Office led these efforts under the guidance of Maiko Okano, who oversees Ricoh’s social contribution activities.

She explains that this year’s focus centered on three key areas. "The first was Leadership’s Passion for DEI, featuring messages from top executives to employees. The second was Ricoh’s DEI Initiatives Worth Sharing that Deliver Fulfillment through Work, which highlighted Group efforts in Japan and internationally. The third was Building Bridges—Realizing DEI through Individual Action, which emphasized the importance of employee participation through two activities. The first involved using bingo sheets to identify and share examples of equity in everyday life, while the second encouraged participation in seminars and workshops designed to deepen understanding of DEI through thought and action."

DEI Empowerment Month in February and the Global SDGs Action initiative generated significant feedback. Okano notes, "One particularly interesting comment from an employee was that while equity initially seemed like a complex concept, the activities provided opportunities for reflection and helped deepen their understanding." Interest in DEI has also extended to business partners, yielding unexpected benefits on the sales front. Okano adds, "Some employees found themselves discussing their event insights with customers, which improved communication."

Morimoto observes, "Some employees mentioned that they hadn’t realized diversity or equity issues existed within their departments." Initially believing these matters didn’t affect them personally, the discussions revealed previously unnoticed issues and differing needs among team members. She adds, "I was both surprised and pleased to hear people acknowledge that their departments needed to embrace the concept of equity."

Ricoh’s DEI challenges and where it is heading

With DEI events and ongoing efforts to share information, Fujii believes the DEI Council is now at the stage of helping employees internalize equity in both their professional and personal lives. She explains, "This is where the DEI Council’s real work begins. Our goal is to create a common language and nurture a culture that enables all employees to see how DEI is directly connected to their jobs and the business."

From a Sustainable Development Goals perspective, Okano highlights the importance of deepening the understanding of equity. She explains, "The ESG Center runs various social contribution programs, including opportunities to engage with minority communities and support programs for young people struggling to find jobs. Through these experiences, we hope employees will personally connect with the concept of equity. We also encourage employees to volunteer for these initiatives, and I hope many will participate."

Looking ahead, Yano emphasizes the need to focus on generational diversity. He notes, "When we talk about DEI, we often focus on gender, LGBTQ+, and nationality. But generational diversity is equally important. So far, we’ve done little to address imbalances due to age differences. For example, I think it would be great to see people in their 20s or 30s in top executive or Board positions at the Ricoh Group. Senior employees should also have more opportunities to take on new challenges. I aim to leverage generational diversity to articulate equity and fair opportunities, both as a human resources professional and as an individual."

Inextricably linking Ricoh’s Mission and Vision to DEI

Ricoh is aligning its Mission and Vision of Fulfillment through Work with DEI initiatives. Morimoto explains, "We can only tackle numerous social issues if our employees are empowered and energized." She continues, "Although some may initially feel that diversity issues don’t affect them, others might be quietly struggling. If we can address those challenges through DEI-conscious communication across the company, I believe more people will achieve Fulfillment through Work. One of our key human resources goals is to demonstrate the direct link between DEI and this sense of fulfillment."

Yano concurs, adding, "Achieving DEI will naturally lead to Fulfillment through Work. By building a DEI-driven business, we can help a broader range of customers create equitable workplaces. For DEI to become the norm, it must be so deeply embedded that it’s no longer necessary to call it out explicitly. In pursuing DEI and promoting Fulfillment through Work, Ricoh will inevitably play a role in resolving societal challenges."

In recent years, companies worldwide have explored DEI, particularly equity initiatives, from the perspective of the social component of environmental, social, and governance principles—an important factor for achieving sustainable growth. Those involved in Ricoh’s DEI initiatives mention that they learn something new every time they organize an event or in-house communication initiative. As Ricoh’s DEI efforts evolve, they will keep moving forward by fostering dialogue and promoting mutual understanding, both within the company and beyond.

Related information

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Work-Life Management