Here we outline our four businesses, through which we contribute widely to the lives of people around the world.
Machine tools
Citizen began production of machine tools in 1936, utilizing the technologies and know-how developed through the manufacture of watch parts. Our products contribute to the development of manufacturing industries all over the world.
About Us
More than a century since it was founded in 1918 with the desire to produce Japanese-made watches, the CITIZEN Group has evolved into a corporate entity engaged in a wide range of businesses.
CITIZEN's corporate philosophy, "Loved by citizens, working for citizens" is to
deeply contribute to the lives of people around the world through the manufacturing of products that are loved and trusted by citizens.
Message From President & CEO
Crafting a new tomorrow Towards sustainable value creation
The CITIZEN Group is committed to preventing pollution by complying with laws and regulations concerning chemical substances and by reducing and replacing hazardous chemicals used in manufacturing processes.
Compliance with Laws and Regulations
To address legal and social issues related to chemical substance throughout the product lifecycle, from manufacturing to disposal after use, The CITIZEN Group promotes chemical substance management through a variety of initiatives, including developing internal systems to ensure compliance with domestic and international chemical substance-related laws and regulations and providing customers with information on product safety and applicable laws and regulations.
The CITIZEN Group Green Procurement Standards require that items procured for the manufacture of each Group company’s products meet global legal regulations, such as the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive and the EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. We collect information on the chemical substances contained in raw materials from the selection stage and confirm the levels of their hazardousness, including their impacts on health and the environment, to reduce risks entailed by such substances.
For more information on green procurement, please also refer to the "Green Procurement" section on the "Promoting Sustainable Procurement" page.
The CITIZEN Group has established targets for reducing chemicals subject to the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Act (in Japan) by 15% by 2025 and by 45% by 2030 compared to FY2018, and the Group is making reduction efforts, such as changing processes and switching to alternative substances. In FY2025, these efforts resulted in a reduction of 44.5% (87.2tons) in PRTR chemicals from FY2018, exceeding the 2025 target. As its long-term efforts to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals, the Group has achieved the total elimination of chlorinated organic solvents and other substances. (See the table below.)
In FY2025, we reduced the usage of 1-bromopropane by 4.1tons compared to FY2024. This accomplishment was attributed to several improvements, including minimizing excess evaporation and gradually replacing 1-bromopropane with environmentally friendly alternatives.
In addition, we are directing our efforts towards reducing the use of xylene and trimethylbenzene, which are organic solvents handled in the second largest quantities after 1-bromopropane. We are also implementing active substitution and reduction strategies for various other chemical substances. To achieve our targets for reducing the use of hazardous chemical components, we are intensifying our focus on technological advancements and facility enhancements within the Watches Business and the automotive parts sector, where significant quantities of these chemical substances are utilized.
Environmental risk management overseas is also an important issue, and we are thoroughly monitoring the amount of chemical substances used there and are working on reduction efforts.
PRTR Chemicals Reduction Targets and Results (Compared to FY2018)
Target
Fiscal year
Results
Amount handled (t)
Reduction (t)
Reduction rate
15% reduction by 2025
45% reduction by 2030
2018
195.8
-
-
2019
184.4
-11.3
5.8%
2020
146.9
-48.9
25.0%
2021
144.8
-50.9
26.0%
2022
123.2
-72.6
37.1%
2023
137.4
-58.4
29.8%
2024
116.9
-78.8
40.3%
2025
108.6
-87.2
44.5%
Chemical Substances Completely Disused to Date
Chemical substances
Fiscal year of discontinuation
Chlorinated organic solvents
2008
Alternative chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)(not including refrigerants contained in equipment)
2008
* Ferric chloride was previously included in the list of chemical substances completely discontinued, but we have removed the substance from the list after its use at overseas sites was identified.
1-Bromopropane Reduction Results (In Japan; Compared to FY2018)
Fiscal year
Amount used (t)
Reduction (t)
Reduction rate
2018
38.5
-
-
2019
30.0
-8.5
22.0%
2020
28.0
-10.5
27.2%
2021
23.8
-14.6
38.0%
2022
21.7
-16.8
43.6%
2023
19.7
-18.7
48.7%
2024
10.8
-27.7
72.0%
2025
6.7
-31.8
82.6%
[Case Study] Efforts to Reduce the Use of Substances Subject to the PRTR Act
CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD.
At both the headquarters and the Kawaguchiko Works of CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., processing media and cleaning solutions containing substances regulated by the PRTR Act are employed for the surface treatment of components. The replacement schedule for the processing medium (kerosene) and cleaning solution (cyanide compounds) used in the barrel processing was previously determined by the number of days, but in FY2022, this protocol transitioned to a usage count basis. Moreover, the kerosene recycling equipment, which had previously been inactive, has been restored to operational status.
As a result of these activities, in FY2025, kerosene (xylene and trimethylbenzene) and cyanide were reduced by 27% and 58%, respectively, compared to FY2018.
Reduction of kerosene use
[Case Study] Process Improvement toward Complete Elimination of the Use of 1-Bromopropane
CITIZEN WATCH MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
CITIZEN WATCH MANUFACTURING CO., LTD. has long been working to reduce the use of 1-bromopropane in its cleaning and oil removal processes. Despite its past efforts to reduce the amount of the chemical substance used with annual reduction targets set for its Tohoku Factory and Akita Factory, the company has not yet been able to completely eliminate its use due to the unsolved challenge of establishing alternatives. To address this challenge, the Tohoku Factory has introduced automatic hydrocarbon cleaning machines and fluorinated-solvent cleaning machines, as well as replacing cleaning solvents with new ones. Moreover, processes involving the use of chemical substances regulated under the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) system have been transferred from the Akita Factory to the Kagoshima Factory. The transfer was followed by reconsideration of the use of working oil containing kerosene and cleaning solution containing 1-bromopropane that were used in the pressing process. These efforts allowed the company to completely eliminate the use of 1-bromopropane in FY2024. This initiative has significantly contributed to not only reducing emissions of PRTR substances but also improving the working environment, resulting in reduced risks to workers’ health.
CITIZEN WATCH MANUFACTURING CO., LTD. will continue its improvement efforts in order to reduce its environmental impacts and build a safe and sustainable production system.
