Hitachi
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
Hitachi-branded fridges and home appliances, mostly made by Arçelik.
Hitachi scored 12/100 in the 2022 KnowTheChain benchmark, and there's no proof it pays more than the legal minimum, which in Thailand is below a living wage.
Better-graded appliances
Graded higher than Hitachi, selling the same kinds of things.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 3 red flags: no evidence of a living wage, unaudited production in high-risk countries and a failing or very low rating (KnowTheChain 12/100 in 2022). Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsMost of its products are made in countries such as Thailand and China, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNone recorded in a major share of its range
Red flags 3
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wageShown to explain the grade. It isn't one of the 2 red flags that set it.
- Red flag: Made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
- Red flag: Failing or very low score on an independent rating: KnowTheChain 12/100 (2022)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From press and retailer reports; Hitachi doesn't say where its products are made. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Thailand | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| ChinaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| PolandUsual for the industry | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- No high-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
- Modern slavery statement
Research notes Hitachi fridges sold in Australia are made in Japan and Thailand (a factory in Prachin Buri), with joint-venture plants also in China; no factory list or production shares are published. Hitachi Ltd scored 12/100 in the 2022 KnowTheChain ICT benchmark, with zero for purchasing practices and remedy and no supplier list. Beko, the local distributor, plans to leave Australia in early 2027. Japan and Thailand are listed without shares because no source gives a split.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| KnowTheChain | Problem found | Hitachi Ltd scored 12/100 (35th of 60) in the 2022 KnowTheChain ICT benchmark; no Hitachi score from the latest (2025) edition is published. View |
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Hitachi publishes statements under the UK Modern Slavery Act. View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Listed | Records Hitachi's 2025 response to allegations about dismissal of Myanmar migrant workers at reported supplier Cal-Comp Electronics in Thailand. View |
Unconfirmed reports
Credible reports that haven't been confirmed by a regulator, completed investigation or the company. They're shown for your information and don't affect the grade.
- Over 1,400 Myanmar migrant workers were reportedly dismissed and intimidated at Cal-Comp Electronics in Thailand, a reported Hitachi supplier; Hitachi said no direct business relationship was confirmed and it was checking its supply chain (Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, 2025). Source
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- KnowTheChain 2022 ICT scorecard: Hitachi · search the archive · Scored 12/100, 35th of 60; zero on purchasing practices and remedy; no supplier list; one forced labour allegation
- Hitachi Made in Japan refrigerator range launches at Winning Appliances (ChannelNews, June 2026) · search the archive · Beko ANZ distributes Hitachi appliances in Australia; refrigerator range made in Japan
- Hitachi-Beko merger tipped after appliance deal closed (ChannelNews, December 2020) · search the archive · Arçelik bought 60% of Hitachi's appliance business incl. China and Thailand factories; Australian products made in Thailand and Japan
- Arçelik Hitachi committed to Thailand (Bangkok Post) · search the archive · Fridges and washing machines made at Prachin Buri, Thailand; 85% exported to 65 countries
- Beko quits Australia, leaving Hitachi brand in limbo (ChannelNews, October 2026) · search the archive · Hitachi appliances sold at Harvey Norman and Bing Lee; Beko Australia to close in Q1 2027
- Arçelik signs agreement to sell its AHHA stake to Hitachi Global Life Solutions (AAP, April 2026) · search the archive · Arçelik selling its 60% stake to Hitachi GLS, which holds 40%; closing within 12 months
Published by Hitachi or its owner
- Hitachi Modern Slavery Statement 2024 · search the archive · Hitachi group publishes UK Modern Slavery Act statements
Company details
- Headquarters
- Japan
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Hitachi ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/hitachi, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Hitachi.