Zojirushi
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Based on what Zojirushi publishes, with few independent checks. Researched with AI assistance against published rules. Last researched 3 November 2026 · 4 sources · How we check
Osaka maker of rice cookers and vacuum flasks.
There's no proof Zojirushi pays more than the legal minimum, which in China and Thailand is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
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Graded higher than Zojirushi, selling the same kinds of things.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements, with 2 red flags.Open why it has this gradeClose why it has this grade
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- 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 China and Thailand, 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 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, mostly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
China, Japan, Thailand and 5 more countries.Open where it's madeClose where it's made
Zojirushi names some of the countries it makes in: Japan, China and Thailand. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Japan | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Thailand | 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
1 thing we found and what 2 independent sources say.Open the evidenceClose the 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.
Research notes Zojirushi's FY2025 annual securities report names five production sites: three plants of Zojirushi Factory Japan (Daito and Fukumachi in Osaka, and Shiga), a 51%-owned cooking appliance plant in Shenzhen, China, and its 49%-owned Thai affiliate Union Zojirushi. No output split or outsourcing share is published. It lists respect for human rights and a sustainable supply chain as priorities, but publishes no supplier list, social audit results or wage information.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion ReportAnother organisation's rating | Not assessed | Baptist World Aid's ratings do not assess kitchen appliance makers. View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Not listed | No labour abuse reports or response requests concerning Zojirushi were found on the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. View |
Sources and actions
4 sources, company details, and how to send evidence or a right of reply.Open the sources and company detailsClose the sources and company details
Sources 4
Show all 4 sources
- Zojirushi annual securities report FY ended Nov 2025 (EDINET text, edinetdb) · search the archive · 1,515 consolidated employees; plants in Daito, Fukumachi (Osaka), Shiga; Shenzhen plant (51%); Union Zojirushi Thailand (49%)
- Zojirushi sustainability disclosures (edinetdb) · search the archive · CSR manual covers non-discrimination and fair dealing with suppliers; no supplier audits or code described
- Zojirushi vs Tiger rice cookers in Australia (MINIMARU) · search the archive · Some models made in Japan, others in a Zojirushi factory in China; sold at MINIMARU stores in Melbourne
Published by Zojirushi or its owner
- About Zojirushi (zojirushi.com) · search the archive · Osaka company; Osaka and Shiga plants; Union Zojirushi (Thailand) and other overseas subsidiaries
Company details
- Headquarters
- Japan
- Employees
- About 1,515
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Zojirushi ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/zojirushi, 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 Zojirushi.
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