Management and auditing of public research funds

MHI Nuclear Development Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company") has established the company standard "Guidelines for Management and Audit of Public Research Funds" in accordance with the decision of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (revised on February 1, 2021) "Guidelines for Management and Audit of Public Research Funds at Research Institutions (Implementation Standards)," and has designated the President as the Chief Management Officer, the General Manager of the Technology Development and Quality Assurance Department as the General Administrative Officer, and the General Manager of the General Affairs and Administration Department as the Compliance Promotion Officer.
The Chief Management Officer supervises the entirety of the Company and has ultimate responsibility for the operation and management of competitive funds, etc. The General Administrative Officer assists the Chief Management Officer and has substantial responsibility and authority to supervise the entirety of the Company regarding the operation and management of competitive funds, etc. The Compliance Promotion Officer promotes implementation of compliance education for all members, investigation and resolution of any violation of or fear of violation of compliance, and formulation and implementation of preventive measures.
The Company conducts public research in accordance with the following "Misconduct Prevention Plan."

Prevention Plan of Improper Use of Public Research Funds

The Company is stating that it "always challenges a higher aim, and tries for innovation and improvement of its technologies" as one of its Company Policy items and is actively engaged in research using public research funds such as publicly sponsored research. However, in view of the situation in which the incorrect use of research funds has become a social problem in recent years, the Company engages in research by formulating the following Misconduct Prevention Plan regarding the management and operation of public research funds.

  1. The Company conducts training, etc., to inform employees of the rules, such as the "Entrusting Project Implementation Guidelines," established by public research entrusting organizations.
  2. The research representative (including the research director of a subcontractor; the same applies hereinafter) and employees participating in the research pledge to comply with the rules, and strive for appropriate use of public research funds in conjunction with compliance with the MHI Group Global Code of Conduct. The research representative, in addition to his/her responsibilities related to the implementation of the research concerned, is responsible for research management, including ordering and acceptance and checking of the work status.
  3. The research representative affixes his/her seal to all documents related to the use of research funds, such as purchase forms, acceptance forms, and work schedules, to confirm that research funds are used properly.
  4. The Company appoints the General Manager of the General Affairs and Administration Department as the manager of the Company’s fund administration, etc., who performs all ordering operations related to the research concerned and checks that delivery and acceptance are carried out properly.
  5. The Company takes appropriate disciplinary actions against researchers, administrative staff, or vendors involved in fraudulent transactions.
  6. The Company sets up an internal reporting desk for consultation on the conditions of use, etc., of research funds and internal reporting of illegal activities, etc. The President and the General Manager of the General Affairs and Administration Department determine and decide how to respond to consultation and reports.

January 1, 2022
MHI Nuclear Development Corporation