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TOKYO, February 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LIXIL Corporation (“LIXIL”, TSE code: 5938), manufacturer of innovative water and home products, today announced that it has achieved its ambitious goal of improving sanitation and hygiene for 103 million people.[1]. Reaching this stage is the main objective of the Sanitation and Global Hygiene pillar of the LIXIL program. Impact strategy and implemented in 2016, reinforces LIXIL’s commitment to further accelerate access to sanitation and hygiene around the world.
Safe sanitation and hygiene remain among the most pressing global challenges. About 3.4 billion people[2] still lack access to safely managed sanitation, including 354 million people[3] practice open defecation. In addition, around 1.7 billion people[4] do not have basic hygiene services at home. The human cost is devastating: more than 1,000 children children under the age of five die every day from diseases spread by unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene.
These systematic failures result in hundreds of billions of dollars in annual losses due to reduced productivity and higher healthcare costs. However, there is an untapped opportunity: every dollar invested in sanitation yields a five-fold economic return.
LIXIL’s success is the result of shipping more than 10 million SATO toiletries and hand hygiene products in 59 countries and territories. By creating a social enterprise and providing affordable and innovative sanitation and hygiene solutions to underserved communities, SATO by LIXIL has successfully expanded sanitation markets in Africa and Asia. Reaching primarily sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia, SATO’s activity not only reaches households, but also extends its impact into communities through critical non-household contexts, including schools and health facilities, and more recently in humanitarian contexts such as refugee camps.
“Reaching 103 million people is not a finish line, but compelling proof that the private sector plays a critical role in solving an urgent global problem,” said Kinya Seto, CEO of LIXIL. “While LIXIL is renowned for its high-end innovations, we are just as proud of our affordable SATO solutions. By creating a social enterprise, we address the challenges of sanitation and hygiene at scale, not only improving health, but providing families with the security and peace of mind they deserve to build their livelihoods and thrive.
Our journey is one of learning and partnership. We are grateful to the families and partners who welcomed our solutions into their homes and communities. Seeing for ourselves how simple, safe toilets can restore dignity and improve quality of life reinforces our commitment. Our role is to serve as a catalyst, supporting the resilience and potential of every community we reach. »
The power of collaboration
Working with a wide range of partners, including governments, international organizations, NGOs and private sector actors, LIXIL is focused on creating resilient and sustainable sanitation markets in global economies and rural communities. The cornerstone of our progress is the ‘Make a splash!» partnership with UNICEF, UNICEF’s first global shared value partnership for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and the first of its kind with a Japanese company.
This collaboration combines LIXIL’s expertise in product development and supply chains with UNICEF’s strengths in sanitation programming and behavior change through community education. The partnership strengthens a robust and self-sustaining ecosystem comprising local contractors and masons, community health workers, manufacturers and retailers to ensure sanitation and hygiene for all.
Moving forward: an ambition evolved towards 2030
“Reaching 100 million people is a significant milestone, representing the impact on individuals and communities, and it is also a vital transition point.” said SATO Executive Erin McCusker. “The global goal of universal access to safe sanitation and hygiene by 2030 requires unprecedented acceleration. We view sanitation as the foundation for achieving many other development goals. LIXIL’s upcoming 2030 goals will reinforce our commitment to delivering private sector innovations and market-driven models essential to making better housing a reality for everyone, everywhere.
To learn more about LIXIL’s sanitation and hygiene initiatives: visit here.
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1: Results are preliminary and subject to minor changes based on partner reports received in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 (March 31, 2026). To read more about the results, please click here. |
CONTACT: pr_global@lixil.com
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