Coexisting with Society

In April 2014, we celebrated the 10th anniversary デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe opening of Nadahama Science Square, a community exchange facility located next to the Kobe Works.

Every year approximately 200 schools, mostly elementary, hold field trips at Nadahama Science Square. デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhose schools, approximately 150 also tour the adjacent steelworks. This first-hand glimpse at industrial manufacturing helps the students become more knowledgeable and insightful.

Every day, Nadama Science Square bustles with excited, curious children. In fiscal 2014 the facility is expected to welcome its 600,000th visitor.

A familiar local practice, the Shinko Kakogawa Festival was held on October 27, 2013. There were worries that a typhoon that was active in the area up until the previous day would deter visitors. However, on the day デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe event the festival was blessed with the best weather it had seen in eight years. The festival was a huge success, with approximately 80,000 people attending.

Children at the festival were delighted when popular "Super Sentai" TV series characters made an appearance on the main stage. There were many other attractions as well, making for a fun-filled day.

This year's Shinko Festival was held in August 2013, as an opportunity for local residents, employees and their families to interact.

The festival has been held since 1973, as a way to express our gratitude to neighborhood associations and promote employee relations.

This year marked the 41st anniversary デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe festival. Highlights included street performances and samba shows, both favorites among children. Approximately 1,000 people attended.

The Kabuto-Matsu (or "Helmet Pine Tree") located on Fujisawa Plant grounds is an important relic from the Kamakura period. The tree's name derives from a samurai who, on returning from the Gosannen War, commemorated his side's victory by burying his helmet at the foot デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe tree. The Yatsushima burial mound, where those who fell in the attack on Kamakura are buried, is also located here. The Kabuto-Matsu and Yatsushima Memorial Service has been held for 41 years, since 1973.

The Kabuto-Matsu (or "Helmet Pine Tree") located on Fujisawa Plant grounds is an important relic from the Kamakura period. The tree's The memorial service has become a familiar local custom. The service held on October 18, 2013 was officiated by the head priest from a local temple, and local residents and employees burned incense. Sekihan (red bean rice) and small gifts were offered to the worshippers. Snacks and juice were available for the children.

In November 2013 employee volunteers participated in planting activities held by the Fukuchiyama City Public Works Section. The employees planted creeping phlox plants. Held since 2012, the planting activities were covered in their first year as one デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe top ten Fukuchiyama news stories.

Planting is carried out near the entrance to Osadano Industrial Park along the National Route 9 bypass, where the phlox can delight the eyes of passers-by in spring as they commute to and from work. A 10,000m² area is scheduled to be planted over a five year period beginning from fiscal 2012.

Held since 2000 at the Chofu Works, the Chofu Festival has become a fixture in the local community. Chofu Festival 2013, held on October 20, 2013, was attended by approximately 4,200 people, including Chofu Works alumni and members デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe community.

The festival was very lively, with different departments competing against each other in the yearly basket and tug-of-war games, a tuna filleting demonstration, Heike taiko drumming, and performances by a local high school brass band.

For over twenty years Shinko Aluminum Wire Co., Ltd. has been holding safety guidance at their main gate for pedestrians as well people entering and exiting. The guidance is held at morning and lunchtime for one week each in April and September. Because we rely on the understanding and cooperation デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe local community when operating trucks in and out デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe entrance, safety guidance is held to coincide with national traffic safety weeks, as a way of giving back to the community.

The April guidance is particularly appreciated by local elementary schools and parents, as it gives the employees an opportunity to evaluate newly enrolled students for traffic safety awareness and impart proper basics.

Shinko Real Estate Co., Ltd. held "Shaping the Future of HAT Kobe," a hands-on creative workshop to celebrate the 15th anniversaries デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe creation デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe HAT-Kobe district and Nagisa Elementary School.

The HAT-Kobe district was first established in eastern Kobe as a symbol デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe city's recovery from the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake in 1995. 2013 marked the district's 15th anniversary. In honor デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhis milestone, Shinko Real Estate Co., Ltd. held a four-day hands-on creative workshop, taught by artist Kyoji Takubo, for 174 sixth graders from Nagisa Elementary School. The children's finished work, a massive 9m x 13.5m diorama, was displayed at Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art in December.

Every year in August Shinko Care Life holds retirement home evening parties to promote understanding of paid nursing homes and encourage friendship with the local community.

Stages at each home were decorated with paper lanterns, and festival stalls were set up. Home residents, members デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe community, employees and their families were able to interact and form friendships. The Domani Kobe home party has been held for 17 years running, longer than at any デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe other homes. The Domani Kobe party, in particular, has become an important fixture デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe local community.

On February 16, 2014, the Kobelco Construction Machinery Cup 10th Middle School Rescue Robot Contest was held by Hiroshima University at the Kobelco Construction Machinery Itsukaichi Plant. 61 students in 14 teams from 11 Hiroshima Prefecture middle schools participated.

The contest focuses on rescue work for large-scale urban disasters, and aims to deepen understanding デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe relationship between robotics and humans. Rescue robots created by the teams go through rescue drills, and are judged in terms デュエルビッツカジノ ログインechnical ability, safety of rescue, and innovation. This year's Rescue Grand Prize went to the RAD team from Eisugakkan Junior High School.

The Kobe Head Office relocated to the HAT Kobe district of coastal Kobe in March 2013. Afterwards, once per week since July 2013, Group employee volunteers (largely stationed in the office itself) have carried out cleanup activities in the vicinity.

Beautification efforts focus on commuter roads stretching from Iwaya and Nada stations to the head office. The employees are encouraged by the thanks they receive from local residents and station employees.

Cleanup of roads around the Fujisawa Plant is carried out seven times per year by employee volunteers. The cleanups are a way of coexisting with the local community. Inspired by acquisition of ISO 14001 certification, the activities have been carried out for six years, since 2008.

The activities have garnered praise from local neighborhood associations. Participants say that the thanks they receive help inspire them to continue with the activity, and that participating has made them more conscious of littering.

The Moka Plant has been carrying out cleanup activities at Kinugawa River since 1998. As a member デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe Moka Environmental Partnership Council, the plant also began cleanup activities at Okubo River in 2008. Over 100 employees and family members participate in activities at each デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhese locations once per year. Their efforts contribute substantially to local environmental maintenance.

In November 2002 cleanup activities at Kinugawa River received a merit award from the director デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Shimodate Construction Office.

Sanwa Tekko Co., Ltd. carries out cleanup activities once per month for the roads and gutters around the Inuyama Plant. Around five to six employees from different departments and related companies participate each time. The activity has been held for four years.

The cleanup is appreciated by local residents, as a large amount of litter is thrown from passing cars onto the sidewalks, vegetation and gutters that line the prefectural roads.

Shinko Engineering Co., Ltd. participated in the Operation Clean Rivers program sponsored by the Seino General Contractors Association of Gifu Prefecture, collecting trash along the banks デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe Ibigawa River, which is located near the company. The program involves local volunteer cleanup activities held once per year. Shinko Engineering began participating in 2010. Currently, over 40 employee volunteers participate.

The Operation Clean Rivers program receives cooperation from local business and citizens alike, and is one method by which Shinko Engineering Co., Ltd. contributes as a member デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe local community.

Once per week about 10 volunteers from the Amagasaki Operations Office at the Kansai Logistics Center of Kobelco Logistics, Ltd. gather to carry out cleanup activities at the walkways and green belts around the company. The activity has been in place since 2008.

Cleanup activities have greatly improved the appearance デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe area, which was often impaired by discarded cigarette butts and litter thrown from cars.

The Kansai Clean-Up Office holds a cleanup program at Suma Beach every year entitled "International Beach Cleanup in Suma." Participants not only collect trash, they also sort garbage to reduce national and local waste levels and assess the situation of driftwood and other garbage that comes in from the ocean. Employee volunteers and family members from Kobelco Systems Corporation and Shinko Real Estate Co., Ltd. also participate, helping to keep Suga Beach clean.

With thousands of people participating at once, driftwood and garbage quickly disappear. Participants have said that in addition to collecting trash, the activity encourages them to think of ways to stop the trash from accumulating in the first place.

The first operating day of every month at the Shinko Metal Products plant is Safety and Environment Day. On these days, approximately 30 employees, including directors and managers, pick up trash and pull weeds along the roads around the plant.

This measure has become a fixture at the plant and has been in place for 16 years, since 1998.

As part of local environmental contributions, and to ensure that the next generation of children understand the importance of the environment, デュエルビッツカジノ ログインel participates in planning for the Kobe Children's Eco Challenge 21 Club, sponsored by Kobe City. The purpose of this organization is to let children, who carry the future on their shoulders, have fun, move and play as they learn about the environment. As part of the club, since fiscal 2011 デュエルビッツカジノ ログインel has been engaged in environmental education outreach to children's centers.

Through magic shows, guessing games, eco card games and other fun activities, the outreach program teaches children about the importance デュエルビッツカジノ ログインhe environment and electricity and the convenience of iron and other metals in our lives. In fiscal 2013 the program was carried out at four locations: Ninomiya Children's Center (Chuo Ward), Yukinogosho Children's Center (Hyogo Ward), Higashisuma Children's Center (Suma Ward) and Izumidai Children's Center (Kita Ward), with approximately 140 children participating.

When most children hear the word "ecology," I don't think they can really envision what it means. So I'm very grateful for an activity that lets children play and have fun while experimenting with creating electricity – for instance by turning on lights or running model railways with electricity created by their own hands.

The program included lots of other experiments as well as fun activities such as card games. Usually so boisterous, the children were also able to listen quietly and stay interested. They enjoyed themselves for hours on end and never grew bored. I hope this opportunity helps the children to think more about conserving electricity.