Volunteer Activities by Nikon Employees in Japan

The Nikon Group has established the "Rules for Activities Supporting Recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake" for its employees in order to actively encourage participation in volunteer activities. Nikon employees are engaged in various activities according to local wishes. These activities include supporting fishing operations, assisting in the clean-up operation of coastal districts and farmlands, and holding photography workshops at temporary housing facilities.

Rubble Removal and Rice Paddy Clean-Up—Activities in Shichigahamacho, Miyagi Prefecture

In October 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by the Shichigahamacho Reconstruction Support Volunteer Center.

Purpose of the activities:

To remove small pieces of rubble and clean up rice paddies in Shichigahamacho.

Participant comment:

"The removal of rubble from rice paddies requires patience and stamina. I hope my efforts help the local people."

Support of a Festival Held in an Elementary School—Activities in Yamamotocho, Miyagi Prefecture

In October 2012, Nikon employees participated in activities led by the executive committee of a summer festival.

Purpose of the activities:

To support a summer festival "Chotto Osomeno Natsumatsuri (A Summer Festival Comes a Little Late)" held at the Yamashita First Elementary School in Yamamotocho.

Participant comment:

"I could meet some of the local people, which I could not in other volunteer activities. I was happy to give the children something to enjoy."

Rubble Removal from Residential Areas and the Beachside—Activities in Shichigahamacho, Miyagi Prefecture

In July 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by the Shichigahamacho Reconstruction Support Volunteer Center.

Purpose of the activities:

To remove small pieces of rubble from residential areas and the beachside in Shichigahamacho.

Participant comment:

"Rubble removal was unglamorous work and we had little visual sense of accomplishment. I think that work really needs the hands of many volunteers. "

Farmland Clean-Up—Activities in Yamamotocho, Miyagi Prefecture

In June 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by the. Yamamotocho Council for Social Welfare.

Purpose of the activities:

To weed bamboo groves, remove rubble and clean up farmland in Shichigahamacho.

Participant comment:

"I keenly felt the enormous damage of the tsunami when I saw dirty daily goods dug out with garbage and pieces of vinyl. I am glad if my labor helps the restoration of the farmland."

Removal of Beachside Rubble—Activities Undertaken in Shichigahamacho, Miyagi Prefecture

In May 2012, Nikon employees took part in reconstruction support activities led by Kinki Nippon Tourist Co. Ltd and the Shichigahamacho Reconstruction Support Volunteer Center.

Purpose of the activities:

To remove collapsed seawalls and rubble, and to clear Shichigahamacho beach

Participant comment:

"In April last year and on an individual basis, I took part in a volunteer activity to remove mud in Ishinomaki. Right now I feel work here on Shichigahama beach is just as demanding as that carried out in Ishinomaki. I realize that so much heavy reconstructive work lies ahead in spite of a year already having passed since the quake."

Rubble Removal and Clean-Up of Farmlands—Activities in Yamamotocho, Miyagi Prefecture

In April 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by AMYFACT Inc and by the Yamamotocho Council for Social Welfare.

Purpose of the activities:

To remove rubble and to clean up farmlands in Yamamotocho,

Participant comment:

"In the affected area, I actually saw first hand how reconstruction had not worked well."
"I will discuss what I did and saw with my colleagues. I will ask them to participate in volunteer activities, even if they can only contribute a little."

Clean-Up of Towns—Activities in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture

In March 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by Kinki Nippon Tourist Co.Ltd and by the Ishinomaki Disaster Recovery Assistance Council.inc.

Purpose of the activities:

To remove mud from gullies in the Ayukawa district of Ishinomaki.

Participant comment:

"I will do any work that local people require."

Holding A Photography Workshop—Activities in Yamamotocho, Watari, Miyagi Prefecture

In February 2012, Nikon employees held a photography workshop for PC training sessions at temporary housing facilities. The sessions were sponsored by the Japan Society for Socio-Information Studies and by the NIFTY Corporation.

Volunteer lecturer comment:: "I realize that I operate the camera purely on feel. I think camera makers could refer my feeling and opinions to future products."

Rubble Removal and Town Clean-Up—Activities in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture

In January 2012, Nikon employees took part in reconstruction support activities led by Kinki Nippon Tourist Co Ltd and by the Ishinomaki Disaster Recovery Assistance Council.

Purpose of the activities:

To remove small pieces of rubble in Maeamihama
To remove mud from gullies in the Ayukawa district of Ishinomaki

Participant comment:

"Prior to the earthquake, I'd made trips to Souma, Okumatushima, Kesenuma, Minamisannriku and Ofunato. I've subsequently been thinking how to help in the reconstruction of these areas."

Rubble Removal and Lending Support to the Fishery Industry—Activities in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture

In January 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by Kinki Nippon Tourist Co Ltd and by the Ishinomaki Disaster Recovery Assistance Council.

Purpose of the activities:

To remove and segregate rubble in the Sameura district of Ishinomaki.
To support fishery operations in the Yagawa district of Ishinomaki, e.g. by separating oyster shells, creating eyelets in them, and passing string through those eyelets for sea squirt eggs.

Participant comment:

"I learned that there were many things besides heavy lifting which required human hands. I realized, too, that the reconstruction effort needs additional volunteer participation."