CSR Activity Reports: FY2008

Mitsubishi Corporation Manila Branch presented material in a panel exhibit at the "Eco-products International Fair 2009," which was held in Pasay City, Manila, Philippines from March 19 to 22. MC Manila Branch also used the details of the panel exhibit and MC's Sustainability Report to showcase MC's efforts regarding environment-related businesses and CSR activities at an international conference that was held concurrently with the fair.
The Eco-products International Fair is an annual event held in cities in South East Asia that began in 2004 and is the biggest international environmental fair in Asia for environmentally-friendly products and services. This year's gathering was the fifth time the fair was held and it proved to be the largest ever with 128 companies and organizations from the Philippines and across the world participating and roughly 60,000 people visiting during the event.

On March 21, 2009, staff volunteers from Mitsubishi International GmbH and their families, 23 people in all, took part in an organized event to beautify the city of Duesseldorf, Germany. This is an event where citizens of Duesseldorf work together to pick up litter from parks, recreation fields and river banks of the Rhine River and generally clean and tidy the city. The volunteers of Mitsubishi International GmbH, consistent with the spirit of contributing to society in regions where MC is active, cleaned up the river banks of the Rhine River, which runs close by the company's office. Although this year was the first time for staff and families to actually participate, as last year's gathering was unfortunately cancelled due to bad weather, the company plans to make this an annual event for years to come.

MC, as part of its regional social contribution activities in Algeria, provides support to the Family & Popular Mutual Help Association (FPMA), a local NGO that provides work training to people with impairments. On March 17, 2009, a ceremony to donate an easy-to-use printer was held at a new training facility, which currently assists 75 trainees. The trainees use such equipment and materials to gain technical skills to create business cards and other printed materials, thus providing them with a means to earn an income.

The Bardo Museum in Tunisia boasts the world's best mosaic collection and is hailed as the Louvre of North Africa. Commencing fiscal 2008, MC has decided to provide support to the museum in the areas of education and cultural asset protection. On March 18, 2009, a ceremony was held at the museum's library for the donation by MC of PCs and large screens for student education. In 2004, MC supplied the Museum with audio visual equipment and materials as part of voluntary cultural assistance. In January 2008, MC donated a pickup truck to the museum as part of MC's regional contribution policy.

The 50th "Marunouchi Citizens' Environment Forum" was held on March 3, 2009, at MC's Marunouchi Office. This forum has been held jointly by Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. and Japan Airlines since 1993 for the purpose of raising awareness of environmental issues and is open to the public.
On this occasion around 280 people were in attendance to mark the 50th time the forum has been held.

From February 27 to March 1, 2009, staff volunteers of Mitsubishi Corporation took part in afforestation activities in Kaili, Guienou as part of a project for the China Green Foundation, one of China's largest NGOs. Around 40 staff volunteers, who came from places such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangenou, took part in these activities. Although the staff volunteers all work for the same company in the same country, it was a rare opportunity to meet each other, and work together in afforestation efforts. It was also an opportunity to talk with local government authorities and the local residents, making it a rewarding three days for all who volunteered.

As part of its social contribution activities, MC has helped to create and distribute supplementary learning material, entitled "Industry and Trade Linking the World", for 5th and 6th grade elementary school students in Tokyo.
The learning material provides an easy-to-understand explanation of the role of Japan in international society by using an illustrative style to explain the activities of a general trading company. The learning material was created to be compatible with established learning methods and it was designed to be used during Social Studies, or the "Periods for Integrated Study."
MC takes part in various forms of social contribution activities both in Japan and across the world. MC considers its contribution to the field of children's education to be an important activity that helps to promote a bright future for the world and plans to continue proactively engaging in similar activities in the future.

MC has begun a work training support project for youth in impoverished areas of Dhaka in cooperation with a prominent local NGO as part of MC's commemoration of fifty years since its establishment of the Mitsubishi Corporation Dhaka Office. This project will utilize existing facilities and will accept 50 students each year to train for a total of three years. Two work training courses will be offered: refrigerator and air conditioning equipment; and machine sewing technology. The funds donated by MC will be used to pay for operating expenses incurred by the training program. On February 24, a heart-warming ceremony marking the start of classes was held at the training facilities and included fifty young men and women, all wearing a hand-made design of the 50th anniversary of MC Dhaka Office on their shirts. Representatives of the new trainees voiced their gratitude in both words and song at the ceremony.

MC has started supporting the operating and expansion of "Shafallah Center," a facility for education and rehabilitation of children with special needs, which was established in 1998. On February 16, a signing ceremony, where commemorative gifts were exchanged, was held at the facility. The Center was established by the behest of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned and MC also contributed funds towards some of the construction costs. Currently, the facility has about 400 students and 300 staff members, but also plenty of demand for a much needed expansion of staff and facilities as some 300 would-be students are in waiting for support from the Shafallah Center.

Tanzania's World Heritage listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area attracts more than 460,000 visitors annually from around the world. However, the interpretive center at the gate entrance has not been renovated since it was constructed in 1989 and it is becoming increasingly dilapidated. MC has decided to donate funds to renovate the facilities, so that this interpretive center can function as a symbol for the entire conservation area. On February 5, a signing ceremony was conducted at the Tanzania's Ministry of Natural Resources & Tourism.

As concerns about global warming and energy shortages continue to grow, solar energy is now attracting widespread attention in Europe and around the world as a promising next-generation energy source. MC is now actively developing its solar power business.
MC launched operations of photovoltaic (PV) power generation facilities installed atop the MC's Marunouchi Office. The facilities will produce approximately 10,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year. This is roughly equivalent to half of the electricity used to power fluorescent lights on the 4th floor, where the office's meeting rooms for visitors are concentrated. A monitor displaying information about the state of power production has been installed in the lobby in an effort to inform visitors about MC's environmental business.

MC has granted a fund to establish a solar power system to a project called Tenchi-no-mori, which is being implemented on land at the back of Ibusuki Shrine by non-profit organization The Group Effort to Revitalize Jomon Forest. The aforementioned group is based in the city of Ibusuki in Kagoshima Prefecture and is actively revitalizing rich nature through such efforts as survey-work and conservation of ancient trees. For two years it has been establishing a biotope in land at the back of Ibusuki Shrine, and now it has decided to use a solar power system to serve the motive energy needs of an experiential rice paddy, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions and promoting the creation of better forest environments.
Tenchi-no-mori is located in a mostly-broad-leaf woodland where there is a proliferation of wildlife including various birds, killifish, and insects such as the Luciola cruciata (firefly). There is an observation hut for nature watching and walking track, which are used by the local community for a relaxing forest experience. The purpose of the experiential rice paddy is to give local children the rewarding experience of planting and harvesting rice, and then eating rice-balls that they make from their own harvest. Future plans for Tenchi-no-mori include it being a place of forest environment education for local elementary-school students and their siblings and parents.

MC has designated a foundation created by Dr. MS Swaminathan, the father of India's "green revolution", as an important partner for CSR activities in India. Through its support of programs conducted by this foundation, MC has commenced an aid program that seeks to foster the development of agriculture in India. Last November, a ceremony was held in India, in which President Kojima announced MC's plans to make contributions to the foundation for the next five years.

In 1971, a national children's library was established in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire's largest city. Time eventually took its toll on the library, and MC volunteered to refurbish the facilities. This included renewal of the interior and the air conditioning system as well as the purchase of computers, chairs and other items. The dedication ceremony was held this past November, and MC has helped to provide a place where children in Cote d'Ivoire can enjoy books.

In 2008, MC commenced a ten-year aid program in Mexico in cooperation with Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE). MC kicked off the program by donating a garbage truck to the city of Tuxpan in Veracruz, where MC is developing a project as an Independent Power Producer (IPP). MC will continue to work with CFE to identify and implement quality projects that contribute to the lives of local residents.

A tour of Borneo and the Malay Peninsula was conducted from November 22-27 in an effort to promote awareness about Mitsubishi Corporation's Tropical Forest Regeneration Experimental Project, which was launched in 1990. Approximately 40 people participated, including Mitsubishi Corporation staff, their families and employees of Mitsubishi Corporation Group companies. In addition to participating in tree planting events at three sites, tour members also went trekking in a national park and joined in exchanges with local residents. Participants came away with a new appreciation of the importance of tropical rainforests and the global environment as a whole.

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is supporting a program that allows people with impairments to view cultural exhibitions by providing exclusive access to museums after closing hours. The program has been held 20 times since April 2006 with the support of volunteers from MC. A total of 3,000 people have already taken the opportunity to view exhibitions at the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the National Museum of Nature and Science, and the Science Museum.
On October 12, approximately 200 people with impairments, assisted by staff volunteers, visited the Edo-Tokyo Museum to view Japan's first ever exhibition of exquisite ukiyoe prints from Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. MC and its partners plan to continue this program in the future.

The Autumn Camp at Lake Yamanaka was held for children with learning disabilities on October 11-13 in Yamanashi Prefecture. The camp, which Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) helps to fund, has been organized every autumn since 2003. The program gives the children the freedom to choose from a variety of activities in order to accommodate their individual interests and abilities. Four staff from MC, who volunteered to serve as camp leaders, joined the children as they enjoyed boating, hiking and other activities, against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Yamanaka in autumn.

On Saturday, October 4, 2008, at the Mitsubishi Corporation headquarters in Marunouchi an auction was held of 40 works of art focusing on the theme of "Living with Nature," which MC had purchased by public invitation. About 170 people of the general public attended the auction.
The art works were exhibited at the auction and the artists also attended. The people attending the auction embraced the opportunity to mingle with the artists and the auction commenced in a congenial atmosphere. One artist, whose comment was representative of the general consensus, said, "the experience of witnessing the process of one's own artwork being put under the gaze of many eyes and then being handed over to someone by auction was tremendous motivation to continue my art activities. I would like to apply for the 'Art Gate Program' again." The first auction was a tremendous success with all the art works getting sold under the hammer.
CSR and Environmental Topics has been updated.

MC donated to the Ayala Foundation, which is now promoting GILAS (Gearing-up Internet Literacy and Access for Students), an initiative to expand Internet access in public high schools. The funds were used to equip 22 schools with Internet access. Launched in 2005, GILAS seeks to equip all of the nation's public high schools with Internet access in five years. MC and the Ayala Group have cooperated on various ventures in the Philippines since 1974.

Launched in 2005, MC's Global Coral Reef Conservation Project supports a wide variety of coral research through the joint efforts of industry, academia and public volunteers. The project is centered at three global locations: Okinawa, Midway Atoll, and the Seychelles.
The second research and volunteer program for 2008 was held this September at the Sesoko Station Tropical Biosphere Research Center of the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa.
Ten volunteers, including five MC staff, supported research activities that included collecting information on not only coral reefs, but also on various plants and other marine life. The data collected from the field was then recorded and analyzed back at the research station. Researchers also gave the volunteers lectures on various topics related to corals and as well as their individual research efforts..
The Midway Atoll program held from August 15th to the 29th consisted of 4 volunteers from MC subsidiaries and group companies in North America along with Dr. Potts of the University of California Santa Cruz and two of his graduate students. The 4 volunteers helped the researchers with various tasks, including some that followed up on work done by previous MC volunteers.
The Seychelles program held from August 14th to the 28th consisted of 11 members including volunteers from the UK, Poland and Madagascar. Volunteers helped the researchers collect and analyze data in order to find ways to help protect the corals from sudden rises in sea temperature brought on by climate change.

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is teaming with Orascom Telecom to support underprivileged children in Egypt, where street children are a major social problem. A signing ceremony for the project was held September 24. This year, MC will donate 12 million yen to fund educational programs and the construction of a youth center, which will be headed up by a local charity organization.

This year, Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is a main sponsor of charity runs being organized by Japan's National Council of YMCAs in 13 locations across Japan. The event features a nine-kilometer course that is run by teams of six as a long-distance relay. The charity run has been held every year since 1987 and this year marks its 22nd year. The run in Tokyo was held on September 23 at Yoyogi Park and seven teams from MC's head office participated. Each team ran hard and successfully completed the race.
All proceeds from the event will go to fund outdoor activities for children with impairments. After the Tokyo event, additional charity runs were also held in Osaka, Nagoya and Hiroshima.

Since 2006, Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) has supported the development of a website to introduce small and medium industries in Indonesia. A signing ceremony marking phase III of the project was held on September 22 when MC President Yorihiko Kojima visited Jakarta. Since being launched, the website has had a large impact and it is contributing to the development of small and medium industries in Indonesia. MC will provide 30 million yen for the project over three years.

The Friendship Camp for Mothers has now been held for more than three decades. It was held again this year, from July 26 to July 29, in Niigata Prefecture. A total of 175 people were on hand at the camp, including 129 mothers and children from 56 single-parent households in the Tokyo area and 26 employee volunteers from the MC Group. It was an unforgettable four days for camp participants and volunteers alike, as they went on nature hikes, frolicked in the river and sung songs around the campfire. We asked some volunteers and participants to share their experiences with us.

Elena Yu Gagarina, General Director of the Kremlin Museum, meets with Tetsuaki Omura, General Director of the Moscow Office, at the exhibition hall
An exhibition focusing on Japanese samurai was held at the Kremlin Museum in Moscow from May 21 to July 16. MC donated 50,000 dollars (approximately 5 million yen) as a supporter of the event.
The exhibit featured treasures of samurai families dating back to the 10th century. The collection, from the Tokyo National Museum, included invaluable cultural assets, such as Noh theatre costumes, swords and a wide range of other articles. Attracting upwards of 60,000 visitors, the exhibit proved to be an excellent opportunity to introduce Japanese culture to the people of Russia.

In June 2008, MC launched the Mitsubishi Corporation Art Gate Program ("MCAGP") in order to foster the development of talented young artists. Specifically, the program seeks to support students and recent graduates of arts schools in Japan, who lack opportunities to display their work. The MCAGP will purchase as many as 200 works of art from such artists each year. The works will subsequently be sold through auctions, after being displayed at the Marunouchi Office and other venues. The proceeds will be a scholarship for the artists.
The MCAGP will periodically invite artists to submit artwork and hold auctions. Through these auctions, MC aims to foster a culture where people don't just view art, but also seek to buy art and support artists.

Launched in 2005, MC's Global Coral Reef Conservation Project supports a wide variety of coral research through the joint efforts of industry, academia and public volunteers. The project is centered at three global locations: Okinawa, Midway Atoll, and the Seychelles.
The project in Okinawa, led by Professor Yoshimi Suzuki of Shizuoka University, is a partnership among Shizuoka University, the University of the Ryukyus and Earthwatch Japan (an international environmental NGO). Research is now underway on the causes and mechanism of coral bleaching*, as researchers continue to work towards their ultimate objective of establishing and disseminating scientific recovery methods.
The first research and volunteer program for 2008 was held this May at the Sesoko Experimental Site of the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa. Nine volunteers, including five MC staff, supported research activities by collecting samples of seawater and sediment as well as recording and analyzing ocean data. Researchers also gave the volunteers a lecture about corals. A second volunteer program in Okinawa is scheduled for autumn.

There has long been a chronic shortage of maternity hospitals in Senegal. Based on a proposal from the Dakar Liaison Office, MC decided to support medical care there by constructing two maternity hospitals near Dakar as part of its 2007 Regional Aid Program.
Dignitaries such as the Japanese ambassador and other related parties attended an opening ceremony for the hospitals this April. Many local residents also turned out for the event, underscoring the community's high expectations for the hospitals.

A charity book sale was held on April 16 -17 in the Nakadori Building, next to the Marunouchi Office, marking the first joint project between MC's Employees Union in Japan and the CSR and Environmental Affairs Office. The book sale featured 1,800 used books donated by MC employees, including novels and books on business, hobbies and art. The books were sold internally to MC staff, at a standard price of 100 yen.
Nine staff volunteered to help run the book sale and more than 300 staff visited the sale over two days. Approximately 80,000 yen was raised on sales of roughly 800 books. The proceeds will be donated to the Foundation for International Development/Relief^*1 and are to be used to cover expenses for meal services at the Cambodia National Pediatric Hospital. Unsold books will be donated to Dream-V^*2, a social welfare corporation.