From 23 to 29 September 2013, Nitto Europe participated in the “Week of Solidarity,” organized by “Een Hart voor Limburg”, a regional charity organization. The main purpose of the event is creating awareness of solidarity in the Limburg region, and local companies were asked to set up a charity activity.

Answering Nitto Europe's call to donate one meal voucher to a shelter home, colleagues at Nitto Europe ultimately donated 100 meal vouchers.

In Nitto Denko Himawari, all employees grow himawari (sunflowers), which is the very name of the company and invite local residents to “Himawari Kanshokai (appreciation party)” every summer.

A few years ago, the company received a few himawari seeds originating from a girl who lost her life in the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995. The seeds were “Himawari of Fukko” and planted in disaster areas of the Great East Japan Earthquake, too, where wishes were made that disaster victims could regain vigor and hope.

These himawari seeds produced large flowers for the second consecutive year. The seeds of the flowers were returned to Rikuzentakata-shi, which is a disaster area from tsunami and are now grown by every victim.

Furthermore, at a charity bazaar held at “Himawari Kanshokai” on July 27, 2013, we raised 41,100 yen and donated the entire amount to Zeni Ginko (a center for collecting charitable contributions).

“Himawari of Fukko”

Planting seedlings

On November 8, 2013, the most powerful typhoon on record (internationally known as Typhoon Hayan, and Typhoon Yorand in the Philippines) directly hit the central Philippines, causing enormous damage across Leyte Island.

Nitto Denko Philippines, located in the suburbs of Manila, embarked on relief efforts immediately, purchasing basic necessities for 300 families with donations from both the company and employees. On November 16, the items were taken in emergency transportation vehicles of an NGO and shipped by air to disaster areas. The company and employees continue to support disaster victims through their participation in volunteer activities, engaging in sorting donated items.

Donated items

Volunteers sort items

Subsequently on November 27, the Nitto Group also donated 10,000,000 yen to the Philippine Red Cross. Nitto Denko Singapore donated SGD 3,000 to the Singapore Red Cross in the form of a contribution from the company, matching a donation made by employees, which Nitto Denko Automotive Virginia donated USD 666 to the U.S. Red Cross.

We are eager for the reconstruction of disaster areas without further delay.