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Environmental Communication

USHIO believes that it is important for individuals to take action on their own initiative, rather than relying on others to step forward. This belief drives us to build a company that gives back to society.

California Coastal Cleanup Day

In September 2010, CHRISTIE DIGITAL SYSTEMS U.S.A., INC. participated in the California Coastal Cleanup Day for a second consecutive year. This year, the organizers of the event asked participants to bring their own equipment for the cleanup, including plastic bags, buckets, gloves and other items. Undaunted by the cloudy weather, an enthusiastic team from CHRISTIE DIGITAL SYSTEMS paired up with other volunteers from the local Save Our Beach Organization team, walking 2 miles (3.22km) from pier to pier and picking up trash along the way. Most of the trash collected at this year’s event consisted of cigarette butts and cardboard juice containers.

California Coastal Cleanup Day

Earth Day Event

April 22 is Earth Day. The event started in 1970, and 2010 marked its 40th anniversary. USHIO AMERICA, INC. had been searching for an opportunity to jointly promote and participate in EMS activities with the public relations officer of the neighboring California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and together they held an e-waste (electronic waste) collection to mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Since old PCs, monitors, TVs and other electronic trash cannot be disposed of along with regular trash, it tends to accumulate in people’s homes. USHIO AMERICA conducted e-waste collection with cooperation from Goodwill of Orange County collecting electronic equipment, including broken devices. In addition, we also encouraged employees to bring in from their homes usable clothes, shoes and electronic appliances that they no longer needed.

Earth Day event

Tree-Planting Festival

Since fiscal 2008, CHRISTIE DIGITAL SYSTEMS, U.S.A. and USHIO AMERICA have donated peppermint and other plants for Arbor Day in April each year. This year, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of this tree-planting festival, the Arbor Day Foundation named Cypress City "Tree City," and presented medals and certificates of appreciation to participating companies.

Tree-Planting Festival

Volunteers Plant Bulbs

In September 2010, USHIO INC., and USHIO LIGHTING, INC. participated together in a volunteer activity to plant bulbs and seedlings in the areas around Tokiwa Bridge during lunch hours. Twenty volunteers, including 6 from the USHIO Group and others from 4 other companies planted around 20 dianthus bulbs each for a total of 400 bulbs. Volunteers found planting flowers in this historical part of Tokyo both an inspiring and enjoyable way to contribute to the neighborhood.

Volunteer activities around Tokiwa Bridge

Light-Down Campaig

USHIO participated in the "Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Reduction/Light-Down Campaign 2010" organized by the Ministry of the Environment. As part of the campaign, USHIO turned off the lighting for its main outdoor signage and advertising displays during designated periods. Held from June 20 to July 7, the campaign was highlighted by the "Black Illumination 2010" event on the June 21 summer solstice and the "Tanabata Light-Down" event to mark the traditional Japanese Tanabata festival on July 7. On both days, the campaign called on people to simultaneously turn off lighting at facilities illuminated at night and households from 20:00 to 22:00. In other developments, we are promoting the importance of environmental activities both within and outside the company through a "CoolBiz" program (air-conditioner settings maintained at 28°C), and other initiatives.

Light-Down Campaign

Participation in the Prefectural Citizens’ Forestation Project (NIHON DENSHI GIJUTSU)

Participants in a prefectural citizens’ forestation project

In June 2010, five employees from NIHON DENSHI GIJUTSU participated in a prefectural citizen’s forestation project operated by the Kanagawa Trust Midori Foundation, helping to cut back the undergrowth in a patch of planted forest. In total, around 100 participants joined the event. After the work was finished, volunteers heard a mini-seminar on forests.

Participation in Marugomi Funabashi

USHIO LIGHTING took part in Marugomi Funabashi, a cleanup event held in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture on June 6, 2010. The event is inspired by the United Nations World Environment Day on June 5, and by Japan’s own Environment Day which was inaugurated in 1992. Although the activity is only a small one, participation in such events can help to create a deeper sympathy for environmental protection activities, and provide an opportunity to reflect on ways to reduce our impact on the environment as a company. USHIO LIGHTING will continue to include this event in its environmental activities.

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