In an effort to enhance support for sports activities, we are stepping up our promotion activities by sponsoring high school rugby as well as by developing and promoting Kobelco original pictgrams with a rugby motif.

Kobe Steel's sponsorship for high school rugby began in commemoration of its 100th anniversary, and has continued as part of its social contribution activities aimed at supporting the development of young people through rugby. As a sports supporting company, we are enhancing our promotion activities by sponsoring the Kobelco Cup and the National High School Rugby Football Tournament as part of its 120th anniversary project, while promoting its efforts to increase rugby popularity, nurture young generations of players, and expand the player base.

We have developed pictograms with a rugby motif that represents our company's sports-oriented culture. The pictogram design was created jointly with Yoshida Design Office, a local design firm based in Kobe. Pictograms were created by drawing sketches based on the photos of Kobelco Kobe Steelers players forming a scrum and other postures. Now we have completed 88 pictogram symbols.
We are introduing the pictograms in the Company's Kobe head office, neighboring business locations, and affiliated facilities in Kobe, a city where we started. We are considering expanding the use of the pictograms within the Group, as well as providing free usage licenses to educational institutions, public sports facilities, and other entities.