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Environmental Management
Sustainability Report 2006

Activities in the Community
As a member of society, the Kobe Steel Group is involved in community activities with local residents and other activities that make a contribution to society.


Support for WHO Kobe Centre for a Further Decade
The World Health Organization Centre for Health Development (WHO Kobe Centre or WKC) was established in March 1996 in the Iwaya-Wakinohama district of Kobe City (now known as HAT Kobe) as a project symbolizing reconstruction and renewal after the Hanshin Awaji Earthquake. As a member of the local business community, Kobe Steel has provided office space and covered activity costs for a period of ten years, in association with Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe City and Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry. During that period, WKC's activities have been highly appraised both inside and outside Japan in its role as an international exchange forum, organizing international conferences and publishing results of research studies.

As an ongoing contribution to society, Kobe Steel agreed to continue its support for a further decade, and on 15 June 2005 Kobe Steel President Yasuo Inubushi participated in a signing ceremony together with the WHO Director-General Lee Jong-wook (deceased 22 May 2006), Hyogo Prefectural Governor Toshizo Ido, Kobe Mayor Tatsuo Yada and Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Koshi Mizukoshi.
Signing Ceremony
Signing Ceremony
From left, President Inubushi, Chairman Mizukoshi, Mayor Yada, WHO Director-General Lee and Governor Ido



Support for St. Catherine's College Kobe Institute
The St. Catherine's College (University of Oxford) Kobe Institute in Nada Ward, Kobe, was opened in 1991 with funding from local government and local companies, as well as more than 100 private companies throughout Japan. Its objective is to contribute to mutual understanding, friendship and exchanges between Japan and Europe through academic activities. Kobe Steel has participated in this project from the early planning stages and continues to support the Institute.

One activity, the Oxford-Kobe Seminars, is a series of world-class research workshops held with the aim of promoting academic exchanges between Asia, including Japan, on the one hand and Europe and the United Kingdom on the other. Researchers representing universities, industries, national governments and public research institutes take part, debating important subjects such as applied mathematics, materials science, biomedical science, intellectual property rights, education, migration, civil society, and linguistics. Twenty-three seminars have been held since 1997.
Seminar at the Kobe Institute
Seminar at the Kobe Institute



Donations for Victims of Indian Ocean Tsunami
On 26 December 2004 a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 8.9 occurred off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, creating immense damage with more than 300,000 people dead or missing.

To assist the victims of the disaster and the affected areas, in January 2005 the Kobe Steel Group pledged to donate approximately 60 million yen in monetary contributions and goods to the Japanese Red Cross Society through the Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation). Kobe Steel provided 10 billion yen, and Kobelco Construction Machinery provided 50 million yen in aid comprising relief goods and construction equipment with operators and engineers at no cost to the disaster areas.



Foremen's Association and Volunteers at Kobe Works Win Flower Clock Award for Seventh Straight Year
To contribute to welfare in the community, the Foremen's Association and volunteers at Kobe Works have been making donations of candy and Christmas gifts at welfare facilities, such as children's homes and homes for the elderly, in Kobe's Nada and Higashi Nada wards every year for the last 28 years. The funds are raised by holding a bazaar at the Works sports meet and through voluntary contributions. This activity was awarded the Kobe City Flower Clock Award* in 2005, for the seventh consecutive year.

* The Flower Clock Award was established in 1970 to commend citizens' charitable works at the local community level.



Participation in Kobe's Machikado First Aid Station Scheme
Kobe Steel participates in Kobe City's Machikado (street corner) First Aid Station scheme and has set up automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on the ground floor of the company's Kobe head office building, and at Nadahama Garden Baden health spa, one of the facilities for community interaction near the Shinko Kobe Power Station. At Machikado First Aid Stations, citizens suffering from cardiac arrest or loss of breathing due to an accident or sudden acute illness can receive prompt life-saving treatment with an AED. Fast treatment is vital for patients with cardiac arrest, for whom the survival rate falls by 10% with every minute lost.




Visitors to Nadahama Science Square Top 100,000
Nadahama Science Square, which was opened at the Shinko Kobe Power Station in April 2004 to promote greater interaction with the local community, is a learning-by-experience educational facility covering the subjects of steelmaking, power generation, energy and the environment. It is increasingly visited not just by local people and their children, but by groups of elementary school children on school excursions.

November 16, 2005 saw the 100,000th visitor pass through the doors, an event coming 18 months earlier than was initially predicted. The 100,000th visitor was among the fifth grade pupils of Kobe City's Motoyama Minami Elementary School. The school was presented with book tokens and Kobe Steel's 100th Anniversary commemorative publication.

At the 2005 Energy Publicity Activities and Publicity Facilities Awards, sponsored by the Japan Productivity Center for Socio-Economic Development, Nadahama Science Square received the Steering Committee Chairman's Incentive Award from the Information Center for Energy and Environment Education.
Display at Nadahama Science Square
Display at Nadahama Science Square

Popular corner for first-hand experience of the wonders of science
Popular corner for first-hand experience of the wonders of science



Welfare Activities by Foremen's Association at Kakogawa Works
The Foremen's Association at Kakogawa Works, which had 95 members in 2005, is continuing voluntary work at five welfare facilities. Activities include such activities as weeding and ground clearing, helping at and sponsoring prizes for events such as sports days, cultural festivals, bazaars, and New Year's rice pounding, and arranging transport for excursions for fruit picking. Activities vary from one welfare facility to another, and in total run to more than 40 occasions per year. Others besides Foremen's Association members, such as administrative staff, employees from cooperating firms and labor union members, assist with swimming lessons at Kakogawa School for the Disabled, or help at the Wakaba Gakuen Charity Bazaar, making them joint activities. Expressions and letters of thanks are received from the facilities.



Shinko Care Life Involved in Community Projects
Shinko Care Life, which provides care services for the elderly living at home and also runs assisted living residences for the elderly, has five stations for at-home care services in Kobe. As this service helps elderly people to continue living in their own neighborhoods, it has become an important element for interaction with the local community.

The Okamoto station in Kobe's Higashi Nada Ward has been commissioned by Kobe City to run a comprehensive community support center, and is working in cooperation with local medical facilities, businesses, NPOs, case workers and police to promote integrated welfare activities. The Okamoto and Tarumi stations also run a range of activities for local people to enjoy, such as cultural festivals, exhibits featuring the creative efforts of elderly people, small-scale concerts, and "Try-Yaru" Week, a work experience program for middle school students.
Flower arrangement class run by Shinko Carelife
Flower arrangement class run by Shinko Carelife



Chofu Works Thanked for Street Cleaning
For many years Kobe Steel's Chofu Works has been helping to keep the area surrounding the Works clean and tidy.

In addition to the annual clean-up campaign for the whole of the Chofu district in Shimonoseki, in which 110 employees participated in 2005, about 30 general affairs employees help with a weekly clean-up along National Route 9, which passes the Works. For its contribution to preserving the clean appearance of the streets, the Works has received an award from the Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Cleaning around the Works
Cleaning around the Works



Shinko Hospital Offers Community Healthcare Program and Other Community Projects
At the time of the 1995 Hanshin Awaji Earthquake, Kobe Steel directed enormous efforts toward medical help for local victims, despite suffering considerable damage itself. This led to a greater involvement in activities that benefit the community, one example of which is the Community Healthcare Program. Kobe's Iwaya-Wakihama district, which sustained severe damage in the earthquake, is where residential buildings have since been constructed for earthquake victims. Several times a year, volunteer nurses provide medical check-ups at the local community centers, and the many elderly residents are particularly appreciative of the service. We are also offering medical advice and other services to the community, such as a nursing experience project through which local residents can experience nursing work and other duties at the hospital.



Kobe Welding Wire Donates Books to Fukuchiyama
Recognizing the importance of children for Japan's future, Kobe Welding Wire, located in Fukuchiyama, has donated 165 children's books, including popular picture books, together with wooden bookshelves, to the city library. The company has also made a donation of 100,000 yen to the Science Theater in the city's Children's Science Museum, expressing the wish that it be used for scientific experiments or nature study.



SUPPORT THROUGH SPORTS


Support for SCIX Activities
Kobe Steel is supporting the activities of the NPO Sports Community and Intelligence Complex (SCIX).

SCIX was set up in March 2003 with Hirao Seiji, General Manager of the Kobe Steel Rugby Club, as director. Its objectives are "community-building through sports" and "learning through sports." Kobe Steel provides ongoing support to SCIX as a visible way of contributing to the local community.

It is currently promoting the activities listed below in close cooperation with locally based related organizations and individual volunteers.


SCIX Rugby Club
Rugby training for youngsters is provided by past members of the Kobe Steel Rugby Club at the Nadahama Sports Ground.


Teaching "Spaceball" at Schools
Instruction in "spaceball", a ballgame that encourages children to think for themselves, is given at school physical education classes. Past members of the Rugby Club provide training in collaboration with elementary and senior high schools as well as universities in Hyogo prefecture.


Sports Intelligence Courses
Sports instructors teach courses on management skills such as team-building and boosting motivation.


Football Coaching Seminars
Seminars are run in cooperation with soccer, rugby and American football associations, to promote sports and give youngsters some training. The project also hopes to revitalize Kobe Wing Stadium.



Kobe Steel Rugby Club Community Activities
Kobelco Rugby Festival 2005
The Kobelco Rugby Festival was held on July 10, 2005 to bring together players in Kobe Steel's rugby club, the Kobelco Steelers, and local people. More than 4,000 people, both adults and children attended. Besides the regular touch football tournament, autograph signing and charity auction, there was an old boys' match with players from past years, held to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of Kobe Steel.


Upgrading the Nadahama Sports Ground
Kobe Steel's Nadahama Sports Ground in Nada ward, Kobe, the practice ground for the Kobe Steel Rugby Club (Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers), has been renovated and upgraded. A pitch with an artificial grass surface has been added to the existing grass pitch, a spectator stand has been built, and the club house has been remodeled.

The ground is currently opened to high school rugby teams, and there are plans to make it more widely available for local community use.
Nadahama Sports Ground
Nadahama Sports Ground

 


Donation to Japan Spinal Cord Foundation
The Kobelco Steelers collected donations for its "Steelers Sticker Fund" for the NPO Japan Spinal Cord Foundation at all Top League Microsoft Cup rugby matches during the 2004-2005 season. Part of the proceeds of the Kobelco Rugby Festival 2005 was added to the Fund, and a sum of 587,064 yen was donated to the Foundation.



Support for High School Rugby
As a project to promote more interest in rugby in the run-up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the Japan Rugby Football Association set up a new all-Japan tournament for high school players. With special support from Kobe Steel, the Road to the 2011 World Cup: Kobelco Japan Youth Rugby Dream Tournament 2005 was held over three days starting on July 31, 2005 in Yubari City in Hokkaido. This tournament included teams made up of players from schools that cannot line up the necessary 15 players for regular matches, so it was an important opportunity to give some experience of match play to the widest possible number.

Kobe Steel also acted as a sponsor of the 85th All Japan High School Rugby Football Tournament held over the 2005/2006 New Year holidays at the "Rugby Mecca," Hanazono Ground.



Opening Group Company Sports Facilities to Local Residents
Kobe Steel Group companies continue to make their sports facilities available to local people.

Kobe Steel's Takasago Works gymnasium is used by more than 2,500 people for a range of activities that includes women's volleyball and the high school's baton twirling and marching band practice. The sports ground is used for club activities and community tournaments for baseball, softball and soccer, thereby helping to promote sports in the local community. In a similar way, Kobe Steel plants close to residential areas at Fujisawa, Saijo (Higashi-Hiroshima) and Chofu, as well as Group companies such as Kobelco Construction Machinery (Hiroshima) and Shinko Electric (Ise and Toyohashi) make their facilities available to the local community.




Anniversary Special
Community Contributions Mark Kobe Steel's 100th Anniversary


Anniversary Concert Marks Kobe Steel's 100th Anniversary
As part of Kobe Steel's 100th anniversary activities, a classical concert, "Hisato Ohzawa and His Era," was held at the Grand Hall of the Hyogo Performing Arts Center in Nishinomiya on March 12, 2006.

The concert was given by the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra, accompanied by the famed pianist Akiyoshi Sako, and conducted by Yutaka Sado, Artistic Director of the Center. Approximately 2,000 people mainly from Hyogo Prefecture attended the concert. Revenue from the ticket sales was donated to promote music in the community.

Hisato Ohzawa (1907-1953) was a well-known Japanese composer who wrote Kobe Steel's prewar company song. He is the son of an engineer who played an active role in the founding of Kobe Steel.
Grand Hall of the Hyogo Performing Arts Center
Grand Hall of the Hyogo Performing Arts Center



Kobelco Community Contribution Fund Established
Kobe Steel's various offices and plants continue their contribution activities in appreciation of their local communities. Taking a more proactive step, Kobe Steel established the Kobelco Community Contribution Fund.

This system, in the social welfare field, is aimed at assisting children. Contributions have started at nine cities where Kobe Steel has offices and plants. Those cities are Kobe, Kakogawa, Takasago, Ibaraki, Higashi-Hiroshima, Fujisawa, Shimonoseki, Inabe (Mie Prefecture) and Moka.



Nobel Prize Winner Gives Talk at Nadahama Science Square
Ryoji Noyori, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2001, gave a lecture on February 18, 2006 at Nadahama Science Square, one of the facilities, associated with the Shinko Kobe Power Station, that promotes community exchanges.

Nayori is a professor at Nagoya University and president of RIKEN, an institute under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. His talk was entitled "Taking on the Future."
Around 500 elementary school students in the fifth and sixth grades, their parents and the Kobe mayor attended the lively lecture. Following the speech was a vigorous question-and-answer session, where many students with questions raised their hands, leading to active discussion.



Kobe Steel Donates River Hazard Maps and Disaster Vehicles to Hyogo
As part of its 100th anniversary activities, Kobe Steel donated river hazard maps to the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution. By pressing the touch panel, visitors can easily see flood hazard maps of Hyogo Prefecture's major rivers on large 50-inch monitors. Kobe Steel also donated two 4WD recreational vehicles to Hyogo for use in disaster relief.



Kobe Steel Donates Firefighting Cars to Kobe
Kobe Steel donated five firefighting cars equipped with loudspeakers to Kobe. "We will make good use of these vehicles to protect the safety of citizens," said Kobe's mayor, expressing his appreciation. The five cars are assigned to the Higashi-Nada, Nada and other fire departments in Kobe.



Kobe Steel's Technical Development Group Hosts 100th Anniversary Commemorative Lectures
On September 16, 2005 at the Lasse Hall in Kobe's Chuo Ward, Kobe Steel's Technical Development Group opened the Kobe Steel 100th Anniversary Commemorative Lectures.

The theme was "Marking 100 Years: The Past, Present and Future of Kobe Steel's Technology." About 300 people attended the event, including Kobe Steel employees and former workers, in addition to others from local companies.

A former Kobe Steel researcher gave a talk on the "History of Technology." R&D executives at Kobe Steel and its group companies participated in a panel discussion on "Technology Now." Masanori Moritani, a professor at The University of the Air and a technology commentator, gave a special lecture entitled "The Future of Technology." The presentations sparked lively conversation that carried on to the reception that followed.



130,000 People Attend Shinko Kakogawa Festival
Since 1990, the Kakogawa Works has organized the Shinko Kakogawa Festival. October 30, 2005 marked the 15th anniversary of the Festival, and along with Kobe Steel's 100th anniversary, the event was more festive than usual. About 130,000 people, over 30,000 more than the average year, enjoyed the various games, stage entertainment, and other events offered. The Kakogawa Works provided book tokens to the city's elementary and junior high schools as well as schools for disabled children. In addition, all students in the fifth grade going to schools in the city of Kakogawa were given a tour of Kakogawa Works.



Takasago Works Makes Donations to Local Schools, Hospitals and Welfare Council
The Takasago Works donated books to Takasago's public kindergartens and elementary and junior high schools (a total of 25 schools). Child-size chairs and megaphones were given to 13 preschools. To the municipal hospital went automatic blood pressure monitors and stretchers. Meanwhile the Harima Plant, a branch facility of the Takasago Works, in nearby Harimacho, donated 25 wheelchairs to the Municipal Council for Social Welfare. In Harimacho, residents may use the wheelchairs free of charge.



Fujisawa Industrial Operations Donates Money to Fujisawa Welfare Fund
Fujisawa Industrial Operations donated 500,000 yen to the Fujisawa City Circle of Love Welfare Fund. This fund helps people with disabilities and those needing assistance in becoming independent and promotes greater participation in society. It also supports volunteer activities that foster community welfare. The fund was established in 1984 by residents to help create a town with better social services.



Ibaraki Plant Donates Braille Printer to Welfare Facility for the Disabled
Commemorating Kobe Steel's 100th anniversary, the Ibaraki Plant donated a braille printer to the Ibaraki Municipal Welfare Center for the Disabled. The printer, for personal use, is portable. The easy-to-use keypad has braille notation and operations are clearly distinguishable by the use of different sounds. These features make the printer convenient for visually impaired people to use.



Saijo Plant Contributes Digital blood Pressure Monitors to Higashi-Hiroshima
The Saijo Plant donated two digital blood pressure monitors to Higashi-Hiroshima. One unit is at City Hall, while the other is available at the Comprehensive Welfare Center. Visitors may freely use the devices. "Thank you for showing your understanding of the promotion of welfare in the city," said the mayor in appreciation.
Donated digital blood pressure monitor



Moka Plant Donates AEDs and Crime Prevention Tools
Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Kobe Steel, the Moka Plant donated seven automated external defibrillators* (AEDs) and two training kits to the city of Moka. To each of the 21 elementary and junior high schools in the city, two aluminum satsumata** were given for crime prevention. The Moka City Educational Center of Science received a visual presenter and a constellation clock.

* An automated external defibrillator is a device that gives an electric shock to the heart to help it reestablish a normal rhythm.
** The satsumata is a staff with a U-shaped prong at the end.




Chofu Works Hosts Shinko Chofu Festa 2005
The Shinko Chofu Festa 2005 was held on October 16, 2005 in Shimonoseki. Employees, their families and the local community participated in the festive event marking Kobe Steel's 100th Anniversary. In addition to refreshment stands manned by employees and stalls run by the local women's association, the tuna carving show by the Chofu Fishery Cooperative Association and an excavator demonstration by Kobelco Construction Machinery were highly popular events.



Daian Plant Hosts Shinko 100-TEN Festa
On November 26, 2005, the Daian Plant held the Shinko 100-TEN Festa in commemoration of Kobe Steel's 100th Anniversary and the 10th Anniversary of the Daian Plant, located in Inabe, Mie Prefecture. The event was held at Yokkaichi's Yokkaichi Dome. Including local residents, approximately 1,000 people took part in the day's events. Following the opening with the traditional Japanese drumming particular to Daian, the participants went on to enjoy a day of games and attractions. No Japanese festival would be complete without a lottery where 115 lucky people won a variety of gifts, including a 26-inch LCD flat-screen TV, bringing the day to a successful end.