Volunteer Activities by Nikon Employees in Japan

In February and March 2013, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by the Yamamotocho Council for Social Welfare.

Purpose of the activities:

• To clean up farmland in Yamamotocho in order to plant mulberry trees.

Participant comment:

"It is often said that help of volunteers is still necessary. But I suppose many people can't imagine it. They may think reconstruction efforts at the present time are not as important as those engaged in immediately after the earthquake and that the affected areas need less help.
I thought so as well. By actually doing volunteer work, I found that the help of many volunteers on a long-term basis was still needed.
I will aggressively participate in the volunteer activities when I can. I will inform people of my experience and inform them of the status of the affected areas."

In January 2013, Nikon employees assisted a photography class held by the Yamadamachi Council of Social Welfare and the Shanti Volunteer Association.

Purpose of the activities:

• To support the photography class for people in temporary housing and show them how to use cameras.

Participant comment:

"As a Nikon employee, I was glad to have an opportunity to support an activity for image culture. I hope to see more developments in activities related to image culture."

In December 2012, Nikon employees assisted a hot-air balloon festival held by the Watari Green Belt Project.

Purpose of the activities:

• To support the festival management by guiding passengers and forming queues for them.

Participant comment:

"I was glad to experience something difficult from daily life. I was also glad to hear about the experiences of the local people and their thoughts in their own words at a symposium held late in the festival."

In December 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by the Shichigahamacho Reconstruction Support Volunteer Center.

Purpose of the activities:

• To remove small pieces of rubble and clean up farmlands in Shichigahamacho.

Participant comment:

"Some of the farmlands required cultivation and I wondered whether my labor would directly help farmers. But I also understood, through my experience, that patience and diligent labor were still needed for reconstruction."

In October 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by the Shichigahamacho Reconstruction Support Volunteer Center.

Purpose of the activities:

• To remove small pieces of rubble and clean up rice paddies in Shichigahamacho.

Participant comment:

"The removal of rubble from rice paddies requires patience and stamina. I hope my efforts help the local people."

In October 2012, Nikon employees participated in activities led by the executive committee of a summer festival.

Purpose of the activities:

• To support a summer festival "Chotto Osomeno Natsumatsuri (A Summer Festival Comes a Little Late)" held at the Yamashita First Elementary School in Yamamotocho.

Participant comment:

"I could meet some of the local people, which I could not in other volunteer activities. I was happy to give the children something to enjoy."

In July 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by the Shichigahamacho Reconstruction Support Volunteer Center.

Purpose of the activities:

• To remove small pieces of rubble from residential areas and the beachside in Shichigahamacho.

Participant comment:

"Rubble removal was unglamorous work and we had little visual sense of accomplishment. I think that work really needs the hands of many volunteers. "

In June 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by the. Yamamotocho Council for Social Welfare.

Purpose of the activities:

• To weed bamboo groves, remove rubble and clean up farmland in Shichigahamacho.

Participant comment:

"I keenly felt the enormous damage of the tsunami when I saw dirty daily goods dug out with garbage and pieces of vinyl. I am glad if my labor helps the restoration of the farmland."

In May 2012, Nikon employees took part in reconstruction support activities led by Kinki Nippon Tourist Co. Ltd and the Shichigahamacho Reconstruction Support Volunteer Center.

Purpose of the activities:

• To remove collapsed seawalls and rubble, and to clear Shichigahamacho beach

Participant comment:

"In April last year and on an individual basis, I took part in a volunteer activity to remove mud in Ishinomaki. Right now I feel work here on Shichigahama beach is just as demanding as that carried out in Ishinomaki. I realize that so much heavy reconstructive work lies ahead in spite of a year already having passed since the quake."

In April 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by AMYFACT Inc and by the Yamamotocho Council for Social Welfare.

Purpose of the activities:

• To remove rubble and to clean up farmlands in Yamamotocho,

Participant comment:

"In the affected area, I actually saw first hand how reconstruction had not worked well."
"I will discuss what I did and saw with my colleagues. I will ask them to participate in volunteer activities, even if they can only contribute a little."

In March 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by Kinki Nippon Tourist Co.Ltd and by the Ishinomaki Disaster Recovery Assistance Council.inc.

Purpose of the activities:

• To remove mud from gullies in the Ayukawa district of Ishinomaki.

Participant comment:

"I will do any work that local people require."

In February 2012, Nikon employees held a photography workshop for PC training sessions at temporary housing facilities. The sessions were sponsored by the Japan Society for Socio-Information Studies and by the NIFTY Corporation.

Volunteer lecturer comment:

"I realize that I operate the camera purely on feel. I think camera makers could refer my feeling and opinions to future products."

In January 2012, Nikon employees took part in reconstruction support activities led by Kinki Nippon Tourist Co Ltd and by the Ishinomaki Disaster Recovery Assistance Council.

Purpose of the activities:

• To remove small pieces of rubble in Maeamihama
• To remove mud from gullies in the Ayukawa district of Ishinomaki

Participant comment:

"Prior to the earthquake, I'd made trips to Souma, Okumatushima, Kesenuma, Minamisannriku and Ofunato. I've subsequently been thinking how to help in the reconstruction of these areas."

In January 2012, Nikon employees participated in reconstruction support activities led by Kinki Nippon Tourist Co Ltd and by the Ishinomaki Disaster Recovery Assistance Council.

Purpose of the activities:

• To remove and segregate rubble in the Sameura district of Ishinomaki.
• To support fishery operations in the Yagawa district of Ishinomaki, e.g. by separating oyster shells, creating eyelets in them, and passing string through those eyelets for sea squirt eggs.

Participant comment:

"I learned that there were many things besides heavy lifting which required human hands. I realized, too, that the reconstruction effort needs additional volunteer participation."