Social Contribution Activities
Management
│Social Background
As a corporate group that operates businesses both in and outside of Japan, Casio recognizes that meeting the expectations of local communities and building good relationships are essential for Casio to sustain its business at each site.
│Risks and Opportunities for the Casio Group
Casio believes that it can contribute to sustainability in society, while also increasing the trust of stakeholders, by meeting the expectations of local communities.
│Policy
Casio’s social contribution initiatives aim to help build a healthy, spiritually rich society. The five priority areas are education of the next generation, study and research, environmental conservation, community service, and culture and arts.
Casio takes a proactive approach to these initiatives, seeking to communicate with various stakeholders in order to determine how it can be most helpful as a good corporate citizen. In this process, Casio seeks to make innovative social contributions, leveraging its unique expertise and management resources as well as the broad range of knowledge and experience possessed by its employees.
│System
Casio promotes community-based social contribution activities focused on the ESG and General Affairs Department while collaborating with related departments and group companies inside and outside Japan in accordance with the company’s policy on social contribution activities.
Activity Results
│Invention Ideas Workshop Helps Elementary School Students to Think Up Useful Inventions
Since 2017, developers at Casio Computer Co., Ltd. have been serving as instructors for the Invention Ideas Workshop for elementary school children to have fun while thinking up an invention that is useful for someone.
The Kashio Toshio Memorial Foundation launched the workshop in 2017, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., in order to convey the commitment to contribute to society by creating inventions of Toshio Kashio, one of Casio Computer’s founders who came up with numerous inventions. A team of developers from Casio Computer, including G-SHOCK developer Kikuo Ibe, served as instructors and got children to think up ideas for “watches that are useful for someone.” After introducing the G-SHOCK development story and doing some mental exercises as preparation for thinking outside the box, the instructors and staff got children to come up with ideas while chatting with them.
The children came up with fun ideas at each of the workshops, including a watch that wakes you up with a light instead of an alarm when you oversleep, a watch that sucks up mice within a 100m radius, a watch that becomes an innertube if you start to sink underwater, a watch that knows your health, a watch that can help you with your homework when you don’t know what to do, and a watch that makes butterflies fly in when you check the time.
In fiscal 2022, the online workshop was conducted to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Workshop (FY2022)
│Calculator Disassembly and Reassembly Workshops at Kids’ Events
With a desire to convey the excitement of product creation to children, the leaders of tomorrow, Casio Computer Co., Ltd. has been involved in kids’ events since 2014. In this workshop, the children took apart actual calculators with their own hands. Then they learned to how to reassemble them, how a calculator works, and what kind of environmentally friendly features it has.
Although the workshop was cancelled four times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was held for the first time in two and a half years in March 2022 with rigorous COVID-19 infection control measures, and Casio also exhibited products. The children had fun learning about how calculators work by taking them apart and reassembling them with screwdrivers and seeing the electronic substrates, integrated circuits and other components with their own eyes. Casio will continue to provide support for the education of children who will lead the next generation by offering activities like this.
Workshop
│Supporting Key Person 21
Key Person 21 is a certified non-profit organization for youth career education. It promotes activities to bring out the potential in each child and nurture their ability to choose a future that suits them. As a company that focuses on educating the next generation and promoting educational initiatives, Casio shares the mission of Key Person 21, and so began supporting the organization in fiscal 2017.
In fiscal 2022, Casio held career education programs for three elementary schools in Shibuya Ward, where Casio Computer is headquartered, combining online programs and school visits in accordance with the COVID-19 situation, with the cooperation and participation of 17 employees. There was also a program that involved compiling newspaper articles featuring the employees who served as lecturers, and the students used their tablets to create newspapers that outshone those of the adults. The teachers praised Casio for these programs as they were able to deepen their learning in both career education and ICT education.
│Industry-academia partnership with Musashino Art University
Casio began an industry-academia partnership project with Musashino Art University in fiscal 2018. The starting point for this project is supporting foreign students in their Japanese language studies. Students of Musashino Art University collect information on various initiatives that support multicultural coexistence in Japan and disseminate and share the findings they gain through these activities with society. Casio draws on its insights in the education business and promotion to support the students.
For the project in fiscal 2022, an online discussion session on the theme of inclusion was held. With the aim of building a society in which no one is excluded, the students presented their findings from visiting a care facility for people with disabilities, a Japanese language school, and an NPO that runs workshops for children. Afterwards, with support from the Casio mentor, the students and general participants discussed the viewpoint of social minorities such as people with disabilities and non-Japanese people, as well as education for children who will lead the future society of coexistence.
Casio values the efforts of non-Japanese to learn the Japanese language, and the company will continue to support Japanese language education through this kind of industry-academic collaboration.
For more information, see the following site.
│Co-sponsorship of education contest
Casio (China) Co., Ltd. provides support for efforts to train the next generation of human resources by co-sponsoring an education contest.
The 30th China National Biology Olympiad
Fourteenth Shanghai International Studies University Casio Cup
7th National Physics Experiment Competition for College Students
│Study and Research
Support for the Casio Science Promotion Foundation
Casio is contributing to the development of science and technology by supporting the Casio Science Promotion Foundation.
About the Foundation
The Casio Science Promotion Foundation was established in 1982 by the four Kashio brothers and the former chairman, Shigeru Kashio.
The Foundation provides research grants with the principle objective of fostering pioneering and creative research in the early stages by young researchers who are persevering with challenging research on limited funding. This is based on the philosophy that advanced R&D should be promoted in various fields, in order to fulfill the Foundation’s mission of helping Japan contribute to the world as a nation of advanced technology.
The Foundation provides grants in a wide range of scientific fields—from cutting-edge device research in electronic and mechanical engineering to natural sciences related to telecommunications, AI, IoT, environmental electronics, health, sports, and health engineering—as well as in the cultural sciences including human resources development, human behavior and information and communication technology (ICT) in education.
Over the last 39 years, the Foundation has provided a total of about ¥2,022.2 million in 1,553 grants.
Grants in fiscal 2022
Adding to its existing 22 basic categories in six fields, the Foundation established a special topic (research aimed at problem-solving on the subject of the global environment) considered to be important based on changes in the global environment over the past few years.
After asking 204 universities to submit research topic proposals, 188 proposals were received from 87 universities. Based on a rigorous selection process, a total of 82.96 million yen in grants was awarded to61 different proposals.
The grant presentation ceremony scheduled for December 4 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year again, more than 90% of the grant recipients were in their twenties through forties, so the grants went to support the activities of young researchers representing the promise of the next generation.
Message from a grant recipient
Special Topic
Development of an electrocatalyst selectively driven by CO2 electrochemical reduction and elucidation of its working mechanism
For human beings to keep living and developing on Earth over the long term, we must create sustainable energy and resource-recycling societies that do not depend on fossil resources (coal, oil, and natural gas), which generate CO2 when burned. At present, wind and solar power generation, which generate electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, are in the spotlight. However, their operation requires construction of large-scale facilities. Ironically, this inevitably results in large CO2 emissions. The development of technology to produce energy and resources from CO2 is expected to be one of the research topics that will attract even more attention in the future.
CO2 electrochemical reduction, the research topic selected for this grant, can synthesize the basic chemicals we need using CO2 as a raw material, and it has been attracting attention in recent years as one of the key elemental technologies for achieving carbon neutrality in the 2050s. The most problematic aspect of the electrochemical reduction of CO2 dissolved in an aqueous solution is that this reaction competes with the formation of H2 through reduction of protons. Since the involvement of protons is also essential for CO2 reduction, it is very difficult to control this competing reaction. In our previous research, we have found that certain surfaces of metal nanoparticles are specifically effective for CO2 activation. In the research for which we received the grant, we synthesized and characterized metal nanoparticle electrocatalysts with specific surfaces and investigated their activity and product selectivity in CO2 electrochemical reduction using these electrodes. By doing this, we clarified the structure of active sites and proposed a reaction mechanism for CO2 electrochemical reactions involving these active sites. Ultimately, we hope to develop precisely designed metal electrocatalysts that exhibit high current densities and provide a single product through the densification of a single active site. Although there is still much work to be done on this research topic, we are very grateful for the grant we received to support such a challenging research project and look forward to support in the future.
TERAMURA Kentaro
Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University
│Environmental Conservation
Leveraging products for environmental conservation
Casio supports the activities of environmental conservation groups by collaborating with them to develop and sell special-themed product models.
ICERC Japan
Earthwatch Japan
Aqua Planet
The Nature Conservation Society of Japan
For more information, see the Living in Harmony with Nature section.
Hayama Beach Cleanups
In March 2021, Casio Computer concluded an Agreement on Collaboration to Reduce Plastic Waste with the town of Hayama (Miura District, Kanagawa Prefecture, Mayor: YAMANASHI Takahito). As part of this agreement, Casio decided to participate in the beach cleanups carried out by Hayama, providing support for more advanced environmental conservation activities.
So far, Casio employee volunteers have taken part in beach cleanups in June 2021 and May 2022. Engaging in activities with other local people not only deepened exchanges with them but also increased employee awareness of environmental problems, particularly micro plastics.
Casio will continue to discuss with the town of Hayama what the local government and companies can do together to reduce plastic waste in addition to beach cleanups.
Some of the waste collected
Group photograph of participants
Casio Forest
In August 2018, Casio Computer concluded the Tokyo Waterworks: Corporate Forest (Naming Rights) Agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Waterworks. Based on this agreement, a 2.46 hectare portion of the water conservation forest managed by the Bureau of Waterworks was designated as Casio Forest, contributing to the maintenance and management of water conservation forest land and providing opportunities for employees to engage in volunteer activities.
For more information, see the Living in Harmony with Nature section.
│Community Service
Adopting tulips and Ohga lotus plants
Hamura City, located in Tokyo, is promoting cultivation of tulips and other plants as an effort to preserve fallow rice fields and to make effective use of rice fields after their crops have been harvested. Casio has an R&D center in the city and has been a foster-sponsor for the tulips and for Ohga lotus plants since 2004.
A number of varieties bloom in the greatest tulip field in the Kanto region, which is planted with approximately 400,000 bulbs in roughly 23,000m2 of rice fields, and many tourists visit the tulip festival held in April each year.
Casio became the owner of about 500m2 of one 1,000m2 paddy field and helps to cultivate the Ohga lotus. The descendants of local farmers in Hamura city cultivate the Ohga lotus in fallow rice fields, and the flowers bloom from mid-July through to mid-August. The Ohga lotus plant is an ancient form of lotus from the Yayoi Period (about 2,000 years ago) discovered in the Kemigawa ruins in Chiba Prefecture under the guidance of the late Dr. Ichiro Oga in 1951.
Support for Cherry Marathon in Higashine City
Yamagata Casio has been supporting the Cherry Marathon in Higashine City since 2004. The company’s intention is to become an enterprise that is appreciated by the local residents not only for its corporate activities, but also for its contribution to the local community and Higashine City.
In addition to participating in the marathon as runners, Casio employees also cooperate indirectly, including by helping out at water stations during the event. Although the 2020 marathon was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 marathon was implemented online, Casio will continue to actively engage in such community contribution activities to further strengthen cooperation and trust with local residents.
│Culture and the Arts
By sponsoring symphony orchestras and cultural facilities, Casio provides people with opportunities to feel delight and deep emotion and promotes the development of culture and the arts.
・Sponsorship of the NHK Symphony Orchestra
・Sponsorship of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
│Other
Helping to resolve social issues with Ittan Partner
Ittan Partner is a project in Japan organized by the Agriculture and Welfare National Council of the Shizensaibai Party that encourages corporations to support rice cultivation at a welfare center for one season. The project supports welfare centers with their projects to convert abandoned farming land into rice paddies and to work with people with disabilities on the land to grow rice using natural cultivation (shizensaibai) without agricultural chemicals and chemical fertilizers. Then, corporations buy the rice harvested from one tenth of a hectare (ittan) for a set price regardless of the yield. The aims are to combine job satisfaction and increase income (to support financial independence) for people with disabilities, revitalize abandoned farming land, and provide safe food.
Endorsing the aims of the project, Casio has been supporting two tenths of a hectare’s worth of rice per year since 2017. As a part of its educational programs, the company also recruited volunteers to work with people using the welfare center to carry out rice planting in spring and harvesting in autumn. The employees who took part had impactful experiences as they actually communicated with people with disabilities. This is expected to lead to new perspectives and learning that cannot be obtained through everyday life and work.
Along with Ittan Partner, in addition to contributing to solving the social issue that is the aim of the project, Casio hopes that the awareness and learning of these employees will promote understanding of people with disabilities and lead to new projects, products and services designed to solve social issues. Harvested rice was provided in employee cafeterias to spread awareness of this activity within the company and also given to three children’s cafeterias close to Casio headquarters.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employee volunteers were not able to take part in the farm work in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022. However, the work resumed in June 2022, with 20 Casio employees and their family members taking part in the rice planting experience.
Planting rice
Supporting and participating in Respite Trip organized by Oyako Haneyasume
The non-profit organization Oyako Haneyasume provides support for children with serious diseases or disabilities and their families in Japan. It runs a program (Respite Trip) to support family travel under which a third party provides temporary substitute care so that families who are usually swamped providing nursing care can take a short break. Casio began volunteer participation in the Respite Trip in fiscal 2017, and a total of 33 employees volunteered through fiscal 2020, including in the Sibling Camp. Casio has provided full-scale support, including donations, as the first corporate sponsor, since fiscal 2018.
IIn fiscal 2021 and 2022, Respite Trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Casio will continue to provide support for this program, which creates time and space to completely relax for children and families who need to recuperate, as a valuable activity that fulfills the SDG pledge to “leave no one behind.”
Respite Trip
Product disassembly and separation work contracted to a welfare workspace
Aiming to be a company that is good for people and environmentally friendly, Casio Business Service Co., Ltd., has contracted disassembly and separation work of Casio products to a welfare workspace operated by a social welfare corporation as part of its recycling initiatives in product disposal since 2000. Recently, the workspace has been disassembling and separating mainly used tape cartridges and ink ribbon cassettes collected at Casio Eco Stations. At the welfare workspace, which enrolls persons with disabilities, most of the work is light work such as making bags and presentation boxes and folding leaflets.
Work such as disassembly and separation increases their concentration and ability to keep going on a task, which also gives the workers a high sense of fulfillment on the job. This initiative is considered to support the independence of workers through social education and the acquisition of morals and rules. As part of its CSR initiatives, Casio Business Service will continue contracting out this work to help support the independence of workers.
Disassembly and separation of tape cartridges and ink ribbon cassettes
Support for People's Hope Japan
People's Hope Japan is an NGO involved in international cooperation. It provides support for activities focused on educating people in developing Asian countries about insurance and healthcare. As a company that supports the organization's mission, Casio has been corporate sponsor since 2006.
Assistance for disaster victims
●Supporting victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake
Donation to Tsunami Orphans
In order to assist orphans who lost their parents in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, Casio has been donating to the Ashinaga Great East Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Orphans Fundraising Campaign since fiscal 2012. In fiscal 2022, Casio donated 2 million yen, as it did the previous year (accumulated total: 25 million yen).
Supporting the Sanriku Volunteer Divers
Yamagata Casio Co., Ltd. supported the activities of the Sanriku Volunteer Divers, providing four sets of Logosease underwater communication equipment and one set of terrestrial equipment to enable communication between the land and water.
Sanriku Volunteer Divers is a non-profit organization that conducts activities aimed at restoring the Sanriku coast, which was damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake.. Activities were focused on clearing debris from the sea immediately after the tsunami, but they have now developed into environment restoration activities such as supporting the revival of the fishing industry and activities to regenerate seaweed beds, and the group is “cultivating the sea” to be part of the cycle for the recovery of ecosystem balance.
SATO Hiroshi, the group’s representative, commented, “The divers can communicate not only with each other but also with the vessel using the terrestrial equipment, which allows us to work efficiently. We have also recently been focusing on human resource development in order to expand and continue our activities, and the Logosease equipment does a great job when local children are taking part in snorkeling and diving experiences.”
Logosease
Logosease supports the underwater work of Sanriku Volunteer Divers (seaweed bed regeneration)
● Humanitarian support in Ukraine
Casio donated relief funds to provide humanitarian support for people affected in Ukraine and neighboring regions.
Support donation: 300,000 euro (approximately 39 million yen)
Donated to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
●Support for COVID-19 pandemic
Casio carried out the following activities to help end the COVID-19 pandemic as soon as possible and restore social and economic activity.
FY2022
- Donation of 10 million yen to Japanese Red Cross Society
- Donation of oxygen concentrators to government-run medical institutions (India)
- Donation of 1,925 scientific calculators to students in need of economic support due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Spain)• Support grant given to medical sites
FY2021
- Support grant given to medical sites
- Free online services for scientific calculators
- Pledged support for the Open COVID-19 Declaration
- Donation of non-woven masks made by Yamagata Casio to Yamagata Prefecture and Higashine City
- Support for the Red Feather National Campaign to Support Welfare Activities during COVID-19 Pandemic
- Donation of nursing calculators to the Tokyo Nursing Association, which is supporting the medical frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic