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| As global warming and other environmental
problems continue to demand increased attention worldwide, there is a growing
awareness of the necessity to build more sustainable societies through the development
of new energy systems that do not produce CO2 or other harmful emissions. Nippon
Oil hopes to contribute to the realization of such an energy system
by supporting research on the development of a hydrogen economy. In 2006, the
company established the ENEOS Hydrogen Trust Fund with a contribution of 1.5
billion yen, and each year, the fund dispenses grants totaling 50 million yen
to support basic research on issues related to the supply of hydrogen energy. |
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| In 2009, Tokio
Marine & Nichido
Fire Insurance is marking the 130th anniversary of the company’s founding.
In order to commemorate this anniversary and build on the company’s efforts
to combat global warming, Tokio Marine & Nichido is joining forces with Kochi
Prefecture, Aki City and a local forestry association to promote the development
of collaborative forest. Today, many planted forests in Japan are in need of
thinning. Through this partnership, Tokio Marine & Nichido will support efforts |
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to revitalize woodlands around Aki City. The location of the project is of special
significance as Aki City was the birthplace of Mitsubishi founder Yataro Iwasaki.
Iwasaki also played a role in establishing the Tokio Marine Insurance in 1879,
and this company formed the foundation of the present-day Tokio Marine & Nichido.
■ http://www.tokiomarine-nichido.co.jp/j0201/pdf/090511.pdf |
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Air pollution continues to be a serious
problem in many urban areas. Wouldn’t it be great if roadways could be
magically transformed into giant air purifiers? Incredibly, research is actually
progressing on photocatalytic coatings for roads that can naturally remove pollutants
from the air through simple reactions involving sunlight and rainfall. However,
one roadblock to this technology has been the problem of creating coatings that
can sustain photocatalytic activity while being exposed to the wear and tear
of vehicular traffic.
Mitsubishi Materials and Tokyo Hoso
Kogyo Corporation have made great strides in addressing this |
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| A parking lot (a gray area) paved by the new method. |
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problem with their
joint development of a new construction method. The partners have devised a technique
for the photocatalytic paving of roadways that can withstand the friction of
vehicular traffic while also demonstrating an outstanding capacity for sustaining
air purification functions. The construction method can be applied to various
types of pavement. With this new technology, it appears cities will soon be on
the road to achieving better air quality.
■ http://www.mmc.co.jp/corporate/ja/01/01/09-0528.html |
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In February 1982, Kirin Brewery (now Kirin Holdings) marked the 75th anniversary of the company’s founding.
To commemorate this anniversary, Kirin established the Kirin Welfare Foundation
in July 1981, becoming the first company in Japan to create a foundation dedicated
to promoting social welfare.
The Kirin Welfare Foundation seeks to provide support to people who have traditionally
been underserviced by public welfare programs, such as individuals with disabilities
and in-home caregivers who tend to the needs of family members. The foundation
also supports youth development programs and the activities of people who contribute
to local communities as volunteers. In this way, the Kirin Welfare Foundation
fosters close ties with individuals who participate in the programs it sponsors
as well as the various organizations it supports.
■ http://www.kirin.co.jp/foundation |
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