JVC Kenwood Group has implemented outreach training in elementary and junior high schools using teaching materials as a specialist audio and visual manufacturer on the concept of “contributing to social development” by supporting the academic abilities of children.”
Every year, we work with the Environmental Planning Bureau of Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and the Shonai Area General Branch Administration Office of Yamagata Prefecture, and in FY2010 we implemented outreach training to 826 children in ten schools, including requests from the Energy Conservation Center, Japan. Further, outside Japan, the JVC America Plant also implemented outreach training.
Outreach classroom in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Outreach classroom in Yamagata Prefecture
Outreach training in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
JVC Kenwood Group employees participated in supporting the creation of the exhibition artwork “Breathing is Free: JAPAN, Hopes & Recovery” by the artist Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba who participated in the Yokohama Triennale 2011 (from August 6 to November 6, 2011) an international exhibition of modern art held in Yokohama every three years.
This is an exhibition art project taking place in Yokohama and Ho Chi Minh City, which is where Hatsushiba lives. Hatsushiba and ordinary people wear data loggers that receive GPS data as they run through the cities along routes that trace several cherry blossoms. It is being done in support of recovery work for the Tohoku Earthquake.
A total of 33 people ran along ten routes near the Head Office & Yokohama Business Center (Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama) and the Hakusan Business Center (Midori-ku, Yokohama). They ran in support of the recovery efforts of the Tohoku Earthquake.
Cherry blossom depicted on the ground along the route
JVC Kenwood employees running in Yokohama with GPS-receiving data loggers
Kenwood visited Amami city, Yamato village, and Uken village in Kagoshima Prefecture, which were greatly damaged by record torrential rains in October 2010, and donated 86 specified low-power transceivers.
As transceivers that can communicate regardless of public infrastructure contribute to assuring communications during an emergency, we received a certificate at the 20th Central Emergency Communication Committee meeting* on February 22, 2011.
Further, we also donated professional radios to the Qinghai Province Gyegu Tibet Autonomous Region Gyegu People’s Government Bureau and Qinghai Province Urban Construction Bureau for the “Yushu Earthquake,” which occurred in April 2010.
We offer heartfelt prayers that the devastated areas can recover as soon as possible.
*The Central Emergency Communication Committee is part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and comprises people deeply involved with emergency communications such as the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, Cabinet Office, National Police Agency, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Japan Meteorological Agency, Japan Coast Guard, NHK, and other main electrical communications businesses and radio station license holders, etc.
The head of Kenwood Communications Systems Division (left) receives a certificate from the Central Emergency Communication Committee meeting*
Donating radios to Gyegu People’s Government Bureau Kenwood Electronics (Hong Kong) Ltd. workers on the left
Kenwood China Plant employees soliciting money
To be of use in supporting victims of a major disaster and in rebuilding the disaster region, during the “Tohoku Earthquake” of March 11, 2011, we delivered 200 Kenwood digital radios, 200 specified low-power transceivers, five amateur radios, and 300 JVC radios to the disaster zone.
Further, we donated 15 million yen through a program of matching donations with JVC Kenwood and JVC Kenwood Group employees, and donations from affiliated companies and representatives.
We offer heartfelt prayers that the devastated areas can recover as soon as possible.
Yabitsu Pass brush clearing in the Association Forest
On July 31, 2010, Victor Creative Media Co., Ltd., which is a member of Kanagawa Prefectural Association, participated in the Yabitsu Pass brush clearing in the Association Forest.
The work was completed smoothly while participants built up a healthy sweat under the midsummer sun.
Enjoying a bingo game
On December 10, 2010, the Kenwood Singapore Plant implemented care visits to a home for the elderly as part of community service day, which is held every year.
The facilitators from each section discussed the program, packed presents, and prepared the hall. On the day, all the employees divided into two locations on the island, and sang songs, played games, and supplied food to approximately 100 people in each group. A fun time was had by all.
On September 29, 2010, 40 people from Kumamoto National College of Technology toured the Kenwood Singapore Plant, and studied the manufacturing process for products that are marketed globally.
The students, who want to work overseas in the future listened with great interest to the explanations by the plant staff.
Kenwood Singapore Plant
Students listening ardently to explanations
JVC employees loading up materials for recycling
The JVC America Plant acted in cooperation with the local cities of Tuscaloosa and neighboring Northport, Alabama, as well as the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, to participate in recycling electrical products. Employees participated as volunteers to unload 1,000 vehicles in a day, and pack the products for handover to recyclers. The waste processed by the employees reached 5,000 lbs (about 2 tons).
Arcadia Elementary School students collecting phone books
The JVC America Plant joined the neighboring Arcadia Elementary School in a telephone book recycling competition supported by Tuscaloosa city and AT&T. Employees collected several hundred old phone books, leading Arcadia Elementary School to 3rd place and a prize of $400. The students collected over 1000 phone books, 3.79 each, and they were recycled without any being used in a landfill.
Banner introducing the donation recipients on the Italian Kenwood store website
Kenwood Electronics Italia S.p.A. started its own e-commerce website www.kenwoodstore.it in 2009, and contributes 0.8% of sales to three charities.
- Animals Asia Foundation (animal welfare in Asian countries)
- Terre des Hommes (child protection in African countries)
- LILT - Lega Italiana per la lotta contro i tumori (Italian League for fight and research on cancers)
Commemorative photo with the winning team
In May 2010, union volunteer staff from Japan and employees from the Kenwood Malaysia Plant supported the Johor regional youth soccer tournament, which is sponsored every year by the Kenwood Group Union (KEGU). Ten junior high teams selected from throughout the state participated in the tournament, which was held to help the children become stronger in mind and body.
