In October 1995, the Oji Group joined the Japan Groundwork Association at the time of its establishment as its first corporate member.
The organization aims to have three parties -- companies, residents, and the local government -- and work together to help solve social issues such as improving the local environment.
At Oji Group mills and plants, maintaining good relationships with the local residents and government has been a core principle of their operation, under which they have been proactive in participating in local events and volunteer activities. We used our participation in the Groundwork Association as an opportunity to make “promotion of Groundwork activities” the policy for the entire Group and instructed all plants and mills to promote these activities.
We organize activities in line with the characteristics of individual communities.
In December every year, employees of Tomakomai Mill of Oji Paper carry out year-end cleanup activities, snow removal, and other volunteer activities at welfare facilities in Tomakomai City. These activities commenced in 2000 and have become an annual event.
Located on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea, the Kure Mill of Oji Materia operates daily with benefits from the sea for the acceptance of raw materials, the shipment of products, and other operations. To give thanks for the ocean, employees of the mill participate in the beach cleanup activity that is organized by the local fisheries cooperative on Marine Day in July every year. They pick up, sort, and cut driftwood and garbage and carry out other tasks to clean up the harbor area.
The Kasugai Mill of Oji Paper cleans up the river near the facility in spring and autumn by cooperating with the local neighborhood association, the citizens’ organization, and the municipal government. This activity is carried out as a partnership activity with the local citizens and government.
The U.K.-Japan Green Alliance was formed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. In commemoration of the establishment of the new alliance, approximately 200 oak trees were sent from the United Kingdom to communities all over Japan as emotional bridges between the two countries.
The Oji Group was requested to plant one of the trees in commemoration of the alliance. In December 2002, the tree was planted at a park in Anan City under the partnership between the Groundwork Association and the Tomioka Mill and with the cooperation of the U.K. Consul-General, related persons from Anan City, and volunteers. As a species that grows into a giant tree, the oak tree will continue to be loved as the symbol of the park.
In addition, the Yonago Mill and Fukuoka Sales Branch also participated in the oak tree planting to commemorate the U.K.-Japan Green Alliance, which was held in the respective local areas.
