Volunteer Project

Marubeni has joined together with Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd., Sompo Japan Insurance Inc., and Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. to carry out the Volunteer Project. This project dispatches company employees who desire to take part in the volunteer work being performed in areas affected by the disaster.

Each of the four companies involved is part of the Fuyo Group social welfare network. They discussed potential activities for supporting the recovery efforts for the Great East Japan Earthquake, and ultimately decided to jointly launch the Volunteer Project and recruit volunteers from each company.

Removing mud from ditches

In June and July 2011, 58 volunteers from the Marubeni Group took part in the project. Working in cooperation with the Miyagi volunteer centers, they responded to requests from local authorities to remove mud and furniture from inside houses and clean household goods. An additional 135 Marubeni Group employees participated in the volunteer project between October and December.

There are also a number of employees that have volunteered on their own to take part in recovery efforts. The work of these individuals and those that participate in the Volunteer Project represent the growing network of recovery aid within the Marubeni Group.

Repairing windbreaks and removing fallen trees

The 103 new employees for FY2011 participated in volunteer activities in Shichirigahama-machi, Miyagi in September and October as part of their orientation. Divided into five groups, they took turns visiting Shichirigahama-machi to aid the recovery efforts.

In addition to helping clean and clear the coast of Shichigahama, they also received an informative lecture from the Tohoku branch manager and took part in group discussions. The activities served to remind the new employees about the preciousness of life and encouraged them to think of ways they can help support the people in the regions affected by the disaster.