Mitsubishi 2009 Annual Report Download - page 29

Responsibility to Society
Main Activities
1. Support for the next generation
Hands-on Lesson Program
The Hands-on Lesson Program began in fiscal year 2005, and is
based on the concept of enabling children to enjoy learning by
experiencing the “real thing.” MMC employees visit children
mainly at elementary schools close to MMC business offices to
give hands-on lessons on topics such as the environment cen-
tered on test rides in the i-MiEV electric vehicle, and car design,
with guidance from designers and modelers.
KidZania
MMC has unveiled an exhibit at KidZania Koshien, which opened
in March 2009, following the success of its exhibit at KidZania
Tokyo since October 2006.
At the Mitsubishi Motors Pavilion, children can experience
the intrinsic attractiveness and fun of automobiles and the plea-
sure of driving through activities at a simulated “Driver’s License
Testing Office,” “Rent-A-Car Center,” “Auto Factory” (Koshien
only) and “Car Design Studio” (Tokyo only). By encouraging
young people to think and act on their own in the course of
these activities, MMC aims to help young people obtain the
qualities needed for success in the context of modern social
frameworks and in social life, such as teamwork, proactivity and
communication skills.
2. Traffic safety
Car School
The Car School is a driving instruction program in which all par-
ticipants think, learn and enjoy driving together with instructors in
the course of studying driving techniques, automobiles, safety
and other topics. MMC has been running the Car School pro-
gram since 1995 as part of its safe driving educational activities.
MMC is actively engaged in community-focused activities to build a sustainable relationship with society as a
good corporate citizen.
3. Environmental preservation
The Pajero Forest
MMC has named an approximately three-hectare area of moun-
tain forest in Hayakawa-cho, Yamanashi Prefecture as “Pajero
Forest,” and has been working to preserve and cultivate the
forest while deepening exchanges with local residents through
volunteer activities.
In fiscal year 2008, a troop of volunteers, including employees
and their families, conducted a range of activities in an area
where tree saplings were planted in the previous year. These
activities included cutting undergrowth, installing deer-proof
fences, nature watching and birdhouse construction. The volun-
teers also built wooden benches from wood obtained from forest
thinning activities as a means of making effective use of these
resources, and supplied the benches to MMC business offices.
4. Participation in local communities
Factory Tours
The Nagoya Plant, Powertrain Plant (Kyoto Plant, Shiga Plant),
Mizushima Plant and Pajero Manufacturing Co., Ltd. have opened
up their production lines and other facilities to local elementary
schools and residents as a place for social study.
In fiscal year 2008, the total number of visitors at all MMC
business sites combined was approximately 42,000.
Other
MMC conducts other kinds of volunteer activities such as regional
beautification, lending of MMC facilities, and cooperation in
regional events.
Corporate Citizenship Activity Policy
MMC is tackling four key themes with respect to corporate citizenship activities: Support for the next generation, Traffic
safety, Environmental preservation, and Participation in local communities. These are being promoted as MMC’s “STEP”
corporate citizenship activities based on our corporate philosophy.
1. Support for the next generation Supporting the education of the next generation to create a prosperous future.
2. Traffic safety
Contributing to traffic safety education and the spread of safe driving to create a
zero-accident society.
3. Environmental preservation Contributing to preservation of our precious global environment.
4. Participation in local communities Contributing to the revitalization and development of regional communities.
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Annual Report 2009 MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION