Interactions with Local Communities
A Farm of Our Own
In 2012, we opened HORIBA Blueberry Farm "Joy & Fun" in Takashima City, Shiga, with the aim of contributing to the local community by cultivating deserted arable land, reducing environmental impact by growing organic produce, and promoting the health of our employees.
At the farm, we grow blueberries, seasonal vegetables, organic cotton, and other products. Every year, a total of 1,200 employees and their family members participate in farming events, such as sowing and harvesting. Vegetables and fruits harvested here are used at office cafeterias and training centers or processed into jam and juice, which visitors can take home.
Radiation Education in Fukushima
Since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident brought about by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Fukushima Prefecture's government has been measuring environmental radiation to support safe living. To carry out this measurement, many units of the HORIBA environmental radiation monitor Radi are used. In addition to selling Radi, HORIBA has engaged in low-profile activities such as providing citizens with measurement opportunities and educating them through such experience that they can understand invisible phenomena such as radiation.
In November 2017, the Hoshasen-Bosai Kyoiku Forum ("Radiation and Disaster Prevention Education Forum") was held in Miharu Town, Tamura District of Fukushima Prefecture. HORIBA employees set up a section to perform a radiation dose mapping demonstration. Many young students deepened their understanding of invisible radiation by trying out Radi's feature for displaying measured radiation doses on a map.
Participation in the Himawari no Kizuna Project ("Sunflower Project")
As a part of the Himawari no Kizuna Project ("Sunflower Project: Precious Life and Anti-Traffic Accident Movement from Kyoto"), we received sunflower seeds (4 boxes of 100 seeds each) from Kyoto Minami Police Station in June 2017.
The Himawari no Kizuna Project is an anti-traffic accident awareness-raising initiative. Seeds of sunflowers grown by a four-year-old boy who was killed in a traffic accident six years ago have been distributed to and raised by police stations and communities across Japan. With sunflowers blooming every year as the project's symbol, its objective is to communicate to people the importance of traffic safety as well as the importance of life.
In solidarity with the resolve to prevent any further loss of life in traffic accidents and increase in the number of people left in sadness, HORIBA grows sunflowers at its operation bases in Japan, gives the seeds to nearby kindergartens and employees' families, and expands the circle of this traffic accident prevention project to the areas around its operation bases.