In Japan, we strive to blend in with the regions in which we conduct business, pursuing regionally grounded activities in partnership with domestic facilities, dealerships, and group companies in an effort to coexist with the local community. We have established Philanthropy Offices at our headquarters and five facilities around Japan. Philanthropy Offices in each of Honda's 5 factories and the Philanthropy Office at our headquarters communicate closely to verify progress in common initiatives while sharing information.
Children's Idea Contest
This contest, which encourages elementary school students throughout Japan to draw pictures of their future aspirations and dreams, was launched in 2002 in an effort to communicate Honda's manufacturing culture to the next generation. In 2012, the contest marked its 10th year. By helping children realize the importance and fun of nurturing such dreams, striving to achieve them, and making things, it strives to contribute to their social growth. More than 27,000 children have participated in the contest so far. We began holding similar contests in Thailand in 2005 and in Vietnam in 2008. Going forward, Honda will continue this program as a way to help foster children's autonomy and creativity.
The 9th grand prize winner in the upper-grades category presenting her project, "Experiencing scenes: A Camera Album"
Nature Wagon
Nature Wagon is a traveling environmental learning program that brings a van filled with natural objects and materials from the ocean and mountains to elementary schools, community centers, and similar factories. Retired Honda associates volunteer to conduct lectures on natural mechanisms and the importance of conserving the environment, lead children in making crafts with wood and stones, and otherwise help them gain new awareness of—and think in new ways about—nature and the environment. FY2012, a total of 7,200 children participated in 144 Nature Wagon sessions conducted by 5 Honda factories.
Volunteers help children extend their own autonomy.
Dream Hands
Dream Hands is an introductory handicraft program that children can experience while having fun creating Honda-designed crafts cardboard. Current and retired Honda associates volunteers provide support as participating children experience the joy of creating things. During FY2012, about 6,600 children participated in a total of 150 Dream Hands sessions conducted by 8 Honda facilities.
Children assemble a large number of parts one at a time with their own hands, not stopping until the project is finished.
Honda Beach Clean-up activities
Working with local residents, current and retired Honda Group associates clean sand beaches throughout Japan using a simple, compact, and lightweight towable beach cleaner designed for easy operation. The device was developed by Honda based on the desire of associates to preserve barefoot beaches for future generations. During FY2012, some 3,700 people participated in 25 beach-cleaning events.
Honda associates clean a beach together with local residents.
Watershed preservations in Japan
The water we use is carried by rivers from the mountains to the sea. Forests near river headwaters store water over long periods of time and help sustain the flow of rivers. Honda is involved with forest conservation activities led by current and retired associate volunteers at all of its facilities in order to help preserve these precious Watersheds for future generations. FY2012, more than 300 volunteers participated in a total of 9 projects in 6 locations.
Associate volunteers participate in a project to watershed preservations activity.
Traffic safety education and promotion activities
For more information about Honda's traffic safety education and promotion activities, see below.
