Examples of activities
Support for the development of the next generation
Murata produces a wide range of electronic components used all over the world, under the slogan, "Innovator in Electronics." We apply our manufacturing philosophy and the scientific technologies we have developed over our many years of business, in supporting the development of the next generation through engaging in STEAM education* efforts such as science lectures and electronics workshops.
- * STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, liberal Arts, and Mathematics) education is an approach in which education focusing on creativity is combined with education focusing on science and mathematics.
Example: School visits based on local needs
In order to communicate the kinds of work performed by the engineers who support our manufacturing and the interesting aspects of such work as a manufacturing company, we host science lectures and visiting classes for elementary and middle school students at domestic and overseas business sites. We continue to conduct school visits according to local needs, such as the "Control the Teacher Robot!!" school visit that allows students to experience programming, electronics workshops, environmental courses to raise interest in environmental preservation, and career education.
Example: "Mulabo!" interactive science facility for children
On December 16, 2020, the "Mulabo!" interactive science facility for children opened in the Minato MIRAI Innovation Center. Established to contribute to STEAM education and cultural development, it features four entertaining zones built around the concept of "places where fledgling engineers are born" and is designed to appeal to people of all ages and can be enjoyed through repeated visits. Entry is free of charge. See here for more details.
Local community support
Murata hopes to continue to follow our founder's wishes and operate as "a company whose presence in local communities is a source of pride and joy to those communities as well as a company that our employees are proud and happy to work for." We continue to engage in activities to help build trust relationships with local communities and to help develop a sustainable society.
Example: Employees gathering goods to donate to institutions and individuals in need
Our domestic and overseas business sites perform various types of charity work, including donations to senior care facilities and Foster Home, and food and toy drives. Food and toy drives are charity events where employees gather food and toys to distribute to institutions and individuals in need.
Example: Supporting local multiculturalism
We support local multiculturalism by donating equipment and dispatching interpreters to elementary and middle schools with many Brazilian children of Japanese ancestry through Izumo Murata Manufacturing and Fukui Murata Manufacturing.
Environmental protection
In addition to aiming to reduce the environmental load of our business activities, we believe it is crucial to actively establish abundant environments with local communities. We aim to harmonize with local communities and engage in ecosystem conservation and restoration activities that consider the relationship between business activities and biodiversity.
Example: Forest conservation and greenification activities
Murata has formulated a Green Basic Policy that establishes the creation, maintenance, and development of “cultural environments” as one of our corporate social responsibilities. Based on this policy, we are conducting greenification activities at each of our worksites that harmonize with the culture and nature of the local region.
Cultural support (sports, arts, and traditional culture industries)
Art and culture make life interesting, by moving people and bringing joy. Sports culture helps to keep people healthy in both mind and body. Traditional industries are valued and handed down from generation to generation, and can form a foundation for local communities. Murata works to help vitalize local communities through providing cultural support, under the understanding that culture is an important factor contributing to social development.
Example: Vitalizing local communities through sports
We sponsor professional sports teams both domestically and overseas, and volunteer at local sports tournaments, with the goal of vitalizing local communities through sports.
Example: Support for Tensai* Art KYOTO
Murata recognizes and supports the initiatives of Tensai Art KYOTO (Specified Nonprofit Corporation Art Promotion Research Institute for Persons with Disabilities) that supports artistic activities performed by persons with disabilities. An original art piece was created for us on May 2023. Additionally, as a form of continuous support, we have rented the original work, and exhibited it in our headquarters lobby. (Go here for details on Tensai Art KYOTO)
- * Tensai means God-given Talent in Japan.
Academic support
Since its founding, Murata has developed technology with the support of many academic researchers in various areas. In addition to contributing to the improvement and development of academics by providing support through the Murata Science Foundation, we support students studying at universities in various countries and regions.
Example: Academic research support for students and researchers
The Murata Science Foundation was established in 1985 to contribute to the development of science and technology. We offer grants for research projects that improve or advance science and technology, or that help resolve issues in the humanities and social sciences fields. We also encourage researchers to interact internationally. Our domestic and overseas business sites also support research projects at universities and offer scholarships to students. See here for data regarding amount of grants and number of cases.
Example: Providing students with "opportunities to learn"
Murata makes use of company facilities, etc. to provide students with "opportunities to learn." Students studying to become nutritionists have had fewer opportunities for practical training at external facilities in recent years, due to COVID-19. In response to this situation, Sendai Murata Manufacturing and Kanazawa Murata Manufacturing offered their employee cafeterias to be used by students to practice preparing healthy meals.
Others
Murata provides donations and other types of support, to help individuals and regions recover from large-scale disasters. Recently, we have been donating materials required by medical institutions and public facilities, in order to help prevent COVID-19 infection.
Example: Initiatives to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection
Murata conducted verification experiments in shopping districts on using "AIRSual" (a space visualization solution that renders and analyzes CO2 concentration in real-time) to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. Through urging people to ventilate closed spaces as needed, this solution helps people avoid the three Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings) and can help prevent infection clusters from forming. It is currently being used in locations such as schools, restaurants, and tourist attractions.
Example: Participated in the Fukushima Sunflower Foster- Parent Project
The Fukushima Sunflower Foster- Parent Project is a reconstruction assistance activity for the Great East Japan Earthquake (also the Fukushima nuclear disaster) that was initiated in May 2011 by the Specified Nonprofit Corporation Team Fukushima. Murata recognized this initiative and several domestic business sites participated in the project. (Go here for details on Fukushima Sunflower Foster- Parent Project)