Murata and Society

Coexistence with society and local communities

Our approach to social/local contribution activities

Image of Murata employees visiting an elementary school to conduct a class
Image of Installation of solar streetlights

Thus far, Murata has endeavored to build relationships of mutual trust with local residents while gaining their understanding of our business and initiatives. This is an intangible but important asset, and we are thankful that we have been able to continue doing business to this day.
Murata produces a wide range of electronic components used all over the world, under the slogan, "Innovator in Electronics." At each of our business locations, we are engaged in activities with the goal to resolve local issues by applying available resources such as our manufacturing capabilities we have developed over our many years of business and by deepening cooperations through dialogs with local communities.
We strive to consider the impact of our business sites on local communities both domestically and overseas while actively hiring local people to vitalize local communities and create employment.
Through coexistence and co‐prosperity with local communities, Murata generates a continuous cycle of social value and economic value through innovation, and contributes to achieving a rich society by utilizing it to enhance the management capital.

Link: Respect for Human Rights
Link: Social/local contribution activity data

Murata's Basic Policy of Contribution Activities for Society and Community

Image-1 of the message to all company employees shared by our company founder in 1959, put up at one of our plants
Image-2 of the message to all company employees shared by our company founder in 1959, put up at one of our plants

The message to all company employees shared by our company founder in 1959, put up at one of our plants (former Ozowara Plant, now Fukui Murata Manufacturing)

Murata hopes to continue to be "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." Through dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders, including local residents, we will actively engage in ongoing social and community contribution activities to achieve our common goals of realizing a sustainable society and developing local communities.

  • Murata is deeply concerned with social issues, and we will use our unique strengths in activities that contribute to society.
  • We will fulfill our roles and responsibilities in accordance with the needs and characteristics of each region based on our activities in the region where we operate.
  • Emphasizing the participation of employees, we encourage and support each employee to actively engage in contact with society and the local community.
  • This policy is subject to periodic supervision by the Board of Directors.

Long-term Goals and Priority Areas

Long-term Goal
  • 2030 goals: To serve as a source of pride for the community, and where we co-exist and prosper together.
Priority areas Background/goal of initiatives
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*1 efforts such as science lectures and electronics workshops.
Performance indicator
  • Must continue implementing initiatives that enable children to have a interest in science
Results*2
Number of support activities for the development of the next generation
Priority areas
Support for the development of the next generation
Background/goal of initiatives
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*1 efforts such as science lectures and electronics workshops.
Performance indicator
  • Must continue implementing initiatives that enable children to have a interest in science
Results*2
Number of support activities for the development of the next generation
Priority areas Background/goal of initiatives
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.
Performance indicator
  • Must identify local needs and sustain a trust relationship with local communities
  • Must provide opportunities to communicate with local residents by opening up our workplaces, providing plant tours, and hosting events
Results*2
Number of local community support activities
Priority areas
Local community support
Background/goal of initiatives
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.
Performance indicator
  • Must identify local needs and sustain a trust relationship with local communities
  • Must provide opportunities to communicate with local residents by opening up our workplaces, providing plant tours, and hosting events
Results*2
Number of local community support activities
Priority areas Background/goal of initiatives
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.
Performance indicator
  • Must continue to implement environmental protection activities and have our employees actively participate
Results*2
Number of environmental protection support activities
Number of participants of Murata's Forest Activities
Priority areas
Environmental protection
Background/goal of initiatives
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.
Performance indicator
  • Must continue to implement environmental protection activities and have our employees actively participate
Results*2
Number of environmental protection support activities
Number of participants of Murata's Forest Activities
Priority areas Background/goal of initiatives
Cultural support
(arts, sports, and traditional cultural 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.
Performance indicator
  • Must continue to provide support for arts, sports, and traditional cultural industries
Results*2
Number of cultural support activities
Priority areas
Cultural support
(arts, sports, and traditional cultural industries)
Background/goal of initiatives
Art and culture make life interesting, by moving people and bringing joy. Sports culture helps to keep people healthy in both mind and body. Additionally, traditional industries are valued and handed down from generation to generation, and can form a foundation for local communities. Murata will work to help vitalize local communities through providing cultural support, under the understanding that culture is an important factor contributing to social development.
Performance indicator
  • Must continue to provide support for arts, sports, and traditional cultural industries
Results*2
Number of cultural support activities
Priority areas Background/goal of initiatives
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 and Education Foundation, we support students studying at universities in various countries and regions.
Performance indicator
  • Must continue to provide support for various sciences that are to become foundations for technical development
Results*2
Number of Academic support activities
Priority areas
The visiting class to experiential programming
Background/goal of initiatives
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 and Education Foundation, we support students studying at universities in various countries and regions.
Performance indicator
  • Must continue to provide support for various sciences that are to become foundations for technical development
Results*2
Number of Academic support activities
  • *1

    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.

  • *2

    See here for fiscal 2024 results.

Promotion system

Murata has established the "Social/Local Contribution Committee" as a subcommittee under the CSR Management Committee, which is chaired by the President. This committee supports and promotes the activities of the entire Group, with the Officer Responsible for Social/Local Contribution Activities serving as the overall manager. Our domestic and overseas business sites engage in social contribution activities through dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders including members of the local community, based on our basic policy.
We have also introduced the following, so that employees can understand social contribution activities and take an active role in them.

  • Employees are provided with opportunities to participate in social contribution activities through their business site.
  • We have introduced President's Awards, a volunteering leave system, and a regional contribution point system.
  • Information on social contribution activities is shared at each business site through the intranet and internal newsletters.
Image of Promotion system

Link: Murata’s Corporate Governance System

Examples of activities

Support for the development of the next generation

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.

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.

Students interacting with "hand-cranked generators" at a local elementary school visit by Wuxi Murata Electronics Co., Ltd. and Murata Energy Device Wuxi Co., Ltd.
Programming education in a visiting class provided by Okayama Murata Manufacturing at a nearby elementary school
Image of environmental education
Implemented environmental education hosted jointly by Lake Biwa Museum and Murata Manufacturing in which participants learn about the mechanism of microbes at the Yasu business site.
Classes for electronic music boxes created using electronic components were held at Saitama Murata Manufacturing.

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 hereOpen the New Window for more details.

Image-1 of “Mulabo!” interactive science facility for children
Image-2 of “Mulabo!” interactive science facility for children

Local community support

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.

A Christmas party held by Taiwan Murata Electronics Co., Ltd. The Christmas presents were gathered by employees.
Sabae Murata Manufacturing and the employees' association working together to gather food and stationary supplies from employees during a food drive

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.

Beginner's Japanese language classroom with equipment donated by Izumo Murata Manufacturing
Access workers dispatched by Fukui Murata Manufacturing to help students who cannot speak Japanese

Environmental protection

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.

Trees being planted by Murata Electronics Trading Mexico, S. A. de C. V.
Okayama Murata Manufacturing creates biotopes to help preserve local ecosystems. In this photo, a bird watching tour is being held for children.

Cultural support (sports, arts, and traditional culture industries)

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.

Professional golfer Haruka Kawasaki who had signed a professional contract from November 2022
"Murata Cup Table Tennis Tournament" held by Shenzhen Murata Technology Co., Ltd.

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 hereOpen the New Window for details on Tensai Art KYOTO)

"Rakuchu-Rakugai Denshizu," an original art piece for Murata Manufacturing with artist Tachiko Oba and Executive Corporate Advisor Tsuneo Murata
Headquarters lobby
  • Tensai means God-given Talent in Japan.

Academic support

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 and Education 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. Renamed to Murata Science and Education Foundation in 2023 and started providing grants for schools and faculty in order to promote STEAM education and production education from fiscal 2024. See here for data regarding amount of grants and number of cases. Our domestic and overseas business sites also support research projects at universities and offer scholarships to students.

Murata Science and Education Foundation research grant award ceremony
The "Murata Cup" contest for science and technology-related ideas and works submitted by university students, held by Wuxi Murata Electronics Co., Ltd.

Example: Providing students with "opportunities to learn"
Murata makes use of company facilities and additional resources to provide students with opportunities to learn practical knowledge and experiences.
Sendai Murata Manufacturing worked with Miyagi Gakuin Women's University to create healthy menus for the employee cafeteria with students, renewed the cafeteria design, and hosted physical fitness tests to promote employee health.

Kanazawa Murata Manufacturing collaborated with students at the Kanazawa College of Art on designing decorative lighting
Sendai Murata Manufacturing worked with Miyagi Gakuin Women's University to support students studying to become registered nutritionists, who created company meal menus, as part of their graduation projects

Others

Other types of support

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: Employee-led CSR programs
With Murata Electronics North America, Inc. (United States) taking the lead, the employee-led CSR program "Count mea in" was initiated at a business site located in the North American continent in 2022. "Count mea in" is an employee-led volunteer activity in which employees form working groups to determine and execute volunteer activities required in the region. In fiscal 2023, each group donated everyday goods and toys, performed cleaning activities as well as tree-planting activities during the holiday season. A large number of employees participated in these activities.

Donation of toys by the California Sales Office of Murata Electronics North America, Inc.
Beach cleaning activities by Resonant Inc.

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 hereOpen the New Window for details on Fukushima Sunflower Foster- Parent Project)

Sunflowers within Tohoku Murata Manufacturing
Employees of Izumo Murata Manufacturing and children of "muRata Yume no Mori Nursery School" growing sunflowers together

Fiscal 2024 social/local contribution activity data

In fiscal 2024, the Murata Group spent Approximately 894 million yen on social/local contribution activities. This total includes donations, advertising, administrative overhead expenses, and the labor costs of employees participating during working hours.

Pie chart showing the percentages of priority areas
Percentages of priority areas
Pie chart showing the percentages of items of expenditure
Percentages of items of expenditure