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Toray Group conducts educational support activities to guide those who will become the leaders of a sustainable world. These activities include science and environmental programs to spark more interest in science among elementary and junior high school students, as well as career education and Toray plant tours.

Supporting Science Education in Schools (Sending Employees to Teach Classes, Providing Educational Materials)

In order to raise awareness of the environment and interest in the sciences, Toray Group has developed environmental education and science experiment programs that employ some of its products. Delivering these programs, Toray Group employees teach classes at local elementary, junior and senior high schools. With the return to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a gradual increase in requests from schools for program participation. In fiscal 2023, Toray instructors conducted in-person classes at 19 schools.
The teachers who hosted school visits by Toray instructors completed a survey, which revealed an extremely high level of satisfaction with the program. One elementary school teacher noted that the students participated in the experiments enthusiastically, and gained a deeper understanding of filtration. Another primary school teacher indicated that the class was presented as an opportunity to think about the SDGs, which is something the school focusses on. The teacher got a sense that the class content was relevant to the students’ future careers. A junior high school teacher said the class was excellent and “It was very compelling and inspiring to have visitors who are working on the frontlines of production and research.” A similar survey of the Toray employees who taught classes at the schools revealed that it provided a good opportunity to renew their appreciation of Toray Group initiatives, and it was good practice for communicating ideas clearly to others. The feedback confirmed that the program is having a positive impact.
The Group also provided teaching materials and lent laboratory equipment to 72 elementary, junior high, and senior high schools across Japan. The materials are not only used in science classes but, thanks to the creativity of teachers, they have also been used in other classes such as integrated studies, social studies, SDG education, and environmental studies. The materials were described as “very convenient and easy for teachers to use, making them easy to incorporate into lessons,” and some schools have repeatedly applied for the program year after year.

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Toray employees delivering science lessons

■ Results of Questionnaire on Science Classes and Teaching Materials Provided by Toray Group

Education Support Activities for Career Education, Company Tours, and Other Programs

In addition to science experiment lessons and environmental education programs, Toray Group responds to requests from local schools, boards of education, and non-profit organizations, collaborating on career education, office and plant tours, and online interviews regarding certain professions and businesses. Along with lessons that feature Toray Group's SDG initiatives, Toray Industries provided career-related talks to junior high and high school students by explaining job descriptions at Toray. The instructors also shared stories from their own school days and covered other topics that would be useful for students when considering their future career paths. Group companies also welcomed local elementary, junior high, and senior high school students for company visits and plant tours.
Among group companies in Japan, Toray Research Center Inc. collaborated with an active learning program at a college of technology, providing online lectures and technical advice on group work projects. Other group companies in Japan carried out a range of activities such as career education sessions and plant tours for young people. Group companies outside Japan also give career-related talks and plant tours to local students and provide education to foster awareness of safety, disaster prevention, and the environment. Toray Group employees in Malaysia gave talks on plastic (PET) bottle recycling at elementary and junior high schools in Penang, as well as at the Penang Japanese School. They focused on education to raise youth environmental awareness. Toray Textiles Central Europe s.r.o. in the Czech Republic also actively welcomed local students for plant tours.
The Group has also long been committed to promoting sport. Its volleyball team, Toray Arrows Inc., and the Group’s Kendo (Japanese fencing) club have been involved in supporting children’s physical development through coaching and on-site instruction at schools.

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Toray Industries welcomed junior and senior high school students from across Japan for a talk on career opportunities and the Toray Group's SDG initiatives. (Toray Industries, Inc. CSR Operations Dept.)

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Elementary school students visited Toray for a factory tour. The children were very interested to see inside the factory, which was a completely new experience for them. (Toray Industries, Inc. Shiga Plant, Seta Plant and Chiba Plant)

• University students on a factory tour of Toray Industries research and development operations experienced the power of materials through concept car test drives and opportunities to touch actual product samples. (Toray Industries, Inc. Nagoya Plant)
• To foster interest in the technology and innovation that North Alabama is known for, an employee from the Decatur Plant gave a presentation at a local university. He explained the history of carbon fiber development and gave an overview of the Toray plant’s business activities. (Toray Composite Materials America, Inc.)

• As part of a used clothing collection project, The Power of Clothing, being promoted by UNIQLO Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Toray gave a talk on PET bottle recycling for students in grades 5 to 9 at the Penang Japanese School. (Toray Group Companies in Malaysia)
• In response to a request from the Shanghai Japanese School, the Group welcomed some of its high school students. The aim was to help them experience the excitement of research and development and discover the connection between R&D activities in business and the chemistry and physics they study in high school. The visit helped to inspire students as they consider their future career paths. [Toray Advanced Materials Research Laboratories (China) Co., Ltd.]

• Toray Industries was contacted by high school students expressing their support for the &+^™ brand concept and the related initiatives encouraging public participation in its Recycling Story. In response, an employee visited their school and gave a presentation to explain how Toray obtains recycled fiber from collected PET bottles. (Toray Industries, Inc. Fibers & Textiles Circular Economy Strategic Planning Dept.）
• To convey the appeal of the manufacturing industry in Fukushima Prefecture to local high school students about to enter the workforce, the Group collaborated with the Fukushima Prefectural government on the “Kando! Fukushima” (Exciting Fukushima!) project. Toray Building Materials hosted a factory tour for the Fukushima Governor and local high school students. (Toray Building Materials Co., Ltd.)

• Workplace tours were given to students of a nearby industrial high school. After a presentation on Toray Engineering, students visited the fiber manufacturing line at the Toray Industries Mishima Plant. (Toray Engineering Co., Ltd.)
• The Group participated in the “Exciting and Thrilling (Wakuwaku Dokidoki) SDG Junior Project” being promoted by the Osaka Prefectural Board of Education. A Chori employee visited a junior high school in Osaka Prefecture and provided advice on solutions to SDG challenges that the students had researched and considered. (Chori Co., Ltd.)

• Toray Arrows team members visited an elementary school in Mishima City to teach the fundamentals of volleyball during a physical education class. They also conveyed the importance and enjoyment of connecting with each other through the game and teamwork. (Toray Arrows Volleyball Club Shizuoka)
• A Toray Arrows team member gave a career talk to junior high school students about the excitement of being a professional athlete and the meaning of work. (Toray Arrows Volleyball Club Shizuoka)

• Toray Arrows members collaborated with local governments and volleyball associations across Japan to conduct volleyball clinics and school visits. (Toray Arrows Volleyball Club Shiga)
• In addition to their own training activities, the Toray Kendo Club provides Japanese fencing instruction to local elementary and junior high school students. Through the martial art of Kendo, they contribute to the development of children and promote interaction with the local community. (Toray Industries, Inc. Okazaki Plant)

Toray Program for the Summer Riko Challenge 2023

Toray Industries supports the Riko Challenge initiative led by the Gender Equality Bureau of Japan’s Cabinet Office. At the R&D Innovation Center for the Future located in Toray’s Shiga Plant, the Company hosted an event for junior and senior high school students called, “Summer Riko Challenge 2023: Creating a Prosperous Future Society through the Power of Science—Toray's Research Experience Program.” The event provided students with the opportunity to learn about Toray research and the science and engineering work that the company does.
Along with a tour of the R&D Innovation Center, the participants made their own rubber stamps using Toray materials, listened to a talk on research-related jobs, and had roundtable discussions with researchers. The students were able to enjoy meaningful interactions with employees working at various research facilities. The junior and senior high school students who participated in the event shared their thoughts afterwards. One said they were interested in becoming a researcher, so it was great for them to listen to someone actually conducting research. Another student expressed their excitement to see the lab where experiments are actually carried out.

• Tour of the R&D Innovation Center for the Future
• Discussions with researchers

• Group photo

Promoting Communication Between Education and Business Worlds

Through its participation in the Business Training for Japanese School Teachers program offered by the Keizai Koho Center, and with the cooperation of the Shizuoka Prefectural Board of Education, Toray Industries’ Mishima Plant welcomes some 10 teachers each year. During the training, the participants learn that, since its founding, Toray Industries has emphasized people-centric management and is focused on human resource development. At its production sites, the Company prioritizes employee safety as well as environmental disaster prevention, thereby promoting greater safety and security for society while coexisting with the local community. Through lectures, group work, and site tours, the teachers come to understand that Toray values each employee and emphasizes human resource development. They also gain an appreciation of how the manufacturing industry operates in cooperation with local communities. In this way, they discover similarities and differences between manufacturing and classroom education. In feedback provided by the participating teachers each year, they often express their intention to utilize the lessons and insights they have gained in the classroom, enabling them to provide better guidance to students. They frequently describe the training as an extremely valuable experience.
(Toray Industries, Inc. Toray Human Resources Development Center, Mishima Plant)

• Teachers listening to a lecture on human resource development
• Conducting hazard prediction training

Workshops at the Science Museum

Since 2012, Toray Industries has been conducting two workshops, which use filtration experiments to examine the importance of the Earth's water, and the amazing properties of fibers, at the Science Museum located in Kitanomaru Park in Tokyo, every day that the museum is open. In fiscal 2023, approximately 6,500 people, from young children to adults, attended the workshops.

Supporting the Biology Olympiad

Aozora Science School

Since 2015, Toray Industries has organized the Aozora Science School¹, a hands-on learning program to foster children’s interest in and an affinity for science by offering fun activities to learn about science in the natural environment. In fiscal 2023, 180 elementary school students participated in the program online and in-person. The outdoor activities were conducted at “Mori To Mizuumi No Rakuen,” a camp resort near Lake Kawaguchi, not far from Mt. Fuji.
The outdoor program, which included an overnight stay for the first time in four years, featured unique activities designed to make science fun through play. These included a water purification experiment using Toray's hollow fiber membranes to purify water from Lake Kawaguchi, as well as colorful palette-creation activity, where participants produced colors from natural materials. The 2023 program also featured lessons on how to run faster and jump farther by the trainer who coaches Toray’s Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, a world-class sprinter. Sani Brown also provided a personal video message for the participants along with autographed stickers.
In the online classroom, students learned using experiment kits sent to them in advance. The activities included a “water dance experiment,” which involved dripping water on a Toray water-repellent textile and observing how water drops roll around on the fabric surface, as well as a “seed plane experiment,” in which participants take hints from how plants grow as inspiration to make model airplanes. There was also a “sparkling spectrum experiment” using Toray’s nano-layered polyester film PICASUS™ to create colors.
In both the outdoor and online classrooms, the children were full of lively opinions and questions. They demonstrated a high level of awareness, a natural sense of wonder, and were amazed by their learning discoveries.

1. 1 Aozora Science School: A hands-on educational camp designed by Toray Industries, supervised by Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. and provided by JTB Corporation.

• Discovering how water purification works using a model
• Students participating online

• Group photo of participants

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Toray Group has outlined a corporate philosophy of “contributing to society through the creation of new value with innovative ideas, technologies and products,” which the Group delivers on by practicing innovation. In order to continuously deliver innovation, the Group must secure and develop talented human resources. For this reason, the Group takes a long-term perspective on human resource development. One way it does this is by contributing to the promotion and support of basic science and science education in society, which is one of the main social contribution activities of the Group, through the activities of Toray Science Foundation and Toray Science Foundations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Republic of Korea.

Toray Science Foundation

Toray Science Foundation was established way back in 1960 to help advance science, technology and culture. The Foundation created quite a stir when it was first established, as it was a pioneering foundation of its kind, and its activities continue to win high praise today. Its support activities include grants and prizes in the fields of basic science and science education that are offered by no other similar organizations.

2023 Presentation Ceremony

In February 2024, the Toray Science Foundation chose the latest recipients of the 64th Toray Science and Technology Prizes, Toray Science and Technology Grants and the 55th Toray Science Education Prizes. At the 2023 presentation ceremony held in March 2024, the minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology and the president of the Japan academy gave congratulatory remarks. Toray Science and Technology Prizes were awarded to Dr. Akihiko Yoshimura (Professor, School of Medicine, Keio University) and Dr. Jian-Ren Shen (Dean and Professor, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University) They and the science educators who were awarded Toray Science Education Prizes, including the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize, received certificates, medals, and prize money. Grants totaling 130 million yen were awarded to 11 recipients of Science and Technology Grants.
In his address, Toray Industries Chairman of the Board and Toray Science Foundation Chairman Akihiro Nikkaku gave the following remarks. “In addition to the issues identified by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Japan faces numerous challenges as an aging society with a declining population. We are resource-poor nation that wants to maintain healthy and fulfilling lifestyles while continuing to grow and develop. That is why basic research to generate outstanding scientific and technological achievements has become increasingly critical. Through its research grant programs and recognition initiatives for researchers and educators, the Toray Science Foundation will continue advancing the development and promotion of basic science and science education in Japan.”

• Speech by Toray Industries Chairman of the Board and Toray Science Foundation Chairman Akihiro Nikkaku
• Recipients of the 2023 Science and Technology Grants

The Toray Science Education Prize's Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award, honors teachers who have achieved remarkable educational outcomes in junior and senior high school science education through creativity and ingenuity. The 2023 prize was awarded to Mr. Atsushi Shinozaki, Vice-Principal of Sano City Nishi Junior High School.

Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF)

In October 2023, MTSF held the 30th Malaysia Toray Science Foundation Presentation Ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. MTSF awarded a total of 309,000 ringgit (equivalent to approx. 9.88 million yen) in prize money and grants to a total of 27 Malaysian recipients, including two scientists, 12 young researchers, and 13 science educators.
The memorable 30th Presentation Ceremony was held in grand style with approximately 140 attendees, including the Malaysian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chang Lih Kang, and the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Katsuhiko Takahashi.
In their congratulatory speeches, both Minister Chang and Ambassador Takahashi praised MTSF for its significant contribution to the development of science and technology in Malaysia over the past 30 years. Shigeki Taniguchi, Senior Vice President of Toray Industries, was also in attendance as a guest. He delivered a congratulatory message, remarking, “The corporate philosophy of Toray Group calls for contributing to society through the creation of new value. Under this philosophy we will continue our unwavering efforts to support the development of science and technology in Malaysia.” Afterward, MTSF’s 30th anniversary commemorative publication, which had just been released, was presented to Minister Chang, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony.

• Commemorative photo with award winners
• Release of MTSF’s 30th anniversary commemorative publication

Indonesia Toray Science Foundation (ITSF)

The 30th Indonesia Toray Science Foundation Presentation Ceremony was held in February 2024. ITSF awarded one Science and Technology Prize, 18 Science and Technology Research Grants, and 9 Science Education Prizes totaling 1.030 billion rupia (equivalent to approx. 9.95 million yen).
Shigeki Taniguchi, Senior Vice President at Toray Industries, was in attendance, and the event began with an address from ITSF Chairman Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko, who also serves as Chairman of Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency. Congratulatory video messages were presented from Yasushi Masaki, the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, and Professor Nizam, Acting Director-General of Higher Education, Research and Technology, at the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology.

• Commemorative photo with award winners
• Toray Industries Senior Vice President Shigeki Taniguchi and two Science and Technology Prize winners

Thailand Toray Science Foundation (TTSF)

The 30th Thailand Toray Science Foundation Presentation Ceremony was held in March 2024. TTSF awarded two Science and Technology Prizes (one to an individual and the other to an organization), 20 Science and Technology Research Grants, and eight Science Education Prizes totaling 5.53 million baht (equivalent to approx. 23.3 million yen) in prize money and grants.
At the Presentation Ceremony, Professor Suksun Horpibulsuk from Suranaree University of Technology delivered a speech on behalf of the awardees. He expressed gratitude for the recognition and research grants provided by TTSF, which have helped produce outstanding talent over the years in the field of science and technology in Thailand. He noted that TTSF’s rigorous selection and review process is widely known among Thai researchers, making the prestigious award a great honor. Toray Industries Chairman and TTSF Honorary Chairman Akihiro Nikkaku delivered a congratulatory message to the award winners and expressed his support for the promotion of science and technology in Thailand through TTSF's activities. He expressed his desire for TTSF to contribute to the country’s development and to work with the Thai people to help realize a more sustainable world. The ceremony concluded with a speech from the President of the Privy Council, General Surayud Chulanont, who, as the Chairman of the Ceremony Committee, expressed his deep appreciation for Toray’s business activities in Thailand over the decades and for TTSF's 30-year contribution to the development of science and technology in Thailand. He also thanked TTSF for honoring outstanding researchers while developing the next generation of talent.

• Toray Industries Chairman of the Board and TTSF Honorary Chairman Akihiro Nikkaku presents his remarks.
• Commemorative photo of Science and Technology Prize winners

Korea Toray Science Foundation (KTSF)

The 6th Korea Toray Science Foundation Presentation Ceremony was held in October 2023. About 170 participants, including award recipients, academics, industry representatives, and students, attended the event. KTSF awarded Science and Technology Prizes to two researchers for their outstanding research results and announced the selection of five young fellowship researchers aiming to promote new research activities. Each Science and Technology Prize recipient received 100 million won (approximately 11 million yen), and the selected fellowship researchers will receive 50 million won (approximately 5.5 million yen) each year for three years to support their research.
During the Presentation Ceremony, an academic symposium was held where six individuals, who have received a Science and Technology Prize or fellowship within in the past five years, presented their research achievements engaged in discussion. The participants included Distinguished Professor Jang Seok-bok from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Professor Kilwon Cho from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH).
In his welcoming remarks during the ceremony, Toray Industries Chairman of the Board Akihiro Nikkaku expressed his hope that the Foundation will continue to promote science and technology and nurture scientists while contributing to mutual understanding, friendship and goodwill between the Republic of Korea and Japan.

• Commemorative photo with award winners
• Academic symposium

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In addition to implementing initiatives to conserve the environment around its production sites, Toray Group companies collaborate with non-profits and municipal governments on ongoing efforts to clean up rivers and shorelines and maintain forests.

Toray Group Arakawa Clean Aid

Since 2014, the Toray Industries Tokyo Head Office has partnered with the non-profit Arakawa Clean Aid Forum to hold the Toray Group Arakawa Clean Aid event. This activity involves cleaning up litter along the banks of the Arakawa River, while learning about the impact of rubbish in rivers on the global environment and local ecosystems. However, this activity is not just about picking up trash, but rather gathering and identifying each piece of litter by type on a River Rubbish Survey Card, and then sorting it accordingly. Before the day of the clean-up, participants attended an environmental lecture by the Arakawa Clean Aid Forum. By learning about the current situation for river and marine debris, the impact of garbage on living things, and how living things are connected to our lives, the participants realized the significance of clean-up activities and became more interested in the nature and biodiversity around them. This event is a meaningful way to learn how the problem of plastic waste is connected to our daily lives.
Previously, the clean-up was held once a year, but due to its popularity among participants, in 2023 it was increased to twice a year to provide more opportunities for participation. At the 9th Arakawa Clean Aid event held in April 2024, 52 participants carried out clean-up work, including Toray Group employees and their families, and the 2024 Toray Campaign Girl, Haruka Mase. They picked up a total of 52 bags of trash, including 26 bags of combustible garbage, two bags of non-combustible garbage, 13 bags of plastic bottles, and 11 bags of cans and bottles, along with 11 large waste items. In a questionnaire filled out after the event, the participants expressed their positive feelings about the experience. Comments included: “The environmental talk at the start was informative, and I think it changed my awareness during the clean-up,” “I found it interesting to learn not just about the clean-up campaign but also about ecosystems,” “It was great to connect with people from departments I don’t usually interact with,” and “It was a good opportunity to reflect on my own life.” Ms. Mase also provided feedback saying, “It was my first environmental clean-up event, and I was surprised by how much trash we found. I kept wondering how it all ended up here.” Her comment resonated with many participants.

• Clean-up participants
• The nature observation activity enabled participants to observe the various types of wildlife that live in the Arakawa River and to think about the importance of preserving biodiversity.

• 2024 Toray Campaign Girl Haruka Mase also participated in the clean-up
• Group photo of the clean-up participants

Biodiversity Conservation Activities in Green Spaces at Toray Facilities

The Tokai Plant of Toray Industries is promoting activities based on the Toray Group Greening Guidelines in order to maintain and nurture the green space that it has preserved since it began operating in 1971. Based on a deep awareness of the importance of social contribution, the Tokai Plant is expanding its initiatives for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem preservation.
As part of these efforts, the plant joined Project Linking Life with One Another², which aims to form an ecological network of corporate greenbelts along the coast of the Chita Peninsula and foster the next generation of leadership. The project works with students, companies, government agencies, and experts from the local community to engage in activities that promote the coexistence of people and nature and the preservation of biodiversity. The plant is working to foster future talent using its green space, such as giving students access to these spaces for environmental research fieldwork. This also plays an important role as a tool for communicating with the local community. In September 2023, the plant participated in an event called LOVE! GREEN DAY 2023, sponsored by the Project Linking Life with One Another, which allows the public to experience the green spaces of participating companies. The facility welcomed 40 participants, including local children and their parents, experts, and the university student members of the project executive committee. They participated in fieldwork activities such as observing wildlife in the waterside biotope and learned about the plant's biodiversity initiatives.
As a result of its efforts to conserve biodiversity and help develop the next generation of human resources, the plant was certified as Excellent Stage 2 in the OMA (Operation, Management and Active use) category of the Social and Environmental Green Evaluation System (SEGES)³, a green certification program provided by Japan's Organization for Landscape and Urban Green Infrastructure.
Moreover, Aichi Prefecture, where the Tokai Plant is located, adopted the Aichi Biodiversity Strategy 2030 in February 2021. This strategy aims to promote initiatives related to biodiversity conservation through collaboration among a variety of entities such as companies, universities, environmental organizations, and government agencies. Companies are expected to play a central role in local communities by contributing to biodiversity conservation through activities such as developing biotopes on company premises and having employees participate in conservation activities. Therefore, in order to promote corporate initiatives related to biodiversity conservation, in 2022, Aichi Prefecture established the Aichi Biodiversity Company Certification Program to recognize companies that are implementing outstanding initiatives in this area. The Tokai Plant is collaborating with university students to conserve the rare southern Japanese rice fish that lives in the plant biotope, along with an herbaceous plant Fujibakama that helps provide a network of ecosystems for the chestnut tiger butterfly. As a result, Toray Industries has been recognized as an Aichi Biodiversity Certified Company.
In 2023, the Chita Peninsula Greenbelt, a collaborative initiative involving various stakeholders including Toray Group, was certified as a “nature symbiosis site” by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. This kind of site is certified by the government as an area where biodiversity conservation is being promoted through private initiatives. The designation is part of Japan's 30by30 Roadmap initiative, based on the 2030 Nature Compact agreed upon at the G7 Summit in June 2021. The certification system was launched in fiscal 2023, and the Chita Peninsula Greenbelt was recognized as one of the first certified sites.

• LOVE! GREEN DAY 2023 participants
• An owl visiting the waterside biotope

• Fujibakama (Eupatorium japonicum) being cultivated at the Tokai Plant
• SEGES Excellent Stage 2 certification

• Aichi Biodiversity Certified Company logo

1. 2 Project Linking Life with One Another: A project based primarily in the corporate greenbelt along the coast of the Chita Peninsula that aims to form a network of ecosystems and nurture the next generation of leadership. Led by the student members of the Project Linking Life with One Another student executive committee, the project involves the collaboration of 12 companies, local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and experts who work together on a variety of activities to boost biodiversity in corporate green spaces and raise environmental awareness among local residents. The Project Linking Life with One Another student executive committee received the Prime Minister's Award for the 2020 Greening Promotion Movement, which is awarded to individuals and groups that have made outstanding contributions to the greening promotion movement.

1. 3 The Social and Environmental Green Evaluation System (SEGES): This system evaluates and certifies outstanding corporate green space initiatives that contribute to society and the environment. These initiatives include daily activities and efforts to help alleviate global warming and the heat island phenomenon, as well as conservation of local ecosystems, preservation and creation of good landscapes, building relationships with local communities, and safe and secure urban development. After being evaluated by a third-party review committee, successful candidates are certified by the Organization for Landscape and Urban Green Infrastructure. SEGES consists of three categories. In the SEGES OMA (Operation, Management and Active use) category, companies are evaluated and certified for outstanding activities to create or conserve their own green spaces. In the SEGES PDC (Planning, Designing and Construction) category, companies are evaluated and certified for outstanding green space environmental planning relating to property development and construction. In the SEGES ESW (Environmental Friendliness, Safety and Well-Being) category, companies are evaluated and certified for their efforts to provide comfortable and safe urban green spaces. As of April 2024, 154 corporate green spaces have been certified.

Environmental Activities at Offices and Plants

• Employees participated in a river clean-up organized by the Nagaizumi Town Environmental Beautification Promotion Council and tidied the banks of the Matsukawa River, which flows south of the plant. (Toray Industries, Inc. Mishima Plant)
• Employees conducted a clean-up activity on the Maekawa River embankment, adjacent to the plant. The collected waste was sorted and properly disposed. (Toray Industries, Inc. Chiba Plant)

• Employees picked up litter along roads leading to the plant and cleaned up Yahagi Minami Elementary School, which many of the employees' children attend. These efforts were planned to commemorate the third year of the plant’s neighborhood clean-up activities, which began in 2021 as part of local community contribution efforts. (Toray Industries, Inc. Okazaki Plant)
• Alongside participants from neighboring companies, Toray Industries employees participated in an event to scrub Nihonbashi Bridge, organized by the Nihonbashi Preservation Society. (Toray Industries, Inc. Head Office)

• As part of an event called “Kosugi iHUG Trefarm Citizen Volunteer Day” at the KOSUGI iHUG commercial complex, employees planted flowers along the facility’s green path. Together with local residents, they planted 110 pansy seedlings grown at the facility's TOREFARM^™ raised-bed sand cultivation farm. (Toray Construction Co., Ltd.)
• Students participated in the Lake Biwa Clean Campaign, which coordinates prefecture-wide clean-up activities to protect the environment of Lake Biwa. (Toray School of Technology & Business)

• In collaboration with Gumi city, where its plants are located, the company held a “plogging” event in which 1,400 employees walked through major areas of the city and picked up litter. (Toray Advanced Materials Korea Inc.)
• An award ceremony was held for the Toray &+ Recycling Competition 2023 Penang. The competition for the largest amount of PET bottles collected is open to elementary and middle schools in the Malaysian state of Penang, in partnership with the NPO Penang Green Council, which works to address environmental issues in the state. (Toray Group Companies in Malaysia)

• As part of greening efforts, employees participated in a tree-planting activity in collaboration with the local industry community. [Toray Film Products (Zhongshan) Ltd.]
• To mark Labor Day 2023, employees carried out tree planting and clean-up along the seaside promenade at nearby Bang Pu Recreation Center. They also installed sprinklers for automatic watering of the plants. [Toray Textile (Thailand) Public Company Limited]

• Employees participated in a clean-up activity at Lake Miramar in San Diego to commemorate Earth Day. The aim was to raise environmental awareness and help protect the planet. (Toray Membrane USA, Inc.)

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Sponsorship of the Tokyo Marathon and Initiatives for Sustainability

Toray Industries has sponsored the Tokyo Marathon since 2011 as a way to contribute to society through the promotion of sporting events. The Tokyo Marathon also promotes sustainability initiatives as part of its activities. As an ongoing joint sustainability initiative with the Tokyo Marathon, Toray Industries provides its Ecodear^™ plant-based polyester fiber to produce eco-friendly volunteer clothing, as well as carrier bags distributed to runners. At the Tokyo Marathon 2024, volunteers wore official clothing made from Toray's &+^™ recycled fiber. This fiber was made from PET bottles used to provide water to runners during the Tokyo Marathon 2021, held in March 2022.

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Volunteer staff wearing official clothing made from &+^™ fiber

Promoting Sports Participation by Sponsoring the Shanghai Marathon

Toray Industries and Toray Industries (China) Co., Ltd. are helping to promote sports in China by sponsoring the Shanghai Marathon. The event is designated as a Platinum Label Road Race by World Athletics, a classification reserved for the leading road races around the world. Toray Group has sponsored the event since its second year and currently provides support as a Founding Sponsor, the highest level of sponsorship.
The 2023 Shanghai Marathon, the 27th such event, saw 38,000 participants run through the streets of Shanghai, marking a return to the pre-2020 scale following years of safety measures, such as complete cancellations or reduced participant numbers, during the COVID pandemic.

• Runners carrying Toray team flags as they run through the streets of Shanghai
• Medal ceremony for the men's full marathon. Toru Kutsuzawa, chairman of Toray Industries (China) Co., Ltd. (second from right), presented the medals.

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To support culture, education, and welfare, Toray Industries co-sponsors Fureai Concerts. These concerts at venues across Japan, including elementary schools and social welfare facilities, bring music to the people through music instruction, concerts, and audience participation.
In fiscal 2023, an invitation-only performance for people with disabilities was held again as an annual part of the Fureai Concert program. Volunteers were on hand to assist attendees at the nearest train station and to help guide attendees inside the venue. The concert was thoroughly enjoyed by the many people who came.

• Concert performance
• Performers and volunteers

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Based on the corporate philosophy of “contributing to society through the creation of new value with innovative ideas, technologies and products,” Toray Group contributes to society through its business activities, and in other ways as well.

Relief Efforts for the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake

A major earthquake struck Ishikawa Prefecture in January 2024, with the epicenter in the Noto Peninsula. To provide emergency relief, Toray Group provided donations and supplies, and also dispatched employee volunteers.
Toray Industries established the Ishikawa Plant in Nomi City, in 1975, and the Company has been operating there ever since. Ishikawa Prefecture is also where Toray affiliates such as Ichimura Sangyo Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kanazawa, and Sowa Textile Co., Ltd., the largest Toray Group textile manufacturer in Japan, are located. The wider Hokuriku region is home to textile-related consortiums such as the Toray Synthetic Textile Cluster. Accordingly, Toray is deeply rooted in this part of Japan, which is a critical region for its business.
Toray Industries, Chori Co., Ltd., Toray International, Inc., and Toray Opelontex Co., Ltd., along with other group companies, donated approximately 120 million yen via various organizations, including Ishikawa Prefecture, the Japanese Red Cross Society, the Nagoya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Chunichi Shimbun Social Welfare Foundation.
As part of these efforts, in response to requests for help from various medical organizations, Toray Medical Co., Ltd. made donations and dispatched volunteers to help restore medical facilities affected by the major earthquake. To assist one facility that had suspended dialysis, the company provided activated carbon filters to deal with water contamination once damaged infrastructure was restored. It also provided communication devices to enable remote support services for dialysis machines once network environments were back online.
At the request of the Japan Hemodialysis Assistance Team in Disaster (JHAT), the company also arranged for a vehicle and employees to deliver relief supplies to medical institutions in the Noto Peninsula. Moreover, after being contacted by the Japanese Society of Phlebology, Toray Industries and Toray Medical donated 2,000 pairs of medical compression stockings (Fine Support), as deep vein thrombosis is a concern for evacuates from disaster-hit areas.
Suido Kiko Kaisha, Ltd. provided Makusesu Safety emergency water purification systems free of charge to the cities of Komatsu, Suzu, and Wajima to help restore drinking water.

• Toray Medical employees making deliveries from the JHAT site
• Makusesu Safety systems drawing water from a nearby river

Please click here for more information on Toray Group’s disaster relief efforts after the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

As a good corporate citizen, the Group supports local Volleyball Clinic to Support Great East Japan Earthquake Recovery

Since 2013, the Tohoku Branch of Toray Industries has used volleyball as a means of providing support for local reconstruction efforts. In June 2023, a volleyball clinic was held for fifth and sixth graders at Ōshio Elementary School in Higashi Matsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture. A former member of the Japanese national volleyball team and the Toray Arrows team, Kana Oyama, gave a talk to the sixth graders, and a practical training was provided by fellow former Arrows Azusa Futami, who now works at Toray Engineering Co., Ltd.
During the training, the students enjoyed creative games and practiced tosses and serves using soft volleyballs. The venue was filled with smiles and excited voices. During her talk, Kana Oyama focused on the theme of “connecting with others” illustrated by passing and receiving a volleyball. She emphasized the importance of being considerate and mindful of others and then using these feelings to connect with them. She was able to convey her message very effectively to the students.

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Ms. Oyama (right) and Ms. Futami (left) answer students’ questions.

Support for Local Community Development

• Toray Group donated a total of 100,000 yuan to a local charity association for community development in Nantong, China. This annual activity began in 2012 and the 12th such donation was made in fiscal 2023. (Five Toray Group companies in the Nantong area)
• As part of a community contribution activity by the Sri City Industrial Park Japanese Companies Association, together with other Japanese firms, Toray donated smart boards (multifunctional electronic blackboards) to nearby schools. [Toray Industries (India) Private Limited]

• Employees organized seasonal programs such as autumn foliage viewing for 50 residents living in the Cheongae-won long-term care facility and served as volunteers for the activities. [STEMCO, Ltd. (Korea)]
• Toray supports the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, held every spring in the U.S. state of Virginia. The festival features over 40 events over 10 days and attracts more than 250,000 visitors. Toray sponsored the Kids’ Bloomin’ Mile Race for children aged 6 to 14, and six children of Toray employees participated. [Toray Plastics (America) , Inc.]

• As a sponsor of the local Main Festival aimed at fostering and deepening German-Japanese cultural exchange, Toray presented Japanese culture using kimonos made from Sillook™ silk-texture polyester fiber. At the event, Japanese dancers and models performed wearing these kimono, an iconic symbol of Japanese culture, made of Sillook^™. [Toray International Europe GmbH (Germany)]
• Toray is supporting the operation of the local Japanese supplementary school in Guadalajara. (Toray Group Companies in Mexico)

• Toray participated in a local cultural promotion project by donating children's books to the Hemu Village Library in Guangning County, Zhaoqing City. [Toray Film Products (Zhongshan) Ltd.]
• In cooperation with the local Seberang Jaya Hospital, Toray conducted a blood donation campaign at the headquarters of Penfabric Sdn. Berhad, with 97 employees participating. (Toray Group Companies in Malaysia)

• Working with the Red Cross, this group company conducted a blood donation campaign. In Korea, blood donors receive a certificate that entitles them to free transfusions when needed. Since the certificate can also be transferred or donated, the company donated its certificates to Kyungpook National University Hospital to help save lives and support a healthy, sustainable society. (Toray Battery Separator Film Korea Limited)
• Toray was a sponsor of the “We with you” project organized by Auser (Associazione per l’invecchiamento attivo) and the Italian city of Legnano, aimed at promoting active aging for the elderly and increasing their involvement in society. The project provided wheelchair-accessible transport vehicles to support the daily lives of people with disabilities. [Composite Materials (Italy) s.r.l.]