Mitsubishi The 9th Grand Prix Winner A Bimonthly Review of the Mitsubishi Companies and Their People Around the World 2009-2010 Asian Children's2008- Enikki Festa 2009 Winners December & January Grand Prix Japan

Humans are social beings. People live in groups. We Bangladeshis like to live with our parents, our brothers and sisters, our grandparents, and other relatives. In our family, I live with my brother, my parents, and my grandmother. We share each other’s joys and sorrows. That makes our lives fulfilling. Cycling ＊ The above sentences contained in this Enikki has been translated from Bengali to English. Into the Future

The 9th Grand Prix Winner on Three Wheels Sadia Islam Mowtushy Age:11 Girl People’s Republic of Bangladesh

“Wrapping Up the Year with Toshikoshi Soba”

oba is a Japanese noodle that is eaten in various ways longevity, because it is long and thin. There are many other depending on the season. In summer, soba is served cold explanations and no single theory can claim to be the definitive S and dipped in a chilled sauce; in winter, it comes in a hot truth, but this only adds to the mystique of toshikoshi soba. broth. Soba is often garnished with tasty tidbits, such as tempura shrimp, or with a bit of boiled spinach to add a touch of color. Soba has been a favorite of Japanese people for centuries and the popular buckwheat noodle has even secured a role in various Japanese traditions, including the New Year’s celebration. Japanese people commonly eat soba on New Year’s Eve, when the old year intersects with the new year, and this is known as toshikoshi or “year-crossing” soba. There are various theories regarding the origins of toshikoshi soba. One theory is tied to soba’s association with the accumulation of wealth—a notion rooted in the practices of goldsmiths, who used balls of soba dough to collect gold dust from their workshops. Because soba is easily cut, some people argue that the noodle symbolizes the severing of links with the hardships of the previous year. Soba is also said to signify © IMAGE LAND. CO. LTD./amanaimages

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The Mitsubishi Monitor is published by the Mitsubishi Public Affairs Committee Volume 27 No.6 Marunouchi Nakadori Bldg., 2-3, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan Telephone: 81-3-5218-8660 Facsimile: 81-3-5218-8661 ■ Website: http://www.mitsubishi.com/mpac/e/monitor/back/index.html ©2009 Mitsubishi Public Affairs Committee Printed in Japan on recycled paper Cover Story News& Leading the World in Renewable Front Line Futuristic Three Wheeler Energy and Environmental Business Seeks to Open Up a New Era Products Mitsubishi Corporation has Creating New Energy from concluded an agreement with Spain-based ACCIONA S.A., one Wooden Waste Materials Spurring the Development of the world’s largest renewable of a Low Carbon Society Mitsubishi Corporation has been quick to focus on energy companies, regarding a biomass as a source of energy for the future and the In addition to their common heritage as Mitsubishi companies, comprehensive strategic alliance company has already commenced the production of wood The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and Tokio Marine & to promote renewable energy and biopellets in Japan. The biopellets are made from tree bark, Nichido Fire Insurance also share the goal of contributing environmental business around the which previously was treated as a waste material, so this to the development of a sustainable, low carbon society. world. Through this alliance, MC initiative effectively reduces the cost of waste management and ACCIONA will jointly invest in while also creating a new source of energy. If you think tricycles are for kids, then you have not seen This year, both companies became founding members of the new energy projects and related Wood biopellets can be combusted alone or co-fired “The KAITEKI”. Made from carbon fiber and charged by solar Japan Climate Leaders’ Partnership (“Japan-CLP”), a business ventures; the partners will also promote joint research and with coal, which is already being used in large quantities cells, this futuristic three wheeler represents the crystallization coalition that seeks to proactively address the issue of climate development in areas such as energy, water and environmental worldwide. Because CO2 is absorbed through photosynthesis of advanced products and technologies from Mitsubishi change. The five founding members of the Japan-CLP are infrastructure, as they set out to cultivate sustainable businesses when biomass materials are grown, biopellets are commonly Chemical and Mitsubishi Plastics, which are core companies laying out their own commitments and leading through action, that make sense environmentally and economically. regarded as being a “carbon neutral” form of energy that of the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group. while also promoting communication with policy makers, leaders of industry and the public in an effort to spur societal can lower CO2 emissions when used to supplement fossil The revolutionary tricycle, which takes its name from the ■ http://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/ja/pr/archive/2009/ fuels. As a result, demand for biopellets may grow among Japanese word kaiteki, meaning “comfort” or “ease”, was change in Japan and across Asia. html/0000008111.html electric power utilities and other industries as companies originally conceived in 2007 at a workshop that brought mid- focus more attention on their career employees together from across the Mitsubishi Chemical carbon footprints. In the years Group. The Group has indentified “sustainability”, “health” and Opening Up a Vibrant World ahead, this business may also “comfort” as key words for the 21st century and workshop of Super-Telephoto Shooting be expanded overseas, such as participants discussed ways to give shape to these ideas. After in Europe, where demand for extensive discussions, participants focused on the idea of a In recent years, birdwatchers and other outdoor enthusiasts wood biopellets is strong. three wheeler, equipped with an electric motor to assist users, ■ http://www.tokiomarine-nichido.co.jp/j0201/pdf/090730.pdf have embraced digiscoping as a means of taking super- as a new form of transportation that could benefit society in telephoto pictures by using digital cameras together with field various ways. The concept called for the tricycle to be easy Verbatim Brand Makes telescopes. In response to growing interest in digiscoping, for seniors to ride; to be readily usable on rainy days; and to Full-Fledged Debut in Japan Nikon recently unveiled its new FSA-L2 camera attachment, have plenty of luggage-carrying capacity. Around this time, Mie which enables high-definition digiscoping by combining Nikon Verbatim is widely known around the globe as the world’s top Prefecture was initiating a project to develop and test a next- digital single-lens reflex (D-SLR) cameras with the company’s brand1 of recordable CD and DVD media. Mitsubishi Kagaku generation cycle equipped with cutting-edge battery technology. highly-acclaimed EDG Fieldscope Series. Featuring a 3.5x Media (MKM) is currently marketing storage media under the Mitsubishi Chemical was chosen to participate in this initiative zoom and a bright optics, the FSA-L2 opens up a new, vibrant Verbatim brand in more than 80 countries worldwide, from and this marked the start of joint development work on the world of super-telephoto shooting when used with Nikon North America to Europe and across the Asia Pacific region. project. D-SLR cameras and EDG Fieldscopes. Japanese consumers are now becoming increasingly familiar The KAITEKI’s electric motor is charged by solar cells, with Verbatim, after its full-fledged introduction to the Japanese ■ http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/jpn/whatsnew/2009/0730_ installed on a specially-designed docking station. Its body is fsa-l2_04.htm market in September 2009, when MKM rebranded its entire lightweight and compact, making it easy for seniors to ride. The line of optical recording media for data. ■ http://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/bg/cd/topics.html KAITEKI also comes equipped with a detachable luggage carrier. Made with cutting-edge materials from Mitsubishi Plastics, the innovative tricycle nicely reflects the unique advanced Mitsubishi Corporation capabilities of the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group. Est.1950 3-1, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8086 Efforts to explore the full potential of The KAITEKI continue. How Mitsubishi Corporation is Japan’s largest general trading company (sogo can the tricycle help reduce CO2 emissions? Could it be utilized shosha) with over 200 bases of operations in approximately 80 countries by courier services? Could a PR campaign be organized in around the world. Moving forward, we remain determined to grow even stronger while contributing to the enrichment of society through business conjunction with the Tour de France? In this way, The KAITEKI activities firmly rooted in the principles of fairness and integrity. continues to kindle the imagination and aspirations of employees ■ http://www.mitsubishicorp.com/ Note 1: Top brand in global sales share of recordable CD and DVD across the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group. media for four years continuous 2005-2008. (Source: the Santa Clara Consulting Group (American market research and consulting firm))

■ http://www.m-kagaku.co.jp/newsreleases/2009/20090804-1.html ■ http://www.greaternagoya.org/html_ja/?cls=ja_ news_01&op=detail&pr_id=130 ■ http://www.verbatim.jp

2 3 Global

Global Spotlight focuses on employees from the Mitsubishi Group, who are excelling from in their respective fields around the world. In each issue we will get to know different

employees, who will tell us about their hometowns, businesses, culture, and past-times. Spotlight Los Angeles The Entertainment Capital from of the World and more so Thailand Sa-Wat-Dee Thailand “The Land of Smiles”

Sawatdee. Phonetically, the word is pronounced "sa-wat-dee". Sawatdee is a Thai greeting, which literally Los Angeles is indeed the entertainment capital of the world, and the streets of Hollywood often feel like means “well being”. Sawatdee is used when greeting someone and also when saying farewell. It is not just a the world's biggest reality show. But the City of Angels also sits squarely at the center of many cutting- greeting; it also conveys a feeling of good relations and wishes the person you are talking to a sense of well-being. edge global enterprises, including the fashion industry, the culinary arts, international trade, science, Thailand is often referred to as a golden land, not because there is precious metal buried underground but medicine, technology, and the visual and performing arts. The United States' second largest city, Los because the country gives off a certain luster. The mountainous region of the north with its valleys filled with Angeles is also one of its most diverse; Los Angeles' borders encompass dozens of neighborhoods swirling fogs and mists creates a stark contrast to the plains of central and northeastern Thailand. Eastern shaped by immigrants, including Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Historic Filipinotown, Little Armenia, Thailand’s plains and hills offer fertile land ripe for jungle and agriculture. Meanwhile, southern Thailand offers Koreatown, Tehrangeles, the Byzantine-Latino Quarter and Thai Town. And every part of town offers some of the most attractive beaches and islands on the planet. Of course, all this nature is set against Thailand’s plenty of sun, shopping, dining, and sightseeing. metropolitan areas, with Bangkok, the capital, standing out as the country’s largest and most formidable city. Thailand is a country of scenic diversity and ancient traditions, of tranquil temples and modern urban excitement. With an independent history going back more than seven centuries, the country has managed to Kirin Brewery of America LLC absorb a variety of cultural influences and blend them into something uniquely and memorably Thai. Since its establishment in 1996, Kirin Brewery of Thailand’s Buddhist heritage may have influenced the national character. Thai America (KBA) has been working to expand the people take things easy and they are kind to strangers. They are always cheerful presence of Kirin Beer in the U.S. KBA has a whether faced with success or adversity. Thus one important aspect that has been longstanding partnership with the U.S. beer market with Thai people for a long time is their sincere smiles. Once you visit Thailand, leader Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI),whereby ABI you will notice that the most prominent feature of the Thai people is their natural locally brews Kirin Ichiban and Kirin Light Beers in inclination to smile. That is why Thailand has become known to the world as the Los Angeles, and sells them through its distributor network across the U.S. Los Angeles is currently land of smiles. the largest metro market for Kirin Beers in the U.S., followed by New York, Honolulu, San Francisco, Welcome to a life-altering experience disguised as a holiday. A visit to Thailand and Phoenix. Kirin Beers are now available in all 50 U.S. states, and would certainly be a worthy addition your lifetime of experiences. Sawatdee Kha AGC Flat Glass sales continue to expand as interest has grown in Japanese and Asian (Thailand) PLC. culture and cuisine. On that note, one of Kirin’s largest customers is Kirin Brewery of America LLC Pitchayakorn 1 PF Chang’s China Bistro, the leading Asian-themed restaurant chain Pirata AGC Group Thailand in the U.S., which has expanded to nearly 200 restaurants nationwide; Randy Higa AGC Group Network Officer President we are proud to report that Kirin Ichiban is the best-selling beer on tap For Thai AGC companies, our history lies parallel with Thai at PF Chang’s. history. In 1963, Thai Asahi Glass Company (which later became known as AGC Flat Glass Thailand PLC.) was

established by AGC Japan and the Srifuengfung Group. The company started to produce flat glass and became the first industrial product exporter of Thailand. In Thailand, AGC demonstrated an ever-growing capability in industrial glass products and eventually LA’s Rich Ethnic Food Scene emerged as a major group of companies, consisting of seven distinctive companies: AGC Flat Glass Thailand, One of the great joys of living in Los Angeles is to be able to AGC Chemicals Thailand, AGC Automotive Thailand, AGC Electronics Thailand, AGC Techno Glass Thailand, enjoy the wide variety of delicious ethnic cuisines available AGC Micro Glass Thailand and AGC Technology Solutions Thailand. The group had a total workforce of 7,000 here, and the mixing or fusion that goes on between them. employees (as of June, 2008). Whether it be Japanese, Mexican, El Salvadoran, Italian, AGC Group Thailand has been a part of Thai history and we also grew together with the nation’s industrial Indian, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, or Chinese--or simply a taco truck or hot dog cart, the ethnic food development, which has been driven by powerful innovations throughout its history. scene is always fun and fascinating in Los Angeles. Little surprise that one of the latest rages in the LA I have been working for AGC as Thai AGC Group Network officer since last October. Being a part of food scene is a food truck which features Tacos filled with Korean BBQ Beef and a Kimchi salsa--ethnic AGC, I feel as if I am a part of a big family. AGC is not just a company—the friendly atmosphere at work turns fusion street food at its best! strangers into colleagues and employees feel engaged as part of something. Everyone is part of a larger whole and each individual makes key contributions to the success of the company.

Note 1: AGC group is a global corporate group with Asahi Glass Company at its core.

4 5 Green Green Diamonds highlights the ongoing efforts of Mitsubishi Group companies to foster a greener, more sustainable planet and brighter, more vibrant Diamonds communities through wide-ranging environmental and social initiatives.

Snow Production System Helps Educating Young People Furry Friends Bear the Heat About Renewable Energy Toyo Engineering Works has leveraged the company’s Mitsubishi Electric has supported the Japanese extensive research and experimentation on refrigeration International School in Düsseldorf for many years, and technology to become a global leader in the commercialization recently, the company presented the school with three of snow-making equipment. The company’s snow production photovoltaic education kits. “It is important that we teach our system currently helps Gota the polar bear feel at home at the children how to take care of the precious resources of our Oga Aquarium in Japan’s Akita Prefecture. A similar system, earth,” explains Noriaki Himi, President of Mitsubishi Electric installed at Hong Kong’s popular Ocean Park, allows giant pandas to frolic in the snow, just as they do in their natural Europe's German Branch. “These education kits are very useful in demonstrating to pupils how solar energy is created habit, high in the mountains of China. Spectators take delight wonderlands. with photovoltaic cells.” in seeing these animals cavort about in their own winter Toyo Engineering Works has also developed cooling systems that use the natural refrigerants of CO2 and ammonia, Education is one of the ways that Mitsubishi Electric is striving to contribute to the development of a sustainable in place of chlorofluorocarbons such as Freon. One of the society under its ‘Environmental Vision 2021’; the company company’s environmentally-friendly cooling systems was even intends to conduct nature preservation and education used to preserve the frozen wooly mammoth that became a hit at the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi, Japan. activities involving more than one million people by the target ■ http://global.mitsubishielectric.com/company/csr/ philanthropy/science/index.html year of 2021. ■ http://www.h.toyo-ew.co.jp/column/20090401.html

Transporting Backpacks for Use New Five-Year Plan for Mangrove the company aims to plant an additional 2,300 hectares over by School Children in Afghanistan Afforestation Announced five years, while expanding the project area to include India. Tokio Marine & Nichido has also established the Green Gift For five years, NYK has been providing free transportation Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance launched its Project, which offers customers a way to make their own for used backpacks bound for school children in Afghanistan Mangrove Afforestation Project in 1999 and a total of 5,901 contributions to mangrove afforestation. as part of a project initiated by the Japanese Organization for hectares of mangrove has already been planted as of the ■ http://www.tokiomarine-nichido.co.jp/j0201/pdf/090629.pdf International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP). As of end of March 2009. During the next phase, starting in 2009, the end of June 2009, the NYK Group had shipped more than 55,000 backpacks from Japan to the war-torn nation, where about 50% of school-age children do not attend any formal school. In many towns, school buildings do not even exist, and it is not uncommon to see students participating in classes outside. Students sometimes use their sturdy, reconditioned ©JOICFP backpacks as desks, while writing on stationery also provided through the JOICFP.

■ http://www.nyk.com/english/release/31/NE_090731_2.html

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