BASF supports recovery of earthquake-damaged schools in Kumamoto, Japan
- Two programs in cooperation with National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan to help quake-hit schools resume normal activities and extend mental supports for kids
- JPY 2.45 million donation by BASF and employees
Tokyo, Japan – August 3, 2016 – BASF Japan together with its employees have raised JPY 2.45 million to help fund educational programs and mental care activities for children whose schools have been affected during the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. The programs are led by the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan (NFUAJ).
Although many local schools and after-school child care centers have reopened and resumed services since May, majority of them have still not been fully restored from the earthquake aftermath in Kumamoto. They need to replace educational materials and equipment which were broken and lost, to make up for the lost learning time, and to offer mental support for children. In order to aid the recovery, BASF will support two of NFUAJ’s programs.
One program aims to provide financial support to 13 damaged schools and after-school care centers in the most-damaged area, including Mashiki, Mifune, Kosa, Kumamoto, Minami Aso, Nishihara, and Uki, for them to purchase educational materials and equipment. The other program is to provide study support and mental care activities by college student volunteers in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Dr. Joerg-Christian Steck, Representative Director and President of BASF Japan, said, “We were all saddened about the disaster that hit the Kumamoto area earlier this year. With this donation, BASF as a company and our employees both hope to contribute to the relief efforts for the worst-hit communities and the vulnerable groups. Here we are talking about our children, who represent our future. I’m confident that the educational program led by NFUAJ will greatly contribute to the rehabilitation of the disaster affected area.”
Mr. Yuji Suzuki, Deputy Director General of NFUAJ, said, “We would like to thank everyone at BASF Japan for their act of benevolence and cooperation in the Kumamoto Earthquake Children Assistance Program. We are gathering the opinions of the teachers and local government officials in the earthquake-stricken areas to decide upon the specific aid to offer. We will do our best to ensure that all schools will procure their educational materials from companies locally so as to make a positive contribution to the local economy.”
Since 2011, BASF have been collaborating with NFUAJ to support areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. As part of its efforts to provide long-term support for recovery, BASF is helping fund the “UNESCO Association Scholarship for 3.11 Disaster-Stricken Children and Students”, administered by NFUAJ, which provides scholarships for children from the disaster areas.
About BASF in Japan
BASF started doing business in Japan in 1888. Activities cover four business segments including chemicals, performance products, functional materials & solutions and agricultural solutions. The main production sites are in Chigasaki (admixtures for concrete, construction materials), Totsuka (coatings), and Yokkaichi (thermoplastic polyurethanes and polymer dispersions). Admixture plants for the Construction Chemicals division are also located nationwide. BASF maintains a strong research and development presence in Japan including the BASF Asia Composite Center, established in the Yokohama Innovation Center (engineering plastics), and the Research and Development Laboratory and Application Technology Center for Battery Materials in Amagasaki. As of the end of 2015, BASF employed 1,209 employees in Japan, and achieved sales of about €1.5 billion to customers in Japan. For further information please visit: www.basf.com/jp.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 112,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of more than €70 billion in 2015. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information at www.basf.com.
