Social Contribution Activities
Through its support for cultural activities, research and development, international exchange, and technological aid, Iwatani contributes to society.
Joint Efforts with the Activities of the NHK Symphony Orchestra
Iwatani has worked with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, which performs around the world, as a special supporting corporate member since 1987. This reflects our support for the Orchestra’s stated purpose, “To augment Japan’s music and artistic standards through symphonic music performances and to achieve its social and cultural mission.”
We help provide communities with opportunities to experience classical music by sponsoring the NHK Symphony Orchestra summer concert series every year.
Support for the Music Competition of Japan
The Music Competition of Japan was established in 1932 to highlight talented musicians and advance the level of the music world in Japan. As the most prestigious and longest-running music competition in Japan, it has, since its inception, acted as the most outstanding springboard to successful careers for musicians. The Iwatani Naoji Foundation provided support for the Competition from FY1987 to FY2010. Iwatani assumed responsibility for supporting the Competition in FY2011 and has since been sponsoring it. Since FY2023, we have awarded the Iwatani Prize category to the performer most favored by the audience in the final round of the Competition.
Contribution to Society by Promoting Athletics
Established in April 2017, the Iwatani Athletics Club welcomed head coach Hisakazu Hirose, who has trained numerous long-distance runners over the years. In January 2019, we welcomed Athens Olympic gold medalist Mizuki Noguchi as a Club advisor.
Based on its foundational policy of contributing to local communities and society through developing Japan’s leading athletes and sports activities, the Club is engaging in its activities to be a team which can compete for the first place in the Queen’s Ekiden.
A Comfortable Planet - All Japan Elementary School Essay Contest
The “Comfortable Earth” All Japan Elementary School Essay Contest was started in 2010 as a project to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Iwatani’s foundation, and it forms an initiative to prompt the children who will bear the responsibility of the Earth’s future to think about Iwatani’s wish, depicted in its slogan, “Creation of a more comfortable space on the Earth is what Iwatani wishes and strives for.” Iwatani will carry the words written by children filled with awareness and discovery into the future.
Hydrogen Awareness-Raising Activities
Our responsibilities include pioneering the future and passing on technologies for a new era to the next generation. Through courses on hydrogen energy held across Japan and experimentation using of water electrolysis and miniature fuel-cell vehicles, we give children opportunities to experience clean hydrogen energy.
Sponsorships of the Japan International Birdman Rally
Since 2010, as a program to commemorate our 80th anniversary, we have sponsored the Japan International Birdman Rally, a contest to see which human-powered aircraft can fly the farthest. We support this contest as its concept contest (to see which human-powered aircraft can fly the farthest) coincides with our ambitions to realize a clean energy society.
Technology Promotion through the Iwatani Naoji Foundation
With the goal of improving the lives of the public and promoting international mutual understanding through sustained progress in science and technology, the Iwatani Naoji Foundation encourages and provides subsidies for research and development, supports international exchange, and undertakes human resource development activities. It provides financial support for outstanding research and development on energy and the environment, awards to honor outstanding achievements in research and development on energy and the environment, and financial support to self-financed graduate students from East Asia and Southeast Asia enrolled in programs in the natural sciences.
Cleanup Activities
As part of contributions to local communities and volunteer activities, we undertake cleanup activities near our business sites. These continual activities in the vicinities of business sites across Japan are intended to contribute to the local communities on which we depend on a daily basis and to promote friendship and harmony among employees.
