Society at large needs to work together to resolve the various problems youth faces around the world, and
this means that companies need to play a role as well. Contributing to the development of children, who are
the future, is also an important step in realizing a sustainable society. The Ricoh Group has been a pioneer
in focusing on global environmental preservation and training youth using our own technology and human
resources in a sprit of "Fostering attitudes and actions that value human beings and the Earth."
| Concept Chart for Youth Development |
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Providing environments for children to learn spontaneously
Instead of teaching children, the Ricoh Group has
been providing environments for children to learn
spontaneously from Mother Nature, science and
the real world through various experiences. We
have hosted many activities involving children,
parents and teachers. For example, we conduct
ongoing activities through programs such as
the Ichimura Nature School and Ricoh Science
Caravan. Many Ricoh employees participate in these
activities voluntarily and gain joy and energy from
the children as well as confidence and a sense of
fulfillment, resulting in a sense of responsibility
toward society and a willingness to contribute.
Toward society at large
Unfortunately, there are limits to what one company
can do. The activities that Ricoh is now conducting
are merely a trickle. This is why we strongly hope
that our efforts to help train future generations will
spread to the rest of society and grow from a trickle
to a great river. To accomplish this, we ensure
that our initiatives do not end up as a one-time
activity. We also analyze the process and results of
our work, boost the quality of each program, and
continuously make revisions so that the programs'
values will be appreciated by society at large. In
fiscal 2008, we exchanged opinions with officials
from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology as well as with the
Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
We reaffirmed the problems facing children today
(such as a poor attitude and little enthusiasm for
study, lack of experience with nature, and a reduced
interest in science) and confirmed that Ricoh's
activities were effective for children to experience
the importance of team work through trial and error in a nature-rich
environment and that these activities will indeed help train the very
people who will support society and industry in the future. We plan
to continue engaging in these activities with a strong resolve and a sense of responsibility, and develop them globally through our Group
to contribute to a sustainable society.
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The Ichimura Nature School-learning how to live from Mother Earth through agriculture and shared living
<Ricoh (Japan)> |
 The Ichimura Nature School*-
located in Kanagawa and Saga
Prefectures-is based on the
concept of learning how to live from
Mother Earth. Under this program,
children of various ages stay at the
school every other weekend from
early spring (March) to the harvest
season (November.) By experiencing
one complete cycle of agriculture
(from planting to harvesting),
participating children gain an appreciation for nature, learn
the joys of harvesting, and gain an appreciation for food. The
school managers run the program based on our basic belief
of "refraining from providing too much instruction, orders,
teaching or assistance." As a result, children learn three moral
values (care for nature, care for others, and observation of
basic rules) and two life skills (independence, and the ability to
recognize safety and danger.) Many of the participants' parents
have commented that their children have begun to voluntarily
help with household chores and to express their opinions with
In an age when children's decreasing interest in science
has become a social issue, the Ricoh Science Caravan aims
to spark youngsters' interest in science and technology by
enabling them to experience the technology used in copiers
(static electricity, coloring and image processing) through
fun experiments. We provide this program in the hope that
some of the participating children might become professionals
who lead Japan's science and technology sector in the future.
The number of participants surged between 2007 and 2008,
which we take as a sign that society is beginning to recognize
this program success in helping children discover the joys
confidence after participating in the Ichimura
Nature School. These comments show that
the program builds a sense of independence,
responsibility and harmony among children.
With the Kanto-area school entering its
eighth year of business in 2009, a total of
more than 350 boys and girls have completed
the program to date. In addition, the yearly
average attendance rate per participant
remains above 90%. We believe this shows
that children enjoy the activities and that
parents and guardians believe this
program to be worthwhile. 
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The Ichimura Nature School is a non-profit
organization founded in celebration of the 100th
anniversary of the birth of Kiyoshi Ichimura, the
founder of the Ricoh and Ricoh Sanai Groups. |
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The Ricoh Science Caravan-teaching children the joys of science <Ricoh (Japan)> |
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Children conduct experiments using a static electricity discharge device
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In an age when children's decreasing interest in science
has become a social issue, the Ricoh Science Caravan aims
to spark youngsters' interest in science and technology by
enabling them to experience the technology used in copiers
(static electricity, coloring and image processing) through
fun experiments. We provide this program in the hope that
some of the participating children might become professionals
who lead Japan's science and technology sector in the future.
The number of participants surged between 2007 and 2008,
which we take as a sign that society is beginning to recognize
this program success in helping children discover the joys of science and technology. The program is currently held
mainly at regional events, but we hope to offer it in actual
classrooms and school laboratories as well as in countries
outside Japan in the future. Many Ricoh designers, technicians
and volunteers participate in these activities. Therefore, in an
effort to further expand the Ricoh Science Caravan program,
we created a cooperative management system in fiscal 2008
with Ricoh Technosystems Co., Ltd. (RTS), a group company
that operates offices nationwide with vast human resources.
Ricoh Science Caravan Participants
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