Harmony with Society

Upholding the two principles of "contribution to resolution of social issues through business activities" and "commitment to and responsibility for social contribution," we are engaged in a variety of social contribution programs globally.

• Programs marked with a (*) are funded under Ricoh's social contribution reserve system, established to underpin its stable and persistent social engagement. Following approval at the 1998 shareholders meeting, Ricoh introduced the social contribution reserve system, under which a portion of profits is allocated to a reserve fund, after obtaining approval at a board of directors meeting, with the aim of supporting its long-term, stable engagement in social activities. Currently, the system is applied to three programs (Ichimura Nature School Kanto, Ricoh Science Caravan, and the Forest ecosystem conservation program).

• Our vision in three focus areas

• Ichimura Nature School Kanto
• Ricoh Science Caravan
• Forest ecosystem conservation program
• Support activities for people and areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake
• Education support program in India
• BOP project

For a company to effectively utilize its resources to address social challenges, enhanced social awareness of its employees is essential. With this view, we offer a spectrum of opportunities to help individual employees raise their awareness and sensitivity toward social issues, and encourage them to take action in some form by participating in volunteer activities or making efforts within their business engagements.

Social Contribution Club "FreeWill"

FreeWill is an employee-led endeavor formulated in January 1999. It aims to turn individual donations from employees into a sizable fund that supports social contribution activities. More specifically, FreeWill members donate a portion of their salary and bonus pay to support the efforts of NPOs that organize and operate social activities in wide-ranging areas. In addition, with the intention of developing a better understanding of recipient organizations and making additional contributions through purchases, the club members host volunteer events in which they sell items for charity. They also sell Fairtrade products dealt with by these organizations.

Value-Creating CSR Workshop

In 2009, the Ricoh Group widely introduced a Value-Creating CSR Workshop in its divisions, aiming to help employees better understand diverse social issues and consider possible solutions provided by them through their business efforts, as well as encourage them to take action towards this end. Since fiscal 2011, the workshop has been incorporated into the annual training program for new employees. In fiscal 2013, a special program was organized, in which around 180 new employees were sent to areas hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake to conduct support activities, followed by a discussion session for proposing ideas and plans for business projects that can help solve problems prevalent in the affected areas.

Campaigns for raising the social awareness of employees

Starting in 2006, the Ricoh Group designated June 5 as the “Ricoh Global Eco Action” day, when all members of the Ricoh Group around the world think about the global environment, take local eco-related actions, and improve their eco-awareness. On this day every year, we hold a variety of environmental events, including biodiversity conservation activities and energy-saving campaigns, mobilizing Group employees across the globe.
In addition, since 2008, Group companies in Japan have participated in the Stand Up, Take Action campaign coordinated by the UN, which seeks to eradicate poverty and achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). On the campaign day in 2012, about 3,900 employees joined the event to enhance their awareness of poverty and other global issues.

"STAND UP TAKE ACTION" campaign

Since 2008, the Ricoh Group has joined "Stand Up and Take Action, " a global action initiative joined by people all over the world to "stand up" and urge world political leaders to take aggressive action to fight against world poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
Through participation in this global initiative, we aim to promote employee the MDGs, a set of key global agenda, and show them how they can help solve contemporary problems by applying Ricoh's technological, human and other resources.