Japanese

MOL provide educational support at Junior High Schools affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake
- Social Contribution Activity in commemoration of its 130th anniversary -

December 19, 2014

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced its educational support at Junior high schools affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. This is one of MOL's activities to commemorate its 130th anniversary.

More than three and a half years have passed since the Great East Japan earthquake occurred. Nevertheless, there still remain many issues such as high unemployment and depopulation in the affected area.

On November 12th,13th and 19th, MOL presented a lecture at junior high schools in three cities of Iwate Prefecture –Akasaki Junior High School in Ofunato City, Kamaishi Junior High School in Kamaishi City, and Sakiyama Junior High School in Miyako City. The cities are where MOL arranged for the ocean cruise ship Fuji Maru to call at to give aid for the afflicted people just after the earthquake.

The lectures were about the maritime industry's importance and the attractiveness of a seafarer's job. Through the lectures, MOL tried to give students a glimpse of working life and society, which would inspire them to think about their own career. There were a quiz and a lot of slides showing ships operations and seafarer's daily life.

The following are some of their impressions MOL received from principals and students of the junior high schools:

• "It is our pleasure to receive such support at a time when public attention fades," said Akasaki Junior High School Principal Ippei Yokota.
• "I am impressed to know that MOL contributes to world logistics by delivering cargo not from Japan but from overseas." said a student at Kamaishi Junior High School.
• "I did not know ships are indispensable for our lives. I am going to think about what I want to be in the future, keeping in mind what I leant in the lecture" added a student at Sakiyama Junior High School.
• "Some students are determined to find jobs in their hometown. Even for them, this could be an opportunity to know how their lives are correlated with the global society through the sea," observed Sakiyama Junior High School Principal Kazuyuki Onodera.

In addition, MOL donated books about vessels and the sea and book coupons to the schools. Those items were funded by the sale of about 6,800 used books donated by MOL Group employees.

As a responsible global corporate citizen, MOL continues to take a proactive stance in social contribution activities.