Canon provided disaster relief donations to areas affected by the landslide that struck Leyte Island in the Philippines on February 17, 2006. Canon also sent corporate donations and charity funds donated by employees to victims of the earthquake that rocked the Indonesian island of Java. Both Canon Marketing Malaysia and Canon Opto Malaysia provided support for the people of southern Malaysia who were affected by flood damage due to heavy rains in December. Employees of these companies volunteered to staff on-site facilities and brainstormed other ways to provide support. An idea put into action by individual employees was to circulate through the affected region, donating essential relief items that they had purchased.

September 2006 marked Canon Europe’s ninth anniversary as a Conservation Partner of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Since becoming the WWF’s first corporate partner in 1998, the company has supported the WWF’s efforts in numerous ways. Canon also cooperates with the WWF in the operation of various environmental protection programs in parts of Asia.

An educational and research program, Eyes on Yellowstone, made possible by Canon, assists with scientific research and breaks new ground in conservation, endangered species protection and the application of cutting-edge technology essential to managing park wildlife and ecosystems.

Since 1997, Canon U.S.A. has been working with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an organization dedicated to the problems of child abduction and exploitation, providing funding and equipment to support the center’s activities.

Canon Inc. invites disabled children to matches of the Japan Professional Football League (J. League). Encouraging them to enjoy sports, these activities, conducted each year since 2003 through the Canon Enjoy J. League Program, include visiting the pitch, interacting with players, viewing matches, and taking souvenir photos.

In 2006, Canon Europe concluded a partnership agreement with the Red Cross to support youth-oriented projects run by the Red Cross in 13 European countries. For example, the company provides economic support and volunteer assistance in Denmark for activities that support young volunteers at schools for disabled children, and youth education activities in Spain related to HIV and AIDS.

At Canon U.S.A., a group of employees, called the Canon Clean Earth Crew, participate in local volunteer activities. Since 1996, this group has participated in environmental preservation activities at local parks, coastal areas, and nature reserves.

In 2006, the crew helped out with the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, pruning trees in the apple orchard, fixing fences and assisting with other repairs.

Canon U.S.A. sponsors the Canon Envirothon, the largest high school environmental competition in North America. Each year, more than 500,000 high school students and volunteers from the United States and Canada join in this competition to learn more about the environment.

To promote cultural ties and deepen trust-based relationships between Japan and China, Canon Dalian has held the “Canon Cup”—a Japanese speech contest—in cooperation with the Dalian International Friendship Society since 1990. The contest attracts the participation of many people in Dalian, both students and adults.

Canon Inc. also supports educational programs for local elementary school children. For example, we created a course on lens-making and another that sends employees to schools to teach students about environmental activities.

To proactively commemorate the Japan-China Exchange Year of Culture and Sports 2007, Canon has assumed the chairmanship of the executive committee. As 2007 marks the 35th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, this year provides an opportunity to deepen bilateral understanding by involving the citizens of both countries in various cultural and sporting events.

In March 2007, Canon launched a Cultural Heritage Inheritance Project, also known as the TSUZURI Project, to preserve Japanese cultural assets for future generations using the latest digital technologies. As part of this project, Canon will create data of folding screens, paper sliding doors and other important cultural assets, and then print them out in full size on large-format Canon printers, decorating them as necessary with gold leaf and other finishes. This fusion of digital technologies and traditional handicrafts will allow near-perfect reproduction of original items. The project also involves the provision of better environments to protect the original cultural assets from deterioration.

In addition, since 1991, Canon Inc. has promoted the “New Cosmos of Photography,” an open competition with the goal of discovering, nurturing and supporting new photographers who are attempting to pursue new avenues of photographic expression.

Canon Europe has supported various activities of the World Press Photo Foundation, headquartered in the Netherlands, since 1992, such as sponsoring the World Press Photo Contest.

For the past three consecutive years, Canon Hongkong has sponsored the Hoi Ha Charity Walk, a WWF Hong Kong initiative to raise environmental protection awareness, as well as the Mai Po Charity Walk, which supports the eponymous waterfowl wetland refuge of recognized international importance. Employees also participate in these events.

In addition, Canon Inc. has held annually since 1997 a charity sale of books, CDs and DVDs donated by its employees. Canon adds matching funds and donates the total amount to NPOs and NGOs that promote education and provide healthcare support in Asia.