At a presentation ceremony held at Todofuken Kaikan in central Tokyo on March 7, the Prime Minister presented the Diploma with Dark-blue Ribbon, and a letter of appreciation the Governor of Niigata Prefecture to Canon Inc.

The Diploma with Dark-blue Ribbon is given as an award to corporations, organizations, and individuals for their philanthropy to an individual who makes a one-time contribution of 5 million yen or more, and a company or an organization that makes a one-time contribution of 10 million yen or more.

The Award was given for a contribution of 30 million yen Canon Inc. made on behalf of the Canon Group through the Red Cross of Japan to the victims of the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake, which occurred in October 2004.