Canon held its three-day Charity Book Fair 2011, at its head office in Shimomaruko, Ota Ward, from November 28 to 30, 2011.

This fair takes the form of a yearly in-house bazaar featuring items such as books and CDs donated by Canon Group employees throughout Japan in response to a collection drive. The proceeds, with matching funds from the company, are donated to education and medical assistance programs in Asia. Inaugurated in 1997, this year was the 15th time this annual event has been held.

During the one-year period of 2011, about 9,000 books and 600 CDs and DVDs were collected to be sold at the bazaar. Approximately 840 employees visited the bazaar over its three days. This event raised approximately 1,380,000 yen in proceeds and matching funds from the company for charity. (*Please refer to the list below for donation recipients)

On the Saturday prior to the fair, a total of 21 volunteers - Canon employees and their family members - spent half a day preparing the venue and arranging the many books and CDs collected.

In addition, Bridge Asia Japan, one of the NPOs receiving support, reported on their support for activities to improve the environment for everyday living that were carried out under the lead of the children of Vietnam. The impressions expressed by the participants included “I felt the children's strong expectations and sense of mission to make society better by even a little bit and to want to create a world of happiness” and “This taught me such things as the situation concerning the disparity between rich and poor in Vietnam.” As a result, this activity developed into an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the NPO’s activities.

Donation recipients :

Bridge Asia Japan (NPO)
Action with Lao Children (NGO)
People’s Hope Japan (NPO)
CARE International Japan (Public interest incorporated foundation)