A three-day Charity Book Fair took place at Canon’s head office in Shimomaruko, Ota Ward, Tokyo, from October 27 to 29, 2008.

Held once a year since 1997, the fair takes the form of an in-house bazaar featuring books, CDs and DVDs donated by Canon Group employees throughout Japan. The proceeds, with matching funds from the company, are donated to education and medical assistance programs in Asia.

For the FY 2008 event some 8,200 books and 500 CDs and DVDs were collected over the course of the year, and the fair attracted more than 1,150 visitors during the three days, raising about 600,000 yen.

On the Sunday prior to the fair, 17 volunteers - employees, their family members and staff members from Action with Lao Children, one of the NGOs receiving support - spent half a day preparing the venue and arranging the many books and CDs collected. The participants then listened to a fascinating presentation by Action with Lao Children on the culture of Laos, the conditions facing children in need of support there, and what is being done to help them.