Environmental Risk Management

Since fiscal 1992, we have been promoting step-by-step investigation and countermeasures against soil and groundwater contamination within our premises, while making efforts to totally discontinue the use of chlorinated organic solvents and prevent the recurrence of environmental pollution. In fiscal 2003, in line with our Soil and Groundwater Risk Management Policy, we expanded a scope of targeted substances and requested investigation to our sites that had not yet implemented. Also, we began investigating and taking measures concerning the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals.

Specifically, we conduct historical surveys through onsite inspections and interviews, in addition to surveying the use of VOCs and heavy metals at our sites. Furthermore, we conduct surface soil surveys within the premises.

For our sites where contamination was detected beyond pollution levels set by standards, we will conduct detailed borehole surveys to identify boundaries of the contaminated areas and take appropriate remedial measures. Based on the surveys and measures conducted in fiscal 2003, we were able to place all soil and groundwater risks under management supervision at our manufacturing and nonmanufacturing sites targeted for soil and groundwater investigation within fiscal 2004.

On a global scale, we are promoting thorough legal compliance in individual countries. In countries where such legal systems are not established, we are implementing voluntary measures based on our Soil and Groundwater Risk Management Policy.