We conduct disaster drills once a year, simulating emergencies within the plant. This year, we invited the mayor of Itoigawa City, the Itoigawa City Fire Chief, and the heads of various community centers, neighborhood associations, and their branches from the Omi area. The drill was based on a scenario where a fire broke out in the tank yard during the unloading of vinyl acetate from a tank truck at the poval plant within the Omi Plant. The workplace disaster prevention team carried out evacuation guidance, initial firefighting, first aid, and plant shutdown procedures. The fire drill was carried out in cooperation with the Itoigawa City Fire Department and the plant's own fire brigade. Simulating the spread of damage, the team under the disaster prevention headquarters conducted information transmission, regional support, public relations, monitoring of equipment and plant surroundings, and evacuation guidance for nearby residents using a public relations vehicle in cooperation with the Itoigawa City Fire Department. This enabled us to verify our emergency response capabilities. We will continue to aim to establish a thorough disaster prevention system by conducting regular drills to prepare for accidents and disasters.

In November 2023, students from Kamakura Jogakuin Junior High School visited the plant as part of their social studies workplace tour. They observed the manufacturing sites of Toyokalon and Caralyan Tape, and at the end, they tried on wigs made from Toyokalon for a photo session. The students gained insight into the manufacturing and safety efforts of a chemical manufacturer, which they normally would not be aware of, and commented that "it was a valuable experience" and they "learned the importance of work."

A comprehensive disaster prevention drill was conducted at the plant, simulating injuries occurring during firefighting in the event of a fire caused by an earthquake. The drill included transporting the injured and providing first aid at the evacuation site, as well as spraying water toward the fire source. We will continue to conduct regular drills to prepare for earthquakes assumed to occur at the plant, while changing the disaster scenario locations.

The safety training seminar for forklift operators has become an annual event. Although forklift operation is a daily routine, near-miss incidents and minor property damage cases still occur, so we started inviting external instructors for safety training seminars three years ago. The seminar includes safety education (classroom lecture), covering examples of occupational accidents, recent accident cases, and forklift structures, as well as practical training focused on basic operations. By re-learning the basic knowledge and operations, the safety awareness of forklift operation has improved. Last year, one female employee obtained a forklift license, and we plan to increase this number in the future.

On August 4, 2023, a safety prayer ceremony was held for the new colgate plant, praying for the safe construction and successful completion of the plant. The new colgate plant will create new employment opportunities for the citizens of Tamana City and strive to develop human resources by enabling them to fully demonstrate their abilities and improve the working environment to suit the individual lifestyles and working styles of employees.

Multiple AED training sessions were held in fiscal 2023, and we will continue to provide lifesaving education for employees in fiscal 2024 to ensure a safe working environment.

In 2023, we conducted an emergency response drill with the SCDF (Singapore Civil Defence Force). The scenario involved a fire breaking out in a tank at the Merbau Plant, resulting in a worker sustaining burn injuries. The training included rescuing the injured and providing first aid treatment.

The Shibukawa Plant received the "Best Safety Award," the highest honor for safety activities from the Japan Chemical Industry Association. This award recognizes our voluntary safety management and employees' daily efforts. To commemorate, we planted a rowan tree, which symbolizes "safety," on the plant grounds and pledged to continue our commitment to safety.

We participated in a regional company guidance event at Shibukawa Civic Hall. This event aims to shape the job awareness and career choices of high school seniors. Two representatives from our company introduced the Shibukawa Plant's features and products, explaining how our small "materials" from the chemical industry support their daily lives. We will continue to enhance communication with the local community.

As part of the company tour organized by the "Shibukawa NPO/Volunteer Support Center," which aims to contribute to the local community, we conducted a plant tour. On the day of the tour, we explained our business activities and collaboration with the local community. We will continue to value interactions with local residents and engage in community-based social contribution activities.

We conducted a comprehensive disaster drill, simulating a fire outbreak in the tent warehouse of the Elegrip section. The drill included first aid for the injured, quick reporting, initial firefighting, and hydrant operation, and an emergency equipment shutdown was performed at non-fire sites. At the main office, we established a disaster prevention headquarters and ensured smooth communication with the on-site command post and relevant agencies, enhancing our emergency response capabilities. This drill is crucial for ensuring a safe work environment and preparedness for unforeseen events.

Nursing students from Shibukawa Nurse College experienced VR simulations at our safety training session as part of our efforts to ensure manufacturing site safety and prevent human error. We hope this experience will benefit them in their future medical careers.

We provided our fertilizer, "Azumin," to the Nimaibashi Neighborhood Association and, together with local residents, maintained and replanted the flower beds in front of Hanamaki Airport Station. After the work was completed, we distributed samples of Azumin. We will continue to contribute to society through communication with local residents.

Seraya Plant carried out CERT (Company Emergency Response Team) recertification training and fire drill joint-exercise wtih SCDF (Singapore Civil Defence Force) as part of the emergency preparedness exercise. It enhances the understanding of our members on how to react whenever there is fire emergency.

From May 29 to June 2, 2023, we supported the "Try-Yaru Week," a social experience learning program for second-year junior high school students in the region. "Try-Yaru Week," a project implemented by Hyogo Prefecture, supports junior high school students in finding their path in life through workplace experiences and other regional activities. It aims to foster collaboration between schools, families, and communities, promoting the development and growth of local communities. The program was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed this year. Our plant hosted two junior high school students, allowing them to experience manufacturing activities.

On July 7, 2023, we received the "Kyoto Labor Bureau Director's Award " at the "Kyoto Safety and Health Meeting" held in Kyoto City. Labor Standards Inspection Bureau officers conducted several interviews on our safety activities. They recognized our distinctive safety measures such as implementing basic safety activities including 3S, KY, and wearing protective gear, actively identifying near-miss incidents, conducting safety patrols to identify hazards, providing safety education to all employees including disaster drills without scenarios, and displaying the inertial rotation time of rotating equipment as part of measures to prevent entrapment accidents. Encouraged by this award, we will continue to prioritize and promote safety activities.

As part of the Environmental Month activities, we invited approximately 140 fifth-grade students from Goi Elementary School for a joint plant tour involving three companies, including ours. On the day of the event, representatives from each company first visited Goi Elementary School, connecting with the students online (via Zoom) to explain the structure of the petrochemical complex and the products manufactured at the plants. Afterwards, the participants were divided into four large buses and toured the plants of each company from inside the buses. The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, leaving everyone with smiles. We will continue to contribute to society through communication with local residents.

Continuing from last year, we participated in the "Monozukuri Festival Festa, Ichihara, future city of SDGs" organized by Ichihara City. The festival, aimed at local elementary school students, seeks to foster interest in the city's primary industry, manufacturing, through monozukuri experience and to deepen the understanding of SDGs initiatives in manufacturing. This year, the festival was held at Goi Community Center, and our company set up a booth where participants could make their own PET bottles (My PET Bottle). The My PET Bottles, adorned with films of the participants' drawings or writings, were completed by dipping them in hot water. Many families who attended last year returned, and the activity was enjoyed by many. We also shared information about our efforts in manufacturing films that support PET bottle recycling as part of our SDGs initiatives.

Thirty members of the Ichihara City Educational Research Association's junior high school social studies department visited our factory to deepen their understanding of the characteristics of the Keiyo Industrial Area's plants and aid in their daily lesson material research. The visit included an overview of the plant, explanations of events and work content, and updates on welfare facility renovations such as toilets. Afterwards, they also toured the plant by bus. Following the tour, we explained about polystyrene chemical recycling, which is being carried out by Ichihara City, its citizens, and our company and aims to achieve a circular economy that circulates resources in the region. The visit ended with a lively Q&A session, making it a meaningful plant tour.

Sponsored by Ichihara City, which celebrated its 60th anniversary, the "Denka presents New Japan Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra Special Concert in Ichihara City" was held in the small hall of the Ichihara City Hall. Many attendees arrived as soon as the doors opened, with the final attendance reaching 200 people. Representing our company, Kawai, the Chiba Plant Manager, greeted the audience, expressing gratitude to local residents and the hope that they will enjoy classical music with their families. Ichihara City Mayor Koide also conveyed warm messages to our company and the community. The concert featured a string quintet from the New Japan Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, performing pieces from Mozart's Divertimento K.136 first movement to familiar tunes such as EXILE's "Michi" and Alan Menken's "Beauty and the Beast" medley. Between pieces, the performers introduced their instruments and the music, receiving numerous appreciative comments from attendees who were thankful for the opportunity to hear professional live performances locally and glad they could provide their children with such experiences.

The "Daijayama Festival," a summer tradition of Omuta that was postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19, was held for the first time in three years. About 50 members from our plant participated. The "Daijayama Festival" is a customary event where local residents and corporate groups form a line on about two kilometers of public roads in the city center, dancing the "Tanko Bushi" and "Daijayama Bayashi" in various costumes and decorations. Despite the intense heat, we performed energetically in front of the citizens, supported by cheers from the roadside, and the event concluded successfully.

On June 19 (Mon.) and October 18 (Tue.), we conducted volunteer clean-up activities near the plant. With the cooperation of the local Kitaiso Community Center and Meiji Elementary School students, we carried out garbage collection, cleaning, and weeding activities. We will continue these beautification activities while maintaining communication with local residents.