About Us Message from Management

May 30, 2011

Message from Management

- Volunteer Activities Following the Great East Japan Earthquake -

Jiro Asakura

President & CEO

Many people from all over Japan as well as from other parts of the world have been volunteering to take part in recovery and support efforts to enable victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake to return to normal lives as soon as possible. Their activities are reported by the media on television and in newspapers and magazines on a daily basis, and I myself received a report from returning "K" Line employees who made use of our newly created volunteer activity leave program to participate in disaster recovery and victim support activities.

I have already expressed my gratitude to the employees who volunteered, and I would like to once again express my thanks to them. I believe that even two months after the earthquake, the destruction seen in the afflicted regions is far greater than that portrayed on television or in photographs. I have great respect for those individuals who have generously given their time to participate in the support activities.

The report stated that, "Although there were times when we felt overwhelmed and helpless as we faced the mountains of debris, our unwavering actions served to encourage the victims. The level of destruction defies the imagination and the scenes leave one at a loss for words, but I was moved by a handwritten banner made by the victims that read 'Thank you for your support. We will do our utmost to continue on.'"

It is said that the recovery will take quite some time. Ongoing volunteer activities will still be essential into the future. In this sense too, I believe that "K" Line employees, who were among the first to volunteer, have achieved many wonderful things.

Upon seeing and hearing of the earthquake disaster and subsequent devastation, many of you may recall the March 4 message from management, entitled The Relationship between Society and Employees. This message made reference to the personal qualities that "K" Line expects of its employees, and expressed management's desire for "K" Line personnel to have a global perspective and outlook, a high degree of sensitivity to happenings outside of work, and a strong sense of purpose to serve society.

On May 13th I took over the office of president of "K" Line, but I can say that there has been no change in the type of employee that management seeks. The entire company will provide the greatest possible support to employees who are interested in a wide range of social developments, are actively involved in their communities, and who have a strong desire to make a contribution. There would be nothing better for "K" Line as a corporate citizen than for all our employees to achieve great personal growth by contributing to society.

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