The Nomura Group has undertaken a variety of activities to assist people and communities affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake through its businesses and the voluntary efforts of employees. We will continue to support the initiatives of our employees to address the needs of the stricken areas and of society as a whole.

Since 2012, Nomura has been working hand in hand with local groups to make Tohanayama Hill in Yamamoto Town, Watari District, Miyagi Prefecture, a notable cherry blossom ("sakura") viewing spot. The Watari District suffered severe tsunami damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake. With the eleventh semiannual event held in April 2017, we commemorated the steady growth of the newly planted trees by inviting local people and children to enjoy the blossoms and join with us in planting more saplings. Approximately 800 employees have participated in these activities to date.

さくらプロジェクト2018年10月

野村グループは2012年より、東日本大震災の津波で甚大な被害を受けた宮城県亘理郡にある里山を桜の名所にするため、地元のグループ「戸花山桜の会」の皆さんと共に活動しています。2018年10月には第14回目の活動を実施。これまでにのべ900人以上の役職員が参加し、桜の植樹とその後の育成管理、自然保護活動、山道整備を行ってきました。（2018年10月撮影）

"Sakura Project" April 2016 -Nomura employees plant cherry blossom trees in disaster-stricken areas

Since 2012, Nomura has been supporting the "Mt. Tohana Cherry Blossom Association", a local group striving to make Tohanayama Hill in Yamamoto Town, Watari District, Miyagi Prefecture, a notable cherry blossom ("sakura") viewing spot. Nomura employees have made donations to purchase cherry blossom tree saplings and employee volunteers from across the country gather twice a year to plant trees, help with environmental protection of the mountain and support maintenance of the mountain paths.

復興支援活動さくらプロジェクト

野村グループは今年から、東日本大震災の津波で甚大な被害を受けた宮城県亘理郡にある戸花山を、桜の名所にしようと活動する地元のグループ「戸花山桜の会」の皆さんと、その活動のサポートを行う一般社団法人「さくらプロジェクト3.11」を支援しています。12月1日から2日にその戸花山にて、第2回目の桜の苗木の植樹活動を実施しました。

Nomura supports the "New Tohoku" restoration business contest organized by the Reconstruction Agency, awarding the Nomura Award in support of regional industries that promote industrial recovery in disaster-stricken areas. In 2015, Nomura awarded Bakke-Yaki Potter Hiro-Gama for their business entry into Europe and plans to build a Bakke-Yaki community village. Since the contest, Nomura has continued to provide the Bakke-Yaki potter with advice on business development and has also ordered Nomura Group's 90th anniversary memento as part of its support efforts.

Bakke-Yaki (Bakke Ware)

The School Smile Support Project was launched by educational consulting firm Career Link, Inc. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Nomura Group has been supporting several events organized as part of this project, including the Sports Festival Support Caravan, which began in 2011 to help organize sports festivals at elementary and junior high schools, and the Career Challenge Day, which was launched in 2012 to provide career education to second-year students from all junior high schools in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture.

The Nomura Group has been inviting internal and external experts to take part in speaker events that help employees gain a deeper understanding of the current conditions in areas affected by the disaster. Employees are also encouraged to think about what they can do as a company and as individuals toward restoring these areas and dispelling hurtful rumors. Employees who are unable to visit the areas can learn about the situation there through these events and apply the information in their personal support efforts.

The event series received the Fourth Make a CHANGE Day Incentive Award.

The Nomura Foundation provides a scholarship for university students in stricken areas to financially support individuals facing hardship due to the disaster, to foster researchers and to promote regional education. The foundation donated a total of 100 million yen in 20 million yen annual disbursements, over a five-year period beginning in 2011, to Iwate University, Tohoku University and Fukushima University, since these institutions offer graduate degrees in the social sciences and serve many students from the affected areas.

In addition to the activities noted above, the Nomura Group has encouraged employees to participate in volunteer efforts, raise funds at office locations, and use agricultural products from the affected areas at in-house food services to help reverse negative public perceptions. We continue to support the volunteer activities of our employees to address the needs of the affected regions and of society as a whole.