Emergency Report
Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake

Supplying Power Cables to Stricken Areas

We worked intensely to supply power cables to restore electrical and transportation infrastructure, as well as residential areas and factories, in the stricken areas.

Immediate Post-Quake Response and BCP

Thanks to emergency communication networks and safety confirmation systems in place at each site, we were able to perform all-important safety confirmations for everyone involved with our Group after the earthquake, including employees, their families and our customers.

In addition to our employees, 60 students were visiting in conjunction with hiring activities. We had them join in our activities so as to ensure their safety, and we helped one of the students, who had come from far away, return home.

Of the Works that suffered damage, the Nikko and Chiba Works were the hardest hit, and after confirming that all employees at both Works were safe, we initiated inspections and repairs of utilities the day after the event. At the beginning of the following week, on the 14^th, we began full-scale rehabilitation work on the manufacturing equipment, and about two weeks later, by the 25^th, nearly all of the Works had been successfully restored.

Our BCP, as well as the preliminary training based on the BCP, functioned effectively during the disaster. We have since then surveyed the people at the damaged sites so as to find ways to improve our BCM activities, using the valuable suggestions offered in the survey as we begin to review our BCM systems, including our companywide regulations.

Efforts to Ensure Stable Product Supplies

The Tohoku Earthquake exceeded our assumed disaster criteria, presenting new dangers such as power outages caused by record-breaking tsunamis and the nuclear power plant accident, radiation contamination, etc.

While it is difficult to assume all possible risks beforehand, by making a comprehensive judgment of the assumed risks, shifting to production bases where risk is lower, and furthermore, by taking measures such as installing emergency generators at production bases for metal and similar products where the risk entailed by power outages is great, we can work toward ensuring a stable supply of products.

The Furukawa Electric Group's Restoration and Support Activities

Our Group has long been a supplier of products and services in areas that comprise the foundation of social infrastructure, such as electrical power, telecommunications, broadcasting, and construction. We also have been engaged in restoring and providing support for rebuilding infrastructure by supplying parts and materials as well as work support, both on our own initiative and in response to requests from various quarters.

In addition, we seek to provide support for the stricken areas by sending emergency relief supplies and donating relief funds.

Electricity Saving Measures

All Works in areas served by TEPCO must cut electricity during the peak usage period of 10 a.m. through 9 p.m., so we instituted weekend operations during the July through September period, and set a new, longer period for the August summer break.

We also implemented measures at our offices such as thorough controls on air conditioning temperature settings, reducing lighting, setting PCs on low-power, and reducing equipment that consumes electricity, including vending machines.

In addition, because 40% of electrical power is consumed at residences, we requested via our in-house publications and through other channels that our employees also try to use less electricity.

We try to make our customers feel secure by providing stable product supplies

Yoshimasa Oyama General Manager,Chiba Works

We are fortunate that none of our employees or visitors was injured during the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, and direct damage to our buildings was comparatively minor. Nonetheless, we experienced some foundational sinking due to liquefaction throughout the entire Chiba Works site, which remains an issue that we must address.

Looking back on the quake and the subsequent recovery efforts, the correct, appropriate responses that were achieved serve as unexpected proof that the establishment of a BCP and the BCP education and training that were required for BS25999 certification were beneficial.

Nonetheless, one further issue is that we are confronted with the reality of power supply problems. Our Works is a major consumer of electricity in our region, so in response to the demands of the community we set a goal of “15% Less Power Consumption.” To achieve this we asked each section to work in rotation,and began operating on a four-group system.

Henceforth our Works expects a variety of critical issues and environmental changes to arise, and we will respond to them as necessary. We will also continue to meet the demands of society by fulfilling our mission to provide a stable supply of products.

Liquefaction

Road surface protrusion

Support for Recovery After the Great East Earthquake

Toshiyuki Masubuchi Copper Strip Division, Metals Company

I found myself wondering if I couldn't somehow lend a hand in assisting the recovery after the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, so I spent the period April 23 through May 4 providing restoration support in a stricken area.

Thousands of disaster victims were staying in a single evacuation site, and while I recall the difficulty of distributing emergency supplies to so many people, I also encountered human kindness and warmth that is impossible to express in words. Also, assisting in the recovery in the disaster area was a very valuable experience in that I was able once more to take a good look at myself. Henceforth I will use my regular leave time to participate in the disaster relief efforts.

Providing relief supplies in the disaster area

Furukawa Electric established a Volunteer Leave System in July 2011 so that employees would be able to participate in volunteer activities related to the Great East Japan Earthquake.