Economic Value
Epson engages in social support initiatives with an economic focus to bridge gaps, assist children in need, and promote financial independence.
Epson Sponsors Onigiri Action to Provide Children with School Meals in Developing Countries
“I want to be an electrician," a child told Epson employees on an observation tour in Tanzania, one of the countries we are assisting. Providing school meals motivated him to come to school and study, which eventually broadened his career choices.
Seiko Epson sponsored Onigiri Action held by TABLE FOR TWO International (TFT) in 2023. Onigiri Action is a project for providing school meals to children in need in Africa and Asia. Sponsoring companies make a donation large enough to provide five school meals for each photo of onigiri, a Japanese rice ball, posted on social media (Instagram, X, Facebook) or to the special website with the hashtag #OnigiriAction. Epson employees posted approximately 2,000 photos, providing about 10,000 meals.
Message from the Organizer
Staff of TABLE FOR TWO International
Onigiri Action is a community engagement project that encourages people to recognize global food problems and cooperate in solving them by simply posting photos of onigiri. Thanks to companies that share our vision, the project has become a social movement in which the combined efforts of different organizations and individuals work together to solve a single social issue.
School meals are a lifeline for children in deprived areas in Africa and Asia, where TFT provides support. Not only do they help feed hungry children, the meals also serve as a catalyst for continuing studies and working out their future. We hope that Epson will continue to participate in this project to help ensure that it continues.
Photos provided by TFT
Suwa City and Epson: Assisting Local Children
Seiko Epson and Suwa City concluded an environmental and welfare partnership agreement to assist children in the city in 2023. As part of its welfare initiatives, Epson donates to NPOs and other organizations that are working to provide relief for economically disadvantaged children in the local community.
In 2023, Epson supported six organizations that are involved in assisting single-parent families, children in foster care, and young caregivers in the community.
Message from the Collaborator
Staff of Suwa City
In Japan, the income gap is widening. Children from single-parent families or who have caregiving responsibilities are in particular need of support so that they can receive an education and give their lives stability. However, there is a limit to the support that local government can provide, so the cooperation of organizations having expertise in specific areas is enlisted to ensure that children are getting the help they need.
One of the issues of these organizations is securing funding. The collaborative indirect support by Epson and Suwa City will enable the organizations to conduct their independent activities while contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.
We see this initiative as a good example of tripartite collaboration among the government, private companies, and non-profit organizations. We hope this will expand nationwide.