Social Responsibility

Tracing its origins back to 1966, the Konica Minolta Imaging Science Foundation has pursued ongoing initiatives focusing on the promotion of imaging science by providing support for research projects in this field. The foundation solicits research projects based on new ideas in the field of imaging science and presents the Konica Minolta Imaging Science Award for outstanding research projects.
In accord with the mission of the foundation, Konica Minolta offers financial support for its activities every year.

Planetariums cultivate intellectual curiosity in science and astronomy, and motivate people to learn about space and to think about the Earth and humankind. As a comprehensive manufacturer of planetariums, Konica Minolta Planetarium markets dome projection equipment and program content to planetariums in Japan as well as the global market.

• Konica Minolta Planetarium Co. Ltd.

Since 2001, Konica Minolta Planetarium has been participating in the National Lifelong Learning Festival, “Manabi-pia,” which is jointly sponsored by the host prefecture and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
In 2008, the five-day festival was held in Fukushima Prefecture. The company exhibited its MEDIAGLOBE-II, a mobile digital planetarium system that can project a starry sky and images across the entire dome. The booth was visited by about 3,000 people.

Since 2004, Konica Minolta has sent environmental instructors to Masugata Junior High School in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, as a participant company in the school's environmental education program. In fiscal 2008, two employees participated in the school's open house and research report session and gave a lecture on reuse and recycling.

In February 2007, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc., a business information systems sales company established the Konica Minolta Colorful Tomorrow Foundation. The aim of this non-profit organization is to actively promote the company's social contribution activities. The Konica Minolta Colorful Tomorrow Foundation (CTF) has been recognized for its support of the KIPP McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts, which seeks to increase educational opportunities for children from disadvantaged families in New Orleans.
In 2009, the foundation provided its third annual scholarships to three graduating eighth-grade students to attend private, college preparatory high schools that excel in the areas of academics, music, and creative arts. Also this year, the CTF provided support for the Embrace Kids Foundation, which provides moral and financial support to families who are confronted with the news that their child has catastrophic disease. Additionally, the CTF contributed to a fund for rebuilding schools that were destroyed in the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake in China.

• Konica Minolta Colorful Tomorrow Foundation

In Lithuania, the Konica Minolta Group has been offering the Konica Minolta Class at Kaunas Technical College since 2001. The group has been promoting understanding and dissemination of the latest precision science as well as the technology incorporated in Konica Minolta's new products among students through classroom lectures and exchanges such as visits to Konica Minolta sites.

Konica Minolta supports Project Hope, a campaign launched in 1989 by the China Youth Development Foundation to promote school attendance among children. The support for this project started in 2006 with the donation of funds to cover the construction costs for building an elementary school in Zhuanghe, Dalian (Liaoning Province), and has been ongoing in various other ways. In fiscal 2008, Konica Minolta Opto (Dalian) Co., Ltd., a manufacturing company of optical lenses, donated school supplies and funds for purchasing school desks and chairs.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions (China) Co., Ltd., a business information systems sales company, provides support to a school for children with disabilities in Shanghai, in the form of donated laser printers, writing materials, books and other supports.