NTN Acts to Deter Global Warming

-Upgrades Efforts with Introduction of “Cool Biz” Program in Line with Environment Ministry Moves-

On June 27 (Monday), NTN Corporation will introduce a “Cool Biz” approach at its head office and all its company offices in Japan, encouraging employees to wear light clothing during the summer months to contribute to more comfortable and efficient working conditions. This program is in line with moves by Japan's Ministry of the Environment to maintain office air-conditioner temperature settings at 28°C as part of the national push to prevent global warming.

NTN's Cool Biz plan will run through September 30 (Friday), with male employees able to shed their jackets and ties, and women given a choice of wearing their regular uniforms or comfy clothing of their own choosing. Posters outlining the NTN Cool Biz campaign will be displayed in the reception area to gain the understanding and support of visitors, while employee badges - worn to further raise ecological awareness throughout the company - will stress how the company is striving to slash carbon dioxide levels.

To date, the eco-friendly stance of the NTN Group has included gaining ISO14001 certification and making the prevention of global warming one of the pillars of its environmental activities. We have targeted a 25-percent reduction in carbon emission rate* by fiscal 2010 (compared to the level in fiscal 1997) as one of our medium- to long-term goals. During the past fiscal year, through the installation of cogeneration equipment, photovoltaic and wind power generation and other advances, CO₂ emissions at NTN domestic offices were lowered by 18 percent compared to fiscal 1997. This has moved the company one step closer to achieving its aforementioned medium- to long-term goal.

*Carbon emission rate (ton/million yen) = CO₂ emissions (ton) / added value (million yen)

The “Office Environmental Action Committee” has been established to help promote and coordinate environmental protection at the administrative divisions of NTN's head office, which introduced the “Cool Biz” campaign. On the hardware front, an energy-efficient heat storage air-conditioning system and other new improvements have been introduced, supported by moderate air-conditioner temperature settings, moves to switch off unnecessary lights and other efforts at the human level.

Upcoming plans call for conducting an “environmental survey” of all employees to raise awareness of energy conservation, turning off lights during the lunch hour and other ideas aimed at an even more exhaustive approach to eliminating unnecessary lighting. This will be combined with a program of reduced gasoline purchases and the acceleration of other efforts to help prevent climatic change caused by global warming.