Sustainability Activities around the World

Japan

Menstrual Pain Experience Session

Sharp pursues diversity management as a strategy for making the most of its diverse human resources. As part of this, and with the aim of fostering mutual respect and empathy among employees to create a better work environment, the Yao Plant (Yao, Osaka Prefecture) held a training session on menstrual pain on March 8, 2024 to coincide with International Women’s Day*. The event gave employees the opportunity to experience something similar to the unique pain that women go through.

An outside instructor was invited to come and present the session, which was voluntarily attended by 47 employees (39 men and eight women). The instructor talked about the importance of promoting diversity and the nature of menstruation, as well as gave attendees the chance to undergo something similar to menstrual pain through the use of a VR device designed to simulate menstrual pain. Participants learned about the menstrual cycle, which occurs approximately once a month, as well as learned about the accompanying symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, and feeling unwell, that premenstrual syndrome can occur before menstruation, and that symptoms vary from person to person. In a survey of participants conducted afterwards, many commented that they had gained a better understanding of the discomfort of menstrual pain, which can be far more severe than one might imagine, and that this had increased awareness of, and empathy for, those who continue to work despite suffering.

This workshop proved to be a successful opportunity for fostering mutual respect and consideration among employees. Sharp will continue to carry out initiatives that create a better working environment and promote diversity management.

• A day of international solidarity and unified action to improve the status of women and create a society without gender discrimination. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1977.

Conserving Bamboo Lilies

The Tenri Plant (Tenri, Nara Prefecture) is committed to preserving biodiversity on ancient burial mounds located within its grounds. Bamboo lilies, a rare wild plant species, naturally grow on these mounds but have become scarce due to land development and overharvesting. To nurture and conserve these lilies, our employees maintained the area by weeding the grounds and cutting down withered bamboos in spring and autumn.

Lecture on Working at a Special Subsidiary Company

In April 2024, Sharp Tokusen was asked by Tanpisou Hospital in Habikino, Osaka Prefecture, which provides daycare services for people with mental disabilities, to give a lecture on the current employment situation for, and systems available to, people with mental disabilities.

A total of 29 people, including daycare service users, took part. A Sharp Tokusen employee with social welfare expertise discussed trends in employment of people with disabilities and the special subsidiary company system, types of people companies are looking for, and initiatives to help people continue working.

After learning about the diverse range of work available in companies and the wide range of opportunities available to people, regardless of level or type of disability, the participants asked many questions, demonstrating a strong desire and interest in working.

After the lecture, Sharp interviewed daycare staff member Mr. Kano (a mental health social worker at the Regional Medical Support Office) and the participants. They said that they felt there was a possibility of finding employment after learning that there are companies where people with mental disabilities can work, that accommodating work environments are being created, and that employment quotas are expanding.

Sharp will continue to work to carry on its founder’s passion for helping people with disabilities.