JT to Hold “Pick Up and You Will Love Your City” Community Clean-up Event During 2009 Tokara Islands Solar Eclipse
Tokyo, July 9, 2009--- Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) (TSE: 2914) today announced that the company would hold the “2009 Tokara Total Solar Eclipse Pick Up and You Will Love Your City” community clean-up event during the total solar eclipse on the Tokara Islands, which will be hosted by Kinki Nippon Tourist Co., Ltd, and in cooperation with Toshima Village in the Tokara Islands, and Japans Ministry of Environment.
The longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century will pass over Asia on July 22, 2009, peaking over southern Japan, and providing the prime location for its viewing on the Tokara Islands. The “2009 Tokara Total Solar Eclipse Pick Up and You Will Love Your City” event will be held on seven of the Tokara Islands, namely Kuchinoshima, Nakanoshima, Tairajima, Suwanosejima, Akusekijima, Kodakarajima and Takarajima, during the Tokara Eclipse Observation Tour 2009. Residents and observers visiting the islands are asked to volunteer in the community clean-up program, where garbage disposal has become an issue since the growing popularity of the islands as an attractive destination for viewing eclipses. Through the clean-up activities, the company aims to contribute to preservation of the local natural environment and communities.
In addition, due to the anticipated size of this years event, there are increased concerns for limited transportation to each of the islands, as well as accommodations and drinking water for visitors. To alleviate the drinking water shortage JT is providing 44,400 bottles of its own brand of natural mineral water, “Daichiga Migaita Kireina Mizu” (which literally translates to “clean water purified by the earth”); the amount is estimated to provide each person on the islands five bottles of water per day.
About “Pick Up and You Will Love Your City”
First introduced in May 2004, the “Pick Up and You Will Love Your City” campaign is a community-based clean-up effort held at various events and festivals across Japan to promote community and environmental values through volunteerism and civic involvement. The activities are carried out in cooperation with various groups including local authorities, schools, volunteers, executive committees and participating organizations involved in the events. To date, approximately 900,000 people have participated in JTs “Pick Up and You Will Love Your City” community clean-up events.
Outline of “2009 Tokara Total Solar Eclipse Pick Up and You Will Love Your City”
| Date | : | During the tour period for the Total Solar Eclipse (July 22, 2009) |
| Venues | : | Kuchinoshima, Nakanoshima, Tairajima, Suwanosejima, Akusekijima, Kodakarajima and Takarajima |
| Participants | : | JT is anticipating approximately 1,000 participants |
| Organizer | : | Kinki Nippon Tourist Co., Ltd. |
| Collaborators | : | Toshima Village Office, the Ministry of Environment, and Japan Tobacco Inc. |
JT initiatives during the Total Solar Eclipse in the Tokara Islands
Conduct community clean-up event, “2009 Tokara Total Solar Eclipse Pick Up and You Will Love Your City”
Provide 4,500 trash bags
Provide 80 dustbins
Establish designated smoking areas
Provide 80 standing ash trays
In addition, 1,500 “Tokara Total Solar Eclipse” original portable ash trays will be provided to visitors
Provide drinking water for visitors
A total of 44,400 bottles of natural mineral water (“Daichiga Migaita Kireina Mizu”) will be provided to visitors
Four Easy Steps to Participate in the Clean-up Event
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Japan Tobacco Inc. is the world's third largest international manufacturer of tobacco products. The company manufactures internationally recognized cigarette brands including Winston, Camel, Mild Seven and Benson & Hedges. Since its privatization in 1985, JT has actively diversified its operations into pharmaceuticals and foods. The companys net sales were JPY 6.832 trillion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
