NGK Group Social Contribution Activities

The NGK Group is committed to sustainability management for realizing its philosophy and vision and achieving sustainable growth. We recognize that the understanding and trust of stakeholders and local communities are essential for developing a business environment. Through our social contribution activities, we work with everyone involved in our domestic and overseas operations to help create safe, secure, and vibrant communities and address social issues.
At the same time, we enable our employees to engage in social contribution activities to take part as members of society and to experience the value of social contribution activities to realize a future filled with happiness and smiles. Through these activities, we expect employees to learn and grow, and that these experiences will foster a sense of unity and belonging.

To realize a sustainable society, the NGK Group contributes to the growth of local communities by addressing social issues and promoting a society where everyone can take on new challenges through the following activities.

We regularly share information about our activities so that all employees of the NGK Group can understand the purpose and significance of these activities. We also disclose information about our initiatives on our website and other communication channels to strengthen our relationships of trust with our stakeholders.

The NGK Group supports international students through the NGK Foundation for International Students to develop future global human resources. The Foundation provides housing at NGK International House, a company-owned dormitory, and distributes scholarship grants to self-funded international students enrolled at universities in Aichi Prefecture.
In FY2025, we provided housing to 37 students from 11 countries and scholarship grants to 20 students from 7 countries. We also held 10 exchange events for international students, local residents, and employees. Through introductions to Japanese culture and sharing of participants' own cultural backgrounds and customs, we worked to foster mutual understanding and raise awareness of multicultural coexistence. The cumulative number of people we have supported has reached 1,074.
Through these efforts, we are helping international students focus on their studies with peace of mind, while also contributing to the internationalization of our local community.
This initiative traces its roots to the 1930s, when NGK opened branch offices and representative offices overseas and later expanded production and sales operations around the world. The employees and their families posted abroad received warm support from local communities. Out of gratitude for that support, we strive to ensure that international students studying in Japan feel that their time here has been rewarding and that they come to love Japan.

The NGK Group conducts Japanese Language Learning Support Activities to help foreign children living in local communities learn Japanese and live with confidence in school and community life. Working with the Aichi Employers' Association and the Central Japan Economic Federation, we provide our facilities to Japanese-language classes run by the Ishiki Cosmos Support Study Group in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, and by MIRAI Project, a general incorporated association in Handa, Aichi Prefecture. Employees also participate as teaching assistants through the volunteer leave program. These activities support children's learning and give employees an opportunity to deepen their understanding of multicultural coexistence.

The NGK Group supports wheelchair tennis to help people with disabilities and promote sports in local communities. Through a partnership with the Japan Wheelchair Tennis Association (JWTA) and by providing financial support for athletes' travel expenses, we back athletes who compete both in Japan and overseas. At Moronoki Tennis Club (located in Midori-ku in Nagoya City), which is operated by an NGK Group company, we have added a new hard court and converted the outdoor restrooms to accessible facilities, improving the environment for wheelchair tennis players and enthusiasts. We also hold trial events and exchange events to build connections through sport and promote understanding of an inclusive society.

The NGK Group conducts reforestation activities at NGK Minnano Mori Mizunami, a company-owned forest of approximately 17 hectares in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, in collaboration with the local community. We have signed agreements with Gifu Prefecture, Mizunami City, and the Western Tono Beekeeping Association to advance forest management, conservation and restoration of biodiversity, and collaboration with beekeeping as a local industry. Part of the forest has been certified as a Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site by the Ministry of the Environment. By maintaining and restoring the rich natural environment, we contribute to building a sustainable environment in local communities.

The NGK Group conducts cleanup activities at sites in Japan and overseas to protect the local natural environment and raise employees' environmental awareness. Working with local residents and government bodies, we collect waste and carry out beautification activities at coastlines, around our sites, and in local public spaces. Through these efforts, we protect the natural environment in local communities and create more opportunities for each employee to consider and act on environmental issues in their daily lives.

The NGK Group participates in the Marathon Festival Nagoya Aichi as a group volunteer as part of our Social Contribution Activities to coexist with local communities. Our employees and their families serve as course marshals and assist with transporting bicycles, strollers, and other items on pedestrian overpasses, enabling runners and spectators to safely enjoy the event. By supporting this event as a corporate citizen, we strengthen our ties with the local community and contribute to vibrant community development.

The NGK Group is committed to activities that support the safety, security, and well-being of local communities at its overseas sites. NGK Ceramics Mexico holds exchange events with local elderly residents and donates gifts to children at special-needs educational institutions. Through these interactions with community members, we continue to build trust, bring smiles and reassurance, and work toward harmonious coexistence with local communities.

To encourage social contribution activities and personal growth through diverse experiences, NGK introduced a Volunteer Leave System in FY 2024 to support employee participation in volunteer activities. In FY 2025, 118 employees used the system and contributed a total of 312 hours of volunteer service.