There is concern that the environmental impact on the Earth due to our quest for more comfortable and convenient living is exceeding the planet’s capacity for regeneration, and that remaining on our present course could destroy the ecosystem and even imperil the continued survival of civilization.

AISIN’s main businesses are the development, production and sale of automotive parts and life- and energy-related products. Since these businesses involve substantial environmental impact, our top management priority is to reduce the environmental impact resulting from our business activities from the perspective of global warming.

AISIN has set a strict target of reducing average CO₂ emissions over the five-year period from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2013 by 7% compared with fiscal 1991. Through measures at each business stage—from product planning and development to manufacturing and recycling—AISIN is striving to realize a low-carbon society, with a strong sense of urgency that our business cannot grow if environmental measures are delayed.

AISIN is channeling the full resources of the Group into the development of environmentally friendly products and technologies pursuing the ideals of concern for the “environment,” “safety” and “compactness.” In fiscal 2009, we developed Japan’s first electric water pump for cooling the engine. As a product that realizes the novel idea of automobile heat management (heat usage optimization) in our automotive parts business field, the pump is employed in new hybrid vehicle models, where it enables more precise optimization of engine cooling and helps improve fuel efficiency.

In terms of production, we strive to develop innovative technologies themed around simple, streamlined and compact design. By pursuing maximally energy-saving design, the new production lines completed in fiscal 2009 use 45% less energy than previous lines.

At existing production lines, we have introduced efforts to eliminate waste through the accumulation of efforts that aim to save single-yen units of energy, single footsteps and single seconds of work processes, and single drops of leaked or wasted water and oil.

Since these activities are supported by individuals, AISIN works to raise the environmental consciousness of its employees as they consider the future global environment. We have also opened Aisin Ecotopia as a comprehensive environmental education facility for children, in whose hands the future of society lies. In fiscal 2009, 4,300 elementary and junior high school students and members of the local community enjoyed the use of the facilities.

In addition, we continue our tree-planting efforts in Thailand and on Mt. Fuji, and our efforts to protect the forest as a water source for Neba Village in Nagano Prefecture, as we work actively to preserve the environment. We will mobilize all AISIN employees under the slogan, “AISIN helps to save the world,” as we further strengthen environmental management to ensure the cooperation of all our stakeholders worldwide and to pass on a wholesome global environment to future generations.