Social Activities
Nurturing Future Generations
The future rests on the shoulders of adolescents and children. With that in mind, the Mitsui Chemicals Group carries out various activities aimed at teaching the young that chemicals are all around us, and showing them how fun, interesting and mystifying chemistry can be, as well as getting them interested in science, and inspiring them to create the technologies of the future.
Support for STEM Education
Cosponsoring of Robotics Competition
Mitsui Chemicals co-sponsors the Japanese championship of FIRST LEGO League (FLL)*, one of the world's largest robotics competitions. Mitsui Chemicals supports FLL’s idea of providing children with an opportunity to experience the excitement of solving social challenges while applying STEM concepts and active learning.
Although booths and other exhibits were not possible from 2020 onwards, partly due to measures against COVID-19, sponsorship supported the continuation of the championship.
*FIRST LEGO League (FLL):
FLL is one of the world's largest robotics competitions sponsored by FIRST, a nonprofit organization in the United States, and the LEGO Group (the Japanese championship is sponsored by For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). FLL is currently held in more than 98 countries around the world, and the number of students participating in FLL is more than 320,000. Two to 10 children make a team to participate in the robotics competition and conduct scientific research and its presentation based on the theme of the competition. Top teams at the championship in each country will qualify for the world competition.
Children enjoying a Mitsui Chemicals experiment
Robotics competition
Holding lectures on corporate collaboration with SSH-designated schools
The Mitsui Chemicals Group holds lectures in collaboration with high schools that have been designated as Super Science High Schools (SSH). Mitsui Chemicals Crop & Life Solutions, a Mitsui Chemicals affiliate, gave a lecture at Chiba Prefectural Chousei High School with the topic “Let's Think about Agrochemicals.”
The lecture introduced agrochemicals safety and how to make agrochemicals, with the aim of alleviating vague concerns about agrochemicals and deepening understanding of agrochemicals. The lecture was followed by a Q&A session, during which many students actively asked questions, demonstrating their eagerness to understand the topic in depth. In fact, a survey of the students revealed that before the course, two-thirds of them had an image of agrochemicals being harmful, but after the lecture, many responded that their image of agrochemicals had changed to a positive one. The lecture also provided a good opportunity for the participating employees to take a fresh look at their own work and what they can do to create safe agrochemicals.
During the lecture
Cooperation in Experiential Study Programs for Teachers
Mitsui Chemicals accepts teachers as participants in Experiential Study Programs. Sponsored by the Japan Institute for Social and Economic Affairs, these training sessions date back to 1983. Geared towards teachers from elementary, junior high, and high schools, the aim is for them to experience corporate activities, and to convey these experiences to the children who hold the future in their hands. The Company has participated in this program every year since fiscal 2006.
During the program, the teachers have the opportunity to learn about the Mitsui Chemicals Group’s corporate mission, corporate sustainability management, Responsible Care initiatives, and human resources development. We also provide various programs, including a demonstration of the Laboratory Class on the Wonders of Chemistry, production site visits, and hands-on training at the Mitsui Chemicals Plant Operation Technology Training Center.
In fiscal 2021, the program was cancelled due to the COVID-19 measures, but we started accepting students again in fiscal 2022, and nine teachers took part in the training over two days (on August 19 and 22). The program is scheduled to continue in August for fiscal 2023.
A teacher training session at the Plant Operation Technology Training Center
Cooperation in Online Hands-on Job Experience Class for Junior High School Students
Mitsui Chemicals has participated in the Career Challenge Day On-Line-Meets* since fiscal 2021. As lecturers, Mitsui Chemicals employees gave presentations on topics, including the company overview, their reasons for joining the company, and their experience so far in the company, such as the difficulties and joys they experienced, in an online classroom connecting junior high schools across Japan. Through our initiatives and our employees’ presentations in this program, we believe that we were able to provide an opportunity for students to learn what it means to work and to think about the lifestyle they want to pursue in order to grow.
*Career Challenge Day On-Line-Meets:
A collaborative online career education program offered by companies and other institutions that support “SDGs × Career Education” for junior high school students in Japan who cannot experience on-site work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program received the METI Minister Awards (first prize) in the Coordinator Category of the 11th Career Education Award hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Sponsored and Exhibited in Niconico Chokaigi for "Science Experiment”
Mitsui Chemicals sponsored and exhibited in the “Cho-Arienai Science Experiment” at the “Niconico Chokaigi 2022.” Experiments were conducted in collaboration with a science YouTuber, and a hands-on exhibition was held to allow visitors to touch, know, and learn about chemical by MOLp™, our open laboratory activity.
Organized the Chiba Prefecture Dream Challenge Experience School
On August 1, Mitsui Chemicals held the “Dream Challenge Experience School” sponsored by the Chiba Prefectural Education Agency. This event aims to nurture children's dreams for their future careers, and to help them learn about the qualities and abilities necessary for their careers through various work experiences, scientific and technical experiences, and interaction with researchers and professionals. Since 2014, our Works has also been cooperating with the project. Nine fourth- and fifth-grade students from within the prefecture participated in the event, which included an introduction to Mitsui Chemicals, a tour of the facilities at the Technical Training Center, and an experiment class led by the Wonders of Chemistry.