Japan

We opened the first Cisco Japan office in 1992 and today have eight offices nationwide, with approximately 1200 employees. The country faces several economic and social challenges: large government debts, an aging population, lower productivity, and diminishing competitive power. Debate continues concerning the role of reform in restructuring the economy. Cisco's position is that innovations in education will play an important part in meeting Japan's long-term challenges. Our CSR activities in Japan largely focus on technical education for all ages, and we continue our efforts in this area by seeking partnerships with governmental education officials and major universities.

Helping to Fill Pantries

Cisco employee Douglas Lavanchy started working with the Second Harvest Japan (2HJ) food bank after joining Cisco Japan in 2006. When several of his coworkers expressed an interest, he started the Cisco Japan Volunteer Club. More than 60 people signed up the first week. Now 2HJ recognizes Cisco as an official sponsor. Cisco employees have volunteered hundreds of hours to date and contributed items to food drives. In FY09, a total of 46 Cisco Japan employees volunteered to help distribute food to homeless people in Tokyo. For every hour volunteered, the Cisco Foundation makes a matching donation.

School Kids' Website Honored

The J-Kids Award honors the best websites created by grade school students in Japan. Cisco has been active in the event since its inception in 2003. In addition to helping judge the contest, Cisco presents a wireless LAN kit to the grand prize winner every year. During the May 2009 contest, 32 Cisco employees worked as part of a virtual team of some 1000 volunteers to evaluate over 15,000 websites. The Cisco Prize was presented to children at the Sebe Elementary School in Aichi Prefecture, who were congratulated in an online meeting with Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Training African Engineers

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is the body governing Japan's Official Development Aid (ODA) programs. JICA operates in more than 150 countries and regions to provide technical cooperation, loans, and grants for developing countries. Cisco partners with JICA and the University of Tokyo Graduate Schools of Information Science and Technology to provide technical training to engineers from Mozambique, Rwanda, and other African countries. The focus is on "Next One Billion" research activities that connect people who currently have no access to the Internet.

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