Aid Initiatives in
the Wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake
We would like to express our sympathy for the people affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Shiseido Group wishes to support affected people right by their sides through beauty support activities and activitiesthat only Shiseido can promote.
Concept of Reconstruction Support
Company lives with society, and society is what lets us survive. Our hope is to fulfill the company's responsibilitiesas a member of society when society faces difficulties.
Reconstruction of the Tohoku region, which received unprecedented damage, has a long way ahead. We intend to supportaffected people right by their sides for a long time so that they can become independent by utilizing our
resources,such as people, objects, information, technologies, and culture, etc.
What can we do to give energy to affected people as a cosmetics company, even if the amount may be small? With sucha hope, we have been promoting "beauty support activities", in which we offer beauty services like skincare,
makeup,and hand care, etc., for not only women but also children and men since the quake. Through the beauty support activities,we have learned that there is "power of makeup" that can heal people's hearts, make them positive, and
give themenergy.
Reconstruction Support Linked by "Camellia"
A few years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, it is shifting from the resettlement phase, which involves environmental
establishment of temporary housing and debris processing, etc., to the reconstruction phase, which involves self-reliant
re-building of houses, re-building of lifelines/infrastructures, and reconstruction of business districts and local
industries, etc. The reconstruction speed also differs in each area. Due to this, affected people’s desires are also
changing and becoming diversified. Shiseido has promoted the corporate activity style of establishing relationships
with stakeholders, including consumers and business partners, in which we can see each other’s face and providing
thorough response.
Since FY2013, we have been promoting beauty support activities leveraging the "power of makeup", which can only be
offered by a cosmetics company, and reconstruction activities with the government and local residents by utilizing
our resources. We hope to consider and overcome issues that we find with local residents through face-to-face efforts
and steadily promote reconstruction by accumulating results. Therefore, we will continue to support new city development
by limiting the areas.
The Reason We Started Promoting These Activities
Reconstruction Support Linked by "Camellia"
Shiseido's symbol is "Hanatsubaki (camellia)". The city flower of Ofunato City/Rikuzentakata City in the Kesen area in Iwate
Prefecture is "camellia". Because of this connection, we wondered if there was anything we can do to support
them by using "camellia" as the keyword and held a number of dialogues with people of these cities. Through
the dialogues, we learned that people in the Kesen area used to press oil from camellia fruits in each household
to use for cooking and hair care, etc. until several decades ago.
In addition, we learned that people wanted to use camellia, which residents of these cities have always treasured,
as a new industry for these cities. We also learned that there had been a foundation in which Ofunato had
been treating camellia as a tourism resource –"home of camellia: Ofunato"– since before the quake. We thought
that there must be something we can do to support these activities by utilizing Shiseido's resources.
Our Dream - In Preparation for Specific Actions -
Our greatest dream is to nurture camellia as a new industry for these cities, which will rapidly develop in the course of
reconstruction, and to provide support for the efforts.
We hope to make the dream come true by holding dialogues and generating ideas with residents of the Kesen
area and Ofunato City/Rikuzentakata City and also promote our own activities so that we can help the people
develop their ideal cities.
1. Activities with Hopes of Industrialization
We promote camellia tree-planting activities every year so that camellia can become a new industry for the city and
that they can be utilized as a tourism resource.
Since FY2014, we have been transporting and planting 30-year-old camellia trees from Machida in Tokyo with the
cooperation of the JAPAN CAMELLIA SOCIETY as a specific means to accelerate the industrialization process.
In collaboration with Ofunato City, we have planted approximately 470 nursery trees and about 100 mature trees
(as of May 2017).
A Camellia Tree Planting Event Held to Contribute to the City Development Project
Shiseido launched the planting activity in 2012. In 2017, its sixth anniversary year, the participants planted nursery trees, which they plant every year, as well as mature trees, a new symbol of the city, to support the revitalized city of Ofunato. 15 employees from Shiseido planted trees with people from Taiyo-kai, the Ofunato City Office, and the JAPAN CAMELLIA SOCIETY.
(1) Nursery Camellia Tree Planting Event
On Thursday, May 25, 2017, Shiseido and Taiyo-kai, a social welfare corporation, co-hosted a camellia tree planting event on the premises of Taiyo-kai Fukushi-no-sato Center in Ofunato City. The participants planted 32 trees. To support this activity, Shiseido donates part of the sales of the Shiseido Relaxing Night Mist and of Ofunato's signature products that SHISEIDO AMENITY GOODS CO., LTD. offered in its mail order catalogues.
(2) Commemorative Mature Camellia Tree Planting Event
On Friday, May 26, 2017, Shiseido planted nine mature trees as a new symbol of the city in the KYASSEN Mall & Patio, a commercial facility.Shiseido and KYASSEN CO., LTD., a city development company, co-hosted the ceremony.
A Camellia Tree Planting Event with Wishes for Reconstruction Held on June 11, 2016
A camellia tree planting event was also held this year, on June 11, 2016
On Saturday, June 11, 2016, Shiseido and Taiyo-kai, a social welfare corporation, co-hosted a camellia tree planting event at Iwate Prefectural Fukushi-no-sato Center. 20 employees from Shiseido participated in the event and planted trees together with people from Taiyo-kai, the Ofunato City Office, and the JAPAN CAMELLIA SOCIETY.
(1) Mature camellia tree planting
In order to harvest camellia seeds, from which oil is extracted, at an early stage, we planted 20 mature trees. This year, as well as last year, the JAPAN CAMELLIA SOCIETY donated 30-year-old trees.
(2) Nursery camellia tree planting
In the hope that the trees will grow well and vigorously, commemorative trees were planted by Ofunato City Mayor Kimiaki Toda, Shiseido Executive Vice President and Representative Director Tsunehiko Iwai, Taiyo-kai Director Noriya Kikawada, and Mr. Kiyohiko Nakamura of the JAPAN CAMELLIA SOCIETY. A part of the sales of the "Shiseido Relaxing Night Mist" and of Ofunato's signature products that SHISEIDO AMENITY GOODS CO., LTD. offered in its mail order catalogues is donated to this nursery tree planting event.
Hosting a Camellia Tree-planting with Hopes of Industrialization Event on June 12, 2015
“Camellia seedling planting” held on July 12, 2013
The city of Ofunato took the lead to host the tree-planting event with hopes of industrialization so that camellia can become a new industry for the town and that they can be effectively utilized as a tourism resource. From Shiseido, 13 employees participated and promoted the tree-planting activities with local people. The camellia seedlings, which were used in this event, were donated from Shin-kamigoto-cho in Nagasaki Prefecture because of Shiseido’s activities. Among the 1,000 donated trees, approximately 300 seedlings were planted on this day.
“Tree-planting of mature camellia trees” held on June 28, 2014
Due to the fact that camellia trees take approximately 20 years to become mature, nut harvesting is the issue in industrialization. In order to accelerate the industrialization of camellia and effectively utilize it as a tourism resource, we planted mature trees at Iwate Prefectural Fukushi-no-sato Center. 8 members participated from Shiseido and planted 40 mature trees, which were donated by members of the JAPAN CAMELLIA SOCIETY via Machida City, Tokyo, along with members of Taiyo-kai and employees of Ofunato City Office.
Mature and young camellia tree planting event held on June 12, 2015
On Friday, June 12, 2015, Shiseido and Taiyo-kai, a social welfare corporation, co-hosted a camellia
tree planting event at Iwate Prefectural Fukushi-no-sato Center.
16 employees from Shiseido participated in the event and planted trees together with people from
Taiyo-kai, the Ofunato City Office, and the general incorporated association RCF.
(1) Mature camellia tree planting
In order to harvest camellia seeds, from which oil is extracted, at an early stage, we planted 30 mature trees. The planted mature trees were donated from the JAPAN CAMELLIA SOCIETY, which has supported this activity.
(2) Nursery camellia tree planting
We planted 40 nursery trees. A part of the sales of the "Shiseido Relaxing Night Mist" and of Ofunato's signature products that SHISEIDO AMENITY GOODS CO., LTD. offered in its mail order catalogues is donated to this nursery tree planting event.
2. Initiatives for Raising Awareness of Camellia in Kesen Area
Releasing “Before bedtime” Fragrance with the Motif of “Sanmen Tsubaki” of Ofunato City Released on October 1, 2014
Fragrance soothes our feelings and gives us a sense of relaxation. With the hopes of delivering pleasant
sleep with good fragrance to affected people, we worked on developing a product by utilizing Shiseido’s
aromachology research. As a result, we have developed a new fragrance for users of all ages regardless
of gender to experience a sense of relaxation before bedtime, by combining with the fragrance ingredient
of flowers of “Sanmen Tsubaki”, which is 1,400 years old and is the oldest camellia tree in Japan
located at “Nakamori Kumano Shrine” in Massaki-cho, Ofunato City. We collaborated with local people
to create a new fragrance “Shiseido Relaxing Night Mist”.
It was released on October 1 (Wed), 2014, with limited volume via the Shiseido website, and is available
at 4 department stores, Isetan Mitsukoshi Ltd.* from March 9 (Wed), 2016.
Part of the sales will be utilized in the development of “Ofunato, home of camellia”.
*available through e-commerce and selected stores only.
Using Camellia in Reconstruction Efforts Initiatives
Shiseido Parlour Launching “Kesen Tsubaki Dressing”
November 10, 2014
On November 10, Shiseido Parlour, participating in Shiseido’s reconstruction efforts initiatives centered
around the use of camellia, launched a series of dressings in the market with a limited number of
products. These dressings contain “Kesen Tsubaki” camellia oil made from camellia seeds from Kesen
area, a town that was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
Kesen Tsubaki camellia oil is made by roasting camellia seeds and carefully wringing the oil out
with manual oil wringers. Roasting the seeds brings out a distinctive, rich aroma and gives the oil
a beautiful golden color.
This series comes in two varieties: Onion and French mustard. Head chef at Ginza Shiseido Parlour
has made the best of this aroma, using a signature recipe in the making of the dressings.
“TSUBAKI NO YUME FESTIVAL (Dream of Camellia Festival)” October 4, 2014
Shiseido held “TSUBAKI NO YUME FESTIVAL (Dream of Camellia Festival)” at Rias Hall in Ofunato City, Iwate
on October 4, 2014, as part of Shiseido’s “Using Camellia in reconstruction efforts” initiatives.
The purpose of this event was to let the local young people experience and know the potential of
camellia as an industrial and tourism resource.
The theme of the performances for the event was “Experience camellia with all five senses,” including
a “Fragrance Seminar” to feel the effects of fragrance and “Shiseido Relaxing Night Mist,” a “Mini
Gallery” exhibiting Shiseido products and posters designed with camellia motifs, and a “Tasting camellia
oil” activity where people could try foods and sweets that contain camellia oil.
In “Tasting camellia oil,” Ofunato Higashi High School students presented their hand-made sweets
that contained camellia oil.
Shiseido also held “Hair & Skincare Seminars” for both male and female high school students to show
the students how to style their hair and provide some tips on how to maintain healthy skin. It was
a way of drawing the local youth to this festival, since it is them who will have to shoulder the
responsibility for the reconstruction of the region.
The event closed with the “Hair & Makeup Show” by Shiseido’s hair & makeup artists, and featured
models selected from among the local youth.
Thanks to the popular fashion brands, CECIL McBEE and SLY from Shibuya 109, all participants were
able to express their “Ideal ME.”
Hosting "TSUBAKI NO MEGUMI FESTIVAL (Blessings of Camellia Festival)" Hosted on November 23, 2013
We focused on the "food culture" of camellia to support its industrialization by promoting the recognition
of edible camellia oil, which was commercialized after the quake. We planned the "TSUBAKI NO MEGUMI
FESTIVAL (Blessings of Camellia Festival)" with the hopes of creating an opportunity to explore the
potential of camellia with local residents through food experience.
In this event, local restaurants and Japanese/Western sweets stores prepared new dishes and sweets
using camellia oil, and we held a menu contest. The head chef of Ginza Shiseido Parlour participated
from Shiseido and served the signature menu, "Meat Croquette", which was fried in camellia oil.
Local women made "Kenchin-jiru (miso soup with root vegetables)", which has always been made with
camellia oil in the area, and served it at the venue. They simultaneously handed down the culture
to children, who did not know camellia oil.
In addition, we also held an event to experience harvesting camellia fruits, which will be important
in industrialization, in another venue (Goishi District, a tourist spot for camellia in Ofunato),
and picked 54 kg fruits with the local residents.
The harvested fruits were donated to Seishokan of Taiyo-kai, a social welfare corporation, and an
oil factory in Rikuzentakata, that faces an issue of fruit harvesting in preparation for the industrialization.
3. Activities to Grow Camellia with the Next Generation
Ofunato City Hikoroichi Junior High School's Activities
Ofunato City Hikoroichi Junior High School in Iwate Prefecture is implementing a school-wide program named the "Camellia Learning Program" for further understanding of camellias, the city flower. At the junior high school's request, Shiseido is supporting the students, who will play a central role in the future city development, in experiencing the "potential of camellias".
Cooking Class with the Shiseido Parlour Held on Augsut 28, 2017
On Monday, August 28, the students made special omelet with rice under the guidance of the chefs of Shiseido Parlour and compared the taste of croquettes fried with camellia oil produced in Ofunato City.
First, the grand chef of Shiseido Parlour demonstrated how to make omelet with rice. He told the students the secret to wrapping chicken fried rice gently in a thin sheet of egg omelet. The students were fascinated by the process of cooking the delicious-looking dish.
The students were nervous and looked awkward at the start of cooking, but they gradually began to smile. Everyone managed with the difficult task - wrapping chicken fried rice in a thin sheet of egg omelet - to make tasty omelet with rice.
Eating the home-made omelet with rice made them smile because making it themselves gave them confidence, and they were happy with its mild taste. In addition, they compared the taste of croquettes fried with camellia oil or cooking oil. They enjoyed the flavor and aroma of the croquettes fried with camellia oil produced in their hometown.
Activities in Ofunato Municipal Akasaki Junior High School
Our encounter with Ofunato Municipal Akasaki Junior High School in Iwate Prefecture was on September 11, 2012.
Shiseido employees and all of Akasaki Junior High School students planted the same number of camellia seedlings
as the number of 9th grade students in front of the temporary building of the school, which was affected by the
tsunami.
Plates of haiku, written on the themes of "home of camellia: Ofunato" and "reconstruction of our home", were
attached to the camellia seedlings. Since then, we have been continuing to promote the activities to grow the
camellias, which we planted with the students of Akasaki Junior High School.
Students are passing down the responsibility to grow the camellias with care while communicating the possibility
that these trees may become a seed for a new industry for Ofunato someday.
Haiku Works
The students in the 9th grade have been composing haiku (Japanese poems in 5-7-5 syllabic form) with
the themes of “home of camellia: Ofunato” and “reconstruction of our home” annually since 2012.
We have organized their haiku works into a “haiku booklet” as records of steps to reconstruction,
and presented to them.
Activities to Grow Camellia (Video conferences/Tsubaki Journal)
Holding Video conferences
We began holding Video conferences with maintenance and safety representative students in June, 2013.
In these "Tsubaki Meetings", students discuss what they have noticed and wondered about in the course
of providing care for the camellia trees, and we share information.
We considered what was necessary to nurture camellia trees and prepared a nurturing program while
seeking advice from specialists.
Akasaki Junior High School "Tsubaki Journal"
Akasaki Junior High School has decided that "maintenance and safety representative" students would be
in charge of nurturing the camellia trees, starting in FY2013.
Mr. Takashi Takahashi, teacher in charge, started sending us reports on the camellia trees.
We have decided to keep them as records under the name of "Tsubaki Journal".
Oil Pressing Event Held on November 17, 2015
“Grow camellia” ⇒ “harvest its fruits” ⇒ “extract oil”
We held an event to extract oil from camellia fruit to support Ofunato City’s goal of industrializing
camellia through an event to experience this important process with local students and by deepening
their interest in camellia.
About 30 students participated on the day, watched how oil was extracted by a traditional oil press
machine in Ofunato and experienced extraction by home oil press machines. Afterwards, they tasted
“Kesen Tsubaki (camellia) Dressing” from Shiseido Parlour to experience an example of how the camellia
oil is used.
The participating junior high school students told us with excitement, “It was my first time to actually touch camellia fruit and extract camellia oil. It was very interesting”, “when you actually experience it, you realize that you need quite a lot of power to extract even the smallest amount of oil”, and “I learned for the first time that camellia oil is used for many things”.
4. Reconstruction Support Market
We have been holding the reconstruction support market, in which we collect and internally sell products from the Kesen area that we have been supporting, in the Shiseido Shiodome Head Office every year since FY2013.
<Objectives of the market>
For Region
- Improvement of the recognition of the Kesen area
- Development of new sales channels
For Employees
- Opportunity to PR the reconstruction support activities to gain sympathy
- Opportunity to realize employees’ will to help with reconstruction support