Fujitsu Group in US$1-m Japan relief effort

The Jamaica Observer, Monday, March 21, 2011

THE Tokyo-based Fujitsu Group which has offices in 70 countries including Jamaica, is donating US$1.2 million, or 100 million yen, and relief supplies to aid in the recovery of earthquake-hit Japan.

"In addition to addressing the recovery efforts...the Fujitsu Group is placing high priority on the recovery of affected social systems including electricity, water, gas, hospitals, and police and fire departments, in order to support the local residents and community of the affected areas," Fujitsu Kingston-based spokeswoman, Sandra Jones said.

A massive tsunami triggered one of history's biggest earthquakes on March 11, 2011, devastating the Tohoku (northeast region) of Japan.

"We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to everyone who has been affected by the earthquake. Fujitsu asks its customers for their understanding and support at this difficult time," said Jones, who is vice president of marketing at Fujitsu Caribbean.

Asked yesterday by the Observer if any Jamaican had been based at Fujitsu Japan and would have been affected by the earthquake, she said "not at this time".

She said Fujitsu had established a disaster response headquarters headed by its president, Masami Yamamoto, to collect information on the safety of all Fujitsu Group employees and on the extent of damage sustained by Fujitsu Group facilities and its customers.

Jones said damage to buildings and production equipment including the ceilings, walls, and drain pipes of the Fujitsu Group's plants and offices had affected business operations. Planned rotational electricity blackouts had also affected its operations in the Kanto region of Japan.

But Jones was unable to put a figure to the loss suffered by Fugitsu but said an announcement would be made soon if the damage was significant.

"The Fujitsu Group sincerely hopes for the speediest possible recovery to everyone in the regions affected by this disaster," she added.

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