Disaster relief
Many of Komatsu's products (especially construction equipment) are vital for recovery and reconstruction in the wake of a natural disaster.
In the event of an emergency, we promptly grasp the local situation and support disaster recovery in a substantial way, such as providing equipment needed by the disaster area. The latest activities are as follows:
Assistance for people affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in 2024
In January 2024, an earthquake centered in the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture caused significant damage to the community.
In consideration of the extensive damage caused, Komatsu made a total donation of totaling JPY600 million (JPY500 million for Ishikawa Prefecture and JPY100 million for Toyama Prefecture) to provide emergency aid for the affected areas and people. In addition, in line with requests from the affected areas, we have been continuously providing support, including free-of-charge lending of equipment such as construction machinery, forklifts and generators, as well as personnel support to our suppliers that have been affected by the disaster.
Furthermore, Komatsu and the Federation of All Komatsu Workers' Unions jointly solicited donations from Komatsu Group employees and made a "matching donation" in which Komatsu donated an amount corresponding to the amount of the donation by the employees.
Komatsu was established in May 1921 in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Today, we operate in a total of four production bases in Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures. We have also been actively engaged in business activities deeply rooted in the local community, collaborating with numerous local suppliers and distributors. Our pursuit of coexistence with local communities has been handed down through generations, and our basic stance is to contribute to society through business activities.
Moving forward, we will continue to provide the necessary support to contribute to the prompt restoration of the affected areas.
Assistance for people affected by the Moroccan earthquakes and flooding in Libya
In September 2023, a strong earthquake centered inland occurred in Morocco, and a large-scale flood caused by a storm hit Libya.
To support the recovery of the affected areas, Komatsu decided to provide a total of EUR 70,000 worth of assistance through its wholly owned subsidiary, Komatsu Europe International N. V., for the purpose of reconstruction of the affected areas.
To the affected area in Morocco, Komatsu donated construction equipment to the Ministry of Equipment and Water through its local distributor, Stokvis Engins S. A. To Libya, we made a financial donation through the Belgian Red Cross.
We express our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the disasters.
Cooperation with pro bono workers*
- Pro bono: Initiatives and organizations to apply specialized job experiences and knowledge in volunteer activities.
In Japan, Komatsu has mainly assisted in areas affected by earthquakes. For wind and flood damage, which have increased in recent years, the damage is concentrated in limited areas or villages in many cases, and thus, we could not provide assistance in a more detailed manner in some cases.
Komatsu is providing the following support, including the provision of equipment and supplies.
Support for OPENJAPAN, a construction skill NPO providing grassroots support in affected areas
OPENJAPAN (head office: Miyagi prefecture) is a group of volunteers who have expertise in construction and civil engineering. They quickly rush to affected areas around Japan to clean up affected houses as well as conduct recovery and reconstruction work. Though many of the volunteers possess a great deal of skill to operate construction vehicles, recovery from disasters also requires the relevant expertise. Through daily training, they aim to carry out safe and effective recovery and reconstruction operations.
In response to a request from the Marumori-machi government in Miyagi prefecture, which suffered extensive damage, and after hearing from the people on-site about their needs, Komatsu donated a used compact excavator PC30MR, as well as rental costs for heavy equipment, fuel, and materials (e.g. blue tarps and crane tools) that were necessary for the OPENJAPAN activities in Marumori-machi so that they can be used for not only the reconstruction support activities in Marumori-machi, but also future training.
