As part of its continuing environmental conservation efforts, NEC Electronics (TSE:6723) today announced that its manufacturing subsidiary NEC Kyushu Ltd. will plant approximately 12,000 broad-leaved trees in an environmental conservation area covering four hectares (40,000 square meters) in Ozu, Kumamoto prefecture. NEC Kyushu will plant mountain maple, mountain cherry and other trees species over a 10-year period starting in April of this year, based on an environmental preservation agreement concluded today with the town of Ozu. Through this agreement, the company aims to support Ozu's groundwater replenishment efforts and to stimulate absorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere.

The afforestation initiative will result in the creation of the "NEC Kyushu Forest" within the "Environmental Forest" that is part of a groundwater replenishment project promoted by the town of Ozu. NEC Kyushu employees will also participate in undergrowth trimming and cleaning activities as part of continued environmental conservation activities for five years after the trees are planted, designed to coincide with their growth period.

Since the establishment of NEC Kyushu in September 1969, environmental conservation activities have been among the highest management priorities. The company has promoted numerous energy-saving activities and global warming prevention measures, and has steadfastly promoted environmental management throughout its business operations, including the attainment of certification for the ISO 14001 standard for environmental management systems in 1996. As a result, the company has won numerous awards related to environmental management, including the Kumamoto Environmental Award in June 2001 and the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Award in February 2004.

Semiconductor manufacturing requires the use of large quantities of water, and NEC Kyushu has been particularly active in protecting water resources. For instance, the company has maintained a water recycling rate of 98% since 2002, an achievement that has been recognized worldwide. The company's environmental activities in the area of groundwater replenishment also extend beyond production activities. For example, since 2003, the company has supported the preservation of local rice fields, a vital source of groundwater, by purchasing locally-grown rice for consumption in the company cafeteria, which serves some 2,400 employees.

Although international initiatives to combat global warming such as the Kyoto Protocol are gaining prominence, Japan's greenhouse gas emission levels continue to rise and attaining the goal of a 6% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from 1990 levels by 2012 is said to be difficult. Amidst these circumstances, companies are seeking ways to meet emissions cuts with CO₂ absorption via afforestation, and reduce consumption through energy saving. NEC Kyushu plans to actively pursue such environmental activities in the future as one of its environmental management pillars. An outline of NEC Kyushu and its afforestation project is available below:

Afforestation Project Outline
Implementation location: "Environmental Forest" in Ozu, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Implementation surface: 4 hectares (40,000 square meters)
Types of trees: Zelkova, quercus serrata, mountain maple, mountain cherry tree, etc.
Name: NEC Kyushu Forest

About NEC Kyushu, Ltd.
Representative: Toshio Nakamura
Company address: 1-1-1 Yahata, Kikuchi county, Kumamoto prefecture
Established: September 12, 1969
Capital: 1 billion yen
Number of employees: 2,450
Businesses: Development and fabrication of large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs) such as microcomputers, system LSIs, and system memory

Environmental Policies of NEC Kyushu
Environmental Philosophy
NEC Kyushu aims to support the creation of an affluent society and environment in harmony with the local community, by using environmentally friendly technologies and producing environmentally friendly semiconductor products.

Action Guidelines
1. Promote the green procurement of materials with the aim of producing environmentally friendly semiconductor products.
2. Aim to reduce environmental impact through activities such as the protection of water resources and prevention of environmental pollution, together with measures against global warming through energy saving and the reduction of greenhouse gases.
3. Establish autonomous management standards and promote progressive environmental management activities, while strictly observing environmental laws, environmental preservation agreements, and other requirements.
4. Implement environmental management education for all employees, aim to instill environmental awareness, and deploy activities for the harmonious coexistence of business and the environment.
5. Strive to always maintain an up-to-date environmental management system, making continuous improvements as needed.

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