Reflecting on the Disasters of 2024 [Environmental Measures VOL.12]

Looking back on the many memorable disasters that occurred in 2024, let's reconsider disaster preparedness.

The year 2024 began with the Noto Peninsula earthquake on January 1st, and it became a year marked by numerous memorable disasters, including heavy rains and heatstroke incidents due to record-breaking heat, particularly in Kyushu and the Tohoku region. First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to all those affected, as well as to their families and related parties. I also extend my deep respect to everyone who is working hard to support the relief of victims and the recovery of disaster-stricken areas. I pray for the safety of those in affected regions and for a swift recovery. Over the past year, we have been distributing information related to labor safety and environmental safety in the form of white papers. This time, as a summary, I would like to reflect on the disasters of 2024 and reconsider the disaster measures we can take now.

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We will explain the importance of soil contamination measures and appropriate countermeasures in two parts.

Modern companies are increasingly required to fulfill stricter regulations and social responsibilities from the perspective of environmental protection. Among these, "soil contamination measures" are particularly noteworthy. Soil contamination is often caused by corporate activities and not only leads to health hazards and environmental destruction but also carries the risk of significantly undermining a company's credibility. This document will explain the importance of soil contamination measures and appropriate responses, divided into two parts. In Part 1, we will provide basic knowledge about soil contamination and details of the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act. By responding swiftly to soil contamination issues, it is possible to mitigate environmental risks and achieve sustainable management. We sincerely hope that you will contribute to environmental protection while fulfilling your social responsibilities as a company.

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[Part 2 of the two-part structure] We will introduce actual cases of soil contamination and effective soil contamination countermeasures that we can tackle immediately.

In "Soil Contamination Measures Part 1," we provided basic knowledge about soil contamination and details about the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act. In the second part of this white paper, "Soil Contamination Measures Part 2," we will introduce actual cases of health damage caused by soil contamination and effective soil contamination measures that we can take immediately. Soil contamination is recognized as part of environmental issues, but its effects are diverse and can pose significant risks to people's health. Based on past cases, we will explore what kinds of health damage have occurred and what measures have been effective, while seeking specific guidelines for actions to reduce the risks we face.

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We will answer the question, "How should companies prepare for flood prevention?" Now, before the rainy season begins, let's prepare for typhoons and heavy rain.

Flood damage poses a significant risk to businesses. In recent years, the damage caused by floods and heavy rains has increased, greatly impacting corporate performance and sustainability. For example, the damage from the heavy rains in western Japan in July 2018 and Typhoon No. 19 in October 2019 is still fresh in our memories, making it important to learn from these cases. Every time we see news of corporate facilities such as offices, warehouses, factories, and stores suffering from flooding, many stakeholders may worry, "Is our company going to be okay?" Measures against flood damage have become extremely important for business continuity. To address the question of "How should companies implement flood damage measures?", we will introduce the basics of flood countermeasures in two parts. Now, before the rainy season begins, let’s prepare for typhoons and heavy rains.

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We will outline a path for companies to become resilient to flooding and provide specific methods to minimize risks.

The rainy season has fully set in, but are you adequately prepared for flood damage? In "Flood Damage Countermeasures During the Rainy Season Part 2," we will outline the path for companies to become resilient against floods and provide specific methods to minimize risks. In Part 1, we explained the recent occurrences of flooding, the use of hazard maps for flood prediction, and securing evacuation routes. In Part 2, we will focus on the types and quantities of supplies needed during a disaster, how to formulate a Business Continuity Plan (BCP), and advanced initiatives. We hope that by sharing know-how for immediate and appropriate responses during disasters, we can help protect your company's safety.

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We handle TFT LCD modules from WINSTAR for use in display sections of devices. 【We receive inquiries in the following situations】 - Wanting to update the display section of measuring instruments or control panels - Looking for LCDs to incorporate into industrial equipment - Searching for a supplier that can accommodate small quantities 【We can assist with】 - Selecting sizes and interfaces that meet application and enclosure conditions - Confirming pin assignments and arranging samples - Developing custom products and embedded systems - Selling in small lots We also handle OLED (organic EL) modules from the same WINSTAR company. Please consider these as well for devices that want to take advantage of their thinness, low power consumption, and wide viewing angles. Please check the specific specifications in the manufacturer's datasheet. We also accept requests for quotes only.

CLT is known as a building material, but its applications are not limited to just buildings. The wooden lightweight mat "Hyper CLT Mat" is a new option for utilizing CLT in civil engineering. It can be used as a wooden mat in places where steel plates have been the norm, such as temporary roads, access routes, heavy machinery work yards, and material storage areas. The 5×10 mat is relatively light at about 230 kg, making it easy to install, remove, and relocate. Additionally, it offers different values compared to steel, such as reducing glare and metallic noise, as well as CO2 fixation through wood. Moreover, the Hyper CLT Mat is registered with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as a NETIS technology "TH-250021-A." It can also be utilized for proposals involving the use of new technologies and environmental considerations in public works. From construction to civil engineering, the new use of wood is expanding in the form of wooden lightweight mats.

Metal cracks are one of the concerns in equipment maintenance operations. Conventional welding methods for repairs can cause changes in the base material around the crack due to heat, leading to residual stress and deformation, which always carries the risk of "crack recurrence" and "secondary damage." Hinode Water Supply Equipment Co., Ltd.'s "Mechanical Stitching Method" is a new technique that allows for the repair of metal cracks without applying heat. By using special bolts and reinforcement plates, the crack is physically removed without affecting the base material at all. Repairs can be made even in environments where open flames cannot be used. Since no heat is applied, the disassembly of equipment is minimized. For more details, please contact us or download the catalog.

We have newly added a **"Frequently Asked Questions Q&A"** section to the Hyper CLT sheet website. It clearly summarizes many questions frequently asked by those considering the introduction of the product, such as "What types of civil engineering sites can it be used on?", "Can it be used on rainy days?", "Is it compatible with large machinery?", and "What is NETIS?". The Hyper CLT sheet is a lightweight wooden sheet utilizing wood CLT, suitable for a wide range of applications including temporary roads, access routes, and heavy machinery work yards. It is also registered as a **Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism NETIS registered technology "TH-250021-A"**. Since it is a new material, we will not leave any uncertainties unaddressed. We aim to create a website that makes it easy to resolve questions before introduction, including information on wood, NETIS, civil engineering, and CLT, and we will continue to enhance the Q&A section.

We have added a new **"Glossary"** to the Hyper CLT sheet website. In the civil engineering and construction industries, there are many specialized terms such as "CLT," "NETIS," "temporary roads," and "wooden lightweight sheets." Therefore, we have introduced related terms in an easy-to-understand manner so that those who are encountering Hyper CLT sheets for the first time can understand the products and technologies. Hyper CLT sheets are wooden lightweight sheets for civil engineering that utilize wood CLT and are registered under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's NETIS technology as **"TH-250021-A."** We hope that by not only conveying the features of the product but also sharing the underlying technologies and terminology, users will feel a closer connection to Hyper CLT sheets. We will continue to enhance our website and provide clear information related to wood, NETIS, civil engineering, and CLT.