Power Systems Hitachi Works, Hitachi,Ltd.

The Hyotan

Power Systems Hitachi Works,
Hitachi, Ltd.

photo (right) shows Hitachi Works and it's outskirts
（a copy of Google earth）

① Hitachi Works
② JR Hitachi Station
③ JR Joban Line
④ Ose Port
⑤ the Pacific Ocean
⑥ Center of City

　
　　　　
Our daily lives are influenced by the enterprises in our communities as far as we live in the so called industrial city. There are many enterprises in Hitachi City as Hitachi, Ltd., its associates, and many other industries. They are deeply involved in the life of the citizen of the city. We tried to find how the typical industry in the city, Power Systems Hitachi Works, Hitachi, Ltd. is involved in and has contribution to the community as a case study.

1. Outline of Power Systems Hitachi Works, Hitachi, Ltd.
(1) History
Started machine manufacturing and repairing as an independent annex to Hitachi Mine, Kuhara Mining Co., Ltd. in 1910. Incorporated as “Hitachi, Ltd.” in 1920.
(2) Business
Has four factories, Kaigan, Yamate, Rinkai, and Futo. Manufactures wide varieties of products, electric power generating equipment, general-purpose machines such as electric motors, and semiconductor’s power devices.

　　　　　

2. Contribution to Community
(1) Close Ties with the Local Community, Volunteer Activities.
Volunteer groups of the employees clean the open space around the railroad station, roads to factories, and areas around the factories. They also give baseball training classes for young generation. Gymnasiums, stadiums and sports grounds are open to the public.
(2) Medical Activities
Hitachi General Hospital serves as the general hospital of the northern part of Ibaraki Prefecture with state-of-the- art medical equipment .
(3) Foundation Activities
1) The Odaira Memorial Hitachi Education Foundation
(a) Odaira Incentive Awards
These awards have been given to individuals and groups in recognition of meritorious, long-term endeavors to the communities in Ibaraki Prefecture.
(b) Odaira Memorial Composition Contest
This contest is open to students of primary and junior-high schools in Ibaraki Prefecture.
(c) The Odaira Memorial Education Fund
This is for primary and junior-high schools in Ibaraki Prefecture to
promote students’ study and enhance school education equipment.

2) The Hitachi Mirai Foundation
Kamejiro Takeuchi Cups to promote boys and girls sports activities.

(4) Foundation
Holds and supports “ Hitachi Kid’s Seminar” and “ Hitachi Invention Club for Boys and Girls”.

(5) International Exchange Program
HISTEP (Hitachi International School Teachers Exchange Program) has an interchange of teachers of junior- and senior- high schools of the central and northern part of Ibaraki Prefecture between USA and European schools.

(6) Environmental Measures
Holds environmental fair periodically.

(7) Training and Support for Job Skills
1) Hitachi Kid’s Job Training
Trains the upper class of primary school children and junior-high students for experience of manufacturing at the Factory Training School
2) Two-day Internship Program for Senior-high School Students
Job experiences at shops for two days as internship programs
3) Employee Training for International Associate Industries
Job training for three months at shops with dozens of internationals of associate industries.

3. Cultural and Sports Activities
Wide varieties of cultural and sports activities are run for welfare of employees, and many circles and groups have collaborations in and outside the works .Typical activities are as follows.

1) Hitachi Symphony Orchestra
Started as an orchestra with members of the works employees, now is the “City Orchestra” with members of the community music players to give concerts outside Japan, too. Practicing is performed in the evenings or on holidays , because many members are employees of enterprises. Citizens enjoy periodical concerts of the orchestra.

2) Chorus Group
A mixed chorus group of many members have been keeping high records in the section of shop chorus group of the annual national competitions.

3) “Panpon” Magazine
The first Magazine Panpon was published in 1947 two years after the end of World War II with mimeograph when Japan did not have sufficient goods. Published quarterly, the latest issue is the 280th. The magazine is rich in content covering Haikus, tankas, essays, novels and topics of the community.

4) Baseball Team
The team with long history is a frequent competitive team for the National Inter-city Non-professional Baseball Tournament at the Tokyo Dome Stadium.

5) “Panpon”
“Panpon” is a game combined tennis with table-tennis, and played with soft rubber balls and wood plate rackets on paved roads. It is a game originated by Hitachi, Ltd. in the Taisho Era,(1912-1926). It is said that rallying sounds “pan” and back “pon” named the game. It started as games at lunch break of works. Now Inter-works Tournament of the Hitachi, Ltd. is held and it is also getting popular among the citizens along the Citizen's Tournament.

6) Other Activities
Bon Odori (the Bon Festival dance) and fireworks at the Ose Beach in late July is a big event for the community. Athletic meeting, interrupted for a while, is one of the big autumn events of the community.
　

Concert of Chorus Group

Panpon Game at lunch break

4. Source of information
Public Relations, General Affairs Group, General Affairs Department
Address: 317-8511 1-1, 3-chome,Saiwai-cho,Hitachi-shi,
Tel: 0294-55-0011, Fax: 0294-55-9829