Global Corporate Information

About one hundred of the world's leading photojournalists from 26 countries were sent to 53 African countries to photograph a day in the life on the African continent. The photographs that they captured with their lenses were used to create an amazing tapestry of images. As a premier sponsor for this massive project, Olympus supplied the equipment. Many Olympus staff from Japan, Europe and the United States participated in the project and provided extensive backup support for the photographic work.
This project was launched to draw worldwide attention to the AIDS epidemic in Africa, with proceeds from the publication of a photographic book going to the Day in the Life of Africa AIDS Education Fund. As part of our efforts to inform the world about the significance of this project, Olympus has staged photographic shows in many parts of the world since 2003 with the cooperation of the United Nations as well as non-governmental, non-profit organizations. The 13th of these shows, held at the Okayama Digital Museum in November 2006, attracted over 1,000 visitors per day. Another show was staged at the Tokyo Olympus Gallery in January. For those who cannot visit an exhibition venue, Olympus has established a Web-based gallery in four languages.

There is a movement afoot in Japan to have the fourth Sunday in July celebrated as "Oyako Day(*)." Oyako means parent(s)-child(ren). The idea that inspired this campaign was that it would be wonderful to strengthen family bonds by dedicating one day each year to parent-child communication. Olympus is working with photographer Bruce Osborn and his friends to popularize this concept. In 2006, 107 parent-child groups were photographed, and in August the images were displayed in the Olympus Gallery. Coming at a time when the public is becoming increasingly concerned about the falling birthrate and domestic violence, Olympus hopes this initiative will help people to rediscover parent-child bonds through photographs. In FY 2006, the campaign was expanded nationwide through the participation of the National Association of Photographic Studios [NIPPON SHASHINKAN KYOKAI].

Olympus is cooperating in the training of world-class documentary photographers by supporting the Photo Field Work program established by the Nippon Photography Institute. Sebastião Salgado has agreed to act as honorary adviser for this program, which is the first of its type in the world. In 2006 the first group of students experienced the challenges of photographic assignments by spending six months continually traveling throughout Asia. Olympus supported this pioneering initiative. We provided extensive assistance in the operation of a blog, to which the students were able to post their photographs in real-time from overseas, and local Olympus staff helped the students to stage a photographic exhibition when they were in South Korea. Through this activity, Olympus is helping to train photojournalists capable of succeeding in the global arena.

Support for Cultural Events to Mark the 35th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and China
The Chinese Culture Festival 2006 heralded the 35th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, which will be celebrated in 2007. It was orchestrated by the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Japan, with the assistance of Japanese government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In support of this event, Olympus staged photographic exhibition to provide opportunities for Japan-China cultural exchange during the festival period.

Free digital photography classes and photography clinics for senior citizens
The Fukuoka Service Station has provided the following programs for members of Fukuoka Senior Net since 2004.
· Digital photography workshop
· Digital photography free clinic
· Digital photography classes for small groups consisting of 4 to 5 people: Approximately once per month in the reception room of the Fukuoka Branch