“Semiconductor Outreach Classes” Conducted by Semiconductor Manufacturing Sites in Japan

Buzen Toshiba Electronics Corporation, Kaga Toshiba Electronics Corporation, Japan Semiconductor Corporation Oita Operations / Iwate Operations

At Toshiba Devices & Storage Corporation Group’s semiconductor manufacturing sites, as part of environmental communication with the local communities where it operates and the development of environmental human resources, Toshiba Devices & Storage Corporation Group has been conducting environmental outreach classes for nearby elementary school students for about 21 years. These classes focus on issues such as global warming and waste separation. In addition, since FY2018, the Group has been conducting outreach classes that take up the theme of the semiconductors manufactured at each site. These activities are positioned as one element of the Group’s CSV (Creating Shared Value) environmental management, which aims to contribute to resolving social issues through the company’s core products and services. In FY2024, classes were conducted at Buzen Toshiba Electronics Corporation, Kaga Toshiba Electronics Corporation, and Japan Semiconductor Corporation’s Iwate and Oita Operations. During these sessions, employees served as instructors, guiding participants through hands-on activities such as building electronic circuits with transistors, observing raw ore materials for silicon wafers, and demonstrating a fully automatic washing machine model using ICs. Through these activities, participants had the opportunity to learn about both the mechanisms and roles of semiconductors in everyday electrical appliances as well as how semiconductors contribute to addressing social and environmental challenges.
 

• Buzen Toshiba Electronics Corporation
  In October 2024, Buzen Toshiba Electronics Corporation conducted a semiconductor outreach class for one class of 39 students at a school. The school commented, “The class enabled us to think about increasingly serious environmental issues, learn together about what we can do, and raise our students’ environmental awareness.” As a result, a nearby elementary school also requested a class, and in January of the following year, the company conducted the same program for two classes of 41 students at one school. The company received many comments from the students, and the school also shared that, “Although the content was highly specialized, the students were able to engage with it hands-on, which made the lesson both interesting and enjoyable. We hope to have this class again next year.” In these classes, “B-Smile,” a group of female employees at Buzen Toshiba Electronics Corporation who are engaged in environmental activities for the children of the future, play an active role.
  
  
• Kaga Toshiba Electronics Corporation
  Kaga Toshiba Electronics Corporation has been conducting semiconductor outreach classes at nearby elementary schools since FY2022. In FY2024, the company held its first on-site classes in November and December for 68 students in three classes at two schools in conjunction with tours of the new manufacturing building completed in May of the same year. In addition to the existing program content, these classes introduced examples of how the power semiconductors that the site manufactures are used in automobiles, and there was a Q&A session in which students could interact directly with engineers, fostering two-way communication. Participants also watched videos introducing the company’s environmental initiatives and the environmental facilities that are essential to semiconductor manufacturing. This outreach class program received the “Publicity Award” in the Education and Social Activities category at the 13th Ishikawa Eco Design Award 2023, which is organized by Ishikawa Prefecture.
  
  
• Japan Semiconductor Corporation Oita Operations / Iwate Operations
  Japan Semiconductor Corporation’s Iwate Operations launched semiconductor outreach classes in FY2023. In FY2024, it established a new organization called Joy SC, which is led mainly by young employees. That November, the program was conducted for 132 elementary school students across four classes at one school. Students shared feedback such as, “I learned that semiconductors have evolved greatly,” and “I enjoyed making the traffic light kit.” At Oita Operations, outreach classes were held in November and December 2024 for 434 elementary school students across 13 classes at three schools. In the same year, as part of the Toshiba Devices & Storage Corporation Group, the site also delivered its first-ever classes for middle school students, reaching 124 students across five classes at one school in December. Post-class surveys showed high evaluations, with comments including, “My understanding of semiconductors and their applications has improved,” and “I would like to work in a field related to semiconductors.” These activities are led by the Angel Team, a group of female employees from the Operations who play a central role in promoting communication both within the company and with the community.

• Environmental Education (Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation)

Buzen Toshiba Electronics Corporation

Kaga Toshiba Electronics Corporation

Japan Semiconductor Corporation Oita Operations / Iwate Operations