AsiaNet 45521

To Reconstruction of Elementary and Junior High Schools

TOKYO, July 20, 2011 (ANTARA/Kyodo JBN - AsiaNet) --

-- Installing Solar Panels at Schools Affected by Great East Japan Earthquake with support of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology* --

The Coca-Cola Japan Reconstruction Fund has decided to contribute 1.5 billion yen to the rebuilding of public elementary and junior high schools, with the funds being extracted from the 2.5 billion yen collected for reconstruction of the affected areas in the Great East Japan Earthquake. With an eye towards expanding renewable energy in Japan, the Fund supports cleaner energy in the reconstruction of the affected schools by providing funding for the solar panel installation, an operation also promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. By installing new solar panels during the reconstruction work at the public schools in the regions affected by the Earthquake, the Fund hopes to support the future of the children in the disaster regions through providing a teaching tool on clean energy that can educate about the environment. Details such as the soliciting of eligible schools and timing for the contributions will be examined in consultation with the Ministry, local governments, and other organizational bodies.

The Coca-Cola Japan Reconstruction Fund was established under the Coca-Cola Educational & Environmental Foundation by The Coca-Cola Company (headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer: Muhtar Kent), the parent company of Coca-Cola (Japan) Co., Ltd. (head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; representative director and president: Daniel H. Sayre). The aim of the Fund is to assist in the reconstruction of the disaster areas suffering from the effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In accordance with the principles for activities of the Coca-Cola Educational & Environmental Foundation, the funds will be put to use mainly in the construction of educational and other public facilities needed for rebuilding the lives of children affected by the disaster. This contribution will be the first specific proposed aid of the Fund.

* Pending

Coca-Cola system in Japan

The Coca-Cola system in Japan comprises Coca-Cola Japan, which supplies, manufactures, and markets concentrates, plans and develops new products, and conducts advertising and marketing activities; our 12 bottling partners that manufacture and sell products throughout Japan; and other affiliated companies.

At the Coca-Cola system, we are working to reduce energy consumption and introduce renewable energy into our business activities through the introduction of solar-powered "ecoru/Solar" vending machines and transport and distribution vehicles that use biodiesel fuel, as we aim to balance business growth and the reduction of environmental impact.

Coca-Cola Educational & Environmental Foundation
The Coca-Cola Educational & Environmental Foundation was established in June 2007 as a body to take over the activities of the Japan Coca-Cola Bottlers Scholarship Foundation (which operated for 37 years) and the Coca-Cola Environment Education Foundation (which operated for 14 years), and to provide unified operations and promotion of the aims of the two foundations. Based on the guiding principle of "Healthy Active Life," it undertakes a variety of activities for creating spiritually rich and robust people. Through planning and providing service activities centered on environmental education, educational support and sports education, it assists in the development of young people who will be sought after internationally and individuals who will support their local communities. Through these efforts, the Foundation aims to contribute to the formation of a rich world community and international goodwill.

SOURCE:
Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, Limited
Coca-Cola Educational & Environmental Foundation

Contact:
Maki Morino
Public Affairs & Communications
Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, Limited
Tel: +81-3-5466-8120
e-mail: mmorino@jp.ko.com

Editor: PR Wire
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