Hitachi responds to earthquake & tsunami crisis

Following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan last Friday Alistair Dormer, Managing Director of Hitachi Rail Europe has released a statement:

“Thank you for those of you who have sent messages of concern following Friday’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan Our thoughts and best wishes go to all of our business partners, our employees, their friends and family and to everyone affected by this tragedy.

Although the full extent of the damages from the earthquake and the tsunami have yet to be determined, it is clear that in the affected regions, the social infrastructure systems that Hitachi has supported are facing a very serious crisis.

Many of Hitachi Group’s facilities have been damaged as well, including Hitachi Works in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, the cable plant at Hitachi Cable, Ltd., Hitachi Appliance’s Taga Office, and Hitachi Automotive Systems’ Sawa Office. Fortunately, the main Hitachi Rail facilities were not damaged.

Across Hitachi’s many business areas, some employees and their family members have also been injured. Since the earthquake struck on Friday, our colleagues have been working closely with our customers on the front lines, devoting all of their energies to restoring essential social infrastructures, including power plants, buildings, financial institutions, and railways.

Hitachi has already announced to the press today of its decision to make a contribution to the amount of 300 million yen (approximately Euro 2.6 million) to help aid the victims of this disaster and to assist in recovery efforts in the affected regions. Hitachi has also installed a crisis management committee at its Head Office in Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, led by President Nakanishi.

This Emergency Headquarters will manage activities aimed at providing support to affected regions and customers; gathering information on losses and damages suffered by employees and their families, and by Hitachi’s various bases of operations; and investigating and implementing appropriate countermeasures.

Hitachi would like to express its deep condolences for all of the victims of the earthquake and sincerely hopes for the fastest possible recovery in all regions involved.

We thank you, our partners and friends for your messages of concern and for your continued support in these particularly difficult times.”