Top Interview (6/6)

Speaking Freely

Positive Reaction to Megaphone Donations in Disaster-Stricken Areas

Tell us about your social contribution efforts in the wake of last year’s earthquake.

Very soon after the quake we donated about 700 megaphones to the affected areas, to help support response efforts. In many areas the tsunami had damaged communications infrastructures, so we figured that megaphones would be useful in helping responders get their voices heard at a distance more easily, thereby facilitating communications. As it turned out, they were a big success and very much appreciated by people in the stricken areas, and I’m proud to say it was something that we, as a specialist in such sound products, were in a good position to offer.
Besides that, we’ve donated wireless amplifiers to non-profit organizations who are working on recovery support efforts through art and culture activities. In the future we’ll be continuing with sustained support efforts, including a variety of recovery-oriented proposals by our own industry, through sound and communications, which is our primary area of expertise.

TOA has also been involved in supporting the NHK television’s epic period drama Taira no Kiyomori...

Yes, we’ve installed TOA equipment in the main facilities being used for the Kobe city–sponsored “KOBE de Kiyomori (Kiyomori in Kobe)” campaign, and we’re involved in the sound production for that. I myself received a lapel pin given to participants in that campaign. Kobe is a city that is famous for its association with Taira no Kiyomori, so it’s natural for a Kobe-based company to be helping out with the PR efforts. And yes, I’ve been enjoying watching the show, too!

* Taira no Kiyomori was a military leader of the late Heian period of Japan. He established the first samurai-dominated administrative government in the history of Japan.