ESG Voice 2016

QTell us about the advantages of seats you perceive through engaging with end users.

Seats play an important factor in a customer’s decision to buy a particular car. When I show the Step WGN minivan, for example, I make it a point to demonstrate how easy it is to fold down the third-row seats to create a spacious luggage area, and customers looking at the seven-person Odyssey always want to try out the second-row ottomans. These minivans are great family cars, and I know that customers are pleased to learn that the seats are highly resistant to dirt and water damage.

Response

The sale of each car gives us the opportunity to confidently deliver convenience, functionality and comfort through seats, to which passengers develop an attachment. Next to a house, a car is typically a person’s most expensive purchase, so we want them to make their purchase based on accurate information, and we want to share in their satisfaction. We will continue working to design and deliver products that delight our end users.

(Car Model Manager, Administration Department)

QWhat led to your involvement with TS TECH?

Our partnership began when our department in charge of industry-academic research received a call from TS TECH’s New Product Development Department regarding our research website. As a result, I was given the opportunity to begin working on the Drowsiness Reduction Seat^* design as part of my graduate students’ doctoral research.

QWhat are your expectations for TS TECH in industry-academic collaboration?

Joint research allows us to address challenges that don’t arise in typical academic laboratories, so this can also help create new ideas. It also gives us the opportunity to bring our research results directly to the public. Meanwhile, participating students gain practical knowledge and skill as well as get a feel for the actual challenges of the manufacturing industry. I would welcome more opportunities to participate in joint research in the future.

• The seat monitors changes in the driver’s breathing rate to detect drowsiness and alerts the sleepy driver by vibrating. (Exhibited at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013)

Response

We’re very grateful to Professor Yokoyama and the graduate students for their valuable work over a considerable period of time on the Drowsiness Reduction Seat. We plan to continue to actively participate in joint research and believe that these efforts will contribute to the development of attractive new products in the future.

(New Product Development Section)

QOf the information a company discloses, what do you view as important when considering investments?

The TS TECH Report includes non-financial as well as financial information. Today’s investors are increasingly focused on ESG issues and often look carefully at non-financial information such as corporate governance when making investment decisions.

Q What are your expectations for TS TECH?

At its Za Forum and the Tokyo Motor Show, TS TECH presents new ideas that offer a glimpse of the future through concepts such as seat technology for self-driving cars. While it is difficult to differentiate between products in the car seat arena at a glance, we expect TS TECH to continue to deliver unique technology and products.

Response

In addition to disclosing our financial data, we are also committed to the appropriate, accurate release of ESG-related information. Moving forward, in addition to continuing to strive to anticipate user needs and to deliver appealing products to fill these needs, we will continue to be proactive through initiatives such as the Za Forum and the Tokyo Motor Show.

(General Affairs)

QHow do you balance work and parenting?

As my two children are enrolled in off-site daycare, I take advantage of a system that offers shorter working hours in order to drop them off and pick them up. When I heard that an on-site daycare center would be opening in July, I signed up for help on public-holiday workdays, when outside daycare facilities are closed.

QTell us about your expectations for the on-site daycare center.

Having a center on-site will give me more quality time to spend with my kids, and it will give me peace of mind knowing that they are nearby, particularly in the event of a natural disaster or illness. When a workplace recognizes and supports the needs of workers at different stages of life, the result is more efficient employees.

Response

Under the belief of “Due regard for human resources,” we strive to create an environment where every hard-working employee can continue to thrive. We will continue to promote new approaches to support diversity and to provide an appealing workplace where employees can work safely and comfortably and be productive.

(Human Resources)