Society and Community
We will provide educational support and participate in local events to help create a prosperous future together with the local community.
Coexistence with Local Communities
Good relationships with local communities are essential for the continuation of business activities. We build relationships of trust with local communities and contribute to their development by supporting educational, welfare, and environmental initiatives.
Promoting the Potential of Glass
Our educational support activities, centered in Shiga Prefecture where NEG is based, aim to foster interest in science among young people through on-site classes and participation in science events.
Sponsorship of Otsu City Science Museum’s “Innovation for the Future”
Our employees visit the Otsu City Science Museum to give hands-on lessons to teach local elementary and junior high school students about the characteristics of glass and how it is used.
The Innovation for the Future classes, which highlight inventing, discovering, and making things, were joined by 32 participants in fiscal 2025.
Participation in the University of Shiga Prefecture Science Career Support Program
In 2020, we became a collaborating enterprise in the University of Shiga Prefecture Science Career Support Program.
We hosted 13 participants in fiscal 2025.
Welcoming Visitors to Our Plants and Showroom; Opening Our Facilities to the Local Community
| Category | Participants | |||||||||||
| Visitors to our plants and showroom | Approx. 840 | |||||||||||
| Visitors to our facilities that are open to the public (green space, etc.) | Approx. 200 | |||||||||||
Employees Joining Community Activities
Each Group company site contributes to local communities through activities aligned with our businesses and tailored to local needs. We commit to continuing these initiatives over several years.
Supporting Shiga Prefecture’s Lake Biwa Floating School Program
In 2019, we acquired the naming rights to the Lake Biwa Floating School Program, and a youth environmental studies program in Shiga Prefecture aimed at supporting education and self-development. In 2023, we renewed the rights for another four years.
In fiscal 2025 (April 2025 to March 2026), the program hosted 12,819 fifth-grade school children on a total of 102 floating workshops.
Volunteer Activities and Community Exchange Events
To strengthen our ties with local communities, we carry out volunteer activities such as cleaning and planting greenery, host various events to which we invite local residents, and conduct donation and support activities.
| Activities | Participants | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employees joining community activities | Approx. 1,050 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| People visiting our summer festival and other events | Approx. 12,670 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| People joining dialogue between the Group and neighborhood councils | Approx. 220 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Donations of flower seedlings to local schools and neighborhood councils | Approx. 21,730 seedlings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Donations of Omi rice to children’s community kitchens, welfare institutions, and children of foreign parents in Shiga Prefecture | 6 tons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Advance Glass Science
We believe supporting basic research in glass, which is our core technology, and nurturing talent are essential for our sustainable growth. We advance the science of glass by working with higher education institutions and supporting education on glass topics.
Fostering Scientific Talent
NEG technical staff deliver lectures at series hosted by Kyoto University, Doshisha University, and other institutions, covering topics such as the fundamentals of glass science for science and engineering students. These lectures highlight the appeal of glass as a research field and aim to spark interest by providing a deeper understanding of glass materials.
Support Glass Research at Universities and Other Institutions (endowed courses)
We concluded a comprehensive industry–academia collaboration agreement with the University of Shiga Prefecture in 2007. Based on that agreement, we have been collaborating with the university on a variety of ongoing projects, which include the establishment of an endowed course, joint research and technological exchange on glass engineering, and supporting the development of future leaders. In 2025, we agreed to extend the comprehensive industry–academia collaboration agreement through 2031 and to continue offering endowed courses in glass engineering.
We launched an endowed course on fundamental glass research at Kyoto University in 2023. Designed to deepen understanding of glass science and develop future leaders in glass research and engineering, the program covers special glass manufacturing and cutting-edge fundamental research, including the production of special glass on the International Space Station. We also actively share our research outcomes, including a wide range of advancements, through conference presentations and academic publications.
Participation in Industry Associations
The Group works closely with industry associations and other stakeholders to advance glass science and address environmental and other shared challenges facing the industry.
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Major Organizations
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Glass Industry Conference of Japan
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New Glass Forum
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Electric Glass Industry Association of Japan
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Glass Manufacturers Association of Japan
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Glass Fiber Association of Japan
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The Glass Research Promotion Program, established by the Glass Industry Conference of Japan (GIC) and the New Glass Forum, began providing research grants in 2022. The program promotes fundamental research in glass with the aim of sustaining and expanding the academic and human resource base to support the continued development of the glass industry. NEG is a supporting sponsor of this program.