In Kumamoto, where recovery from the devastating earthquake of 2016 (Heisei 28) is still not complete, another major earthquake with a magnitude of 7 struck on the 28th. Watching the images on TV news and other media, I am heartbroken and can only think, "What a tragedy!"

When I think of the victims of the disaster, I feel overwhelmed and helpless, wondering if there is anything I can do. In this intense heat, all I can do now is pray that everyone providing aid will do their best and that they will persevere.

Small earthquakes have been continuing in the Tohoku region. I am reminded once again that we must be prepared and take precautions.

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Now that summer is in full swing, internal committee activities are becoming even more active as we look ahead to autumn and beyond. New employees are gradually getting used to things and are actively participating in these activities.

Within the company, there are six committees in which all employees participate.

These include the Events and Customer Satisfaction Improvement Committee, which has already started its activities in April; the 5S Activities Committee, which covers all departments; the Smile Up Committee, which shares customer feedback internally to bring smiles to employees' faces; the Autumn Sports Day and Company Pork Festival Executive Committee; the Charity Pork Show Executive Committee, which is preparing for January of next year; and the AI Utilization Committee. Each committee has set its own slogan and goals, and is carrying out its monthly activities under the leadership of its chairperson and vice-chairperson.

For me, the committee activities I look forward to most are seeing the monthly activity reports.

[Scenes from committee activities]

Sheep herding race

[Treats]

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And preparations for the "Tategamori Wind Festival" to be held next February by Ecole Tategamori, a friendly local group, began last month. Despite the intense heat, plans are underway to create an image of the Tategamori Plateau in the middle of winter.

Currently, many disasters are striking both around the world and within Japan, but we must overcome them and move forward, just like our predecessors.

Shizu Hashimoto