Nitto's social responsibility includes filmmaking

Feb. 27, 2015

Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. says Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. has produced a documentary film, titled “Japanese Hero of the Andes: The Life of Yoshitaro Amano,” as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility activities.

The documentary will be donated to the Japanese American National Museum, and also will be shown inflight beginning in March on All Nippon Airways' (ANA’s) primary international flights.

The documentary focuses on the life of Yoshitaro Amano, a Japanese businessman and researcher of Andean civilization who was active overseas during the Taisho and Showa eras. Fascinated by the Chancay culture of Andean civilization, Amano’s work spanned the gamut of initiating digs and collections of archeological ruins and operation of the “Amano Museum,” which was established as a nonprofit facility for cultural preservation. He was awarded an Order of Culture by the Peruvian government for his achievements.

ANA will show the film from March through May, 2015.

Nitto is involved in the production of a variety of documentary films as sorporate social responsibility activities that could only be undertaken by a Japanese company. The company will continue to engage in business and CSR activities that express gratitude for the existence of the Japanese community that served as the predecessors to Japanese people who conduct business in the U.S.

Nitto has produced other films. In 2011 it sponsored production of “The Untold Story of Ralph Carr and the Japanese,” which focuses on the life of a politician who had a major impact on Japanese Americans. This film was donated to the Japanese American National Museum.

In 2012 Nitto produced “Snow Dream – Roots of Sapporo Snow Festival,” a documentary that looks at the origin and evolution of the Sapporo Snow Festival held each year in Hokkaido, where the company’s winter tire test course is located. This film was donated to the city of Sapporo.

In 2013 Nitto sponsored production of the “Journey to Washington,” a documentary that looks back at the life of congressman Daniel Inouye, who was instrumental in building the foundation for Japanese Americans today. This film was also donated to the Japanese American National Museum.