PRESS RELEASE

29 June 2023
Kinjo Rubber Co., Ltd.

Favorable Response in Singapore, to “Walking guidance rubber mats for persons
with visual impairments” by a long-established rubber manufacturer in Osaka, Japan.
Participated in a business collaboration program held in Singapore
on May 30 with graduates of polytechnic students with special educational needs.
Through “Creating spaces with accessibility for all ”, we try to realize an inclusive society.
Kinjo Rubber Co, Ltd (head office located inYao, Osaka, Japan, President & CEO: Taizo OTA), occupying a high domestic market share in theindustry of rubber parts for household electrical appliances, developed walking guidance rubber mats for persons with visualimpairments, ”Hodokun” based on the ideas by persons with visual impairments themselves. For the overseas expansion of ”Hodokun”, Kinjo
Rubber Co., Ltd. participated in the Talent Accelerator Programme, a project for building a new model of employment for people with disabilities
by “TomoWork”, which Sumitomo Life Insurance Company established in Singapore.
In the programme, graduates of polytechnic students with special educational needs conducted a survey on the installation of indoor Tactiles inSingapore and created a video presenting problems and solutions to mobility problems for persons with visual impairments. "Hodokun" fromJapan was well received locally, and those who experienced it through the survey commented “It is a useful product for mobility assistance fortotal blind and low-vision people.”In the results debriefing held in Singapore on May 30, Desmond Lee, Singapore's Minister for National Development (and Minister-in-Charge ofSocial Services Integration), also participated.
Mr. Ota, president of the company, commented, “It was a great opportunity to work on this project with Tomowork and the wonderful students,
and to realize that this product will contribute to an inclusive world. We will continue to strengthen our technological capabilities and our ability
to convey our message for the creation of indoor spaces where all people around the world can move freely.”

Universal design and product styles that are easy to install in a variety of facilities
Since its launch in 2015, the "Hodokun" series has been installed in a cumulative total of more than 1,000 locations* in Japan,
including public facilities, hospitals, and office buildings. "Hodokun" is a walking guidance rubber mats for persons with visualimpairments (for indoor use only). This product can safely guide persons with visual impairments to their destination by thedifference in the sound and feel of the floor when tapped with a white cane, and the feel of the floor transmitted through thesoles of the feet.
The gently sloping, even surface of this universal-designed guideway allows all people to move freely, not only persons withvisual impairments, but also wheelchair users, persons with physical disabilities, the elderly, and people using strollers. Anotherstrength of this product is that it can be flexibly applied to existing buildings because it is affixed with double-sided tape.
*Installation Achievements(https://guideway.jp/settijisseki/)

Walking guidance rubber mats for persons with visual impairments,”Hodokun” hasreceived numerous awards, including the iF DESIGN AWARD 2016, German DesignAwards 2018, and IDEA 2019.

The video, created by graduates of engineering schools with disabilities, presents
problems and solutions to mobility problems for persons with visual impairments,
and anticipates future demand growth of ”Hodokun” in Singapore.

https://youtu.be/G3ANxmbq5Jc< About TomoWork >“Tomo” means friends in Japanese, representing a closely knitted global community coming together
to empower the differently-abled community in improving their quality of life. Established in 2019,
TomoWork is a registered charity in Singapore (Aug 2022).
We envision a world where there is equitable opportunity for the disadvantaged so that they can livewith dignity and feels a sense of belonging to society. We believe that being gainfully employed is thebest way to improve dignity and quality of life and what sets TomoWork apart is its ability to foster
collaboration among diverse stakeholders, forming an inclusive ecosystem that generates meaningful
outcomes for PWDs. Within this ecosystem, students with SEN remain connected even after theirgraduation from our programme through initiatives aimed at fostering mutual support and facilitating
the advancement of their careers. For more information, please visit https://tomowork.org< Product Specifications >Size (per sheet)
Edge type (parts used at the beginning and end of the guideway)└W:300×L:160×T:0.25-7mm
Center type (parts to be added according to guideway length)└W:300×L:320×T:7〜1mmMaterial Used: Synthetic Rubber
Installation Achievement: Public Facilities, Hospitals, Office Buildings,Sports Facilities, Commercial Facilities, etc.
Installation: Can be easily installed on existing floors.
Compatible with many flooring materials such as peat tiles, long sheets, carpet tiles, etc.
Color: 6 colors available (Mango Yellow, Smoky Yellow, Smoky Pink, Smoky Blue, Charcoal Brown, Charcoal Gray)*Custom colors can be available on a made-to-order basis
Cost: Reference examples on the official website （ https://guideway.jp/sankoukakaku/）< About Us >Company Name : Kinjo Rubber Co., Ltd.
President & CEO : Taizo OTA
Established : Kinjo Rubber Manufacturing Co. established in May 1936.
Address : 1-4-25, Atobe-Kitanomachi, Yao, Osaka, 5810068, Japan
Our Business :1. Manufacture and sale of industrial rubber and resin parts
2. Soft/weak ground improvement work (design, construction, management)
3. Manufacture, sales and installation of "Hodokun”

For media inquiries regarding this matter, please contact
Kinjo Rubber Co., Ltd. Social Innovation Operation Department Barrier-Free Promotion Section KOYAMA
Mail: info.hodokun@kinjogomu.jp
Corporate Website: http://www.kinjogomu.jp /”Hodokun” Website: https://hodokun.com/