Commitment by Top Management

Contributing to Solving a Variety of Problems in the World throughSemiconductor Manufacuturing Technology
Semiconductors and FPDs Used in Everyday Products
as Part of Our Lives

Fulfilling Environmental and Social Responsibilities
through Three Different Approaches

Early in May 2006, I visited the United States to participate as a pan-

We have been implementing measures to reduce the environmental

elist in the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT)

impact of our business operations and to provide more environ-

held in Austin, Texas. Representatives of the world‘s leading infor-

ment-conscious products. Recently, in the course of implementing

mation technology (IT) companies, including software companies, PC

these measures, it has become clear to us that we can fulfill our envi-manufacturers, and semiconductor manufacturers, attended theronmental and social responsibilities through three different

congress to discuss topics such as the social roles to be played byapproaches. First, we can help people change their lifestyles tothe IT industry in the future.

more environment-friendly ones. Also, we can foster information

I was impressed with the vision that the world‘s leading IT

sharing to contribute to society. For example, if real-time informationcompanies have clearly shown for their IT business in Africa, thesharing becomes possible by the use of semiconductor and FPD tech-Middle and Near East, and Eastern Europe as well as in thenology in the kinds of daily goods mentioned here, transportation dis-BRICs*. In their vision, wireless networks, rather than wired net-tances will be decreased for both people and goods. Furthermore, thisworks, will become popular in those regions, because building

information sharing will be useful in education and medical care.

wireless networks requires less cost and time. Also, by expanding IT

As I have already mentioned, the world is becoming more IT-ori-networks all over the world, making it possible to access information

ented with an increasing use of semiconductors and FPDs. As awherever you are, even people living in remote areas will haveresult, electricity consumption is surging on a global scale. In view ofaccess to IT for school education and medical diagnosis. The

this, as the second approach, we can contribute to society by providingpower of IT thus improves the quality of life.

technology to reduce the amount of electricity consumed by semi-

In the 1980s, semiconductors were mainly used in general-conductors and FPDs. In the past, semiconductor and FPD manufac-

purpose computers for industrial use. At the present, however,turers played a central role in the development of low-energy-con-semiconductors are used in a variety of goods that are part of oursumption technologies. At present, however, they need to cooperate

daily life, including PCs, cell phones, game machines, automo-with semiconductor production equipment and materials manufac-biles, security systems for buildings, and home electrical appli-turers, who have been playing increasingly important roles in theances. I am very glad that semiconductor technology has con-technology used to produce semiconductors and FPDs.

tributed to society in such diverse ways, and at the same time I feel

Finally, as the third approach, we can contribute to the envi-

a strong sense of responsibility for theronment and society at large by manufacturing semiconductor andfurther development of semiconduc-

FPD production equipment that is more energy-saving, thereby

tors as president of a company insupporting semiconductor and FPD manufacturers in manufacturing

the semiconductor industry.

their products in a resource-saving manner. We are committed to taking these three approaches to fulfill our responsibilities.

Summarizing the Important Values Shared by Employees

Tetsuro Higashi

In April 2006, we summarized the values shared across the Tokyo

Chairman & CEOTokyo Electron Limited

Electron Group as TEL Values. This is passing the corporate culture
from generation to generation and ensuring that employees proactively respond to changes, keeping in mind how the Group has
achieved today’s growth.
I believe that “venture spirit” is the starting point for theGroup’s success today. Of course, it is not easy for the Group,
which has now grown into a large entity, to overcome all the difficulties with a venture spirit. However, I expect every employee tocontribute to opening up the new age, keeping TEL Values in their mind.
* The BRICs are Brazil, Russia, India,and China.

4 TOKYO ELECTRON Environmental and Social Report 2006

Taking Leadership in Our Industry in Efforts for the Environment andSafety
Our Unique Technological Abilities Enable Us toPropose Environment- and Safety-Conscious Products

Leading the Industry in Improving Safety at WorkIn recent years, the Tokyo Electron Group has been gradually

We are leading the industry in promoting safety at work as well. Inchanging its way of business. In the past, we provided products that

FY 2006, we worked with SEMI*, which is a trade association, to for-met customers‘ needs in response to their requests. Now, we aremulate the industry‘s safety guidelines that outline the systems

more active in proposing new products to customers, based on

and rules to be followed by employees of different companies

our unique R&D and product development plans.

when they work together.

In our environmental activities, we aim to contribute to a

When our employees work at customers’ factories, they are all

reduction in global energy consumption by promoting energy-saving

committed to safety, something for which customers havesemiconductor products. CO2 emissions from the semiconductor

expressed their gratitude. Some customers, evaluating our safety

industry are lower than the emissions from the iron and steel andmeasures highly, have even asked us to instruct them on safety sochemical industries. Semiconductor products, however, are used inthat they may become role models for other companies.

multiple industries, consuming electricity in substantial amounts. We

We plan to expand our safety promotion activities that involve

therefore cooperate with semiconductor manufacturers to pro-other companies. The Tokyo Electron Group has long been con-pose even more environment- and safety- conscious products,

ducting environmental and safety activities and we have estab-thereby fulfilling our responsibilities as a member of society.

lished the relevant departments. Based on this experience andFor displays, in addition to flat panel displays (FPD) that areexpertise, we will continue to lead the industry in safety.

more energy-saving than cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays, organic

Recently, legislation has been implemented for internal con-electroluminescence (EL) displays have been developed, whichtrol. However, I am afraid that employees will feel discouraged if theirconsume even less electricity than FPDs. I believe we can con-work becomes too regulated by laws and rules. It is important for us

tribute to a reduction in energy consumption through these products.

to build a flexible internal control system based on the minimum

Also, I think it important to show employees the direction of the busi-schemes and regulations required and take action based on a fullness and corporate responsibilities we should fulfill in society. We

understanding of how to manage the system. I will continue toplan to promote R&D activities including those for lower energydevote myself to providing the necessary knowledge and information

consumption and we have an R&D budget of 55 billion yen for theto employees and to improving their ethical standards.

current term.

* Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) is aninternational trade organization of semiconductor/FPD equipment and materials manufacturers.

Producing More Energy-Saving Equipment andReducing the Use of Regulated Chemical Substances
We clearly need to provide more energy-saving semiconductor andFPD production equipment. There are two ways to reduce theKiyoshi SatoPresident & COO
Tokyo Electron Limited

energy consumption of the equipment. The first method is to eliminate the waste of electricity in existing equipment by such measures
as reducing the use of standby electricity. The second method is to
drastically lower energy consumption through totally new technology,
the R&D for which of course requires time and labor.
The market share of the Tokyo Electron Group’s semiconductor
production equipment has been rising. This means that we arehaving more influence over the world’s semiconductor industry.
Therefore, improvements in our products will have a spillover
effect on the entire industry. We thus have major responsibilities inthe industry.
We have long been implementing measures to reduce theuse of regulated chemical substances contained in our equipment. We will further commit ourselves to reductions in line with theregulations implemented in Europe and other regions.

TOKYO ELECTRON Environmental and Social Report 20065