For Immediate Release
June 23, 2020
LIXIL Group Corporation

LIXIL Introduces the SATO Tap, a Novel Handwashing Station that Aims
to Improve Hygiene for Millions in Developing Economies-- LIXIL committing US$1m to support accelerated rollout to fight COVID-19 --Tokyo – Washing your hands thoroughly with soap reduces the spread of disease and can help prevent
COVID-19 infection. But for approximately 3 billion people around the world, this step is out of reach.
According to UNICEF, 40% of the world’s population does not have access to basic handwashing facilities
at home. In the world’s least developed economies, it is as high as 75% of the population. The COVID-19
situation is highlighting vast inequities in access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.
To help protect these communities, LIXIL Group Corporation (“LIXIL”), maker of pioneering water andhousing products, announced today the introduction of a new off-grid handwashing solution through its
SATO brand. Called the SATO Tap, the new product is developed to be affordable and attractive for lowincome households and designed so it can be used anywhere in the home, even without access torunning water.
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In light of the global spread of COVID-19, LIXIL’s goal is to provide a rapid response to the populations inneed of improved hygiene, while also supporting longer-term solutions for handwashing behavior
change. LIXIL will commit to a total of one million dollars to support immediate and sustained handhygiene practices through this innovation. As part of accelerating product roll-out, it also plans to matchthe commitments of development partners and others, which could impact up to 5 million people withimproved handwashing.

Kinya Seto, CEO of LIXIL, said, “LIXIL is a purpose-driven company that is committed to contributing tosociety through its business. COVID-19 has left many of the world’s most underserved communities
exposed. Two out of five people in the world do not have even basic handwashing facilities in theirhomes at a time when they are needed the most. SATO Tap applies strong design and engineeringexpertise. Combined with LIXIL’s corporate backing, we will accelerate rollout and access to those whoneed this product most. We’re confident that this new product can contribute to expanding access tohandwashing and improved hygiene for many more. I would like to thank UNICEF and our partners forworking with us to ensure we reach those most in need and help to save lives. We welcome others to join
us so we leave no one behind.”
LIXIL sought technical inputs from its partners, including UNICEF, on the design of the SATO Tap toensure it addresses the needs of targeted communities The SATO Tap consists of a plastic base with anozzle that can be fitted with widely available plastic bottles. The design is based on unique insights fromconsumers and stakeholders and analysis of existing solutions for the emerging markets. It is compact
and can be used both within the home and as a handwashing station at public facilities. The unique tap
design ensures low contact, thereby reducing the spread of disease, while the trickle action minimizes
water use, meaning fewer refills, but maintaining solid flow.
In addition to providing an affordable handwashing facility to disadvantaged households through theSATO Tap, LIXIL’s existing partnership with UNICEF will also expand activities in handwashing andsanitation in response to COVID-19. These activities range from collection of commercial and behavioral
insights to strengthen behavior change, joint advocacy to promote hygiene programming and
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maximizing existing public and private sector networks and supply chains to expand access tohandwashing.
“We know that one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of diseases is to wash your hands.
But for the poorest and most vulnerable children and families, the immediate risk of COVID-19 iscompounded by a lack of basic handwashing facilities,” said Kelly Ann Naylor, UNICEF, Associate Director,WASH. “This global pandemic has made it more essential than ever to work closely with governments
and private sector partners, like LIXIL, to ensure handwashing is possible for all.
Daigo Ishiyama, Chief Technology and Marketing Officer, SATO, said, “Handwashing with soap is one of
the cheapest, most effective ways to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and other infectious diseases,
yet for many people in the world it is still a privilege. At SATO, we began to think about how we could
innovate within the COVID-19 constraints faced in these communities. We know many of thesehouseholds don’t have running water but they do have access to a water source and to plastic bottles.
Our solution had to be affordable and reliable, easy to produce and transport, effortless for children touse, as well as water-saving to minimize the frequency of the refill. This is why the SATO Tap design relies
only on the characteristics of water and gravity to create a simple on-and-off mechanism that also
mitigates the risk of contamination through contact.”
To date, LIXIL’s SATO social business has developed
affordable sanitation solutions including toilets and toilet
system components. The SATO Tap is its first hand-hygiene
solution, based on the same consumer-centric designprinciples of its sanitation solution, a key approach toensure sustainability and commercial viability.
The first SATO Taps will be manufactured in India, and will
be available for partners in September 2020, with ramp up
of production and retail availability through early 2021. LIXIL
is also working to establish other licensing partners toexpand to other markets including Africa. The launch of theSATO Tap is consistent with LIXIL’s ongoing work on SDG 6,
which contributes to improved sanitation and hygiene, having already reached over 18 million people in38 countries with improved sanitation through SATO products.
Learn more about the SATO Tap here.
-End-3|P a g eAbout LIXIL
LIXIL makes pioneering water and housing products that solve everyday, real-life challenges, making better homes a reality
for everyone, everywhere. Drawing on our Japanese heritage, we create world-leading technology and innovate to makehigh quality products that transform homes. But the LIXIL difference is how we do this; through meaningful design, anentrepreneurial spirit, a dedication to improving accessibility for all, and responsible business growth. Our approach comesto life through industry leading brands, including INAX, GROHE, American Standard, and TOSTEM. Approximately 75,000
colleagues operating in more than 150 countries are proud to make products that touch the lives of more than a billion
people every day.
LIXIL Group Corporation (TSE Code: 5938) is the listed holding company for LIXIL’s portfolio of businesses.

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