Daikin Industries, Ltd. has issued its Japanese edition of "CSR Report 2015" summarizing CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities in the Daikin Group from April 2014 to March 2015.
This report serves to inform various stakeholders regarding CSR within the Daikin Group and deepen their understanding of activities undertaken by Daikin to achieve it by centering on the themes of "Environment," "Quality and Customer Satisfaction," "Human Resources," and "Social Contribution," which are all deemed essential to Daikin.
In the 2015 edition, we provide feature articles on such topics as promotion of next-generation refrigerant HFC32 (R32) to emerging countries, development of energy-saving air conditioning equipment crucial for realizing a net zero energy building (ZEB), and strengthening of the after sales service system in China.
Moreover, the Daikin Group recognizes climate change mitigation through reduction of greenhouse gases as a social issue requiring urgent attention. With this understanding, we publish actual results based on action item targets such as promoting energy-saving air conditioners in emerging countries where growth is remarkable and curtailing CO2 emissions for fiscal year 2014 by 28 million tons.
In September, we plan to publish more detailed information for the "CSR Report 2015" on the Daikin Industries company homepage (http://www.daikin.co.jp/csr). A printed edition in English is planned for publication during the same period.
In order to contribute to protection of the ozone layer and mitigation of global warming, Daikin is promoting air conditioners that use refrigerant R32, which is one-third the global warming potential (GWP) of conventional refrigerants. In emerging countries, information and know-how are especially needed concerning the handling of refrigerant R32 through the entire lifecycle from production to installation and servicing to disposal. In fiscal year 2014, Daikin participated in a technical assistance project of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), which had received a request from the government of Thailand, and provided assistance to Thai manufacturers in the form of basic knowledge of R32, safety education for production equipment, and instruction in installation and maintenance.
Progress is being made in developed countries and Japan toward low carbon societies with the introduction of the net zero energy building (ZEB). To make ZEB a reality requires higher energy efficiency in air conditioners since air conditioners account for the greater amount of energy consumption in buildings. In fiscal year 2015, we will work in cooperation with universities in Singapore to verify functions of air conditioning systems in tropical regions with high humidity and aim for practical applications toward realization of an array of low carbon societies.
Quality and Customer Satisfaction "Expansion of Japan's Quality Service Response Capabilities to China"
Not only is the Daikin Group working to improve sales, it also aims to improve the level of customer satisfaction and globally enhance the after sales service system, including maintenance and other services, with establishment of call centers under direct management at 27 global bases. In China, we are working to develop human resources that have high-quality service capabilities by providing employees comprehensive technical training. Furthermore, we are establishing consultation desks and technical assistance, even for dealers, and are tackling development of a full range of services for customers.
Since fiscal year 2011, we have executed a five-year environmental action plan that makes fiscal year 2015 the final year and are proceeding forward toward realization of targets.
1) [FY2015 Targets] Curtailment of CO2 emissions in emerging countries to 30 million tons in FY2015 through widespread use of inverter air conditioners, etc.
2) [FY2015 Targets] Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during production to one-third in comparison with emissions for FY2005 (67% reduction)
Thousands of people in Charlottesville and Albemarle County are still without power on Monday night after a thunderstorm swept through the area. High gusts of wind, paired with rain, knocked down trees and power lines and left roads blocked with debris on Monday, May 14. The amount of rain coming down made it hard to see the road when driving, and many roads in the area were blocked by fallen trees and larger bits of debris. Two trees and a power line fell across Mountainwood Road. The trees completely blocked the roadway at the intersection of Lockesley Terrace near Sherwood Manor Apartments in Albemarle County.
Daily Dispatch - Wisconsin News -Milwaukee firefighters rescue man from house fire near 70th & Dickenson
VIDEO: Milwaukee firefighters rescued a man from a house that caught fire on Monday morning, March 12 in the neighborhood near 70th and Dickenson. Officials tell FOX6 News when the Milwaukee Fire Department arrived on the scene around 9:30 a.m., they found heavy fire on the first floor. They pulled the man from the building -- and took him to Columbia St. Mary's Hospital -- where he is listed in critical condition. A cause or estimate on the amount of damage to the structure is not available at this time.
The legend and mystique around Dreyer’s landmark film certainly helps its appreciation – the original version of the silent masterpiece was appeared to have been lost after a number of fires destroyed what was thought was the only remaining complete film elements. But when a near complete version was found in a janitor's closet of an Oslo mental institution in 1981, along with an exhaustive restoration, ‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’ was rediscovered.
My moderately articulate words cannot possibly describe how great this film is. We all know the story of Joan of Arc, the teenaged French peasant who heard the voice of God command her to join the French army and lead her into victory for the nation. Dreyer’s film picks up the story when she was captured by English, imprisoned, tried and eventually executed.
Dreyer distills the production down to its bare essential elements, a few unadorned interior sets – the courtroom, Saint Joan’s prison cell, and other rooms in the prison. The walls are white with little in the way of art decoration or props - just the powerful words of the judge, jury and executioners and the expressive face of Joan, played by Maria Falconetti (sometimes referred to as Renée).
The story of Ms. Falconetti is even more legendary than the recovered film print. As lead actress it was her one and only performance, which emphasizes the astonishing artistic achievement. A performance which stands alongside Max Schreck as one of the great ‘one and only’ film acting roles in cinema history.
Dreyer almost exclusively frames Falconetti in a close-up, rarely placing her in a two shot with other actors and rarely anything wider than below her shoulders. Within these constraints, Falconetti expresses the anguish, fear, courage of the heroine with amazing intensity – arguably greatest ever female performance put to film. Rumour has it that Dreyer’s direction of Falconetti was so emotionally draining it pushed her into emotional collapse, thus she never acted again.
Even if Falconetti’s performance were merely adequate, the film is a masterpiece based on Dreyer’s stunning stylistic visual treatment and camerawork. Dreyer’s distinct compositions are simply astounding. The minimized aesthetic allows Dreyer to create a fresh visual dynamic by experimenting with creative and unorthodox framing. At Joan’s lonelinest moments watch Dreyer frame her awkwardly in the bottom half of the picture engulfed by the negative space above, and at her most powerful with her eyes framed at the top of the screen with the rest of her face and head dominating the lower half.
No shot is wasted, everything has a purpose. His stark white colour scheme and his reliance on close-ups emphasizes the duel of wills between Joan and her captors. The way he moves his camera feels thoroughly modern as well. The camera rarely sits still constantly roving throughout the courtroom, panning and tilting around the frame to guide the viewers’ attention and pushing into the English characters’ faces to boldly emphasize their intimidating strength. Dreyer exclusively holds on Falconetti’s close-up, repeatedly with same frame size subliminally conveying her resolute faith in God.
Dreyer’s makes up visually what he loses in his minimalist mise-en-scene with a sharp editing style, which resembles how filmmakers cut their films today. Multiple close-ups from different angles and multiple reaction shots which control the pacing of the scene. In fact, if I didn’t know about the film it could pass for one of those modern films shot in the style of old silent pictures – like the Lumiere Bros’ omnibus film or the opening sequence of PTA’s “Magnolia”.
It’s obvious “Passion of Joan of Arc” works well as a metaphor for the Christian crucifixion. And anyone who's seen both this and Mel Gibson’s "Passion of the Christ", will see the heavy influence of one on the other, with Gibson paying direct homage by borrowing the 'Passion' from the title.
Dreyer lasting message is more secular than Gibson's. If you ever felt doubt in yourself, or loneliness or questioned your faith in something you believe in, “Passion of Joan of Arc” is as good a remedy as any confession.
I was fortunate to catch it as a teenager at my local Fox Theatre. Really impactful movie. I'm looking forward to having another look.