Business Continuity Planning

Basic Approach

Hamamatsu Photonics seeks to contribute to society and to create new markets advanced optical technologies. An interruption of our business following a major disaster, such as an earthquake occurring along the Nankai Trough, would significantly impact our customers' operations and greater society as well. Mindful of this, we have formulated a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) that allows us to fulfill our supply responsibilities to customers even following such a disaster. The plan details crisis response procedures and prior initiatives aimed at ensuring the stable supply of our products.

 

Hamamatsu Photonics Business Continuity Policy

  1. Protection of human life
    We give top priority to protecting the lives of our employees, their families, customers and business partners in our business continuity efforts.
  2. Business continuity
    The safety of our employees is our highest priority. Within that framework, we strive to ensure stable supplies through immediate establishment of the necessary systems to continue the supply of our products. By these means we aim to earn the trust of our customers and maintain our management foundation.
  3. Contribution to society
    We contribute to society not only by providing a continuous supply of its products but also through close cooperation with local communities. We contribute to communities through proactive engagement in restoring disaster-ravaged communities to the utmost extent of our capability. For example, we move quickly to accommodate local residents immediately after a disaster.

Hamamatsu Photonics Group Business Continuity Policy

Addressing earthquake, flood, and other risks

To address earthquake, flood, and other risks, each of our divisions advances measures such as those shown below in accordance with our Business Continuity Basic Plan (BCP) . Our preparations extend to insurance, commitment lines, and other financial aspects as well.

Measures to prepare for a Nankai Trough earthquake

As our main sites are concentrated in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, preparing disaster readiness measures for varied instances of earthquakes along the Nankai Trough is an urgent issue for our company. Following the release of local government guidelines by the city of Hamamatsu and Shizuoka Prefecture in April 2021, we launched a review of our earthquake readiness guidelines and issued a revision in May 2021. Subsequently, in accordance with the "Nankai Trough Earthquake Extra Information" released by the Japan Meteorological Agency, we have revised our guidelines several times to ensure that we enact proper measures for the minimization of damage at our sites.

Earthquake countermeasures at facilities

Among earthquake countermeasures to protect our structures, we undertake earthquake-resistant reinforcement work and, as necessary, adopt seismic isolation structures in new construction. We also implement measures to properly secure manufacturing equipment in place and to prevent products and materials from falling.

Seismic isolation system at Building 10, Toyooka Factory

Seismic isolation system at Building 3, Miyakoda Factory

Power outage countermeasures

To prepare for power outages, we have installed emergency generators for prolonged outages and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) equipment to protect against momentary voltage drops and outages caused by lightning. Necessary measures at major production sites also include the use of dual power supply lines and special high-voltage power supply systems that are resistant to outages and enable faster recovery.

Momentary voltage drop power supply system at the Ichino Main Factory

Joko Factory emergency generator

Addressing flood risks

Recent years have seen the occurrence of large-scale typhoons caused by extreme weather and the occurrence of linear precipitation zones that bring localized torrential rains. Accordingly, we are strengthening our measures to combat storm and water hazards.

Formulation of the Storm and Water Hazard Timeline

Our Disaster Countermeasure Task Force has prepared and launched its Storm and Water Hazard Timeline, a chronological disaster action plan for progressive disasters such as typhoons. It outlines actions beginning 72 hours before predicted typhoon landfall and extending to post-disaster actions.

Storm and Water Hazard Timeline

Flooding countermeasures at buildings

We implement measures to address risks envisioned by tsunami- and heavy rain-related flooding hazard maps released by authorities.

・ Installation of emergency generators and other key equipment on upper floors

・ Elevation of foundations for power supply and conversion equipment

・ Installation of water-proof walls, doors, and shutters at production buildings and key facilities

・ Elevation of storage locations for product inventories and key materials

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Strengthening of our BCP and disaster readiness management structure

We are advancing efforts to strengthen our BCP and disaster readiness management structure through the PDCA cycle.

Establishment of a management structure and effective operation

The company-wide Headquarters Disaster Readiness Committee meets once a month to identifying points for improvement in our BCP and disaster readiness and to ensure the implementation of considered countermeasures, thereby contributing to the strengthening of related structures. At every site, we have prepared organizations involved in BCP and disaster readiness to establish a structure capable of efficiently and effectively carrying out necessary measures at the sites. To enhance the operational effectiveness of our BCP and the skills of personnel, at all sites we carry out BCP drills and other activities that envision major earthquakes.

BCP tabletop exercise, Toyooka Factory

BCP tabletop exercise, Ichino Main Factory

Measures to raise employees' awareness of disaster readiness

To raise employees' awareness of disaster readiness and to identify issues following responses to large-scale disasters or other emergencies, we conduct semiannual disaster readiness drills that include Disaster Countermeasure Task Force communication drills, evacuation drills, liaison drills, and safety confirmation drills. Specific drills conducted at sites include fire extinguishing and rescue drills. We work to raise awareness and enhance skills so that employees can actively function as disaster readiness teams in the event of an actual disaster.

Disaster readiness drills at workplaces 

Earthquake and tsunami initiatives involving community residents

We have designated the new Building 5 at the Toyooka Factory and Building 1 at the Shingai Factory as evacuation sites for members of local community associations in the event of flooding risk due to heavy rain or tsunami following an earthquake.

Briefing session for local community association members at the Shingai Factory