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MFTBC Announces New Japanese-German Exchange Program
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| Tokyo - Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation (MFTBC) today announced its support of the Takenoko Fund, a program fostering the exchange of high-school students between Japan and Germany. By financially supporting group trips of Japanese high-school students to Germany and those of German high-school students to Japan, the Takenoko Fund – established by the Japanese-German Center Berlin (JDZB) - aims at raising the interest of young people in the other country’s people and culture. It will thus contribute to a deeper understanding and promote openness and tolerance in an increasingly global world. The Takenoko Fund is sponsored jointly by MFTBC and DaimlerChrysler, of which MFTBC is an integral company. The companies have committed a total annual contribution of 100,000 Euro (approx. 14,000,000 Yen) from 2005, onward, for three years with a possible continuation beyond 2007. The JDZB will run the day-by-day activities of the Takenoko Fund including the selection of suitable participants and all other operational measures. The first groups have already traveled to Germany. The JDZB has a long tradition of supporting student exchange programs between Japan and Germany. On December 9, 2004, Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan and the German Government agreed in Tokyo on fostering youth exchange programs between Japan and Germany as a central pillar of deepening their two countries’ relations. So far the Takenoko Fund sponsored by DaimlerChrysler represents the largest and most ambitious initiative in this area. It is also one of the major long-term initiatives announced within the current year “Germany in Japan 2005/2006” which started in April 2005. DaimlerChrysler’s business relations with Japan date back to 1912 and the import of a Mercedes Kardanwagen to be used as the imperial automobile. Since then DaimlerChrysler has continuously expanded its business in Japan. In March 2005 it increased its share in MFTBC to 85%. The signing ceremony took place at the residence of his Excellency, the German Ambassador Henrik Schmiegelow, in the presence of the State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office, Georg Boomgarden, as well as the Japan Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Akiko Yamanaka. Andreas Renschler, Member of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG with responsibility for the Commercial Vehicles Division, said on account of the occasion: “Fuso is becoming an integral part of DaimlerChrysler’s Commercial Vehicles Division in a relationship which is built for the long-term future. We want to underline this clear and long-term commitment.” Harald Boelstler, President and CEO of MFTBC, said during the occasion: “Exchange programs for young people between Japan and Germany are a positive, long-term investment in the future. We welcome the chance to contribute to the mutual, bi-lateral understanding.” Take-no-ko literally means ‘young bamboo sprouts’, which rapidly grow forming a thick and forceful network. Hence the name of this fund symbolizes the rapid intensification, fortification and rejuvenation of the human network between Japan and Germany. The Japanese-German Center Berlin is a foundation under private law based in Berlin supported by both the German and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Senate of Berlin. About MFTBC Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation is one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. DaimlerChrysler AG owns 85% of MFTBC shares. The remaining 15% of shares continue to be held by various Mitsubishi group companies. Mitsubishi Fuso is an integral part of DaimlerChrysler’s Commercial Vehicles Division |
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