On Saturday, May 13, 2023, rice planting volunteers from the Higo Bank, Ltd., Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation, KIS Corporation, and Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company participated to plant rice, despite the rain, for the 13th \u201cAso Mizukake no Tanada\u201d rice planting activity for groundwater recharge as part of SDGs initiative.\u00a0 Photographed are Chief Director Kai and guests of honor.\u00a0 Chief Director Kai addressed the participants: \u201cThe legal status of the novel coronavirus infection, which had been in place for more than three years, was downgraded to \u201cClass 5,\u201d and a new routine began on May 8, shifting from \u2018emergency\u2019 to \u2018normal\u2019 condition.\u00a0 \u00a0During this period, gatherings of large number of people and traveling were restricted, and it was quite difficult to carry on with the normal volunteer activities.\u00a0 For this reason, we have continued the \u201cgroundwater flooding project\u201d by a small group of people from several companies who have agreed to participate in groundwater conservation efforts.\u00a0 This year, I am pleased to announce that 13 companies, including Higo Bank, have agreed to participate in the project. The rice plants are happy with today’s rain!\u201d<\/p>\n
The participants offered a prayer for the safety of the work and the abundant harvest by following the manners of Shinto; bow twice, clap one\u2019s hands twice, then bow once more in unison with Chief Director Kai.<\/p>\n The \u201cRice planting ceremony\u201d was performed by Chief Director Kai, Vice Chairman Kasahara, and Yamada Ward Representative Manager Hashimoto.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mizutomidori.jp\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/5307.jpg\")
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