November 30, 2004 －Tokyo - Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Ajinomoto, President & CEO: Kunio Egashira, Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan) announced the grand opening of Ajinomoto Group Takanawa Training Center on December 1, 2004. The Ajinomoto Group Takanawa Training Center aims to have professionalism rearing, of whom trained to be capable of working in the global arena in the 21st century. Meanwhile, the Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture Library and the Ajinomoto Corporate Museum were opened to general public. In addition, the center was built by using historical & cultural parts including the earthen wall and gate, bottom ceiling of the boat, and the customer compartment, which all are the historically & culturally structure from the early Showa era.
The Ajinomoto Group Takanawa Training Center was built on the same location as the former Ajinomoto Memorial Hall. The Japanese-style exterior, garden and tea house were all retained to allow overseas employees experience the origins of traditional Japanese culture. The major purpose for the center is on Ajinomoto Group's employees' training basis, the personnel who trained are capable to work in the global arena, which is on the other hand, fulfilling the Ajinomoto Way and the Company's corporate philosophy.
Ajinomoto has relocated the Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture Library to the training center. The Library has combined a total of approximately 50,000 volumes from Tokyo and Osaka, making it one of the largest collections of its kind in Japan. In addition, a new exhibition space for planned exhibits is included to enhance the facility as a library specializing in dietary culture. The Ajinomoto Corporate Museum introduces the foods and lifestyles of various periods in Japan. On the other hand, the history of the Ajinomoto Group has also been introduced.
With the collapse of the lifetime employment system and increasing labor turnover rate, loyalty to the company is decreasing. Amid these conditions, based on the Company's commitment to valuing its employees, Ajinomoto has made "nurturing personnel capable of working in the global arena" as one of the basic strategies of its Three-Year Plan for the period from April 2002 to March 2005. Building this training center brings Ajinomoto further toward creating a nurturing environment for training the personnel who will support the Ajinomoto Group in the 21st century. Moreover, Ajinomoto aims to co-exist with regional communities with the Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture Library and Ajinomoto Corporate Museum.
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Reference Materials
Outline of Ajinomoto Group Takanawa Training Center
| 1) |
Name |
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Ajinomoto Group Takanawa Training Center |
| 2) |
Architect |
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Kume Sekkei Co., Ltd. |
| 3) |
Construction Company |
: |
Taisei Corporation |
| 4) |
Address/Phone |
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13-65, Takanawa 3-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo (TEL 81-3-5488-7318) |
| 5) |
Transportation Access |
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11-minute walk from JR Shinagawa Station, Takanawa Exit; 2-minute walk from Toei Asakusa Line, Takanawa Station, Exit A2 |
| 6) |
Site area |
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3,228 m2 |
| 7) |
Building area |
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1,974 m2 |
| 8) |
Floor area |
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6,201 m2 |
| 9) |
Composition of Structure |
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Steel frame (earthquake-resistant construction) |
| 10) |
Number of floors |
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3 stories, 1 basement floor |
| 11) |
Number of rooms |
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| Large auditorium (394 seats) |
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1 room |
| Lecture hall (53 seats) |
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1 room (Earthquake Disaster Countermeasures Division) |
| Medium-sized auditoriums (42 seats) |
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4 rooms |
| Group training rooms (12 seats) |
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12 rooms |
| Special conference rooms (8-10 seats) |
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2 rooms |
| Individual study booths |
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32 seats |
| Cafeteria |
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146 seats |
| Cooking practice room (capacity 24 people) |
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1 room |
| Tea house (Ichibanaan) |
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1 room |
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| 12) |
Total cost |
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\3 billion |
Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture
To commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Company's establishment, in 1979 Ajinomoto established the Dietary Culture Preparation Office to start activities contributing to dietary culture. During the 1980s, the Office had held many events, including the Dietary Culture Forum, and collected materials for a food-related library. In 1989, the Company's eightieth anniversary, after receiving permission from the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ajinomoto established the Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture to conduct "various business activities related to dietary culture."
| Overview of the Foundation's Activities |
| 1. |
Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture Library
Collection of books, academic papers, documents, magazines, etc., related to dietary culture, and cookbooks, rare books and color woodblock prints from the Edo, Meiji, Taisho and early Showa eras. A wide range of users includes researchers, educators, general corporate users, students and the media.
* Exhibition Room (newly constructed)
Exhibitions of color woodblock prints, rare books, etc. Also holds special exhibitions on dietary culture-related themes.
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| 2. |
Dietary Culture Forum
An interdisciplinary research symposium for members. Held at regular intervals three times a year ("Food and Scientific Technology" in fiscal 2004).
Symposiums open to the public held as necessary for announcement of results ("Food and the Earth" in fiscal 2004).
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| 3. |
Publication of quarterly periodical vesta
Dissemination of information as the foundation magazine.
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| 4. |
Research support
Support for outstanding dietary culture activities.
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| Outline of the Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture Library |
| Address |
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13-65, Takanawa 3-chome
Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0074
(inside Ajinomoto Group Takanawa Training Center)
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| Phone |
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+81-3-5488-7319 |
| Fax |
: |
+81-3-3445-7965 |
| Time open |
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10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Days open |
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Monday to Saturday |
| Closed |
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Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year holidays, May 1, June 17 |
| Book lending |
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Card registration system; registration fee \100 |
| Number of volumes |
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Approximately 50,000 (current target)
(Tokyo 35,000 volumes; Osaka 15,000 volumes) |
Ajinomoto Corporate Museum
The Ajinomoto Corporate Museum offers visitors a glimpse of social trends and lifestyles through the years, introducing a century of Ajinomoto Group history and the activities that are taking it into the future. Exhibits evoke the spirit that has guided the Ajinomoto Group as it has developed, constantly in pursuit of better meals and lifestyles, hand in hand with people and their daily lives. Visitors to the museum will be able to view items and photographs that reflect that tenor of their times, revisit nostalgic mealtime scenes, see products and advertisements that have colored the history of the Ajinomoto Group, and obtain the latest information on amino acids and Ajinomoto's corporate activities. The Museum has two sections: "A Century history of meals and lifestyles" and "ASHITANOMOTO Square".
A Century history of meals and lifestyles
Divided into four eras spanning the period from 1900 to the present, exhibits trace the steps of the Ajinomoto Group against a background of changing times and social trends, illustrating the gradual transformation of dining habits over the years:
| 1. |
The Origins of AJI-NO-MOTO
A short film documenting the early days of Ajinomoto Co., Inc., following in the footsteps of the inventor and the entrepreneur who started it all. |
| 2. |
A Century, Hand-in-Hand with History
Exhibits chronicle the progress of the Ajinomoto Group over the past 100 years, with examples of Ajinomoto products and advertising, and images and objects depicting their times. |
| 3. |
Lifestyles and Dining Trends
Realistic 3D recreations of dining scenes provide a nostalgic glimpse of mealtimes and the changes that have transformed the way we eat. |
| 4. |
Lifestyles and Dining Trends: Today and the Future
An opportunity to preview probable lifestyle and dining trends of the not-so-distant future. |
ASHITANOMOTO Square
This zone introduces Ajinomoto Group's latest activities, amino acid-related information, industry-leading R&D and dedication to safety and reliabilities.
| 1. |
ASHITANOMOTO Focus
(Focus on the Future of Ajinomoto)
Access a wealth of PC-based information regarding amino acids, enjoy a virtual plant tour, learn about the Ajinomoto approach to safety and reliability and Ajinomoto's R&D organization.
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| 2. |
AJINOMOTO Now
Introducing the extensive lineup of Ajinomoto products that enrich lifestyles and dining habits in Japan and the range of Ajinomoto Group business activities in various domains.
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| 3. |
AJINOMOTO World View
Focus is on the array of products that have become familiar to consumers everywhere and the business activities conducted around the world. Product displays illustrate the cultural diversity of the Ajinomoto marketplace.
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| 4. |
Ajinomoto Corporate Activities
Provides up-to-date information regarding social contributions, environmental initiatives and other corporate activities.
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| Overview of the Ajinomoto Corporate Museum |
| Address |
: |
13-65, Takanawa 3-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0074
(inside Ajinomoto Group Takanawa Training Center) |
| Phone |
: |
+81-3-5488-7319 |
| Fax |
: |
+81-3-3445-7965 |
| Time open |
: |
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Days open |
: |
Monday to Saturday |
| Closed |
: |
Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year holidays, May 1, June 17 |
| Entrance Fee |
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Free |
| Museum space |
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290 m2 |
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