Contributions and Donations

CITIZEN WATCH has donated 300,000 euros (about 39 million yen) to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as humanitarian aid for those affected in Ukraine and those who have fled to neighboring countries.

Since 2013, CITIZEN WATCH has been supporting the lives of women and girls in developing countries by donating a portion of CITIZEN XC sales to Plan International, an international NGO. CITIZEN WATCH will also continue its efforts to support girls around the world in the future.For these efforts, we received the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon from the Cabinet Office in 2020.

In FY2024, we participated in the "Eliminating Child, Early, and Forced Marriage in Laos" project through support activities for Plan International, aiming to establish a girl-friendly school environment in local middle schools and enhance awareness of gender equality among people, thereby supporting efforts to reduce early marriage and pregnancy.
Within The CITIZEN Group, we support the Japan Committee for UNICEF's "Children's Rights and Business Principles" (CRBP) and engage in activities aimed at avoiding child rights violations in our operations and promoting the realization of children's rights.

• Campaign Details

Plan International

Plan International is an international NGO working in more than 70 countries to promote children's rights and realize societies free of poverty and discrimination. Girls and women in developing countries are often bereft of the chance to acquire an education, being compelled to do housework from an early age. In addition, many girls are forced to marry in their teens, and some lose their lives due to pregnancy and childbirth at too early age. Plan International endeavors to provide educational opportunities for girls and women in difficult circumstances, thereby addressing the global problem of poverty.

• Plan International

CITIZEN WATCH donated wristwatches to be presented in the Sudachi ("Leaving the Nest") Project conducted by Bridge for Smile, an NPO that helps children leave children's homes. The Sudachi Project holds seminars for high school students living at children's homes, who will leave the homes upon graduation from high school and live on their own, to share with them knowledge necessary for living in society. The donated CITIZEN watches are presented as a gift to the seminar participants.

CITIZEN WATCH has launched Q&Q SmileSolar, a cost-effective, functional watch with a colorful design, and donates a portion of its sales to TABLE FOR TWO International. Since the product's launch in 2013, we have continued to make donations and received a letter of appreciation from TABLE FOR TWO in 2022. We will continue to contribute to society and enhance the value of SmileSolar through our donation activities.

CITIZEN WATCH launched a wristwatch model for people with visual impairments in 2020, adopting an inclusive design approach to ensure that all people can use it comfortably. From the planning and development stages of the product, not only able-bodied people, but also visually impaired people, people with low vision, and others who are expected to use the product were involved.

We donated 100 wristwatches to the School for the Blind and the Blind with Multiple Handicaps Lopburi in Thailand, which cooperated with CITIZEN WATCH in the development of this product, and since then, we have continued to support the school by donating wristwatches to its graduates every year.

• Website of the wristwatch for people with visual impairments, “watch that tells time by touch”

As a participant company in the United Nations Global Compact, The CITIZEN Group is working to eradicate poverty around the world. Just as in previous years, in 2024, the Group company executives and employees participated in the activities held by Hello Alson, which is conducting free dental care in the Philippines’ slums, collecting 3,508 toothbrushes, as well as towels and stationery, and sending them to the Philippines.

CITIZEN ELECTRONICS donated 50 UV sterilization air purifiers equipped with its UVC LED modules to Fujiyoshida City, hoping for the health of citizens and an early end to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, which the world was facing then.

CITIZEN WATCH MANUFACTURING provides opportunities to sell handmade products for companies that support the social participation of people with disabilities and has been expanding the circle of harmonious coexistence with communities every year. The products are mostly food items, such as bread and sweets. All products are of very high quality, and some employees look forward to the sales event.

CITIZEN WATCH and CITIZEN WATCH CO. OF AMERICA have become members of 1% for the Planet*¹ and have begun an initiative to give back to the earth 1% of annual sales of CITIZEN brand products in Japan*² and 1% of sales from direct e-commerce sales in the U.S. and Canada.

1% for the Planet is an NPO dedicated to encouraging businesses to contribute to the conservation of the natural environment. It was founded in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, Inc., and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, Inc. Companies and individuals can help protect the natural environment by donating 1% of their annual sales to nonprofit environmental organizations dedicated to environmental conservation.

• CITIZEN WATCH's participation is from April 1, 2023.
• Sales at CITIZEN's official online store in Japan and CITIZEN Flagship Stores Tokyo and Osaka

• CITIZEN × 1% for the Planet (in Japanese)
• CITIZEN × 1% for the Planet (in English)

Jewelers for Children is an organization that provides donations for children suffering from serious diseases and abuse. Supported by jewelry and watch brands, Jewelers for Children has in turn made donations over the years to organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Make-A-Wish® America, and the National Casa Association. Employees of CITIZEN WATCH CO. OF AMERICA, INC. supporting this activity make voluntary donations to the organization from their monthly salary.

In the aftermath of World War II in 1945, Arde Bulova, the son of Joseph Bulova, established the Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking. This tuition-free institution was created with a significant purpose: to offer rehabilitation and advanced watchmaking training to disabled military veterans, coupled with dedicated job placement assistance. Operating for several decades, the school aimed to empower veterans with valuable skills and opportunities.

Fast forward to 2017, the Veterans Watchmaker Initiative (VWI) was founded by Sam Cannan, a retired Baltimore police officer and Swiss-trained master watchmaker driven by a strong vision and commitment. VWI admitted its inaugural group of students, and its founding sponsor, Bulova, pledged unwavering support to the program, upholding its longstanding tradition. This school devised a unique approach that has been replicated globally and adopted by allied foreign nations. This approach focuses on training disabled veterans, equipping them with essential watchmaking skills, fostering independence, and nurturing their self-esteem. The ultimate goal is to reintegrate them into society as skilled individuals while honing their watchmaking craft to the highest standards.

Everybody Solar, the first of CITIZEN + 1% for the Planet’s nonprofit partners, works to protect the environment and strengthen U.S. communities through solar energy projects. Everybody Solar brings the gift of clean energy to the organizations that need it most: nonprofits on the front lines, serving our most vulnerable populations. Through the installation of solar panels, Everybody Solar to date has offset more than 1 million pounds of CO₂ from the atmosphere and delivered 175 kW of solar energy to nonprofits to help them reduce electricity costs and direct their limited resources to the communities they serve. CITIZEN’s donation has supported several Everybody Solar projects.

In an ongoing collaboration with Frank Sinatra Enterprises, CITIZEN WATCH CO. OF AMERICA is partnering with the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens, New York. Together, they craft unique renditions of some of Frank Sinatra's most legendary songs. The project involves students specializing in various fields, such as vocal music, violin, trumpet, French horn, cello, and bass trombone. By harmoniously blending their talents, these students breathe new life into the timeless classics of Frank Sinatra. This creative endeavor has been made possible through the support of Exploring the Arts, a nonprofit organization founded by the acclaimed American singer and artist Tony Bennett and his wife, Susan Benedetto.

The Maestro Cares Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of underprivileged children and communities in Latin America and the United States. CITIZEN WATCH CO. OF AMERICA has helped achieve this by offering housing, educational initiatives, and vital resources that foster the growth and advancement of children. Through our efforts, we not only empower children to become future leaders but also contribute to the overall strengthening of the communities we serve.

CITIZEN WATCH CO. OF AMERICA donated to the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, an organization that supports students, schools, music programs, scholars, and researchers worldwide. By providing scholarships, grants, and musical instruments, the foundation contributes to the advancement of music education and enrichment.

The High Line is a nonprofit organization and a public park on the West Side of Manhattan devoted to reimagining the role that public spaces have in creating connected, healthy neighborhoods and cities. CITIZEN WATCH CO. OF AMERICA is a corporate member of the High Line and participates in a biannual employee volunteer program to maintain the park.

The oldest nonprofit conservation organization in the United States, founded in 1875, American Forests is a pioneer in healthy forestation from coast to coast, leading the way in creating healthy, resilient forests that provide vital benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife, from urban to old-growth forests. CITIZEN WATCH CO. OF AMERICA continues to donate to American Forests to support its efforts to create healthy and resilient forests.

CITIZEN WATCH EUROPE GmbH donated 50 watches for people with visual impairments to the Education Center for the Visually Impaired in Hamburg in June 2021. The students attending the center, like many others, had to endure a long and difficult time during the coronavirus pandemic. Their smiles of joy at the long-awaited reopening of the school and the delight they expressed when they received and wore the watches gave us both joy and encouragement. CITIZEN has been active in Germany for more than 50 years and will continue to work together with the local communities.

CITIZEN WATCH (CHINA) donated a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the limited edition model watch endorsed by Hebe Tian, released in 2019, to the China Children and Teenagers' Fund. A total of 817 sets of children's guitars were donated to 817 students in five primary schools in Chicheng, Hebei Province, through the Fund's donation program to support children's musical activities.

Proceeds from the Women’s Health Golf Classic supports the research initiatives of the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre, which is known for its cutting-edge breast cancer treatment and patient care. CITIZEN WATCH CANADA supports the efforts of the Centre as one of the corporate sponsors of this event.

• WebsiteReference page

CITIZEN WATCH CANADA supports the SickKids Foundation’s innovative research and world-leading clinical care to redefine what’s possible in paediatrics. Throughout the year, Citizen Watch Canada gave donations and employees raised money for SickKids foundation through various initiatives. All money raised contributed towards the purchase of much needed medical equipment at the hospital.

Wellspring is a Canada-wide non-profit organization consisting of a network of community-based centres, each offering programs and services, at no charge and without referral, to anyone, with any type of cancer, at any stage in their journey.

CITIZEN WATCH CANADA supports Wellspring and sponsors their Well Dressed for Spring event which assisted with providing vital funding for the delivery of over 50 innovative programs that are designed to meet the emotional, social, practical and rehabilitation needs of people living with cancer.

For over 35 years, 360°kids has been dedicated to supporting young people facing homelessness, trauma, and other significant challenges. Programs include safe housing, education and employment support, health services, and counseling, all aimed at empowering youth to rebuild their lives.

CITIZEN WATCH CANADA’s donation directly supports these efforts by meeting some of their most basic yet critical needs.

CITIZEN WATCH UNITED KINGDOM, LTD. donated toys to The Cowshed’s Christmas Appeal 2024. The Cowshed supports thousands of children every year who would otherwise be unable to receive Christmas presents.

This annual event, hosted by Macmillan Cancer Support, brings people together over a cup of coffee to raise vital funds for those battling cancer. It's a cause close to our hearts, as cancer has affected the lives of many within our team and our broader community. Our team pulled out all the stops to make our Coffee Morning a success. From delicious homemade treats to freshly brewed coffee, we all banded together to support this worthy cause.

CITIZEN DE MEXICO has been involved in supporting children in their battle against cancer for more than 17 years. Our hope is that our activities will help deliver necessary medical funding, clothing, and food to these children.

CITIZEN DE MEXICO has donated to La Fundación Bringas-HAGHENBECK, I.A.P.

The organization consistently seeks strategic partnerships to facilitate the implementation of targeted projects to assist the vulnerable populations it serves and those engaged in its daily operations. Each project undertaken by the organization adheres to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, encompassing the three core areas of community engagement, elderly care, and education.

CITIZEN DE MEXICO has donated to APAC, I.A.P., a private aid agency founded in 1970 that provides specialized care for people with cerebral palsy and related disabilities.

CITIZEN DE MEXICO has donated to Fundación Abraxas México. This organization aims to help families of girls and boys between the ages of 0 and 18 who have been diagnosed with cancer, regardless of their country of origin or other factors.

CITIZEN DE MEXICO has donated to Dar es mas que Ayudar. This organization was created to serve an important function in our society: to provide quality services to those who need help.

Since 2023, CITIZEN WATCH has continued to donate nearly expired emergency food stockpiles to the Nishitokyo City Children’s Restaurant Network and the Tokorozawa City Council of Social Welfare.

By effectively utilizing unused food stockpiles, we aim to help eliminate food waste.

In commemoration of the sale of the CITIZEN Higashimurayama sports ground owned by the CITIZEN Health Insurance Association and its transformation into a disaster preparedness base as Maekawa Park in Higashimurayama City, two outdoor clocks were donated to Higashimurayama City to mark this occasion. These clocks have a built-in battery charged with electricity generated by solar power. The one of a disaster-response type is designed to allow people to use the electricity to charge smartphones and other devices in the event of a disaster. The clocks were installed in January 2024, one in Maekawa Park and the other in the rotary at the north exit of Kumegawa Station.