Philanthropic Awards
Mitsubishi Electric has been on the receiving end of prestigious awards recognizing the company for its philanthropic contributions throughout the world. The company also maintains its own awards programs designed to inspire youth to venture down a path of excellence, achievement, and leadership.
2006 William Diaz Impact Award
The Disability Funders Network has bestowed upon the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) the 2006 William Diaz Impact Award in recognition of the Foundation's significant contributions to improving the lives of people with disabilities. MEAF was nominated by officials of Project SEARCH, which is based at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital. The award comes at a time when MEAF is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary.
Helen Keller Achievement Award
Mitsubishi Electric was the first Japanese company to receive the Helen Keller Achievement Award, which honors the renowned activist's efforts to improve the lives and hopes of the visually impaired. It's awarded annually by the non-profit American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) to individuals and corporations that have contributed to the advancement of healthy living for the visually impaired and to visually impaired individuals who have built successful lives. The AFB commended Mitsubishi Electric and Electronics USA, Inc. through the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) for the company's efforts and unique use of technology to improve the lives of young physically and mentally challenged individuals in the United States. MEAF itself has directly supported the AFB's internship program since 1991.
Eagle Award
Mitsubishi Electric U.S. companies -- along with MEAF -- were honored with the 2005 Eagle Award from Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), a US-based national disability rights law firm. The award recognizes the company's "outstanding efforts to advance the rights and opportunities of young people with disabilities." DRA officials singled out for praise the company's promotion of internships, job shadowing and mentoring opportunities for youth with disabilities, as well as company employees for their commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities by undertaking community-based projects.
Emperor Showa Memorial Award for Blood Donation
Mitsubishi Electric's involvement in blood donation drives began at its Nagasaki Works plant in the 1950's and soon spread to all of its offices in Japan. In recognition of this long-term contribution to society and distinction in the promotion of blood donation awareness, in 2000 the Japanese Red Cross named Mitsubishi Electric the recipient of the Emperor Showa Memorial Award for Blood Donation. The award was presented at the 40th National Awards Ceremony for the Promotion of Blood Donation in Oita, Japan, which was attended by the Crown Prince, the honorary vice-president of the Japanese Red Cross Society, and Chikara Sakaguchi, Japan's Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.
METI Award
At the 24th National Factory Greenery Promotion Conference held by the Japan Greenery Research and Development Center in 2005, six Mitsubishi Electric manufacturing facilities received the Economy, Trade and Industry Minister's Award for Outstanding Factory Greening. This award recognizes factories that have promoted greening activities and have shown distinguished environmental achievements inside and outside of factories.
Other Awards
Other awards Mitsubishi Electric has received over the years for its philanthropic related activities and programs include the Best of the Best Award in 1996, the Corporate Public Communication Award in 1993, and the Dole Foundation Leadership Award in 1992. In the US MEAF provided funding for a special website for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) called Happenin' Habitats, which received the 2005 Distinguished Achievement Award for Best Science Website from the Association of Educational Publishers.