OREANDA-NEWS. June 08, 2012. The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced today that in May, Yokohama Peer Support Co., Ltd. (President: Koichi Tsuruno), Yokohama Rubber’s wholly-owned subsidiary headquartered in Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, was recognized as a special subsidiary* under the Act on Employment Promotion, Etc., of Persons with Disabilities. On May 31, a certificate ceremony was held at the Shinagawa Public Employment Security Office in Minato-ku, where a certificate was presented to President Koichi Tsuruno on behalf of all attendees from Yokohama Peer Support.

 Established in December 2011 to affirmatively employ persons with disabilities, Yokohama Peer Support began placing workers at Yokohama Rubber’s major production site, Hiratsuka Factory (Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture) in March. As of the end of May, 15 people with disabilities had been hired. They are engaged primarily in cleaning, caring for flowers and plants, and delivering mail within the factory. The company will expand the placement to Yokohama Rubber’s head office and plants across the country, increasing the number to some 30 people with disabilities.

 * Special subsidiary is a subsidiary established by a company to employ persons with disabilities. When recognized by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (i.e., by the director of a public employment security office) as having met certain conditions, workers employed by the subsidiary can be exceptionally included among workers employed by the parent company.