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Hitachi Founder Namihei Odaira 150^th Anniversary Project Begins

First special exhibition to be held at "Hitachi Origin Park" to commemorate 150^th anniversary

Namihei Odaira 150^th Anniversary Logo

Tokyo, December 20, 2023 --- Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, "Hitachi") announced today that from January 15, 2024, the company will commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the birth of its founder Namihei Odaira (1874-1951). At this time, Hitachi will kick off the "Namihei Odaira 150^th Anniversary Project," (herein after "this Project") which aims to rediscover the founding values (Harmony, Sincerity, and Pioneering Spirit) with Hitachi Group employees and stakeholders and tie it into resolving society's issues of the future.

Hitachi founder Namihei Odaira was born in Tochigi Prefecture in 1874. As Japan struggled to overcome the challenges toward modernization, he developed the founding product "five-horsepower induction motor" while working in a repair shop of a mine. He then established Hitachi along with his colleagues, and later expanded business based on the founding mission "Contribute to society through the development of superior, original technology and products." Through this Project, which marks the 150^th anniversary of the founder's birth, Hitachi aims to improve awareness of the origins of the Social Innovation Business and communicate the ideas and character of Namihei Odaira, who has built the foundations of the company.

To commemorate this 150^th anniversary, Hitachi will host the first-ever special exhibition "Namihei Odaira: An Honest Person" starting on January 15 at "Hitachi Origin Park" in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The exhibition will focus on the many words left behind by Namihei Odaira and will be the first exhibition to display items ranging from Namihei Odaira's childhood years to his hobbies and interests. Looking back at Odaira's words, visitors will gain a clear understanding of his intent in founding the company and will get a sense of how these ideas were carried through to the present day.

In addition to the planned exhibition and rollout of the 150^th anniversary logo, Namihei Odaira's words and special contents related to the company's history will be disseminated through Hitachi's owned media and social media accounts. Hitachi also plans to offer the company's first LINE sticker, featuring a motif of Namihei Odaira. In addition, through internal communication channels, Hitachi Group employees will gain an opportunity to look back at Hitachi's origins, and also contribute to the further proliferation of the founding values (Harmony, Sincerity, and Pioneering Spirit).

Hitachi will continue its efforts to carry on the founding mission put forward by Namihei Odaira to promote the Social Innovation Business on a global scale. The company will contribute toward realizing a sustainable society, to ensure health and wellbeing for all and to sustain a thriving world for everyone.

Special exhibition at Hitachi Origin Park

Hitachi's official social media accounts and owned media:

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/Hitachi
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hitachi.global/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachi/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hitachi/
Hitachi's owned media "Social Innovation": https://social-innovation.hitachi/en/

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of "Digital Systems & Services" - supporting our customers' digital transformation; "Green Energy & Mobility" - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.