Hitachi Sponsors the Orchard Road Christmas Light-Up for the 28th Year Running

For the 28th year running, Hitachi is proud to sponsor the Orchard Road Christmas Light-Up once again!

This year’s Light-up started on 10 November and will end on 1 January. Asia’s most famous shopping street was transformed into a magical display of fairytales and whimsical wonderland. Orchard Road has become a visual feast of colours and lights lined with well-loved Disney characters, with trees on either side decorated with illuminated 3D Mickey Mouse icons to usher in the year-end festivities.

Hitachi is pleased to bring another season of glad tidings to all visitors and residents alike with the magical street experience.

The 2.88 km stretch from Tanglin Mall shopping centre to Plaza Singapura transported visitors to another world as suggested by this year’s theme - “Disney’s Magical Moments.”

Hitachi’s yearly sponsorship of the Christmas Light-Up reflects its commitment to the Singapore community as a responsible corporate citizen. Annual donation from Hitachi Group of Companies in Singapore to Community Chest, that is tied with the Christmas Light-Up sponsorship further showcases its commitment to the society.

This year, the light-up ceremony took place at Plaza Singapura. On 10 November, Her Excellency Halimah Yacob, Singapore’s President officiated the ceremony. Mr. Kojin Nakakita, Chairman for Hitachi Asia Ltd., represented the Hitachi Group of Companies in Singapore to present a cheque of S$230,000 to President Halimah and Mr. Philip Tan, Chairman of Community Chest, the fund-raising arm of the National Council of Social Services. The Hitachi Group has been one of the major donors for the past 28 years, and these funds are used to empower social service organisations.

Chairman Nakakita, together with President Halimah and other distinguished guests initiated the light-up where nearly 200 double-sided lampposts inscribed with Hitachi’s logo were immediately lighted.

Many key stakeholders and business partners graced the light-up ceremony, including His Excellency Jun Yamazaki from the Embassy of Japan in Singapore, and representatives from Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), MUFG Bank Ltd, UOB Bank Ltd, Sompo Holdings (Asia) Ltd, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp and top managements of Hitachi Group Companies. In all, a total of 74 guests witnessed the spectacular transformation of Orchard Road.

Additionally, the Great Christmas Village returns for a longer run at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza in its second year. From 15 November to 26 December, the public may visit the Great Christmas Village where Hitachi has set up a Santa House for children to participate in art and craft activities for free, as well as Meet and Greet Santa Claus every Friday and Saturday between 7pm – 9pm.

Hitachi Plays Santa 2018 will return for the second consecutive year on 7 December to bring joy to selected social service families at the Great Christmas Village. Jointly organised by Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) and The Food Bank Singapore, these selected social service families will be invited for an afternoon of fun at the village which will be closed exclusively for this event. The social service users will enjoy an array of exciting activities suitable for all ages including amusement rides and a duplex carousel. Each family will also walk away with a goodie bag of essential food items, with additional gifts and candies given to the children.

As Hitachi faithfully spreads the Christmas cheer through 28 years of sponsorship, Hitachi hopes to affirm its commitment to the community by “co-creating” solutions with stakeholders to improve the sustainability and quality of life for Singaporeans.