Starlite has adopted the "disaster-response car lease" disaster relief program operated by the Japan Car Sharing Association, a general incorporated association based in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. Our company is the first among all businesses and local governments in Shiga Prefecture to adopt this program. To mark this occasion, we held a vehicle handover ceremony at our Ritto Plant, on October 9, 2026. Mr. Kenta Ishiwatari, division manager of the Social Car Support Division at the association, was present.

"Disaster-response car lease" program

The "disaster-response car lease" program is a car lease initiative implemented by the Japan Car Sharing Association, as part of its disaster relief efforts. Its purpose is to deliver vehicles quickly to those affected by a disaster. Under this system, users are free to use their vehicles as they wish during normal times, and when a disaster occurs, they return the vehicles within 10 days upon request from the association so that the vehicles can be used to support the affected areas. For companies, this is a new disaster preparedness and mitigation initiative that allows them to balance the use of their business vehicles during normal times with providing support to disaster-stricken areas when a disaster strikes.

Background of the implementation and future prospects

Our company has been deeply committed to community-based disaster preparedness and mitigation activities. For example, we have signed disaster response cooperation agreements with Ritto City and Konan City in Shiga Prefecture.

Since 2023, amid a series of flood disasters caused by extreme weather, our company has collaborated with the Japan Car Sharing Association on disaster preparedness awareness-raising activities themed creating a society free from the hardships caused by vehicle damage in disasters. These activities include joint exhibitions at events and charitable donations. Starlite has also been marketing "Shellcar+", a disaster preparedness product designed to protect vehicles from flood damage.

We have decided to participate in this lease program, which will not only further strengthen our collaboration with the association but also contribute to community disaster preparedness.

As the first company in Shiga Prefecture to participate in this program, we will help alleviate the severe shortage of vehicles during disasters and strengthen the region's disaster preparedness capabilities. We will continue to value our ties with the local community while working to raise disaster preparedness awareness and provide disaster preparedness education to the next generation.

Related pages

• Starlite signed a disaster support agreement with Shiga Prefecture, which includes the provision of emergency toilets. - Notice and Information | STARLITE Co., Ltd.
• "An Agreement on Cooperation in Disaster Response" with the City of Ritto - Notice and Information | STARLITE Co., Ltd.

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