At the mega-corporation Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. there is a standing offer to all employees: the option of taking three months to two years of unpaid leave for "social welfare" volunteer activities.
Although only 35 employees have taken the opportunity since the policy was introduced in 1990, this shouldn't detract from its symbolic importance, especially in a country that provides only limited tax breaks for corporate donations to volunteer groups.
"We would like to support employees who have a strong will to help others," says Fuji Xerox spokesman Kenji Hamai. "Although it may lead to a better corporate image, that is not our prime purpose. We just hope they will broaden their horizons and put their experiences to good use when they come back to the company."