[Implementation Report] [Himeji] Wanting local children to experience the joy of 'Monozukuri'! All students of Yagi Elementary School colorfully stamped their handprints to complete the 'Iron Whale Shark' object! Aiming to install it in the school by graduation.
On January 20, 2026, Sanwa Engineering held an event where all students at Yagi Elementary School in Himeji decorated a 2.5m 'Iron Whale Shark' object with handprints to convey the joy of manufacturing.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 19:54
- 🔍 Collected: April 3, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 05:04 (425h 32m after Collected)
On Tuesday, January 20th, from 9:30 to 12:00, at Himeji Municipal Yagi Elementary School, all the students (approximately 90) of the school placed colorful handprints with paint on a 2.5-meter-long 'Giant Iron Whale Shark' object designed and manufactured by young employees of our company, completing it beautifully.
Aiming for late March when the 6th graders will have their graduation ceremony, we plan to bring it back to our company, apply a coating so the paint does not come off, and deliver it again. We would be grateful if you could cover the event at that time as well.
(Image caption: Students placed their handprints in order from 1st graders, and finally, 19 graduating 6th graders completed it.)
## Background of the project: It is difficult for our SME manufacturing company to hire young talent for 'monozukuri' (manufacturing)
Our company, which has factories in Akashi and Himeji, has been focusing on recruiting mainly new graduates and second new graduates for about three years, but we are struggling considerably amidst the 'super' declining birthrate.
In order to convey the joy of actual 'monozukuri' to students and young job seekers, we launched a project to create a 'Giant Iron Whale Shark' object using our high design capabilities and can-making/welding technologies.
Then, thinking about the long-standing problem of young people 'moving away from science and engineering', we decided to plan an event at an elementary school so that local children could also experience the joy of 'monozukuri' and have a good memory that would allow them to consider science and engineering when thinking about their future career paths.
## 'Whale Shark Colored by Everyone' Event Implementation Overview
● Date and time: Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 9:45-11:40
● Location: In front of the school gate of Himeji Municipal Yagi Elementary School (Address: 24 Yaka, Himeji City / Phone: 092-245-0849)
● Event participants
All students of Yagi Elementary School / Parents / Teachers and staff / Sanwa Engineering personnel
## State of the day
8:30 Whale shark object arrives in front of Yagi Elementary School, event preparation begins
Aiming for late March when the 6th graders will have their graduation ceremony, we plan to bring it back to our company, apply a coating so the paint does not come off, and deliver it again. We would be grateful if you could cover the event at that time as well.
(Image caption: Students placed their handprints in order from 1st graders, and finally, 19 graduating 6th graders completed it.)
## Background of the project: It is difficult for our SME manufacturing company to hire young talent for 'monozukuri' (manufacturing)
Our company, which has factories in Akashi and Himeji, has been focusing on recruiting mainly new graduates and second new graduates for about three years, but we are struggling considerably amidst the 'super' declining birthrate.
In order to convey the joy of actual 'monozukuri' to students and young job seekers, we launched a project to create a 'Giant Iron Whale Shark' object using our high design capabilities and can-making/welding technologies.
Then, thinking about the long-standing problem of young people 'moving away from science and engineering', we decided to plan an event at an elementary school so that local children could also experience the joy of 'monozukuri' and have a good memory that would allow them to consider science and engineering when thinking about their future career paths.
## 'Whale Shark Colored by Everyone' Event Implementation Overview
● Date and time: Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 9:45-11:40
● Location: In front of the school gate of Himeji Municipal Yagi Elementary School (Address: 24 Yaka, Himeji City / Phone: 092-245-0849)
● Event participants
All students of Yagi Elementary School / Parents / Teachers and staff / Sanwa Engineering personnel
## State of the day
8:30 Whale shark object arrives in front of Yagi Elementary School, event preparation begins