YKK AP Opens "Aoi Tori Nursery School," Its First In-house Childcare Facility, at Tohoku Manufacturing Plant

YKK AP Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Akira Uozu) has constructed a childcare facility at its Tohoku Manufacturing Plant (Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture) and held an opening ceremony today with stakeholders in attendance. This facility, named "Aoi Tori Nursery School," will open on April 1st as YKK AP's first in-house childcare facility for YKK AP Group employees, with the aim of facilitating smooth return to work from childcare leave and supporting the balance between work and childcare.

"Aoi Tori Nursery School" Exterior "Aoi Tori Nursery School" Interior

YKK AP has formulated "Evolution 2030" with the goal of becoming a "world-leading company" by 2030, and one of its policies is "Employee Happiness Management." The company also promotes diversity and inclusion to create an environment where every employee can fully demonstrate their individuality and abilities, striving to create a workplace where everyone can work comfortably. As part of this initiative, an in-house nursery school has been established to support employees raising children in balancing work and childcare. The name "Aoi Tori Nursery School" (Blue Bird Nursery School) combines "Blue Bird," symbolizing our purpose, "A company that makes society happy with Architectural Products," with the concept of "the blue bird of happiness." Through childcare, we aim to foster children's happiness and growth, bringing smiles to employees, their families, and everyone involved with the nursery school, making it a facility that connects the community and the company.

The building's concept is "Harmony with Nature, Feeling the Four Seasons." By arranging the building in an L-shape, it achieves both good sunlight and wind protection, while also considering energy saving. Inside, it features flexible nursery rooms with movable partitions, diverse activity spaces, a kitchen for in-house meal preparation, and an artificial turf garden.

Furthermore, YKK AP's resin windows "APW 430" and "APW 330," entrance doors "Venato" and "Concord," and other products were adopted, ensuring high insulation equivalent to insulation performance class 7 and high seismic resistance capable of withstanding a seismic intensity of 7, equivalent to seismic resistance class 3. In addition, interior fittings specially equipped with a finger-pinch injury prevention function were adopted for "Aoi Tori Nursery School" to enhance safety, and security cameras and privacy fences were installed to ensure security, realizing a safe and comfortable space.

In terms of operation, we prioritize "child safety," "reducing employee burden and enhancing peace of mind," and "creating a childcare environment that values connections with parents and stakeholders." We will implement thorough security measures, provide allergy-friendly meals, offer sick child care and "hands-free" drop-off/pick-up services, and plan events that emphasize workplace visits and connections with parents.

YKK AP will continue to listen to employee voices and strive to realize a comfortable and rewarding work environment where employees can thrive through dialogue, and promote diversity and inclusion.

<Nursery School Overview> Name: "Aoi Tori Nursery School" Operating Entity: YKK AP Inc. Tohoku Manufacturing Plant Management Entity: Pigeon Hearts Co., Ltd. Location: 330 Higashiura, Sanbongi, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture Opening Date: April 1, 2026 Facility Type: Unlicensed childcare facility Eligible Children: Children from 2 months old to pre-school age, whose parents are employees of the YKK AP Group Capacity: 30 children Operating Hours: Regular childcare Monday-Saturday, 7:30-19:00

<Building Overview> Structure: Single-story wooden building Area: Site area: 2,443㎡ / Total floor area: 366㎡ / Outdoor play area: 526㎡ Start of Construction / Completion: July 2025 / March 2026 Design and Construction: Senboku Kensetsu Co., Ltd. YKK AP Products: Windows: Resin windows "APW 430," "APW 330" Entrance Doors: "Venato," "Concord" Interior Fittings (*), Flooring: "Smayell" *Special specifications for "Aoi Tori Nursery School" Aluminum Exterior Materials: "Alcabell" Exterior Products: "ReWood Deck S," "Relieria," "Lucias Fence," "Lucias Carport" Investment Amount: Approximately 300 million yen