MAHWAH, NJ, March, 2012 –Sharp is proud to participate in the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., the nation’s greatest springtime celebration. The Festival marks the Centennial anniversary of the gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington, D.C. with a five-week celebration that began March 20, 2012 and continues through April 27, 2012.

As part of the Festival events, Sharp is participating in the opening weekend at Family Days, the annual family event held at the National Building Museum. Sharp volunteers will present the Sharp Solar Academy program which provides an interactive lesson on climate change, renewable energy, energy conservation and the science of solar. Along with technology, Sharp views education as a core component of the company’s environmental stewardship. Sharp is honored to participate in the festival and be given the opportunity to show visitors ways they can make the world a better place and help them become empowered to make eco-conscious decisions.

Sharp’s participation throughout the National Cherry Blossom Festival also includes:

1. The loaning of Sharp product including TVs, monitors and AQUOS BOARD™ interactive display systems at the Opening Ceremony, Family Days and Japan Bowl competition
2. Sharp funding of Japan Bowl winners to visit Sharp Corporation and tour the Tenri, Japan facility
3. Sharp to present Ever Sharp pencils to dignitaries attending the Opening Ceremony
4. Donation of Sharp product for Festival silent auction

In addition to the Solar Academy, attendees at Family Days will be able to participate in hands-on crafts and design activities, and enjoy a variety of performances by U.S. and Japanese talent, including taiko drummers, ballet and music. The US Postal Service will issue the commemorative Cherry Blossom Centennial Forever stamps and first-day covers.
 

Sharp began its long, rich heritage in 1912 with founder Tokuji Hayakawa’s invention of the snap belt buckle and three years later the Ever Sharp mechanical pencil from which Sharp takes its name. Sharp has long lived up to this name with innovations such as the world's first electronic calculator, the first microwave oven turntable, and the mass production of solar cells in 1963. Sharp's unique LCD production capabilities include the industry’s only 10th Generation LCD factory and the world’s largest available LED TV in an 80-inch screen size class. This spring, Sharp is proud and honored to celebrate its 100 years in conjunction with the Cherry Blossom Festival.
 

For more information on Sharp’s energy efficient products, contact Sharp Electronics Corporation, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J., 07495-1163, or call 800-BE-SHARP. For online product information, visit Sharp’s Web site at sharpusa.com. Become a fan of Sharp at www.facebook.com/SharpUSA, follow us on Twitter@Sharp_USA, and view us on www.youtube.com/sharpelectronicsusa.