© ES-CON JAPAN Ltd.
Sustainability
Social Contribution
Social Contribution
1. Philosophy regarding social contribution activities
In our Basic Sustainability Policy (Social), ES-CON JAPAN set out the following goals: "We will contribute to revitalizing the local community through urban development, promote the creation of local communities, and create a new future" and "We will contribute to addressing social issues such as declining birthrates and aging populations, as well as medical and welfare issues, and support safe and comfortable living in the local community."
In terms of our social contribution activities, we believe that the areas we should focus on are "regional revitalization" through urban development, and contributing to social issues related to "food and agriculture" and "medical care and welfare." By developing businesses related to these areas, we aim to contribute to solving various issues in the region and grow together with society.
Major areas of social contribution related to ES-CON JAPAN business
Contributing to social issues through food and agriculture
ES-CON JAPAN Ltd. In 2021, Chubu Electric Power will become a consolidated subsidiary of Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc., and aims to generate synergies with the Chubu Electric Power group while leveraging the energy management know-how and other resources possessed by . As one of its specific initiatives, the company is constructing a fully artificially-lit automated plant factory to be operated by TSUNAGU Community Farm LLC, which was established in 2021 through joint investment with Chubu Electric Power, and is working to solve social issues such as the shortage of farm workers and the stable supply of agricultural products.
In addition, by forming a business alliance with SHONAI Group, we aim to contribute to regional revitalization through "food and agriculture" by developing hotels based on the concept of "agriculture" throughout Japan and working to create vibrant towns with tourism and agriculture as pillars.
In addition, by forming a business alliance with SHONAI Group, we aim to contribute to regional revitalization through "food and agriculture" by developing hotels based on the concept of "agriculture" throughout Japan and working to create vibrant towns with tourism and agriculture as pillars.
"Regional revitalization" through community-based urban development
As a comprehensive developer, ES-CON JAPAN are accelerating the implementation of urban development by making the most of our development know-how and multifaceted business concept capabilities. Rather than simply building a "building," we strive to create excitement in local communities by continuing to enhance the value of the location while adapting to changes over the decades. Specifically, we are developing and expanding the "tonarie" series of community-based commercial facilities (neighborhood shopping centers) centered around the "Hokkaido Ballpark F VILLAGE" in Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido. We aim to contribute to the formation and revitalization of local communities by developing community-based urban development that is loved by local residents and a source of pride for the city.
2. Initiatives to solve social issues
(1) Initiatives toward the construction and operation of a fully artificial light plant factory
Expectations are rising for plant factories that can produce crops stably by managing and controlling the cultivation environment, in order to solve social issues such as growing consumer needs for safe and secure food, a decrease in the number of people working in agriculture due to a declining birthrate and aging population, and unstable food supplies due to frequent extreme weather.
Techno Farm Fukuroi built by TSUNAGU Community Farm LLC between Chubu Electric Power and ES-CON JAPAN Ltd., is an automated plant factory using fully artificial light, capable of producing 10 tons of lettuce per day, the largest in the world. After the first shipment in February 2024, ES-CON JAPAN Ltd. company will contribute to the realization of a sustainable and livable society and the achievement of the SDGs by solving issues in the food and agricultural sectors through TCF, as well as by promoting decarbonization efforts such as the active use of clean energy and the effective use of CO2 in the cultivation process.
(2) Collaboration with the SHONAI Group, a community development group that transforms challenges in local cities into hope
ES-CON JAPAN Ltd. have signed a business partnership agreement with LOCAL RESORTS Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture), a member of the SHONAI Group, which operates SHONAI HOTEL SUIDEN TERRASSE, a hotel in the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture that boasts attractive rural scenery. We have also invested in NEWGREEN Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Koganei City, Tokyo), a member of the same group, which contributes to improving the productivity and profits of farmers nationwide through robot development and support for the production and distribution of organic rice.
In collaboration with the two companies and other members of the SHONAI Group, we will open hotels based on the concept of "agriculture," tentatively named "SUIDEN RESORT" throughout Japan, refining, protecting, and nurturing local tourism resources such as abundant nature, agricultural practices, and locally produced ingredients. With tourism and agriculture as our pillars, we will contribute to the creation of attractive towns by promoting tourism to regional areas, supporting agriculture, and creating new jobs.
(3) Employment of people with disabilities at Cordiale Farm
In order to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities in regional areas, some of our employees with disabilities who live in ES-CON JAPAN Ltd. areas work at indoor farms operated and managed by JSH Co., Ltd., where they are engaged in work centered on hydroponic cultivation, contributing to a stable supply of agricultural products.
DE&I Initiatives(4) Dementia support project
Tonarie Seiwadai, a commercial facility operated by ES-CON JAPAN Ltd. group, promotes dementia support projects as a way to help build a community among local residents and as part of our support for the elderly. As a result, the facility has been certified as a Dementia Support Shopping District by the Hyogo Prefecture Hanshin Kita Prefectural Office.
We also position our dementia support business as a form of soft barrier-free access, and are expanding similar activities to other commercial facilities.
Dementia Supporter Training Course
The "Dementia Supporter Training Course" involves participants working in groups to deepen their understanding of dementia, so that people with dementia can use the store with peace of mind.
By taking this course, employees' awareness of customer service and their sense of community involvement has improved, leading to positive results.
By taking this course, employees' awareness of customer service and their sense of community involvement has improved, leading to positive results.
(5) Making donations
- Japanese Red Cross Society
- Distinguished Professor Sugiyama Research Grant
- Endowed Chair in Cancer Immunology
- Kyoto University “iPS Cell Research Fund”
- National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization Green Fund
3. Revitalization of local communities
(1) Promoting community-based urban development
We are developing community-based urban development projects, including the "tonarie" series, in various regions across Japan.
Sustainable Community Development(2) Investment in Ryukyu Football Club Co., Ltd. which operates the professional soccer team "FC Ryukyu"
In April 2021, ES-CON JAPAN Ltd. invested in Ryukyu Football Club Co., Ltd. (President and Representative Director Yanagisawa Daisuke, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture; hereinafter referred to as "Ryukyu FC"), which operates the professional soccer team FC Ryukyu. The investment was made in April 2021. FC FC Ryukyu won the J3 championship, was promoted to J2 in 2019, and set a record of 30 consecutive unbeaten games at its home stadium, making it a team with great expectations for further success in the future.
Ryukyu FC operates under the management philosophy of "Becoming stronger together with Okinawa." In addition to proactively promoting the construction of a new J.League-standard FC Ryukyu planned by Okinawa Prefecture that can accommodate 20,000 people and can be used for multiple purposes, including sports such as soccer and rugby, as well as events, the company is also actively engaged in activities closely tied to Okinawa Prefecture to revitalize the local community, such as visiting elementary schools in Okinawa with partner companies, conducting greeting campaigns, and carrying out various activities to protect Okinawa's natural environment, as part of its "Yuimaru Activity."
This investment will serve as a bridgehead for ES-CON JAPAN Ltd. to create business opportunities in Okinawa, and by supporting Ryukyu FC's community revitalization activities closely tied to Okinawa Prefecture, we will contribute to the local community through the promotion of sports.
(3) Active participation in local events
Sponsorship of the "F VILLAGE Half Marathon 2025"
ES-CON JAPAN is supporting the "F VILLAGE Half Marathon 2025," organized by Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido, and the Kitahiroshima City Board of Education. The event starts and finishes at ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, the baseball stadium of Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters for which ES-CON JAPAN has acquired the naming rights, and is a marathon event held with the main course at Hokkaido Ballpark F VILLAGE, where ES-CON JAPAN is developing the town. Volunteer employees, primarily members of ES-CON JAPAN's running club, are participating in the event.
Sponsorship of "SANTA PARADE OSAKA"
ES-CON JAPAN Ltd. is a sponsor of the charity event "SANTA PARADE OSAKA," which is organized by the SANTA PARADE Executive Committee and held in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. At this event, participants wear Santa Claus costumes and enjoy running and walking, and a portion of the participation fee will be used to provide Christmas presents to children battling illnesses and to provide medical support to children who cannot receive adequate medical care due to poverty. In addition, volunteer employees, mainly members of ES-CON JAPAN Ltd. 's running club, also participate in this event.
(4) Utilizing the regional revitalization support tax system and making donations
- Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido Corporate Hometown Tax (Regional Revitalization Support Tax System)
- Osaka Prefecture Corporate Hometown Tax (Regional Revitalization Support Tax System)
- Fukuoka Prefecture Corporate Hometown Tax Donation (Regional Revitalization Support Tax System)
- Osaka Prefecture Northern Osaka Earthquake Relief Fund
- Osaka City "Osaka City Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest" Fund
