Addressing Regional Issues and Growing Together with Local Communities
Strive to contribute to the development of economies and societies by addressing issues facing countries and regions, while seeking to grow together and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, regions and communities.
Related SDGs Themes
Action Plan Regarding this Material Issue
We believe that MC can create significant value by leveraging our company’s unique collective capabilities and connections with various industries, and by interconnecting with diverse stakeholders and local communities. We will pursue sustainable growth together with local communities by resolving issues that communities are facing and also by approaching peripheral business opportunities.
Creating self-sustained decentralized communities
MC pursues initiatives to promote specific measures for regional revitalization throughout the company, including the creation of new carbon-neutral industries, supporting smooth transitions to decarbonized societies and developing vibrant communities.
Establishment of New Branches in Akita and Choshi
In November 2022, MC opened new domestic branches in Japan for the first time in 35 years in both Akita and Choshi. MC was appointed as one of the operators of Japan’s first, general-sea-area fixed-foundation wind farms which are being developed off the coasts. With the themes of utilizing local energy resources such as renewable energy, creating new carbon neutral industries, and creating vibrant communities by addressing regional issues, MC aims to create a new future through the fostering of new industries and regional revitalization, such as by addressing challenges facing society and industry through collaboration with various stakeholders including partners and local government authorities, while taking advantage of our unique, wide-ranging industrial network. The Akita and Choshi regions are a precedent for this, and MC will continue to work closely with our electric power subsidiaries and offshore wind project companies that will develop the offshore wind power business for more than 30 years to come, with the aim of developing not only offshore wind power, but also of realizing MC’s goal of promoting regional revitalization through the integrated EX and DX initiatives.
- Akita Branch
- Choshi Branch
Regional Development Agreement with Local Governments
MC signed partnership agreements with the five cities by 2023:Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, Nasushiobara in Tochigi Prefecture, Choshi in Chiba prefecture and Chitose in Hokkaido prefecture, to resolve regional issues and promote initiatives for regional development and revitalization. Specific cooperation items cover a wide range of areas, including the revitalization of local and regional communities using digital technology and improvement of civic services such as energy, mobility, and health. In Nasushiobara and Chitose, a service of "Hometown Tax Program (Furusato Grant)", provided by MC, was introduced. The both cities have started a fundraising business.
Development and Management of Smart Cities
The explosive expansion of the middle class and rapid urbanization, particularly in emerging economies, has increased the need for development and management of social infrastructure projects that take into account social and environmental values.
In the midst of such changes in the external environment, MC aims to contribute to the economic growth of the countries in which it operates, while also helping to reduce environmental impacts, by promoting the development and management of large-scale, high-value-added urban development projects to sustainably create high-quality living, working, medical, educational, logistics, and transportation environments.
Urban Management and Urban Development Projects to Enhance Urban Value in Indonesia
MC is exploring an urban management project and promoting a large-scale urban development project in collaboration with Sinar Mas Land (SML), one of the largest real estate developers in Indonesia.
MC signed an MOU with SML in March 2020, initiating a joint execution of urban management as well as the implementation of smart and digital solutions (urban services) in BSD City (6,000 hectares). This partnership between MC and SML aims to implement urban services throughout BSD City, including an AI/IoT data platform, city portal, mobility, and energy-related content, in collaboration with various MC Group companies and partners across different business sectors.
After the signing of the MOU, we initiated the first trial operation of autonomous electric vehicles (AEVs) in Indonesia, followed by the sharing service experiment designed to promote a shift in behaviour from “owning” to ”renting”. Furthermore, we have recently embarked on another experiment involving a mobile convenience store operated by electric vehicle. Through these initiatives, we have been actively exploring different city service experiments and implementations aimed at addressing social issues while promoting city sustainability.
At the same time, in the same city, MC is working with SML on a large-scale developmentThis project is the first transit-oriented development* in Indonesia, and it will develop a smart city that combines urban functions such as residential units, commercial properties, schools, hospitals, parks, and public transportation nodes on a new development site of over 100 hectares.
By encouraging a modal shift towards expanding and promoting the use of public transport, we aim to contribute not only to the economy, but also to society and the environment by helping to address issues such as traffic congestion and air pollution. Another goal is to create convenient, safe, and secure urban developments through the implementation of urban services such as AI/IoT data platform, city portal, mobility, and energy-related content.
Solutions for Regional Transportation Challenges through On-demand Mobility Services
In regional communities facing depopulation, there is a growing need for on-demand transportation services that allow for the streamlining of transportation, and more services utilizing digital technology. MC will work to address societal challenges through our mobility services business and aim for further expansion by further strengthening our business foundation, which includes functions we have developed over many years and our ability to build community-based networks.
Trials of “KnowRoute” in Shiojiri City
MC is part of a consortium that has commenced trial operations of a mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) project in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. The “Shiojiri Project” is being undertaken as part of an initiative launched by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to promote new, regional MaaS applications. MC’s partners in the consortium include Next Mobility Co., Ltd., a joint venture between MC and Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd., and the municipal government of Shiojiri City.
Based on the successful results of the demonstration project, we are now shifting to full-scale operation and expanding certain service areas. Other than rail, the only means of public transportation in Shiojiri City is a community bus service, but it has been hampered by problems such as a lack of drivers, and a limited fleet. The city is also aging. About 28% of its roughly 67,000 residents are at least 65 years old, which has led to an even greater need for public transportation. To address both of these needs, the consortium that MC is participating in will work to solve the problems facing public transportation in Shiojiri City through promotion of the “Shirojiri Project”.