Our Corporate Communications staff spend time getting to know Sumitomo Corporation's different business sites around the world, reporting on how the people at those sites work. We will keep you up to date with the world of Sumitomo Corporation, which extends to every corner of the globe.
Taro Ueno,
Mass Media Relations Team, Corporate Communications Department
Taro Ueno joined Sumitomo Corporation in January 2009, and was dispatched to Corporate Communications Department. After proudly finishing in seventh place in sailing at the Beijing Olympic Games, he joined the company for a second time (first in 2003). On weekends, he coaches the Company’s sailing club. In charge of the Kansai District and Financial and Logistics Business Unit, he is currently looking for a spouse.
Senri Central District Restructuring Project
This is a restructuring project for the area around Senri Chuo station in Senri New Town, which was originally developed in 1962, covering an area of 5.2 hectares owned by Osaka Prefecture, Toyonaka city, and others. The Senri Tower, a 50-story condominium building developed by Sumitomo Corporation, has 356 apartments.
Universal City Walk (UCW)
A commercial complex connected to Universal Studios Japan with more than fifty tenants, including restaurants and a variety of shops. Management and maintenance of the facility has been delegated to Sumisho Urban Kaihatsu Co., Ltd.
Sumisho Urban Kaihatsu Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1997, the company specializes in the planning, development, management, and maintenance of commercial facilities. With 13 branches nationwide, it deals with Decks Tokyo Beach, Kishiwada CanCan Bayside Mall, and other facilities.
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According to Manabu Hamamoto, the leader of Osaka's Residential Development First Team, Housing and Urban Development Business Department, "Real estate business contributes to the local community." With its roots in real estate business, Sumitomo Corporation has a history built on experience and achievement that has been passed on to the present day. For this issue, I covered the Construction and Real Estate Division operations in Osaka, the birthplace of Sumitomo Corporation.
The Senri Tower: A high-rise condominium building developed by Sumitomo Corporation
Hamamoto belongs to the Housing and Urban Development Business Department, which has been promoting the Senri Central District Restructuring Project for several years. I visited the site to find the Senri Tower, a magnificent high-rise condominium building just completed in June 2009.
Within it, the building includes commercial facilities such as a supermarket and retail stores. Hamamoto explained the reasoning behind the inclusion of commercial facilities within the residential building. "Residents once disliked having commercial facilities within their building because of noise and other concerns. However, the needs of customers have changed over time, and we aim to be flexible in our responses to those needs."
Soft light shines on the corridor's walkways.
Specifically, how does the real estate business contribute to the local community? One very good example is Harumi Triton Square, in which our head office is located. The development of that complex—led by Sumitomo Corporation—attracted investment, which led to the rapid development of the town in recent years. Thus, the true significance of the real estate business lies in its "contributions to the community through urban development."
Commercial facilities hold the key to successful development
Commercial facilities are an important factor in real estate development. The inclusion of commercial facilities within office and residential buildings has given us the advantage of having achievement and experience in both types of development. Takahiro Yamazaki from the Retail Facilities Department says, "We have accumulated our know-how from many years of experience. Combining and selecting tenants creates a big difference in attracting customers." He explains that the number of customers tends to be biggest during the start-up period and declines gradually; the real challenge is in continuing to attract large numbers of customers by renewal or tenant replacement.
UCW flashy sign board
™ & © Universal Studios. All right reserved. CR09-2398
The most famous commercial facility developed by Sumitomo Corporation is probably Universal City Walk Osaka (UCW). Upon exiting the station, I found the flashy facility neighboring Universal Studios Japan (USJ). I heard that management know-how is concentrated at UCW, which led me to interview Kimiyoshi Nakazawa, the Sales Team leader from Sumisho Urban Kaihatsu Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Retail Facilities Department, which manages and maintains UCW.
Next＞＞＞
The birth of the Osaka Takoyaki Museum / Unexpected success at UCW
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