Sumisho Urban Kaihatsu Co., Ltd., one of our associated companies, is engaged in planning, development, operation, and management of commercial facilities, and currently operates and manages 12 facilities in Japan. On September 25, a nation-wide competition for the best skill in serving customers, "The Crystal Stage 2008," was held for sales staff from tenant stores in the commercial facilities operated by the company. A total of 16 sales staff representing 7 facilities competed in the contest. They were given a good opportunity to demonstrate their daily efforts to hear customers say, "I would like to be served by this person again."

Answering awkward questions and handling tough orders, the participants performed the role-play seriously, with an actor playing the part of the customer. The representative of Kishiwada CanCan BAYSIDE MALL, Ms. Erika Takiaki of NINE BLOCKS, won the overall championship this year. The key to her victory was, in addition to basic customer-service skills such as a pleasant manner, good communication, and sales competence, that she accurately grasped the needs of the customer. Having reached its third year, the contest is now well known among the store sales staff and motivating them to improve their skills.

Sumisho Urban Kaihatsu operates and manages its commercial facilities under the motto of "Creating an ambience that attracts people to return," collaborating with tenants to make the facilities more and more attractive. The company emphasizes the importance of serving customers as the vital factor to keep the facilities attractive. Therefore, it actively provides training opportunity for tenant employees to help them improve their customer-service skills. The tenants regard the contest as a good chance for their daily efforts to be rewarded, and highly appreciate it.

The following seven facilities participated in the contest this year:
(1) SELVA in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture; (2) PLARE MATSUDO in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture; (3) mewe HASHIMOTO in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture; (4) Harumi Triton in Chuo-City, Tokyo; (5) Kishiwada CanCan BAYSIDE MALL in Kishiwada City, Osaka; (6) DECKS Tokyo Beach in Minato-City, Tokyo; and (7) UNIVERSAL CITY WALK OSAKA™ in Konohana-ku, Osaka City, Osaka.