Community-revitalizing shopping centers

Furthermore, the opening of a new shopping center is expected to attract customers from a wider region, leading to greater consumption, sparking new employment opportunities and other features that lead to economic revitalization. The development of a shopping mall in the region can also add significantly to local tax revenues. We are starting to see contributions of this kind translate into improved social welfare services from local governments in some areas.

The opening of a shopping mall can bring a host of benefi ts to a community, including expanding the scope of activity and living patterns in new and exciting ways. At the same time, a mall can also raise concerns about the impact that changes in traffi c volume and mall development will have on the natural environment. Driven by a management philosophy committed to creating more vibrant communities, ÆON MALL strives in mall development and planning to maximize the value that its malls deliver to communities, and to minimize any impact on a community that might be associated with the new facility.

Contributing broadly to local life and the economy

In terms of social contribution activities, our shopping centers across Japan function as key bases in their respective communities, and we actively support the preservation of local culture and traditions, and co-sponsor events with local people for the promotion of sports. In addition, we also host campaigns, fundraising activities and other disaster relief support efforts. Since 2001 the ÆON 1% Club, made up of the ÆON Group's finest companies that each contribute 1% of pre-tax income, has continuously promoted fundraising activities in which customers and specialty store employees alike can take part in the form of ongoing school construction projects in Asia.