Energy conservation: Switching to LED

After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, we set a goal of converting all ceiling lights in our department stores to LEDs. By FY2022, we had invested around 9.1 billion yen to replace approximately 530,000 lighting fixtures with LEDs. We have been replacing fluorescent lamps, HID lamps (high-intensity discharge lamps such as mercury-vapor lamps), and some remaining halogen lamps with LEDs. By FY2019, more than 95% of the Group’s stores had LED ceiling lighting. Since FY2020, we have been converting to LED lighting in supporting divisions. By switching to LEDs and thus reducing electricity consumption, we estimate that we have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by a cumulative total of 40,289t-CO₂.

• LED lighting in supporting divisions

• Fiscal Year	Number of units installed (units)	Investment amount (million yen)	Estimated reduction Location standard (t-CO2)
  2011	144,510	1,090	12,056
  2012	21,083	409	755
  2013	47,631	1,091	4,727
  2014	4,805	79	260
  2015	5,365	209	641
  2016	88,724	2,135	10,496
  2017	146,945	2,697	8,203
  2018	43,067	828	1,611
  2019	1,396	27	109
  2020	6,316	117	241
  2021	4,042	81	209
  2022	16,708	408	981
  Accumulated total	530,592	9,172	40,289

Energy conservation: Introduction of AI smart air-conditioning system

At the Isetan Shinjuku Main Store, we are working to introduce an AI smart air-conditioning system with the aim of reducing annual energy consumption (electricity and gas) for air conditioning on each floor by 50% compared to before the introduction of the system. AI accumulates and analyzes data on floor congestion and time of day to provide an air-conditioned environment suitable for each shopping area (sales floor). Once we have verified the effectiveness of this system at Isetan Shinjuku Main Store, we plan to expand this system to other stores in phases as we work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Diagram of air conditioning system

  AI analyzes congestion and time of day, and adjusts the air conditioning environment to suit each sales floor
• Environmental measurement sensors, Isetan Shinjuku Main Store
  Left: Environmental measurement sensor/CO₂ sensor
  Right: Temperature and humidity sensor

Energy creation

We have taken initiatives to create energy at the Isetan Shinjuku Main Store and Mitsukoshi Ginza Store through solar power generation. In February 2023, we installed solar panels on the rooftop of Isetan Mitsukoshi Logistics Center (Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture). We plan to generate a quarter of the electricity used at the Logistics Center, which we expect will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 230 t-CO₂ per year. Through these measures, we generated 148,270 kWh in FY2022 for use within our stores and offices.

• Solar panels on the roof of Mitsukoshi Ginza Store
• Solar panels on the roof of Isetan Mitsukoshi Logistics Center

Safe, secure and comfortable building environments

• In March 2016, The Isetan Shinjuku Main Store, Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store, and Mitsukoshi Ginza Store received the highest rank of S in the CASBEE Certification for Real Estate, and have since had their certification renewed. Following on from this, Isetan Urawa Store and Isetan Niigata (Niigata Isetan Mitsukoshi Ltd.) also acquired certification in FY2021, and Sendai Mitsukoshi and Shizuoka Isetan in FY2022, all receiving an S rank. CASBEE Certification for Real Estate assesses such things as the environmental qualities and eco-friendliness of buildings. In terms of our department store buildings, we were recognized for our “active efforts to improve earthquake resistance, maintenance, energy conservation measures, and consideration for the surrounding environment, and for maintaining high environmental performance through the good maintenance of buildings, even for older buildings, and the consideration we give to the environment as a company.” CASBEE certifications are valid for five years, and must be renewed before the expiration date of the certification.

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CASBEE certificates received to date

Rooftop greening of department store stores

• We are working to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by undertaking greening work on the rooftops of the Isetan Shinjuku Main Store, Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store, and Mitsukoshi Ginza Store. By blocking solar radiation and preventing heat storage in concrete, it helps to reduce the air conditioning load on the top floors of the buildings and save energy, which is one of the areas we are focusing on as part of our efforts to combat global warming. In particular, in addition to having the effect of (1) controlling rises in surface temperature, (2) saving energy, and (3) cleaning and healing the air, it also has the effect of connecting surrounding green spaces in an ecological network, contributing to the preservation of biodiversity while being used by customers as a place of relaxation in a commercial facility in the heart of the city.
  Isetan Shinjuku Main Store’s I-Garden, Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store’s Nihombashi Garden, and Mitsukoshi Ginza Store’s Ginza Terrace have all been certified as an Urban Oasis by SEGES, a certification scheme operated by the Organization for Landscape and Urban Green Infrastructure.

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• Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store’s Nihombashi Garden
• Indian fritillary, a species of butterfly with a pattern resembling a leopard (Nihombashi Garden, October 2022)

Rooftop beekeeping and potato plant greening at office buildings

Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store, Mitsukoshi Ginza Store, and Iwataya Mitsukoshi have been raising honeybees on their rooftops and selling and utilizing the honey harvested from these bees.
In 2019, the Shinjuku City Network of Welfare Centers for Persons with Disabilities launched the Shinju Quality Honeybee Project© as a means to create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, and to promote interaction with local residents. The Isetan Shinjuku Main Store endorsed and participated in this project. In March 2021, we launched the Shinju Quality Honeybee Project© x ISETAN <MIEL ISETAN SHINJUKU>. Under this project, we have been carrying out urban beekeeping utilizing the rooftops of our Group office buildings, and in September of the same year, products using honey produced in Shinjuku went on sale at the Isetan Shinjuku Main Store. Furthermore, in May 2022, we started growing sweet potatoes strung on trestles as a green curtain to protect bees and people. We processed the sweet potatoes into Shinjuku-grown deli items and sweets and sold them in store.

• Project members carefully checking the honey
• Rooftop greening with sweet potato plants intended to reduce energy consumption for air conditioning