Mitsubishi Estate Group 2030 Goals for SDGs
Promoting Real Estate Digital Transformation (DX) Leveraging the Latest Technologies
Formulation of Digital Vision
Promoting Real Estate Digital Transformation (DX) Leveraging the Latest Technologies
Formulation of Digital Vision
In June 2021, we formulated the Mitsubishi Estate Digital Vision, a concept that aims to leverage digital transformation to create urban environments allowing ordinary citizens to enjoy comfortable living. Under this vision, the Group will develop environments that allow users to enjoy experiences in urban settings while moving freely between online and offline worlds by extending the physical contact points with customers that it has built up in its real assets and diverse business portfolio. In addition, we will pass on the data accumulated through these experiences to users in the form of various optimized services and new service offerings. Mitsubishi Estate will evolve urban environments into platforms for new discoveries and inspirations by promoting the creation of environments where people and companies can assemble, meet, and interact both online and offline with other people and other companies.
As part of our efforts to realize this vision, we have built Machi Pass, a common authentication ID. Twenty-three services both inside and outside the Group are linked with this ID as of July 1, 2023. Via this single common authentication ID and a password, users can take advantage, if they so wish, of a variety of services offered in an urban setting as well as receive optimized information and services based on such data as their user history and location information. This initiative will help evolve the urban setting into a place that provides enriched user experiences by accumulating and optimizing the experiences of individual customers as data and passing it on to them to facilitate even better experiences.
Mitsubishi Estate has been selected for inclusion as one of the Noteworthy DX Companies 2023 by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Primary Initiatives
Promoting Next-Generation Services Utilizing Robots
Along with its promotion of smart cities, Mitsubishi Estate has formulated the Mitsubishi Estate Digital Vision and is advancing urban development that allows people to experience convenient living environments through digital transformation (DX).
As part of these efforts, the Company will offer new services featuring the deployment of robots at facilities and in various urban environments. This will be achieved by promoting the creation of robot-friendly environments facilitating the introduction of robots that can be accessed both online and offline to support the provision of advanced services in smart cities. As well as alleviating labor shortages, making use of robots also helps increase efficiency in maintaining and managing facilities. As the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an increase in the need for non-face-to-face and non-contact services, the range of tasks that robots are uniquely placed to perform has expanded. At the same time, robots’ communication and coordination with elevators and security doors are indispensable for their smooth operation. To this end, Mitsubishi Estate will take on the responsibility of acting as a hub for cooperation between all stakeholders—including local governments, tenant companies, robot manufacturers, and security and cleaning companies—to promote next-generation urban development.
Establishment of Digital Transformation Human Resources Development Program MEDiA (MEC Digital Academy)
In order to achieve the Mitsubishi Estate Digital Vision which aims for new lifestyles and urban environments that fuse offline and online worlds, Mitsubishi Estate established MEDiA (MEC Digital Academy), a digital transformation human resources development program for all employees, including those of Group companies (approximately 10,000 people) in October 2022.
In addition to revising eligibility and content for training related to the digital field conducted in the past, we introduced Udemy Business online training content, which helps to upgrade the digital literacy of all Group employees. In addition, we established new advanced programs that match the different skill levels of individual employees with the aim of providing a better user experience (UX) in each business area and increasing the precision of business and management decisions through advanced analysis and use of data.
HOMETACT, a Comprehensive Smart Home Service Aimed at Helping to Reduce CO2 through HEMS Support
Leveraging its knowledge as a comprehensive real estate developer, Mitsubishi Estate has developed HOMETACT*, its own smart home service which is easy to introduce in the Japanese home environment and is being adopted in The Park Habio series of rental condominiums by Mitsubishi Estate Residence. We are also working to provide the service outside of the Group.
The company has worked to leverage digital transformation in the area of real estate management, such as unattended property viewings and package drops using smart locks and face authentication systems. In addition, we have agreed to a partnership with LIXIL Corporation and mui Lab, Inc. in the energy management field to undertake joint development of home energy management system (HEMS) to help reduce CO2.
The partnership will not only significantly expand the range of household devices that can be linked, but by developing an interface that will allow households to understand the amount of energy they use intuitively, will also increase user awareness of conserving energy and provide support for an environmentally-conscious lifestyle. The ecosystem is continuing to expand through partnerships with more than 20 companies already.
- HOMETACT is a comprehensive smart home service that enables control of a wide range of IoT devices across multiple manufacturers, including air conditioning, televisions, lighting, and curtains, using a smartphone app and smart speakers. With the implementation of HEMS functions, it is evolving into an energy saving solution.
Utilizing IT in Condominium Management
Utilizing IT in Condominium Management
Streamlining Operations Using Chatbots
Mitsubishi Jisho Community, which manages condominiums for sale and lease, office buildings, and public facilities, began operating Chatbots, an automated conversation program using artificial intelligence (AI), on LINE in October 2019. Chatbots automatically reply to typical inquiries and requests from customers, business partners, real estate brokers, remodeling contractors, and others, resulting in reduced customer wait times. In so doing the company is working to increase service efficiency though the utilization of IT.
In addition, customers who belong to Mitsubishi Jisho Residence Club, the customers' membership organization across the Mitsubishi Estate Group, can receive information on the club's benefits and services in a timely manner on LINE.
In the future, Mitsubishi Estate is considering sending the regular notifications for each condominium via LINE and making it possible for customers to submit a variety of documents to the management association or the managing company via LINE as well.
Introducing Smartphone App Smart Rijikai
In November 2019, Mitsubishi Jisho Community began distributing Smart Rijikai ("Smart Management Association"), an iOS and Android app, as an initiative to improve service quality. The app is intended for the condominium management associations from which the company is entrusted with management operations, providing a service that makes it possible for them to view the agenda for administrative board meetings on the app and make resolutions after question and answer sessions. The association's administrative board members can take part in meetings online at a convenient time and are able to check materials, make comments, and exercise voting rights depending on the agenda.
Developing the Condominium Self-Management App KURASEL
Mitsubishi Jisho Community developed KURASEL, an app that makes it easier to manage condominiums, in service from November 2020. Although in the past there have been calls from condominium management associations to manage condominiums themselves or to reduce management costs, no products or services were available to meet their needs until now.
The app was developed by condensing condominium management expertise cultivated over 50 years enabling a wide range of functions: the management of complex information in the condominium management association (e.g. owner and resident information, contract and order management information); storage and viewing of board meeting materials; income and expenditure status; management of payments. All this can be centrally managed through the app via a smartphone or online. This makes it easier for condominium management associations to function without outsourcing work to a management company.
The provision of this brand-new service will reduce management costs, alleviate shortage of reserve funds for repairs, and contribute to solving social issues such as the shortage of human resources serving on the management boards of condominiums.
