Related Initiatives

Japan’s First ZEB-Certified Airport Terminal Commencing Solar Power Generation at
Miyako Shimojishima Airport

Managed by the Mitsubishi Estate Group, Miyako Shimojishima Airport in Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture, obtained Zero Energy Building (ZEB) Ready certification by improving its thermal insulation performance through the incorporation of cross-laminated timber (CLT) into the structural materials of its roof—a first for an airport in Japan—and promoting proactive efforts to leverage natural energy. As an environmentally friendly airport, it will begin a project to generate solar power to further enhance its environmental performance.

The airport will achieve net-zero energy consumption by installing solar panels and storage batteries on neighboring land and consuming all electricity generated at the terminal to address an issue unique to remote islands, namely, a lack of nearby surplus renewable energy and difficulties in purchasing renewable energy from external sources. Power generation is scheduled to begin in April 2025. With this initiative, the Group will ensure that Miyako Shimojishima Airport becomes the first airport terminal in Japan to obtain ZEB certification, the highest level available, and expand environmental measures in various businesses.

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Aiming to Achieve a Decarbonized Society by Ensuring
Condominiums Meet the ZEH-M Oriented Standard

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Renovation Business Promoting the Effective Use of Building Stock in Cities in Japan and Overseas

Amid a growing number of aging and deteriorating buildings in Japan, the Mitsubishi Estate Group is expanding efforts to address issues through renovations by ensuring that Group companies leverage each other’s know-how to meet societal demands for the effective use of such buildings, incorporating the perspectives of the consideration for global and local environments and population dynamics in Japan.
In particular, leveraging assets effectively together with developers for use over the long term is ingrained in the DNA of Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc., which has served as Mitsubishi Estate’s in-house design office for much of its 130-year history. The major renovation of the Otemachi Building enabled Mitsubishi Jisho Design to fully demonstrate its capabilities. The building was more than 60 years old, having been completed in 1958. Rather than rebuilding it, Mitsubishi Estate chose to use its original structure and materials with the aim of creating a building to last 100 years. Completion of highly challenging renovation work at a building with tenants that is directly connected to the subway lines of Otemachi Station was achieved in May 2022, thanks to Mitsubishi Jisho Design’s design techniques and skills in supervising the work and by consolidating the know-how of all parties involved. In addition to fully refurbishing the building’s infrastructure, the renovation provided added value by creating new networking spaces where people and companies can meet, including the introduction of networking functions throughout the building to enable venture companies and start-ups to interact with one another.
In environmental terms, in addition to achieving a significant reduction in the amount of waste and construction materials compared with developments involving demolition and new construction, the renovation lowered future building management costs by using alkaliresistant, glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC), which is more durable and fire resistant than regular concrete, as the principal material for the exterior. In addition, the introduction of LED lighting and the adoption of low-emissivity (low-E) double glazing with superior thermal insulation and window frames with embedded sunshades improved the building’s environmental performance, including achieving energy savings from reduced heat load (reduction of approximately 44%)

The Group’s efforts to make effective use of existing building stock also extend overseas.
The development of 600 Fifth—an office building in Washington D.C. (the capital of the United States) on which Mitsubishi Estate New York Inc., Rockefeller Group International, Inc. (the Group’s U.S. subsidiary), and Taisei USA LLC have commenced work as a joint venture, will minimize the construction period, costs, and environmental load through a renovation plan to utilize the original structure, and add four new levels to the existing eight-floor building to create 11 floors plus a penthouse through creative construction techniques.

Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, we conducted the large-scale renovation of Warwick Court, an office building forming part of the redeveloped district of Paternoster Square (completed in 2003), next to St. Paul’s Cathedral, a historic building and symbol of London.
Completed in July 2022, the renovation made full use of the building’s original exterior and structure to transform it into an office building that meets the demands of the new era, enhancing well-being and reducing environmental impact.
The Mitsubishi Estate Group will expand its business activities globally and create assets responsibly using the credibility and brand power it has amassed through continuous pioneering efforts in tune with the times.

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Sustainability of the Mitsubishi Estate Group and Society:
Four Key Themes