A new relationship between companies and local communities, a community nurtured by KeiyoGAS Community Terrace

In August 2021, Keiyo Gas Co., Ltd., which mainly develops the city gas business with a supply area in the northwestern part of Chiba Prefecture, opened "KeiyoGAS Community Terrace" (nicknamed "Terasu") by renovating a showroom as a community space. Based on the concept of "lighting up the town with children and adults," it was reborn as a facility that aims to enrich the lives and activities of the local people.

In addition to planning and designing this renewal, NOMURA Co., Ltd. has been providing operational support as an advisor even after opening. In the previous article, about the facility called "Terasu", Keiyo Gas Terrace team leader Mr. Suzuki, the representative director of non-profit Polaris Co., Ltd., Mr. Otsuki, who is in charge of the operation of "Terasu", and three members of NOMURA Co., Ltd. looked back on the project. We have sent you the details of the meeting.

In this article, we will tell you how "Terasu" has been involved with the community and how it is creating a place after it actually opened.

Aiming for a community and a facility that is unique to "Terasu"

At “Terasu”, we support two regular events: (1) Ichi Kaigi (2) Round-table discussion on working in a life with children as a mechanism to grow the facility while interacting with local residents around Ichikawa City. I'm here.

Below is a report of each event.

 

Regular event 1 - “Ichi Kaigi” where you meet people and fall in love with the city

On August 27, 2021, "Ichi Kaigi", which was held for the first time on the terrace, featured Mr. Suzuki, team leader of the Keiyo Gas Terrace, and Mr. Miyagawa, the executive committee of the Ichikawa Handmade Market, which is also responsible for the operation of the "Kirakira Atelier" on the first floor of the terrace. Mr. Motoyawata bot, a local influencer, took the podium.

The venue is the "Pecha Kucha Living" on the second floor of the terrace, which is connected to the satellite venue by relay. It will be held online, taking into account the prevention of infectious diseases.

Scene from the terrace venue

First, it was announced that the main venue for "Ichi Kaigi" will be "Terasu", and that "Ichi Kaigi" will be co-hosted by Freestyle Ichikawa and "Terasu" in the future.

Followed by the relay talk of the guests.
The first is Mr. Motoyawata bot, a local influencer who disseminates information about Motoyawata mainly on Twitter. Originally, activities were based on the Internet, but since 2020 when the corona disaster hit, activities in real places have also started. With his deep affection for the towns of Motoyawata and Ichikawa City and his dynamism, he has realized a system to support restaurants using crowdfunding.

“Motoyawata is a really wonderful town!” Mr. Motoyawata bot (pictured left) talks passionately.

The second person is Keiyo Gas Suzuki. Mr. Suzuki, who is the project leader of "Terasu", talked about how the facility was established and his thoughts on getting involved with the community through his workplace.

"I'm not a citizen of Ichikawa, but I'm happy that I've been able to create relationships with the local people in Ichikawa, where I work, which is a place where I live most of my life. Would you like to ”, and everyone in the area said, “I want to do this! I want to be in a relationship where people say, ”I want to be in a relationship where people will talk to me.”

"I hope it will become a facility that can be nurtured through dialogue with the local community," said Mr. Suzuki (pictured right).

Keiyo Gas Suzuki's thoughts on "Terasu", which aims to grow together with the community, are introduced in detail in this article, so please take a look.
Out of the showroom! “KeiyoGAS Community Terrace” (nicknamed “Terasu”), a corporate facility that grows with the community

The third person is Mr. Miyagawa from the Ichikawa Handicraft City Executive Committee. The Ichikawa Handmade Market Executive Committee is an organization that conducts handmade markets and workshops based in Ichikawa City. From the start-up stage of "Terasu", we repeatedly discussed the facility program and required functions.

Mr. Miyagawa talked about his thoughts on community activities, "I want to convey the joy of handicrafts and revitalize Ichikawa," and future activities at "Terasu." In addition, the handmade craftsmen who came to visit the "Terasu" after being touched by the comfort of the "Terasu" space said, "I feel relieved in the spacious space" and "I want to do a workshop for children." "I want to hold a cooking class in the kitchen!"

Mr. Miyagawa introducing the exhibition and sales space of Kirakira Atelier

Although the activities and positions of the three guests are different, we could see that they had a common fascination with the city of Ichikawa and that they had a genuine attachment to it. Also, everyone is looking forward to seeing what kind of changes will occur in their lives and in the town with the opening of a facility called "Terasu" in Ichikawa.

 

Regular event 2 - "Round-table discussion about working in a life with children"

The first event was held on September 28, 2021, with four participants and people with children of all ages, from preschoolers to high school students. In addition, supporter staff Aki and Mako, who work at "Terasu", also participated as parties who work in Ichikawa while raising children.

Scene from the round-table discussion

At the round-table discussion, everyone discusses three themes using sticky notes and paper.
The first theme was, "What kind of problems do you have in today's Japanese society, 'working while raising children'? ’. After one minute of thinking time, each student will present their opinion written on a post-it note.

When someone comes up with an opinion that is similar to my own, put up a post-it note together.

Opinions were raised on the isolation of child-rearing due to nuclear families, workplace systems and atmosphere, and fathers' participation in child-rearing. What kind of "terasu" should be required to deal with such social problems? We will deepen the discussion with various episodes.

The second theme is ``What problems, bottlenecks, and worries you have about actually ``working in a life with children''.

In this question, there were opinions such as sharing housework between husband and wife, picking up children while working, and having no one else to look after their children when they get sick. As the participants shared their concerns and sympathized with each other, keywords such as "a sense of security from having an adult close to them to talk to" came up.

Every time an opinion comes out, the voice of "I understand!" rises

The third theme is, ``Based on the challenges we have had so far, we will teach you to ``what should you do?'' do you think it will be What can you do for that? ’.

Aki, a supporter staff member, said, "I want to be someone who can talk to people who come to the terrace about anything." I was able to hear his thoughts on the matter.
There was also the opinion that "it would be nice if there were more programs and events that both parents and children could enjoy."

We will proceed in a peaceful atmosphere.

At the end, each person fills out a “declaration sheet”. On the declaration sheet, we wrote the keywords that we were interested in during the discussions so far and "What we will do from now on" as a "promise to the future" and shared it with everyone.

The created imitation paper and declaration sheet are pasted in the "Terasu".

What I learned from this round-table discussion was the importance of having someone with whom you can casually chat and consult about child-rearing for the child-rearing generation. Creating an atmosphere that makes it easy to talk with the staff and other users is likely to be an important factor for "Terasu."

through two events

The following two points in the relationship between companies and local communities that can be seen in common from these events are as follows.

1. Building flat relationships between companies and consumers

When it comes to corporate branding that engages with the community, it is important to create a flat relationship between companies and consumers that "work together to revitalize the community," rather than a relationship of "providing/receiving services." This is because it deepens dialogue between companies and consumers, and not only leads to deep empathy for the company's vision, but also leads to a higher level of mutual interest in local activities. It is common for local residents to participate in corporate events, but like this “Ichi Kaigi” event, the creation of relationships that transcend mutual barriers, such as the participation of business people in local resident events, and create a synergistic effect with the company.

2. Continuing Opportunities to Touch Familiar Themes

A flat relationship like the above is not something that can be obtained overnight, but is formed by accumulating steady activities. Continuing to support activities that focus on people's lives, such as the "roundtable discussion on working in a life with children," will lead to a relationship of trust between companies and consumers. increase. In addition, regardless of the scale of these activities, it is important for companies to create a system that firmly grasps the qualitative value and continues to do so.

Since its opening in August, "Terasu" has gradually expanded its relationship with the local community.
The aim of "Terasu" is to illuminate the voices and dreams of each person, from children to adults, and create color and richness in the area. Even after opening, NOMURA Co., Ltd. works with management members to bring out the "want to do!" We will continue to support activities that enrich the daily lives of local residents and help them meet new friends.