[Kintetsu Department Store] Full-scale Launch of 'E~COTO CHOICE', a Sustainable Activity to Accelerate ESG Promotion, Starting in FY2026
Kintetsu Department Store will launch 'E~COTO CHOICE' in FY2026, an ESG initiative aiming to co-create a sustainable society by providing choices that are good for the Earth, the region, and everyone.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 11, 2026 at 00:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:21
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 05:14 (220h 52m after Collected)
Starting in FY2026, Kintetsu Department Store will launch "E~COTO CHOICE" on a full scale as a unified theme for its sustainable activities.
In our medium-term management plan (FY2025-2028), we have set "Staying close to the community and living with the community" as the pillar of our ESG policy. "E~COTO CHOICE" is a symbol of activities designed to allow customers to enjoyably select (CHOICE) what is "E~COTO" (good things) for the Earth, the local region, and the people living there in their daily lives.
### ■ The three "Good Things" that "E~COTO CHOICE" values
**1. Good for the Earth**
We aim to protect the global environment for the future and create a sustainable society for the next generation.
**Clothing Collection "Clothes to Utilize Next":** We collect unwanted clothes at each store, connecting them to recycling and international contributions.
**Supporting a Culture of Long-term Use:** We offer repair and remake services to fix and continue using items you are attached to.
**2. Good for the Region**
As a regional co-creation department store that grows and develops alongside the community, we implement initiatives that contribute to interaction with local residents and the development and revitalization of the local economy and industries.
**Discovering Regional Charm:** By setting up permanent corners to introduce local products—such as Yamatoji Shop (Nara Store), Kishuji (Wakayama Store), Iseji Terrace (Yokkaichi Store), Omiji (Shiga Prefecture), and "Plugs Market" (Kusatsu, Yokkaichi, Kashihara, and Uehommachi Stores)—we broadcast the charm of the region to our customers and work to revitalize the local economy.
**Agricultural Business:** We entered the agricultural business in 2023, and in addition to Osaka strawberries "Haruka Smile," we started producing Kintetsu mangoes "Haruka Sweet" in FY2024.
Through our agricultural business activities, we are working to improve the value of areas along our railway lines and revitalize local communities, tackling regional issues such as the declining farming population and the reuse of land.
**"Enkatsu" Initiatives:** "Enkatsu," which won the 2021 GOOD DESIGN Award, is a project staged at the "Town Station" inside the Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Main Store. It is a continuous, enjoyable project where civic groups, volunteers, local residents, the department store, and customers come together to make daily life and society a little bit better.
Currently, about 390 civic groups are registered, working alongside approximately 160 volunteers.
**3. Good for Everyone**
We are carrying out various initiatives aiming for everyday life where everyone can smile.
**Creating a Healthy Society Where Everyone Can Shine:** We create places for experiences and learning where local people can become healthy in mind and body and smile, such as the "Happy Woman Festa" supporting women's well-being, and maternal and child health awareness activities through "joint projects with midwives' associations" at the Wakayama Store.
**Promoting Learning and Regional Revitalization through Co-creation with Universities:**
In our medium-term management plan (FY2025-2028), we have set "Staying close to the community and living with the community" as the pillar of our ESG policy. "E~COTO CHOICE" is a symbol of activities designed to allow customers to enjoyably select (CHOICE) what is "E~COTO" (good things) for the Earth, the local region, and the people living there in their daily lives.
### ■ The three "Good Things" that "E~COTO CHOICE" values
**1. Good for the Earth**
We aim to protect the global environment for the future and create a sustainable society for the next generation.
**Clothing Collection "Clothes to Utilize Next":** We collect unwanted clothes at each store, connecting them to recycling and international contributions.
**Supporting a Culture of Long-term Use:** We offer repair and remake services to fix and continue using items you are attached to.
**2. Good for the Region**
As a regional co-creation department store that grows and develops alongside the community, we implement initiatives that contribute to interaction with local residents and the development and revitalization of the local economy and industries.
**Discovering Regional Charm:** By setting up permanent corners to introduce local products—such as Yamatoji Shop (Nara Store), Kishuji (Wakayama Store), Iseji Terrace (Yokkaichi Store), Omiji (Shiga Prefecture), and "Plugs Market" (Kusatsu, Yokkaichi, Kashihara, and Uehommachi Stores)—we broadcast the charm of the region to our customers and work to revitalize the local economy.
**Agricultural Business:** We entered the agricultural business in 2023, and in addition to Osaka strawberries "Haruka Smile," we started producing Kintetsu mangoes "Haruka Sweet" in FY2024.
Through our agricultural business activities, we are working to improve the value of areas along our railway lines and revitalize local communities, tackling regional issues such as the declining farming population and the reuse of land.
**"Enkatsu" Initiatives:** "Enkatsu," which won the 2021 GOOD DESIGN Award, is a project staged at the "Town Station" inside the Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Main Store. It is a continuous, enjoyable project where civic groups, volunteers, local residents, the department store, and customers come together to make daily life and society a little bit better.
Currently, about 390 civic groups are registered, working alongside approximately 160 volunteers.
**3. Good for Everyone**
We are carrying out various initiatives aiming for everyday life where everyone can smile.
**Creating a Healthy Society Where Everyone Can Shine:** We create places for experiences and learning where local people can become healthy in mind and body and smile, such as the "Happy Woman Festa" supporting women's well-being, and maternal and child health awareness activities through "joint projects with midwives' associations" at the Wakayama Store.
**Promoting Learning and Regional Revitalization through Co-creation with Universities:**
FAQ
What is the name of Kintetsu Department Store's new sustainable initiative launching in FY2026?
The new sustainable initiative launching in FY2026 is called 'E~COTO CHOICE', a unified theme for Kintetsu Department Store's ESG activities.
What are the three core values emphasized by the 'E~COTO CHOICE' program?
The three core values of 'E~COTO CHOICE' are Good for the Earth, Good for the Region, and Good for the People living in the local communities.
Which products are included in Kintetsu Department Store's regional permanent shop corners as of the article?
The regional permanent corners include Yamatoji Shop in Nara Store, Kishuji in Wakayama Store, Iseji Terrace in Yokkaichi Store, and Omiji in Shiga Prefecture.
What year did Kintetsu Department Store enter the agricultural business and what product did they start with?
Kintetsu Department Store entered the agricultural business in 2023 and began producing Osaka strawberries named 'Haruka Smile'.
How does Kintetsu Department Store support long-term use of clothing through its 'E~COTO CHOICE' initiative?
The store supports long-term use by offering repair and remake services and collecting unwanted clothes through the 'Clothes to Utilize Next' program for recycling and reuse.