Marui Co., Ltd. and the Faculty of Business Administration, Kobe Gakuin University Conclude a "Comprehensive Partnership Agreement"

Kobe Marui (Marui Co., Ltd., Headquarters: Nakano-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Masahiro Aono) and the Faculty of Business Administration at Kobe Gakuin University (Dean: Yukie Tsuji) have concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement aimed at promoting regional revitalization, education, and human resource development.

This agreement was signed on Friday, March 20, 2026 (a public holiday). On Wednesday, March 25, a confirmation of the agreement details was held at the Port Island Campus 1, attended by Dean Yukie Tsuji, Professor Morihiro Osumi (the next Dean), Tomoyuki Kameyama (Director of our company), and Takashi Kanehisa (Manager of Kobe Marui).

## ■Background and Purpose of the Agreement
Toward realizing our vision of "Overcoming the dichotomy between impact and profit," our company has set forth a management vision for 2031, our 100th anniversary: an "Economy Driven by 'Likes'."

The "Economy Driven by 'Likes'" is a new economic sphere powered by individual values and emotions (what people "like"), distinct from the traditional deflationary economy that pursues cost-performance such as price and functionality. By making "likes" the driving force, we aim to realize a society where everyone can find joy not only in their daily lives but also in their work, and have hope for the future.

Based on this concept of the "Economy Driven by 'Likes'," our company has been working to create regional vibrancy through store operations and event planning in collaboration with local communities.

Under this agreement, we will mutually cooperate and collaborate in the following fields, primarily using the commercial facility "Kobe Marui" located in Sannomiya-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture as a base of activities:

- **Revitalization of the local economy**
- **Promotion of culture**
- **Disaster prevention awareness**
- **Promotion of health and welfare**
- **Education and human resource development**

## ■Past Initiatives and Future Developments
Since starting this initiative in 2021, Kobe Marui has been promoting activities utilizing spaces within the facility in collaboration with the university. So far, student-led panel exhibitions on highly social themes, such as environmental issues, animal welfare, and rethinking the disposable consumption culture, have been held, creating opportunities to raise awareness among visitors.

Furthermore, in sales activities at the entrance on the Kobe Sannomiya Center Gai side, we have worked to create opportunities for visitors to increase their interest in social issues. This is achieved through the sale of products where students have been involved with manufacturers from the planning stage, focusing on various social themes such as supporting producers and workers in developing countries, earthquake reconstruction assistance, animal welfare, and supporting farmers affected by natural disasters.

In addition, for the students...