Aeon's Satoyama Project to Rebuild the Relationship Between Region and Nature Begins: Partnership Agreement Signed with Tako Town to Build a Model for National Expansion

Aeon is pleased to announce the launch of the "Aeon Satoyama Project," which aims to integrate satoyama regeneration and the creation of local value. As a model region for this initiative, the "Tako Town Aeon Satoyama Project" has been established in Tako Town, Chiba Prefecture, and a regional partnership agreement was signed on April 2 by four parties: Tako Town, Aeon Co., Ltd., Aeon One Percent Club Foundation, and Aeon Environmental Foundation.

Amidst the deepening climate change and biodiversity loss, the conservation of the natural environment has become a global challenge. Meanwhile, Japan's satoyama, which have played a crucial role as places where local life and nature coexist, are becoming difficult to maintain due to a lack of successors. Environmental issues and regional issues are inseparable and should be addressed together within the community.

As a company that develops its business with local communities, based on its stores, Aeon bears the mission of continuously engaging in solving regional issues. This project aims to build a sustainable relationship where the region's nature and people's activities mutually support and develop. By not just "protecting" but also "utilizing" nature, it seeks to revitalize local livelihoods and communities, promoting a sustainable regional model.

The Vision for Satoyama in the "Aeon Satoyama Project"

・ "Creating" Nature: Forest maintenance (tree planting, thinning), ecosystem restoration, wildlife surveys

・ "Utilizing" Blessings: Agricultural product production and commercialization, promotion of local production for local consumption

・ "Connecting" People and Regions: Environmental education, next-generation development, creation of workshops and exchange opportunities

・ Stores as a "Hub": Product sales, provision of experiential opportunities, hub function connecting satoyama and towns

Furthermore, Aeon has continuously engaged in tree-planting activities with local communities for 35 years through the "Aeon Furusato no Moriづくり" (Aeon Hometown Forest Creation) initiative. Based on the knowledge cultivated through these efforts, this project aims to rebuild the relationship between nature and people within the region, redefining satoyama from "protecting" to "a resource that leads to the creation of regional value," and building a mechanism where nature, economy, and community circulate.

Overview of the Tako Town Aeon Satoyama Project

Tako Town is blessed with a satoyama environment, and while an increase in exchange population is expected due to the opening of the Ken-O Expressway and the enhancement of Narita International Airport's functions, many regional resources, including rich nature, remain. Additionally, Aeon Group stores (Kasumi) are present, and the company already has contact points with the community through mobile sales and disaster prevention agreements. This project will leverage these foundations to build a model that connects satoyama and daily life areas. This initiative will be developed as a standard model applicable nationwide through its implementation in Tako Town.

■ Location

Around 295 Takatsubara, Tako-machi, Katori-gun, Chiba Prefecture (near the former Koshin Elementary School)

■ Start Date

Preparatory activities to begin in December 2025

Agreement signed on April 2, 2026

■ Main Activities

・ Farmland regeneration, crop cultivation, training and dispatch of agricultural workers, organic farming practice training

・ Forest nurturing (thinning, tree planting, wildlife surveys), registration as a Nature Coexistence Site

・ Product sales with Aeon Group stores as a hub

・ Regional and nature education

・ Utilization of satoyama resources, satoyama workshops

Workshops aimed at discovering new activities that leverage Tako Town's unique characteristics to pass on the satoyama environment to the next generation, and building a common foundation for collaboration between the community and companies, were held three times starting from December 2025. Many enthusiastic expectations and wonderful ideas were gathered.

Overview of the Regional Partnership Agreement between Tako Town and Aeon (excerpt)

Tako Town, Aeon Co., Ltd., Aeon One Percent Club Foundation, and Aeon Environmental Foundation hereby conclude a regional partnership agreement to strengthen mutual cooperation and promote further regional revitalization, environmental conservation, and cultural heritage preservation within Tako Town, as follows:

(Purpose)

The purpose of this agreement is for the four parties to promote collaborative activities by closely cooperating and effectively utilizing their respective resources, thereby achieving further regional revitalization, environmental conservation, and cultural heritage preservation.

(1) Regarding satoyama regeneration in Tako Town

(2) Obtaining certification for the implementation plan of cooperation promotion activities by the competent minister based on Article 11 of the Act on the Promotion of Activities for Increasing Biodiversity in Regions (Act No. 18 of 2024)

(3) Regarding the utilization of satoyama resources and environmental education activities

(4) Other matters related to the revitalization of Tako Town

About Tako Town