[Izumiotsu City x Tanaka Co., Ltd.] Conclusion of a Partnership Agreement to Create New Value for Unused Land

Izumiotsu City, Osaka Prefecture (Mayor: Kenichi Minamide) and Tanaka Co., Ltd. (President: Nozomu Sumiyoshi, Location: Izumiotsu City) have concluded a partnership agreement to conduct a proof-of-concept experiment on utilizing public spaces using weed control sheets, with the aim of promoting the effective use of unused and underutilized land and sustainable urban development.

In this partnership, utilizing Tanaka Co., Ltd.'s technology that allows 'PR advertisements and other prints on weed control sheets,' a nation's first initiative will be implemented. Through this, in addition to reducing maintenance and management costs, the potential for information dissemination utilizing public spaces will be verified, and evaluations will also be conducted on the visibility of advertisements, impact on the landscape, and printing durability.

This experiment is scheduled to be conducted in public spaces within the city, such as the 'Otsugawa river embankment slope' and 'Seapath Park.' On the Otsugawa river embankment slope, leveraging its location adjacent to the Sakai-Hannan Line, effective information dissemination through high visibility will be verified. In Seapath Park, the aim is to transform the public space from a 'place to be managed' to a 'place that promotes the area's charm,' aiming to create new landscapes and foster interaction.

Through this initiative, the goal is to reduce public space maintenance costs and operational burdens, while also contributing to landscape improvement and the creation of new attraction and interaction, aiming to establish a new model for the utilization of public spaces. Concurrently, through public-private partnerships with local companies, we will promote regional revitalization and work to broadcast the city's appeal and improve its urban image.

Moving forward, based on the results of this experiment, we aim to expand to other public spaces and broadcast this as a model for the entire country, leading to the creation of new value.

From left: Izumiotsu City Mayor Minamide, Tanaka Co., Ltd. President Sumiyoshi

[Tanaka Co., Ltd.]

Head Office: 12-23 Miyamachi, Izumiotsu City, Osaka Prefecture

Representative: President Nozomu Sumiyoshi

Established: November 18, 1953

Offices: Head office and factory (Miyamachi, Izumiotsu City), sales offices deployed nationwide

Employees: Approx. 90

Website: https://www.geo-tanaka.co.jp/

Tanaka Co., Ltd. is a company whose main business is the manufacture and sale of civil engineering and construction fiber composite materials (geosynthetics/geotextiles). They offer a wide range of materials used mainly in the river, port, and road sectors for drainage, waterproofing, weed control, reinforcement, separation, and greening.

As a long-established manufacturer in this field with an extensive track record, they have strong capabilities in developing products with excellent safety, durability, and maintainability. They also contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by working on the development of environmentally friendly products utilizing recycled materials and natural materials (such as coconut fibers).

Furthermore, utilizing their fiber processing technology, they are expanding into the living environment field beyond civil engineering, developing products such as 'Sound-absorbing towers' with sound-absorbing performance.

[Seapath Park]

(Features of Seapath Park)

Seapath Park is a greenery-rich interaction and experience-based park created by incorporating the opinions and ideas of citizens.

It features ample spaces for children to play in touch with nature, such as 'O-Harappa', a lawn plaza of approx. 5,000 square meters, 'Seapath Mountain' for grass sliding, and 'Doronko Ring' for nature play using well water.

Additionally, there is a plaza that can be used for markets, a semi-outdoor plaza usable even in rainy weather, a multi-purpose room, and a Park Center equipped with showers and changing rooms, serving as a hub for play, interaction, events, and health promotion.

(Awards Received)

- FY2024 Land Utilization Model Grand Prize, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award
- FY2024 40th City Parks Contest, Director-General of the City Bureau, MLIT Award
- 2025 Japan Society of Civil Engineers Landscape & Design Committee Design Award, Excellence Award
- 2025 Good Design Award