Together with local communities
Conclusion of the “Agreement on Cooperation for Realization of Local Decarbonization” between Mobara City and Otaki Gas
A “Regional Decarbonization Roadmap” has been formulated to realize a decarbonized society by 2050. The roadmap included not only renewable energy, but also the reduction of heating carbon emissions, fuel conversion, and the introduction of co-generation technology. It also clearly stated the importance of gas companies’ participation in the implementation system for regional decarbonization.
Under these circumstances, on April 12, 2022, Mobara City and Otaki Gas signed an “Agreement on Cooperation for Realization of Local Decarbonization.” We will promote close cooperation with Mobara City and collaborative efforts that effectively use the resources of both sides, disseminate information widely, raise awareness about the prevention of global warming, and contribute to realizing local decarbonization.
Contribution to local communities
As a community-based business operator, our corporate group recognizes that its mission is to coexist with local communities.
Thus, it cooperates with local events.
Participating in the Mobara Tanabata Festival
Every year, we participate in the Mobara Tanabata Festival, one of the three major Tanabata festivals in the Kanto region, in Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture, where our corporate group is based. During the festival period, in addition to setting up Tanabata decorations on the streets, more than 100 members of the Gas Association participate in the Mobara Awa Odori, a local summer tradition, which everyone in the local community has well received. In addition, to cooperate with Mobara City in promoting the area as the “town of Tanabata,” we designed the gas storage tanks to incorporate Tanabata decorations. We also support the city’s business and installed information signs for the river flowing through Mobara City, nicknamed the “Milky Way,” in two places.
Cooperation in river protection activities
We are cooperating in environmental conservation activities for the rivers that flow through Chosei District, Chiba Prefecture, which is the development area of our Group. We also participate in cleanups around the rivers to protect the natural environment together with local residents.
Natural Gas Museum
Our corporate group built and donated the Natural Gas Museum, which opened on April 1, 2013, in Otaki Town, Isumi District, Chiba Prefecture, the birthplace of our corporate group, as a PR facility for Chiba Prefecture’s natural gas and iodine.
The Natural Gas Museum is in a convenient location, right in front of Isumi Railway Otaki Station, next to the Otaki Town sightseeing information center named (Kanko-honjin), and has become a new tourist spot in Otaki Town.
The building is a one-story steel-frame building designed and constructed by one of our group companies. The design emphasizes the image of the castle town of Otaki, which is said to be the “Little Edo of Boso.” Three gas lamps were also built in front of the museum.
The museum has eight booths and displays the actual latest gas equipment and uses panel displays, video screening, and dioramas to explain in an easy-to-understand manner mainly the story of the discovery of natural gas in Otaki Town, basic knowledge on natural gas and iodine, and the process of delivering natural gas to visitors.
Outline of the tour of a natural gas production facility
| Host company | Kanto Natural Gas Development Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Location | 661 Mobara, Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture 297-8550 |
| Access | 10 min. on foot from Mobara Station on JR Sotobo Line |
| Time needed | 90 to 120 minutes (*We will adjust the tour according to your desired tour time.) |
| Visit days | 9:00-16:00 (excluding 12:00-13:00) on weekdays |
| Number of visitors accepted | From 5 to 20 people (*If there are more than ten people, please use a means of transportation such as a bus.) |
| Application/inquiries | General Affairs Group Administration Dept. Kanto Natural Gas Development Co., Ltd. TEL：0475-23-1313 FAX：0475-24-3330 E-Mail：soumu@k-and-o-energy.co.jp |
| Application method | Please apply by phone, fax, or email at least 14 days before the date you wish to visit. (*Please note that we may not be able to meet your request for a tour due to business-related reasons.) |
Tour for the natural gas produced in Chiba Prefecture
Since 2011, our corporate group has regularly held tours of natural gas produced in Chiba Prefecture. The purpose of the tours is to deepen the understanding of the entire business of our corporate group by providing an explanation of the development projects and a tour of the latest gas equipment.
We will inform you on our website when the tours are held. Please join us if you are interested.
Cooperating with junior high schools and high schools and implementing on-site classes and eco-cooking
Poster by an elementary school student who attended an on-site class
Since the fiscal year 2010, our corporate group has been cooperating with an initiative to implement advanced science and mathematics education at Chiba Prefectural Chosei Senior High School located in Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture. The initiative includes lectures on natural gas and iodine produced in Chiba Prefecture, dispatching instructors to iodine refining experiment classes, and guided tours of our corporate group’s natural gas production facilities and places where natural gas-production strata are exposed to the surface.
In addition to the above, we have dispatched instructors to junior high schools in Mobara City. They have held regular lectures which link them to home gas usage to deepen the students’ knowledge of locally produced natural gas and iodine, as well as the functions of the latest gas equipment. Students who attended the lecture said, “I thought we imported natural gas, but I was surprised to learn that natural gas can be produced in Japan and in my own hometown,” and “I was surprised to learn that Chiba Prefecture produces one-fourth of the world’s iodine.” These comments demonstrate how these lectures are an opportunity for them to recognize that resources exist close to them.
Holding a gas exhibition
Every year, Otaki Gas holds a gas exhibition in each district to thank customers for their patronage and to publicize comfortable and eco-friendly lifestyles using gas. At the Mobara, Ichihara, Chiba, Yachiyo, and Naruto venues, we hold cooking demonstrations & tastings and cooking classes using the latest gas stoves and provide work experience opportunities for children using safety equipment. Through these various events that families can enjoy, we help people feel more familiar with gas and convey the convenience, safety, and budget-friendliness of the latest gas equipment for the family.
Cooperating with the Strawberry Cafeteria (children’s cafeteria)
Otaki Gas’ Chiba showroom, “BeE,” cooperates in holding the children’s cafeteria to create a place for parents and children to enjoy meals and learn.
The Strawberry Cafeteria is named after the flower language of strawberries, “a happy family,” to embody the organizer’s wish that all families be happy.
Currently, socializing is difficult, but we hope that in the near future, it will develop into a place for intergenerational socializing where various age groups can participate. We will continue to cooperate in holding the showroom to contribute to the revitalization and development of the local community by making the showroom a place for local socializing.
