June 9,2022
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. ("Mitsui", Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Kenichi Hori) and KDDI Corporation ("KDDI", Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Makoto Takahashi) have established GEOTRA Co., Ltd. ("GEOTRA", Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Nobuhiro Jinnai) to promote urban DX by providing a data platform capable of using AI to analyze and visualize geospatial data, especially personal activity.
In March 2021, Mitsui and KDDI developed a platform and analysis services that enable the monitoring and prediction of various aspects of personal activity, such as the means, time, and purpose of movements, through the use of AI and location data from au smartphones. On June 9, 2022, GEOTRA will start to provide these services as the GEOTRA Geospatial Analysis Platform ("the Platform").
In recent years there have been rising expectations concerning smart city business that utilizes digital technology to enrich city life. Toward the realization of the Japanese government's "Society 5.0" concept, there have been calls for productivity improvements and business innovations through the use of digital technologies, and corporations and local government organizations are promoting DX initiatives. One of the requirements for city development is the ability to monitor and predict future personal activity.
By providing the Platform, GEOTRA aims to enhance the business planning and policy decision-making processes of various entities, such as business corporations and local government organizations, in such fields as smart city development.
GEOTRA has already started to use the Platform in collaboration with Mitsubishi Estate Corporation to enhance the attractiveness of the Marunouchi area (Otemachi, Marunouchi, Yurakucho), including exmamination of business planning to increase its convenience and to realize MaaS.
In the Shibuya district, the Platform is being used in a "City Dashboard" system, which collects data to quickly and accurately identify issues facing that area, and visualizes and analyzes prevailing conditions in the said district. This system will be used to monitor transport needs and the characteristics of areas and spaces. GEOTRA will continue tackling themes that will contribute to the enrichment of people's lives.
Mitsui maintains global business networks, while KDDI possesses extensive knowledge about DX. The two companies aim to use their respective strengths to deepen their collaboration not only in relation to smart city development, but also in such areas as mobility, energy, infrastructure, entertainment, and healthcare.
―Target areas for collaboration between Mitsui and KDDI―
Name | GEOTRA Co., Ltd. |
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Head Office | 6F, Otemachi One Tower, 2-1, Otemachi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
Name and Title of Representative | Nobuhiro Jinnai (President and CEO) |
Business Activities | Provision of web systems and consultation services for the integration, visualization, and analysis of personal activity and other information in city, and other related business activities |
Capital | ¥1 billion |
Shareholders | Mitsui: 51% KDDI: 49% |
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One of the priority areas identified by Mitsui in its Medium-term Management Plan is the use of its comprehensive strengths to create new businesses based on digital technology. It has also positioned the energy solutions area, including smart city projects, as a strategic focus. By pursuing this business, Mitsui aims to contribute to the betterment of people's lives and the creation of a sustainable society.
KDDI has made sustainability management a core element in its Mid-Term Management Strategy (FYE March 2023-FYE March 25). It aims to work with its partners to achieve the sustainable growth of society and enhance its corporate value by using 5G to drive the evolution of the telecommunications business and expand focus areas, centered on telecommunications, and by strengthening the management platform that supports these activities. It is pursuing a "satellite growth" strategy based on the five areas of DX, finance, energy, life transformation (LX), and regional co-creation, with the aim of creating a virtuous DX circle leading to the transformation of people's lives.