TDK is developing ZiNOBA, an employee housing complex in Yurihonjo, Akita Prefecture, and will open a mixed-use community accommodating 350 people. The initiative, aimed at addressing population decline and securing talent locally, has been covered by a British newspaper.
To address labour shortages at its factories in Akita Prefecture, TDK built ZiNOBA, a mixed-use community centred on employee housing that can be used by both employees and local residents. The living environment is modern, and the complex includes a cafeteria, gym, DIY room and barbecue area in addition to the housing, with the aim of becoming a hub for daily life in the community.
Akita Prefecture is one of the regions in Japan experiencing the sharpest population decline. As the birth rate falls and the population ages, the population of Yurihonjo has declined by more than 20% over the past 20 years. The mayor has stressed the need to address population decline.
ZiNOBA provides housing for 350 employees. Schools and care facilities are located nearby, and commercial and medical facilities are planned for the future. TDK’s housing development is seen as valuable because it promotes interaction between generations.
TDK has positioned its factory in Akita as a “mother factory” to maintain and strengthen its position as an Apple supplier. It has been suggested that improving the employment environment in the region could help secure supply-chain diversity. ZiNOBA is also seen as a potential model for regional revitalisation and initiatives to secure talent for the offshore wind power industry.