Our History with Hokkaido, the Birthplace of the Company
Activities to Invigorate Hokkaido, Our Birthplace
The Sapporo Group treasures local communities and has been making efforts toward contributing to regional society. Hokkaido is especially special to us as the birthplace of Sapporo Breweries. Ever since our foundation, we have maintained our relationship with the region over the years and have grown as a company with the nickname “Beer-san.” We have been developing various activities to revitalize regional society through nature conservation, preservation of traditional culture, promotion of culture, arts and sports, along with promotion of food and tourism, with the cooperation of 179 municipalities in Hokkaido and its citizens, under the wish of wanting to “invigorate our homeland Hokkaido.”
Agreements with governing bodies
The “Comprehensive Partnership Agreement” with Hokkaido in February 2007
The Hokkaido Prefectural Office and Sapporo Holdings/Sapporo Breweries have entered an agreement to collaborate in a diverse range of activities, to enhance the Hokkaido brand with a focus on the categories of “food,” “tourism,” “environment” and “daily life.”
The “Urban Development Partner Agreement” with Sapporo City in December 2008
The city of Sapporo and Sapporo Holdings/Sapporo Breweries have entered an agreement to implement various activities with cooperation of the citizens, companies and government, focusing on urban development in a wide array of fields.
The “Agreement Related to Cooperation/Co-creation in Urban Development” with Hakodate City in July 2010
The city of Hakodate and Sapporo Holdings/Sapporo Breweries have agreed to cooperate in the urban development of Hakodate City in areas such as food, nurturing people and culture, and the environment.
The “Comprehensive Partnership Agreement” with Asahikawa City in July 2011
The city of Asahikawa and Sapporo Holdings/Sapporo Breweries have agreed to work for the further invigoration of Asahikawa City, and implement urban development with mutual cooperation within fields such as collaborative operations, the environment, tourism, food, and safety and security.
The “Comprehensive Partnership Agreement” with Obihiro City in October 2015
The city of Obihiro and Sapporo Holdings/Sapporo Breweries have agreed to work together for urban development, with mutual cooperation in categories such as food, tourism, co-existence with the environment, safe and secure lives, promotion of health, and promotion of education, culture and sports.
Support for the Okhotsk region
The Okhotsk region is the major production area of beer barley, all of which is purchased by Sapporo Breweries. We support the “Okhotsk Area Identity Activity” by the Okhotsk Promotion Bureau in various ways.
The “Comprehensive Partnership Agreement” with beer barley production areas in the Okhotsk region in July 2012
The cities of Kitami and Abashiri and the towns of Bihoro and Saroma have entered an agreement to support the rejuvenation of the two cities and two towns with Sapporo Holdings/Sapporo Breweries, through mutual cooperation in promoting urban development in fields such as environmental conservation and tourism.
July 2019 - Sapporo Collaborative Core City Region* “Urban Development Partner Agreement”
The purpose of this agreement is to maintain the vitality of the region and to contribute to the creation of an attractive city through mutual cooperation and collaboration by making effective use of the resources of the "Sapporo Collaborative Core City Region," Sapporo Holdings, Sapporo Breweries, and a total of 15 companies that have signed the agreement.
* Sapporo City, Otaru City, Iwamizawa City, Ebetsu City, Chitose City, Eniwa City, Kitahiroshima City, Ishikari City, Tobetsu Town, Shinshinotsu Village, Nanporo Town, and Naganuma Town formed the Sapporo Collaborative Core City Area in March 2019 in order to maintain the vitality of the area and promote attractive urban development even in a society with a declining population, low birthrate, and aging society.
Activities for forest conservation
Hiyama Promotion Bureau
In May 2008, Sapporo Breweries and the Hokkaido Forest and Greenery Association Hiyama Branch signed an “Agreement for Forest Development Activities” and promised to cooperate with seven towns in the region, including Otobe and Esashi. Under the agreement, the two parties planted Aomori cypress trees as part of the “Forest Development of Hiyama” initiative to restore the homeland forests; in addition, with the cooperation of the Fisheries Co-operative Association of Hiyama, the parties released young masu salmon into rivers. These activities were carried out in Otobe Town in 2021.
Hiroo Town
Hiroo Town has donated a fir tree for Christmas ever since the Sapporo Factory opened in 1993. As a gesture of gratitude, we have installed a donation box beneath the tree to support the town’s “Tree Planting Festival,” which has been held every year since 2010.
“Cheers to the Hokkaido Forests” and the Campaign to “Reenergize the Forests of Hokkaido!”
The head office of Sapporo Breweries Hokkaido implemented the “Cheers to the Hokkaido Forests” campaign for environmental conservation within Hokkaido, the development of local communities, and improving food culture. The campaign forms part of the company’s support for the “Forest Development via Thinning Initiative of Four Hokkaido Towns,” which is carried out by the Hokkaido Forest Biomass Absorption and Utilization Promotion Council; the council itself consists of the four towns of 6. Ashoro, 3. Shimokawa, 7. Bihoro, and 4. Takinoue. The campaign was held in SAPPORO LION restaurants within Hokkaido for a limited time, from February 1, 2012 to January 31, 2016.
This campaign was implemented as part of the Ministry of the Environment’s “FY2011 Local Carbon Offset Certification Acquisition Support Project.” Using the offset credits (J-VER) issued by the Council, the CO2 emitted in the production process for beer consumed at SAPPORO LION during the campaign was processed as carbon offsets.
Cooperative campaigns with our customers
Sapporo Breweries, CO-OP Sapporo, and Hokkaido Prefecture have carried out a campaign to “Reenergize the Forests of Hokkaido!” since 2013. In 2020, in addition to Pokka Sapporo Hokkaido, Hokuren, Calbee, and Maruha Nichiro will participate in this joint campaign to "Cheers to Hokkaido's Forests and Oceans! This was a joint campaign. The campaign was conducted for products sold by each company (Sapporo Breweries and Pokka Sapporo canned "Cheers to the Sea in Hokkaido's Forests" (Sapporo Classic, etc.), PET-bottled wine, and Ribbon Napolin Citron). When customers purchase these products, the amount of CO2 emissions set for each product category is carbon offset, contributing to forest conservation activities in Hokkaido. In addition, a portion of the proceeds was donated to the "Coop Future Forestation Fund" to contribute to activities to nurture tomorrow's forests.
Cooperation with regional societies
Sapporo Odori Beer Garden
We cooperate with various neighborhood associations of Hokkaido for the annual summer Odori Park event “The Sapporo Odori Beer Garden,” which features promotional videos of Hokkaido on ten large screens within the venue, and also sells special local dishes using Hokkaido ingredients.
Supporting a healthy Hokkaido through sports
We support professional sports teams which call Hokkaido their home and create an exciting sports environment.
Ribbon-chan of POKKA SAPPORO is also featured
Support in promoting the winter sport “cross country skiing”
Sapporo Breweries supports the “ENIWA Cross-Country Ski Competition” held every February in Eniwa City, where the Hokkaido factory is located. This competition is held to promote and popularize the sport, and also to promote healthy lifestyles in central Hokkaido. A wide variety of athletes and devotees from all ages and genders from Eniwa City, all over Hokkaido and mainland Japan as well, get together for this extremely lively competition. Many employees also participate as competitors, enjoying the event along with the local community.
- Social Contributions
- Tohoku Reconstruction Support
- Donations to Disaster-Stricken Areas
- Social Contributions through Shareholder Hospitality Programs
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Our History with Hokkaido, the Birthplace of the Company
- Perpetuating the Culture of Beer of the Sapporo Group