Masahiro Horie, President and CEO, Tokyu Corporation

2025.04.10

Tokyu's unparalleled urban development that enhances the value of the development area

Masahiro Horie, President and CEO of Tokyu Corporation

Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1961. After graduating from Keio University in 1984, he joined Tokyu Corporation (now Tokyu). In 2002, he became president of Tokyu Real Estate Investment Management. In 2003, he became executive officer (representative) of Tokyu Real Estate Investment Corporation. In 2015, he became executive officer and general manager of retail business at Tokyu Corporation's Lifestyle Creation Headquarters. In 2016, he became director and executive officer and general manager of retail business at the Lifestyle Creation Headquarters. In 2020, he became director and executive officer and general manager of building management business. In 2022, he became director and managing executive officer, before becoming president in June 2023.

Tokyu is a company that takes a long-term view of large-scale urban development, focusing on railways and real estate. The Tokyu Group is involved in a wide variety of businesses, but we spoke to President Horie, who steers the company as a regional conglomerate, about his experiences as a student, what made him decide to join Tokyu, his passion for urban development, and Tokyu's future outlook.

　I graduated from the Faculty of Law at Keio University, but while I was there I was a member of the athletics club and specialized in short-distance running. I particularly focused on the 400-meter relay, coming in second at the Intercollegiate Championships and third at the Japan Championships. However, at the time, the University of Tsukuba was overwhelmingly strong, and most of the relay team representing Japan was made up of athletes from Tsukuba. While I keenly felt how difficult it was to win, I also learned the joy of competing against strong opponents.

　While at university, he was not satisfied with just competing, so he founded an official competition called the Kanto Faculty of Law Student Friendly Track and Field Meet. This was a competition open to all sports clubs and clubs, with the aim of providing many student athletes with an opportunity to take on the challenge. The catchphrase was "A healthy legal mind resides in a healthy body." There were many difficulties in running the event, such as gathering sponsors and arranging for a stadium and a panel of judges, but the experience of overcoming these challenges has been useful in his career since entering the workforce.

　I also focused on my studies, learning a wide range of subjects including politics, economics, and sociology. Even back then, I wanted to work in a business related field in the future.

◾️Reasons for choosing Tokyu as your place of employment

　What made me decide to apply to Tokyu was that I was attracted to the idea of being able to work in a variety of business areas other than railways, such as urban development and lifestyle services. During my interview after joining the company, I expressed my desire to be transferred to five different locations over the next 10 years, and I gained experience working as a station attendant and conductor in the railway division, and then in a wide range of departments, including real estate, hotels, and retail businesses. By experiencing a wide range of industries in this way, I was able to learn the overall picture of management.

◾️Tokyu Group Management Characteristics

Tokyu's distinctive feature is its "regional conglomerate-style management." Its diverse businesses, including railways, real estate, retail, hotels, and entertainment, develop in close collaboration with one another. For example, as development along railway lines progresses, the population increases, real estate values improve, and demand for commercial and entertainment facilities increases, creating a virtuous cycle. Therefore, even if your work is in a different industry, you are expected to adapt flexibly to the department you're assigned to and have a positive, challenging attitude. I believe that there is something to learn in any department, and that experience will definitely be useful in the future.

　Furthermore, while Tokyu is generally thought of as a railway company, in reality it is much more than just a railway company; it is a company involved in urban development as a whole. I joined the company because I was attracted to the idea of working in urban development, and I realized how rewarding it would be to work at the forefront of urban development. What was particularly memorable in my career was my involvement in urban development and redevelopment. When proceeding with redevelopment, it is important to understand the local situation and make appropriate plans. Urban development is not just about constructing buildings; it must be carried out while considering the balance with the surrounding environment, transportation, and commercial facilities. I believe that the mission of those involved in urban development is to resolve local issues and enrich the lives of the people who live there.

◾️Tokyu as a city development company

　With railways and real estate development at its core, Tokyu is known for its long-term involvement in areas such as Shibuya and the areas along its railway lines, as it also promotes the development of commercial facilities and living environments in an integrated manner. For example, in the redevelopment of Shibuya, the company is combining a variety of elements, including railways, offices, commercial facilities, hotels, and entertainment, with the aim of enhancing the value of the entire town. Furthermore, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the company constructed and opened Tokyu Kabukicho Tower in Shinjuku. The company is developing towns from all angles, including facility design with an eye on inbound demand and hosting events incorporating culture and art, and is working on various initiatives to increase the added value of the entire town.

　We have adopted a "cyclical reinvestment model" to strategically improve the value of local areas over the long term by reinvesting profits from commercial facilities and infrastructure in the development of towns. This long-term perspective in urban development is the strength of Tokyu's urban development and what makes us unique as a company. Therefore, rather than simply constructing buildings, we strive to improve the convenience of all uses, including railways, buses, offices, commercial facilities, and housing, in order to sustainably enhance the appeal of towns.

＊message＊

　Finally, I have three things I would like to say to university students. The first is to travel abroad and to other regions to broaden your horizons. Once you enter the workforce, it will be difficult to find time to do so. Take advantage of the opportunity to gain experience in contact with diverse cultures and values. The second is to try a variety of part-time jobs. I believe there are many similarities between these and the work you will do once you enter the workforce. Practical experience will be useful no matter what industry you go into. The third is to take your time and focus on your work in your twenties. Gaining solid experience and honing your expertise at your first company will form the foundation for your future career. It is important not to work with the intention of changing jobs immediately, but to first put your all into the job in front of you and increase your own value.

　Every experience is valuable, and we hope that your challenges will lead to the development of future towns and society.

Student Newspaper April 2025 Issue Keio University 3rd Year Noganjutsu