AIDA KOGYO Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture, President and Representative Director: Sadamitsu Aida) is pleased to announce the completion of the "HIGETA Soy Sauce Choshi Factory New Welfare Building (HIGETA vat)" (hereinafter referred to as "this facility"), designed and constructed by our company, in May 2026. This facility is a two-story wooden welfare building with a total floor area of approximately 1,000 square meters, constructed within the Choshi factory of HIGETA Soy Sauce Co., Ltd., and our company was responsible for its design and construction. It was developed with the aim of improving the working environment and promoting communication among employees. The first floor houses business functions such as offices, meeting rooms, negotiation rooms, and changing rooms, while the second floor provides spaces for employee interaction and rest, including a cafeteria, lounge, and large conference room. Additionally, a terrace connected to the cafeteria and a rooftop terrace have been planned, anticipating a space that fosters more open connections through events and other activities. The design of this facility incorporates the "kioke" (wooden vat), which symbolizes the craftsmanship of HIGETA Soy Sauce, a company with over 400 years of history. Just as soy sauce is fermented and aged in wooden vats, this space is designed to foster employee interaction and the development of new ideas. The building features a circular design inspired by a wooden vat approximately 23 meters in diameter. The exterior is finished with vertical wooden planks reminiscent of wooden vats, integrating the symbol of soy sauce production into the architectural design. Internally, a void has been created, and a large-span wooden structure allows for an open space with few columns. The spatial configuration allows for a sense of the presence of people on both upper and lower floors, creating an environment where employees can interact naturally. Leveraging the wooden co