Source: Peatix

\Regional innovation born in the Kii Peninsula/

Talk and networking event to consider lifestyles from the perspective of local and innovative
Throughout its long history, the Kii Peninsula has always been a center of culture and religion.

Interesting people are gathering here one after another and starting interesting things. New "innovations" are being born in a region that has inherited the old things. There are many things that can only be done here.

This event is a collaboration between TURNS and the Sukaloce Migration Promotion Department! We will invite three guests who are creating "new innovations" in the Kii Peninsula to think about "region x innovation"! In the second half of the event, there will also be a networking event where we will enjoy the "food" of the Kii Peninsula.

What you will learn
⚫︎How to interact with the local community
・How to get involved with the local community in the Kii Peninsula
・Lifestyle on the Kii Peninsula
・How to find a connection between you and your community

⚫︎Migration × Innovative
・The innovative power of the Kii Peninsula
How to find and create a job
・Creating a community that attracts people

…and more!

\We will also be participating in the social gathering!/
Talk members
Guest①: Chuya Toyoda
Vice President of NPO Osewagurashi Support Center/Co-representative of Tonga-zaka Bunko

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Born in Tokyo in 1986. Grew up in the Hatanodai to Nakanobu area of Tokyo. From 2014, spent three years working as a local revitalization volunteer in Kuki Town, a fishing village in Owase City, Mie Prefecture, where he was involved in running a restaurant called "Aboshiba" that he established in collaboration with local residents. While continuing to live in Kuki, he also runs a bookstore called "Tongazaka Bunko" that he opened with a friend who had relocated there, and started a publishing campaign called "Mikan to Ginrin." He is also the vice president of the NPO Owase Living Support Center, which works to promote relocation to Owase City and utilize vacant houses, while exploring new initiatives with people living in southern Mie Prefecture.

Guest②: Azusa Matsumoto
CEO of Cheerful Co., Ltd.

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Born in Nara City. A typical "Nara Prefecture resident" at high school, university and working. While working for a major manufacturer, he noticed the charm of local areas in Japan while traveling around the country on business trips. It coincided with the time when he wanted to rethink his work style, so he quit his job and started his own company. He launched his own brand "jiwajiwa" and returned to Nara City. In 2020, he moved to Yoshino Town and currently runs an old house facility called "jiwajiwa House," while also running retreat tours where you can enjoy herbal medicine classes, herbal foot baths, vegetarian lunches and more. Accommodation facilities are currently being prepared.

Guest③: Takumi Kaneko
CEO of NOMCRAFT BREWING

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Born in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture. While traveling around the world, he met members of a town development project in Aridagawa Town in Portland, which led him to move to Aridagawa Town and help establish Nomcraft Brewing. He currently runs Nomcraft while raising his children. His hobbies are traveling, photography, and outdoor sports. He fell in love with photography while traveling around the world, and now uses it to take product photos for beer, etc.

\ Delivered by two facilitators! /
Miho Hamasaki | Secretary, Skyrocket Company

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Born in Kagoshima City. After working as a model and celebrity in the local media, she moved to Tokyo. With a warm and soft voice like a stringed instrument, she has been the personality of TOKYO FM's wide-ranging program "Skyrocket Company" since its first episode in 2013. She was ranked #1 in the female category of the "Evening Radio Personalities with Soothing Voices" ranking. In addition to appearing at various events as a guest MC, her activities are diverse, including appearing in video works and participating in music productions.

Masahiro Horiguchi | TURNS Producer

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In addition to serving as an advisor for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on creating regional power and a member of the judging committee for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "Regional Development Award," he has given lectures on regional revitalization cases, appeared on many television and radio programs, and is involved in relocation policies for local governments across the country. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, he planned and launched "TURNS" in June 2012, with the desire to let many young people know how to connect with their local communities in the future and the options for how to live, work, and live in a way that suits them. He has developed various projects to connect regions and cities, such as events, tours, and the "TURNS Business School." In addition to introducing the charms of regional areas, he also provides hints for working, living, and continuing to be involved in regional areas. He is a guest commentator on TOKYO FM's "Skyrocket Company."

\An exchange event featuring the "food" of the Kii Peninsula!/
After the talk session, we will have a networking event with the guests over some Kii Peninsula food! Look forward to it!

*The content may be subject to change.

- What is the Kii Peninsula region like? -
The Kii Peninsula is the largest peninsula in Japan, spanning three prefectures: Wakayama, Nara, and Mie, and is blessed with magnificent nature, history, and culture. The Kii Mountains make up the majority of the area, and the area is rich in natural beauty, mountains, rivers, and the sea. In addition to being a place where you can enjoy activities that make use of nature, such as trekking and kayaking, the area is also dotted with numerous World Heritage sites, such as the sacred sites of Shugendo, Yoshino and Omine, and the Kumano Kodo trails, making it an area rich in tourist resources. The area is also famous for its specialty products, such as mandarin oranges, plums, and persimmons, seafood such as spiny lobsters, oysters, and tuna, and woodwork made from Yoshino cedar and Owase cypress.

[Mie Prefecture: Rias Coast (Yokoyama)] Photo provided by Mie Photo Gallery

[Nara Prefecture: Mount Yoshino]

[Wakayama Prefecture: Hashiguiiwa] Photo courtesy of Wakayama Tourism Federation

<Event details>
Date: Friday, January 31, 2025, 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Venue: SHIBUYA QWS (Please take the elevator from the office entrance on the 2nd basement floor or 2nd floor of SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE to the reception on the 15th floor.)
Capacity: 30 people *Ends when capacity is reached
Participation Fee: 1,000 yen

▼Time Schedule
18:30 Reception begins
19:00 Start
19:30 Talk session
20:30 Social gathering
21:30 End

Organized by: Kii Peninsula Regional Migration Promotion Project Executive Committee

Venue