Source: Peatix

We are looking for participating entrepreneurs and creators to submit their ideas!
The team with the best idea will receive a prize of a team visit to Toyama!
For entry instructions, please see the "Now accepting entries" section of this page.

Toyama Prefecture x SHIBUYA QWS "Q-reation" is an event that creates ideas that will generate new value within Toyama Prefecture by combining the wide variety of "Questions" and "Creations" that come from Shibuya.

This is the 12th in a series of events that will begin in July 2023. This pitch event will be held at CROSS PARK, a social space within SHIBUYA QWS, where members active at SHIBUYA QWS and entrepreneurs active in the Tokyo metropolitan area will present business ideas born from the "questions" of key people in the region. Why not join us in "Q-creating" ideas to solve the "questions" of Toyama Prefecture?

After the pitch event, we will hold a social gathering where we will provide lunch boxes, drinks, a tasting of Toyama sake, and Toyama's famous sweets!

★Now accepting applications for pitch speakers!!
Why not bring your ideas to life in Toyama?
If you would like to enter, please enter through the [Tokyo Venue/Business Idea Presenter] section on Peatix!
 
■ Entry requirements
Participants will be asked to choose one question from the Toyama judges, who are key people in the Toyama region, and give a five-minute presentation at SHIBUYA QWS about ideas for businesses, demonstration experiments, plans, etc. that seem to fit the question.

We do not require applicants to be individuals or corporations, nor do we require any specific background or track record; however, if you already have a business, content, resources, or examples that can realize your idea, you will have an advantage in the selection process.

Please be sure to read the "Questions" and "Entrepreneurs and Creators We Want to Meet" from the Toyama judges below. We recommend watching the YouTube videos if available. Then, come up with an idea to solve the relevant problem and submit it.

■ Questions from the Toyama judges

Miyu Gorai (Takaoka Traditional Industry Youth Association)

Question: "Can traditional industries and business perspectives create new value?"

▼Entrepreneurs and creators you want to meet
We are looking for creators and producers who are skilled at growing businesses and bringing out and spreading the appeal of the region. In particular, we are looking for people who can see the whole picture of management and strategically create products and services that take advantage of the historical background and strengths of tradition. We are also looking for people who can play the role of companions who will continue to be involved with the region for the long term, rather than simply providing temporary support or planning. We would like to work with people who have a deep understanding of local artisans and traditional crafts, and who have the ideas and networks to spread the appeal of Toyama to the rest of Japan and the world.

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Erina Doi (CEO of Mamaski Co., Ltd.)

Question: "How will digital technology help evolve child-rearing support beyond local boundaries?"

▼Entrepreneurs and creators you want to meet
Her mission is to solve the problem of declining birthrates and to create a society where the younger generation feels more positive about raising children. She is looking to meet talents with new perspectives and skills in the Tokyo metropolitan area. In particular, she is looking to collaborate with people who can use digital technology and new service models to provide child-rearing support nationwide, without being tied to a particular region.

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Kazuki Hayashi (Namekawa City Hall)

Question: "How can we draw out the power of the region and promote revitalization by utilizing local resources?"

▼Entrepreneurs and creators you want to meet
We aim to revitalize the region through collaboration with residents, utilizing Namekawa City's rich natural environment and local resources. To that end, we hope to create new businesses and events through dialogue with local merchants and residents, and partner with talents from the Tokyo metropolitan area who have ideas for increasing the region's sustainability. We are looking for flexible, creative individuals who can bring new urban perspectives and ideas, draw out the unique charms of Namekawa City, and work with local people to shape projects. In particular, we hope to find talents with the communication skills and imagination to help residents take the lead in invigorating Namekawa City.

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Yukiha Nakatani (Representative Director, Toyamanome General Incorporated Association)

Question: "How can we use an outside perspective to double the number of people moving to Imizu City?"

▼Entrepreneurs and creators you want to meet
We hope to meet creative talent in the Tokyo metropolitan area in order to create content that makes use of Imizu City's rich nature and unique culture and accelerate immigration promotion. We are looking for partners who have the communication skills to effectively communicate the charm of the region, who can work with local people to plan and implement new projects, and who can work with us to promote regional revitalization efforts that incorporate external perspectives.

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Makoto Miyabukuro (Principal of Arai Gakuen Takaoka Koryo High School)

Question: "Can 'love', which cannot be measured by deviation scores, become a force for social change?"

▼Entrepreneurs and creators you want to meet
Miyabukuro Makoto's educational vision is a shift from academic achievement to potential. In contrast to Toyama's education system, which is biased toward academic achievement, he wants to broaden learning based on each student's passion and connect it to solving local and societal issues. To achieve this, he hopes to meet entrepreneurs, creators, and diverse role models who have taken on challenges in the Tokyo metropolitan area. By coming into contact with real-life experiences and words, students can concretely envision their future and develop the strength to take the first step toward a challenge. Miyabukuro hopes to establish this cycle of learning in the local community.

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Ippei Usui (CEO of Job Hunting Radio Co., Ltd.)

Question: "How can students use AI and digital technology to find companies that are truly suited to them?"

▼Entrepreneurs and creators you want to meet
Usui has created a system to communicate the "culture" of local companies in high resolution in order to realize "happy matches between students and local companies." To accelerate this, he hopes to meet creators and entrepreneurs with the communication and branding skills he has cultivated in the Tokyo metropolitan area. People who can verbalize and visualize the human side of companies that cannot be conveyed in job postings, and translate it into expressions that resonate with students. He also hopes to collaborate with people who can utilize AI and digital technology to support students' desire to "find a company that understands them 100%."

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Yukio Higuchi (Representative Director of Bainyako Village General Incorporated Association)

Question: "How can we use images and expressions to convey to children the image of adults they can be proud of?"

▼Entrepreneurs and creators you want to meet
Higuchi's mission is to "create a hometown that children can be proud of," and he is engaged in a wide range of social activities based in Namekawa City. To accelerate this mission, he is looking to meet talents in the Tokyo metropolitan area who can tell stories about challenging adults and young people. Specifically, he is looking for actors, video editors, lighting technicians, and other people who can cooperate in producing short dramas, as well as creators who can bring the communication skills he has cultivated in urban areas back to rural areas. He is looking for colleagues who can convey the stories of challenging people in an appealing way.

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Shinichiro Takada (Japan Sea Lab)

Question: "How can we implement the decarbonization challenge in society from Toyama?"

▼Entrepreneurs and creators you want to meet
Takada (Japan Sea Lab) is committed to creating new businesses based in Toyama and the Hokuriku region, and to solving local issues. To accelerate this, he hopes to meet with startups and creators with experience in the Tokyo metropolitan area. In particular, he is looking for people with knowledge of decarbonization and energy, lifestyle services, and manufacturing digital transformation, as well as an interest in regional pilot projects and regional expansion. He is seeking talent who can connect Tokyo metropolitan resources with regional fields, turning Toyama into a testing ground for new challenges.

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■ The process from entry to pitch day

Once you have applied for Peatix's [Tokyo Venue - Business Idea Presenter], we will send you a message on Peatix with information on the format of the application form. Once you reply with the application form via message, your application will be complete (you do not need to submit presentation materials at this point).

The final deadline for entries is 23:59 on Friday, September 12th. However, if we receive more entries than expected and a large number of entries meet the selection criteria, we may close the application process earlier than expected. We recommend that you enter early.

All applicants will be notified of the selection results (whether they will be selected to speak or not) via Peatix message by Friday, September 19th (scheduled).

■ Important points to note when entering

On the day of the event, you will be asked to give a 5-minute presentation that conforms to the contents of your application form. You do not need to submit presentation materials in advance, but please ensure that the content conforms to the application form.

The judges will select the winning teams and announce their results on the day. The winning teams will receive the right to visit the site (round-trip Shinkansen fare and one night's accommodation will be provided, and Potage staff will assist with booking and accompany them on the site visit). However, since this is merely an idea contest and not a "business adoption," the organizers and participating local governments cannot guarantee any support for commercialization afterward (opportunities for networking and business mentoring will be provided, but commercialization will be on the teams' own). Please be aware of this before entering.
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■ Event Overview

<Date>
Friday, September 26th, 18:30-21:10
*Reception starts at 18:00

<Location>
[Tokyo venue] SHIBUYA QWS (15F Shibuya SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE, 2-chome, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
[Toyama Satellite Venue] hiraku Coworking Space & Satellite Office (Shin-Marunouchi Building 4F, 1-8-17 Marunouchi, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture)
*Please select when applying for tickets
*When visiting the venue, we ask that you please cooperate with health and hygiene management.

＜Recommended for these people＞
Entrepreneurs, people considering starting a business, and supporters who fit the following criteria:
・People from Toyama Prefecture
・People who have some kind of connection to Toyama Prefecture
・Those who are considering contributing to Toyama Prefecture
Anyone who wants to utilize their skills and ideas in the local community!

<Participation Fee>
Both the Tokyo venue and the Toyama satellite venue will include free snacks and drinks.

<Time Schedule
18:00 Reception begins
18:30 Event start
18:30～18:45 Introduction
18:45-19:30 Idea pitch
19:30-19:50 Examination time/break
19:50～20:10 Closing
20:10-21:10 Networking and social gathering
21:10 End
 

<Pitch speakers>
coming soon ...

<Pitch judges>
・Toyama Judge
Miyu Gorai (Takaoka Traditional Industry Youth Association)
Erina Doi (CEO of Mamaski)
Kazuki Hayashi (Namekawa City Hall)
Yukiha Nakatani (Representative Director, Toyamanome General Incorporated Association)
Makoto Miyabukuro (Principal of Arai Gakuen Takaoka Koryo High School)
Ippei Usui (CEO of Job Hunting Radio Co., Ltd.)
Yukio Higuchi (Representative Director of Bainyako Village General Incorporated Association)
Shinichiro Takada (Japan Sea Lab)
and more...!

・Tokyo judges
Katsuaki Sakai (CEO, Breathe Co., Ltd.)
and more...!

​
Toyama Prefecture Metropolitan Headquarters

<Facilitator>
Azusa Kawahara (CEO of Potage, Community Accelerator)
Yuji Fujita (Peatix Japan CEO and CMO)

* Important points to note when participating

Participation is free.
Please click here for access to the venue.
[Tokyo venue] https://shibuya-qws.com/about/outline
[Toyama Satellite Venue] https://hanamatsu.co.jp/hiraku/
Number of participants: Approximately 30 people per venue. If there are a large number of applications, participants will be selected by lottery.
Please note that we may take photos and videos of the event for record-keeping and publicity purposes.
Transportation and parking costs will be borne by the participant.
Please be sure to check the Peatix message you will receive regarding this event.
 
■ Event management

[Organizer] Toyama Prefecture Metropolitan Headquarters

[Production] Potage Co., Ltd.

*Potage is involved in the recruitment, promotion, and personal information management of this event as part of its production collaboration. Personal information collected during application will not be used for any purpose other than this event.

[Venue provided]

SHIBUYA QWS

hiraku coworking space & satellite office

■ Pitch judges (Tokyo venue)

Katsuaki Sakai (CEO, Breathe Co., Ltd.)

He started his career as a system engineer and gained experience in various marketing fields at an internet agency and a major general advertising agency.

In 2015, he founded Legoliss Co., Ltd.
We are engaged in data marketing and digital transformation support businesses that support companies in utilizing data, from building CDPs (consumer data platforms) to utilizing consumer data.
Major consumer goods manufacturers, professional sports associations, broadcasting stations, etc.
The company has grown rapidly by supporting data utilization and digital transformation in companies across a variety of industries.
In 2019, the company was sold to Mitsui & Co., Ltd., a major general trading company.
He continued to serve as representative director even after the company became a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co.

After stepping down as the company's representative director in 2022, he launched Breathe Co., Ltd. in the same year.
Launching an apparel brand
We are taking on new challenges in the BtoC field.

■ Event producer/facilitator

Azusa Kawahara (CEO of Potage Inc., Community Accelerator)

Representative Director of Potage and Community Accelerator. After working for Fujitsu, Nifty, etc., he became the event coordinator for the event house-style restaurant "Tokyo Culture Culture" in 2008. He is involved in the management of more than 200 events per year. He was stationed in San Francisco from 2013 to 2016. After returning to Japan, he produced numerous business communities for NHK, Itoen, Kokuyo, Omron Healthcare, Suntory, Tokyu, etc. In the spring of 2020, he became independent and launched the guild-based team "Potage", where he works as a community accelerator planning events and designing corporate communication.

He is the author of "A Textbook on Creating a Community that Cultivates Fans and Grows Businesses" (Diamond Inc., co-authored with Yuji Fujita). He is a key opinion leader for COMEMO, an opinion media outlet for the Nikkei Inc. He is an official influencer on LinkedIn, and a director of Koto Co-Creation Lab, a general incorporated association that promotes open innovation in large companies.

Yuji Fujita (Co-founder and CEO of Peatix Japan Inc., CMO of Peatix Inc.)

Graduated from Keio University. After working in sales at Intelligence Co., Ltd. (now Persol Career Co., Ltd.), he joined Amazon Japan Co., Ltd. (now Amazon Japan G.K.) in 2003. As the youngest manager at the time, he oversaw sales for the marketplace business before founding Orinoco Co., Ltd., the predecessor to Peatix. After overseeing the domestic community manager team, he concurrently served as head of sales and marketing. In June 2019, he was appointed CMO (Chief Marketing Officer), overseeing community management and marketing for all of Peatix. In May 2025, he was appointed Representative Director of Peatix Japan Co., Ltd., and also served as CMO of Peatix Inc.

Nikkei COMEMO Key Opinion Leader. LinkedIn Certified Influencer. Author of "A Textbook on Creating a Community to Cultivate Fans and Grow Your Business" (Diamond Inc.).

Venue