Source: Peatix

Why is Nikaho City in Akita Prefecture moving forward with the demonstration experiment?
~A session event to learn about the reality of co-creation with the local community and serious business co-creation~

Nikaho City is promoting the creation of new industries, solving local issues, and revitalizing the region through co-creation with companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
This event is an information-sharing and interactive session aimed at companies interested in developing businesses, conducting demonstration experiments, and utilizing subsidies in Nikaho City. It will introduce the local government's stance, the strengths of the demonstration field, and the voices of practitioners who have been conducting demonstrations on the ground.
It is not a one-sided explanation from the local government or a sales-oriented business meeting,
"What does it actually mean to proceed with the demonstration project in Nikaho City?"
The purpose of this event is to provide a concrete understanding of the project and to create an initial point of contact that will lead to demonstration and location.

◆ Event Overview
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026, 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Event format: Real event
Venue: SAKURA DEEPTECH SHIBUYA (Shibuya)

For companies considering business development or demonstration in Nikaho City,
We will carefully share information about the city's initiatives, how the demonstration is proceeding, the support system, and base information from the perspectives of local government officials, practitioners, and experts.

*No business negotiations or sales activities will be conducted during this event.
After the event, we will provide information and guidance to companies that have shown interest.

◆ Purpose
・Providing information on business development, demonstration experiments, subsidies, etc. in Nikaho City
・Building relationships with participating companies and promoting on-site visits and inspections
・Introduction to Kisakata New Industry Support Center Shimano
・Providing "the reality of demonstration in Nikaho City" through dialogue with local governments, practitioners, and experts

◆ Benefits for participants
As a local government that "takes on challenges head-on," Nikaho City provides strong support for new businesses and demonstration projects.

By participating, you will receive the following benefits:

・Building direct relationships with local government officials/practitioners
・Gain a concrete image of business demonstration
- Understanding the speedy government response and support system
・Acquire advance information on the reception environment and support measures

◆ Reasons for choosing Nikaho City
- Quick decision-making and a positive administrative attitude toward demonstration
・A support system based on the field in cooperation with local businesses
・Existence of a demonstration base centered around Kisakata New Industry Support Center "Shimanoma"
・Possibility of utilizing subsidies and support systems in cooperation with prefectures and related organizations
・A local culture that welcomes challenges and a flexible field for demonstration

\\ The groundwork is in place for new businesses and demonstration projects to move forward //

◆ Program
◆ Program (planned)

13:30-14:00 Venue reception
14:00-14:05 Opening ceremony and business explanation
14:05-14:45 Lecture
14:45-14:55 About Nikaho City (10 minutes)
14:55-15:15 Speakers' self-introductions and business introductions (10 minutes x 2 speakers)
15:15-16:15 Panel discussion (60 minutes)
16:15-16:30 Future plans/Closing
16:30-17:00 Networking event (business card exchange and free socializing)
*The networking event is intended for the exchange of information and opinions, and is not a place for business negotiations.

[Lecture]

◉ Shinya Nakayama, CEO of Nakayama Kozai Co., Ltd. / President of Rakuten University, Rakuten Group Inc.

He joined Rakuten in its early days (when the company had 20 employees), where he established "Rakuten University" and helped foster a community of store owners.
He became Rakuten's only full-time, fellow-like employee (with part-time work and flexible working hours), and founded Nakayama Kozai, providing material for thought.
His mission is to increase the number of "adults who work passionately, who children look up to." His motto is "Let's have fun at work." He has written many books, including "The Rules for Teams That Achieve a Big Win with Current Members."

[Panelists]

Yasuhiko Kumagai, Executive Officer and General Manager of Business Area Division, Yasui Architects & Engineers

He graduated from Waseda University Graduate School in 1995 and has been with Yasui Architects & Engineers for 30 years since then. He has been involved in architectural design for 29 years, successively serving as head of the design department, international department, and management business department. He has experience in designing and commercial work for everything from domestic and overseas hotel projects to offices, large-scale developments, exchange facilities, and transportation facilities. He is currently an executive officer in charge of management business, including commercial work, and new businesses. As a forward-looking design office, he is pursuing new possibilities in areas ranging from "urban development" to building management, energy, environmental management, and business planning, suited to the "age of utilization."

Kyoko Sakurai, Representative Director, Ingen Co., Ltd.

After graduating from the Faculty of Horticulture at Chiba University, he started his own business, recognizing the issue of Japanese agriculture being structured in a way that "producing does not make a profit." As a soil doctor, he travels around the country to production areas, providing support to production areas by combining harvest prediction technology based on climate change with sales channels and branding. He works with local governments to create a system that creates "profitable production areas" centered on contract transactions. In Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, he is working to create a production area for soft kale, a crop that can be managed in conjunction with the demand crops rice, leeks, and chrysanthemums, and is challenging himself to create a system that improves profitability and creates sustainable jobs in the region.

◉ Rondo Co., Ltd. Representative Director: Akira Kaneko

He started his own business through a regional revitalization project during his university days. He founded Rondo Co., Ltd. in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, with the aim of "turning town development into an industry." He is involved in business development based on local resources, such as "Fisherman's Guidebook," which promotes the appeal of fishermen and the fishing industry, and "Fisherman's Sake Madara," which aims to provide stay-based tourism in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture. He is deeply involved in the field as a buffer between the region and the outside world, and has provided support to villages with a population of less than 2,000. As a co-creator who connects rural and urban areas, he continues to work to create new value for the region.

◉ Mr. Abe Shuma, Commerce and Industry Policy Division, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Department, Nikaho City Hall, Akita Prefecture

Born in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, he joined the city hall immediately after graduating from high school.
The reason he joined the city government was because "I love Nikaho City, which has both mountains and the sea, and I wanted to be of service to the residents who live there."
Immediately after joining the government, he began working remotely. He is dedicated to both work and play.
He holds the most difficult prize test, the technical ski certification.
He has participated in the All Japan Surfing Championships, the highest amateur surfing competition, twice, but he was too conspicuous.
He is noticed by the human resources department and is transferred to the Tokyo office despite having a wife and children.
However, living in Tokyo has strengthened his love for his hometown, and he is now much more passionate about both work and play.

[Moderator]

◉ Tomohisa Ito, Professor, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Business Administration, Meisei University

After graduating from the University of Tokyo Graduate School, he worked at Nomura Research Institute as a management consultant for domestic and international companies and public institutions. In addition to his main job, he founded the Shiga University School of Business Innovation and engaged in entrepreneurship education as the school's director. He then became a university professor, and while working on research and education at the university, he also engaged in entrepreneur mentoring activities as a director of the Japan MIT Venture Forum. He also works as a corporate management advisor and management consultant, and lectures at various seminars. He has co-authored numerous books, including Regional Revitalization (Chuokeizaisha) and Business Framework Textbook (SB Creative).

◆ Event structure
Organizer: Nikaho City
Operated by: Rondo Co., Ltd.

About Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture
Nikaho City is located on the southwestern coast of Akita Prefecture. Surrounded by Mt. Chokai and the Sea of Japan, it is a town of approximately 22,000 people blessed with abundant natural resources. It was established on October 1, 2005, through the merger of the towns of Nikaho, Kanaura, and Kisakata. Known as one of the warmest regions in Akita Prefecture, where spring arrives earliest and snowfall is minimal, Nikaho City boasts a thriving primary industry, including fishing and agriculture, as well as high-tech industries, primarily manufacturing. The city is focused on childcare, welfare, and support for the working generation. Local specialties include wild rock oysters grown with the underground waters of Mt. Chokai; cod, all parts of which can be eaten; sandfish; figs; and rice varieties such as Hitomebore and Sasanishiki.

Nikaho City website:https://www.city.nikaho.akita.jp/

Venue