#Japan #AlphaDrive #Gunma #Gunma Prefecture #succession support

Seminar on Succession Support Programs

AlphaDrive is set to host an insightful online seminar titled "Creating the Future of the Region from Successors – Learning from Advanced Municipalities' Succession Support Program Design Points" on October 28, 2025. This event targets small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) and business succession support personnel from municipal and administrative organizations.

Context and Purpose

The challenges of business succession among SMEs have become increasingly apparent across the country. The role of successors, known as "Atotsugi" in Japanese, has emerged as essential for the sustainability of local economies. These successors are not just inheritors of businesses; they are active agents of change who can drive innovation in their communities.

Many municipalities face issues such as how to institutionalize and structure succession support and how to collaborate effectively with the private sector. In this regard, Gunma Prefecture serves as an exemplary case. The "GUNMA Atotsugi Division" under the local government has been instrumental in fostering a culture of support for successors by actively championing their initiatives.

This seminar aims to facilitate knowledge sharing among municipalities while providing a practical learning experience. By using advanced examples from Gunma’s initiatives, participants will gain insights into how local governments can support successors effectively and integrate these practices into their regions.

Seminar Agenda

• - Opening Session (5 Minutes): Overview of the agenda, introduction of AlphaDrive, and guest speakers.
• - Introduction of GUNMA Atotsugi Division (10 Minutes): Led by Nagaoka Koryu, Head of the Region Business Support Department, who will share the background of the initiative, key points in its design, and current impacts.
• - Panel Discussion (35 Minutes): Featuring Nagaoka Koryu, with moderator Harukawa Hidehiro from AlphaDrive Niigata, who will deepen the dialogue on the unique perspectives and learnings from the administrative standpoint on supporting successors.
• - Closing (10 Minutes): Summary of the seminar highlights.

Event Details

• - Date and Time: October 28, 2025, from 17:00 to 18:00
• - Format: Online (Zoom)
• - Target Audience: Personnel involved in SME and business succession support from local governments and administrative agencies
• - Participation Fee: Free of charge
• - Hosted by: AlphaDrive REGION
• - Registration: Interested participants can sign up through the following link: Registration Link

Speaker Profiles

Nagaoka Koryu

Head of the Area Business Support Section, Gunma Prefecture

• - Joined Gunma Prefectural Office in April 2020, has worked in policy and child welfare sectors before his current role. Nagaoka oversees support for SMEs, focusing on succession planning and fair price transfer, among other responsibilities.

Harukawa Hidehiro

Head of AlphaDrive Niigata

• - After experiencing the failure of his family's business as a successor, he decided to dedicate his career to SME support. With a decade at the Niigata City Industrial Promotion Foundation, he has advised on approximately 6,800 cases. Since 2025, he has been promoting new business development and successor support in the region as the Head of AlphaDrive Niigata.

Company Overview

AlphaDrive

• - Established: February 23, 2018
• - CEO: Koichi Aso
• - Location: 1F Kurasu Building, 2-17-3 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
• - Website: AlphaDrive Website

For inquiries, please contact:
AlphaDrive REGION Public Relations
E-mail: [email protected]