#Japan #Akashi #Oikura #Market Enterprise #Akashi City

Akashi City Collaborates with Market Enterprise

In a progressive move towards sustainability, Akashi City in Japan has entered into a partnership with Market Enterprise, a company renowned for its reuse services. Starting from October 2, 2025, they will employ the reuse platform "Oikura" to minimize waste by promoting the reuse of unwanted items within the local community.

Background and Objectives

The collaboration is driven by Akashi City’s commitment to creating a circular economy under the motto "Zero Waste Akashi". The city has been actively engaged in waste reduction and resource recovery. Despite successful initiatives such as the repair and auction of furniture, a significant number of reusable items were still being discarded as waste, prompting the search for a more effective reuse strategy. Market Enterprise, recognized as a leader in the reuse sector, aims to foster sustainable practices that optimize resources.

Both entities share a mutual goal of enhancing reuse activities to cultivate a circular society. By working together, they have developed a plan utilizing the Oikura platform to efficiently handle the disposal and reuse of unwanted items.

What is Oikura?

Oikura is a unique reuse platform managed by Market Enterprise. It enables individuals wishing to sell their unwanted items to request assessments online. By submitting their items through Oikura, sellers receive simultaneous appraisal requests from multiple affiliated reuse shops, allowing them to compare offers efficiently. This has attracted around 1.55 million users as of June 2025, proving its popularity in simplifying the selling process.

The platform features an easy user experience, allowing individuals to manage their unwanted items directly from home.

Addressing Challenges in Akashi City

Previously, Akashi City residents faced challenges in disposing of bulky items through their individual collections. Citizens expressed difficulties in transporting heavy or large items to the Clean Center. Oikura offers a solution by providing home visit buying services, making it easier to sell large or heavy items. Furthermore, even appliances that fall under the home appliance recycling law, such as refrigerators and washing machines, can potentially be purchased if they are still operational.

This initiative enables items to be picked up with a quick turnaround—sometimes on the very same day the request is made. Importantly, this service not only benefits residents but also incurs no additional costs for Akashi City.

Future Expectations

On October 2, 2025, further details about Oikura will be featured on Akashi City’s official website, where residents can submit requests for assessment. The collaboration is expected to invigorate the second-hand market and significantly contribute to reducing waste while lowering the costs associated with waste management for the municipality.

Through this initiative, citizens will have more options for their unwanted items, steering them away from disposal towards reuse. As public awareness of the benefits of reuse increases, this could lead to greater shifts in attitudes towards waste management and the realization of a more sustainable society.

About Akashi City

Situated directly on the 135th meridian, Akashi City faces the Seto Inland Sea, offering picturesque coastal views. The city’s climate is warm, contributing to its rich cultural heritage, recognized by historical figures such as poet Kakihara Hitomaro. Strategically located, it serves as a vital transport hub connecting several key regions, including the Hanshin Metropolitan Area and Awaji Island.

With a population of approximately 306,392 as of September 2025, Akashi City is an expanding urban area committed to sustainability and innovation.

About Market Enterprise

Market Enterprise focuses on web-based reuse operations along with media and mobile services, advocating for the optimization of sustainability practices since its establishment in 2006. The company has successfully transitioned to the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Prime Market, continually expanding its operations, including exporting used agricultural machinery to over 80 countries. The introduction of the Oikura service in Akashi City marks the collaboration of 280 municipalities across Japan, illustrating the growing recognition of effective reuse solutions.

- Oikura Municipal Web
- Market Enterprise Website