ATOMica and Iwate Prefecture Win Excellence Award for Remote Collaboration Project
In a notable achievement, ATOMica, a social co-working startup based in Miyazaki, Japan, has received the Excellence Award for its project 'Remote Collaboration Promotion' at the 13th Platinum Awards. This initiative, launched in partnership with Iwate Prefecture, is designed to address social issues by connecting local businesses seeking talent with remote workers who possess the skills to help them. The project has successfully generated 32 collaborative engagements in 2024 alone.
The Remote Collaboration project, established in 2018, aims to bridge the gap between local enterprises in Iwate and non-local business professionals eager to contribute to the region's development. By facilitating connections, ATOMica helps resolve pressing regional challenges while allowing remote workers to apply their expertise in meaningful ways. The company leverages its extensive network, built through more than 50 co-working facilities across the nation, to foster sustainable relationships between businesses and remote professionals. This includes organizing events, local fieldwork, and creating online communities to ensure consistent engagement.
Japan has been grappling with a decrease in population and a resultant loss of workforce in many regions, including Iwate. This has led to a critical shortage of human resources to sustain local businesses and communities. Simultaneously, urban dwellers have shown increased interest in engaging with rural areas through remote work and side jobs. According to a 2022 survey by the Brand Research Institute, 73% of individuals involved expressed a desire to contribute to local initiatives. However, limitations in matching services and ongoing support have hindered these interactions, often relegating them to one-off projects.
Additionally, since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, numerous collaborations have emerged between local organizations and external talent through various recovery programs. Thus, the concept of remote collaboration emerged as a sustainable effort to foster lasting connections akin to long-distance relationships, which have flourished since the project's inception in 2018. ATOMica's operational involvement from 2024 aims to enhance this matchmaking effort, resulting in the creation of numerous partnership projects.
The recent accolade recognizes the project's cumulative impact since its launch, resulting in 158 collaboration initiatives between local enterprises and external professionals. This demonstrates a marked increase in 'related populations,' signifying individuals who connect with a region despite residing elsewhere. ATOMica is committed to fortifying these relationships, cultivating local guides to support dual-career talent, and further developing its unique engagement model to contribute to sustainable community building in Iwate.
Wataru Yamaki, Chief of the Community Development Section of the Iwate Prefecture's Hometown Promotion Department, expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that through remote collaboration, many connections have been established that lead to tangible support across various sectors, from marketing to tourism.
Kanta Suzuki from Kanta House Management Union, a business engaged in the initiative, shared personal insights on the increasing recognition of Ohasama Town in Hanamaki City, where he lives. He highlighted the joy in witnessing the synergy created through the Remote Collaboration, as unfamiliar attractions become known through these engagements. The transformative potential of such connections confirms the assertion that external forces can indeed rejuvenate local communities.
ATOMica, established in April 2019, is a startup dedicated to developing social co-working spaces across Japan. With a mission to connect individuals and communities, the company not only establishes co-working facilities but also focuses on fostering communities that encourage creativity, collaboration, and meaningful interactions beyond mere physical spaces. The firm is recognized as one of the 'Top 100 Ventures to Watch' by Toyo Keizai and operates over 50 co-working facilities nationwide as of November 2025.
For more information, visit the official websites:
Overview of the Remote Collaboration Initiative
The Remote Collaboration project, established in 2018, aims to bridge the gap between local enterprises in Iwate and non-local business professionals eager to contribute to the region's development. By facilitating connections, ATOMica helps resolve pressing regional challenges while allowing remote workers to apply their expertise in meaningful ways. The company leverages its extensive network, built through more than 50 co-working facilities across the nation, to foster sustainable relationships between businesses and remote professionals. This includes organizing events, local fieldwork, and creating online communities to ensure consistent engagement.
Background of the Project
Japan has been grappling with a decrease in population and a resultant loss of workforce in many regions, including Iwate. This has led to a critical shortage of human resources to sustain local businesses and communities. Simultaneously, urban dwellers have shown increased interest in engaging with rural areas through remote work and side jobs. According to a 2022 survey by the Brand Research Institute, 73% of individuals involved expressed a desire to contribute to local initiatives. However, limitations in matching services and ongoing support have hindered these interactions, often relegating them to one-off projects.
Additionally, since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, numerous collaborations have emerged between local organizations and external talent through various recovery programs. Thus, the concept of remote collaboration emerged as a sustainable effort to foster lasting connections akin to long-distance relationships, which have flourished since the project's inception in 2018. ATOMica's operational involvement from 2024 aims to enhance this matchmaking effort, resulting in the creation of numerous partnership projects.
About the Recent Award
The recent accolade recognizes the project's cumulative impact since its launch, resulting in 158 collaboration initiatives between local enterprises and external professionals. This demonstrates a marked increase in 'related populations,' signifying individuals who connect with a region despite residing elsewhere. ATOMica is committed to fortifying these relationships, cultivating local guides to support dual-career talent, and further developing its unique engagement model to contribute to sustainable community building in Iwate.
Comments from Stakeholders
Wataru Yamaki, Chief of the Community Development Section of the Iwate Prefecture's Hometown Promotion Department, expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that through remote collaboration, many connections have been established that lead to tangible support across various sectors, from marketing to tourism.
Kanta Suzuki from Kanta House Management Union, a business engaged in the initiative, shared personal insights on the increasing recognition of Ohasama Town in Hanamaki City, where he lives. He highlighted the joy in witnessing the synergy created through the Remote Collaboration, as unfamiliar attractions become known through these engagements. The transformative potential of such connections confirms the assertion that external forces can indeed rejuvenate local communities.
About ATOMica
ATOMica, established in April 2019, is a startup dedicated to developing social co-working spaces across Japan. With a mission to connect individuals and communities, the company not only establishes co-working facilities but also focuses on fostering communities that encourage creativity, collaboration, and meaningful interactions beyond mere physical spaces. The firm is recognized as one of the 'Top 100 Ventures to Watch' by Toyo Keizai and operates over 50 co-working facilities nationwide as of November 2025.
For more information, visit the official websites:
Topics Business Technology）
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