#Japan #Komatsu #Komatsu City #NEWLOCAL #Komatsu DMC

Introduction to NEWLOCAL and Komatsu DMC's Collaboration

On April 18, 2025, the innovative city development startup NEWLOCAL, based in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, has partnered with Komatsu DMC to establish a joint venture named Komatsu Planning Corporation. This ambitious initiative aims to enhance community growth by merging local branding expertise and urban development know-how.

Background on Komatsu City

Komatsu City, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including Kuta ware pottery and a vibrant town community culture. Its beautiful historical streets and legacy as a port town are still evident today. Recent infrastructural developments, including extensions of the Hokuriku Shinkansen and the utilization of an international airport, promise to boost tourism and business exchanges. However, one of the primary challenges remains how to leverage the region's identity effectively.

Formation of Komatsu Planning Corporation

Recognizing the potential for accelerated development, NEWLOCAL and Komatsu DMC embarked on this venture to harness the city’s cultural and historical assets. By combining Komatsu DMC's local branding strategies and content expertise with NEWLOCAL's nationwide city development knowledge, they aim to create a platform that fosters sustainable living based on the unique character of Komatsu.

The focus will be on constructing a vibrant community where diverse individuals interact, remain engaged, and where culture continues to flourish. The initiative seeks to promote sustainable urban development grounded in the rich traditions and contemporary living of Komatsu.

Conceptualizing the Komatsu Planning Initiative

The plan includes executing projects across multiple zones in Komatsu City simultaneously, collaborating with local stakeholders to enhance the overall attractiveness of the area. This strategy comprises two key zones:

1. Castle Town & Station Area

The historical Castle Town and Station area will be developed into a unique dispersed hotel concept. Renovating traditional townhouses, a three-room lodging facility is scheduled to open in summer 2025, serving as a communal core with amenities such as cafes and guest rooms that stimulate the local community.

2. Ataka & Port Town Zone

In the Ataka and Port Town zone, an upscale lodging facility will be renovated from a former shipping merchant's mansion, designed to attract wealthy inbound tourists by summer 2025. This area will also showcase local culture through experiential content and galleries, partnering with regional dining businesses to promote local gastronomy. There are plans to gradually increase the number of rooms available.

Seeking Managers for Komatsu Planning Corporation

As part of this initiative, two managerial positions for the hospitality sector are currently open. Komatsu Planning Corporation is on the lookout for individuals who can act as leaders in establishing new attractions for the city. The project will commence with the renovation of two historic buildings in the Castle Town and Ataka Port Town areas, beginning with six guest rooms with the vision of expanding into a larger hospitality and tourism hub. Ideal candidates will deeply engage with local culture and contribute to shaping the future of Komatsu. Interested applicants can find more details on the recruitment page linked below.

Komatsu Planning Corporation Job Posting

Leadership at Komatsu Planning Corporation

CEO: Yoshiyuki Ishizaki

Born in 1989 in Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Ishizaki graduated from Yokohama National University and began his career at Hokuriku Bank. His experiences in corporate finance in Sapporo and Tokyo led him to the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. He subsequently worked on regional revitalization projects in various parts of Japan, founded Komatsu DMC, and is deeply engaged in solving social challenges through collaborative regional business endeavors.

Director: Ryo Ishida

Ishida, born in Tokyo in 1986, has diverse experience in architecture, management consulting, and real estate IoT startups. As a co-founder of NEWLOCAL in 2022, he focuses on sustainable regional models in light of Japan’s declining population, currently managing projects in several regions including Nagano, Akita, Kyoto, and Ishikawa. Living part-time in Tokyo while working across various locations, he is instrumental in driving meaningful urban development.

A Vision for the Future

In a recent statement, Ishizaki emphasized the significance of preserving the cultural heritages in Komatsu, like the local stone culture and Kabuki traditions resulting from the region's history. He expressed enthusiasm about this partnership, highlighting the momentum created by recent infrastructural improvements to bolster community initiatives. Collaboration with various stakeholders seeking to enhance Komatsu's identity through tourism is crucial, and this partnership with NEWLOCAL is seen as a thrilling opportunity to innovate further.

Overview of Komatsu Planning Corporation

• - Company Name: Komatsu Planning Corporation
• - Location: 29-1 Ryusukucho, Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture
• - CEO: Yoshiyuki Ishizaki
• - Director: Ryo Ishida
• - Establishment Date: April 18, 2025
• - Shareholders: NEWLOCAL, Komatsu DMC
• - Business Activities: Facility planning, development, management; Komatsu area branding; other real estate and consulting businesses.

About Komatsu DMC

Founded based on a collaborative agreement aimed at sustainable urban development, Komatsu DMC engages in various projects under the theme of 'Creativity in Local Experience' to transform Komatsu into a vibrant community driven by creative tourism, gastronomy, and industry promotion.

About NEWLOCAL

NEWLOCAL is a city development startup emphasizing the creation of positive scenarios within communities. With ongoing projects in five regions, their mission is to establish sustainable models that can thrive despite demographic changes, marking a dynamic new chapter for regional development in Japan.