#Japan #Tokyo #Regional Revitalization #Project Design #Tohoku Electric

Launching the Regional Revitalization Laboratory

The Project Design Graduate School (PDG) in Tokyo, led by President Risa Tanaka, has partnered with Tohoku Electric Power Company, where President Kazuhiro Ishiyama leads the firm, to initiate the Regional Revitalization Laboratory (RRL). This project aims to cultivate local resources and address regional challenges, with fundamentals set for implementation in 2026. The graduate school is currently inviting applications for project researchers to join this innovative venture.

The Need for Local Human Resources

A fundamental requirement for regional prosperity is the existence of individuals who can envision and drive transformative actions. It begins with the ability to formulate comprehensive business concepts that lead to community revitalization. Tohoku Electric, which has always prioritized co-prosperity with local communities, has collaborated with the PDG's extensive educational resources aimed at developing skilled professionals essential for regional revitalization.

Overview of the Regional Revitalization Laboratory

Expected to span approximately one year, the Regional Revitalization Laboratory will be grounded in a structured curriculum provided by the graduate school. The program will accept around ten participants selected from local businesses, organizations, and community leaders. Participants will create plans that aim to uplift their communities by tackling various challenges that local entities face, such as launching new business concepts or renovating established operations.

The project aims to see the creative implementations of these plans contribute significantly to boosting the regional economy. Initially, it will be piloted in Aomori Prefecture, with an eye towards expansion to other prefectures based on outcomes and evaluations.

Program Details for the Aomori Initiative

Implementation Period:

• - May 2026 to February 2027

Total of 24 sessions, each lasting four hours

Venue:

• - A combination of in-person meetings in Aomori City and online sessions

Participant Criteria:

• - Individuals working or residing in Aomori Prefecture, including business owners, employees of local enterprises, or civic leaders with a vested interest in enhancing their community
• - A strong desire to apply lessons learned from the program for the betterment of the region is required.
• - No specific industry or company size restrictions; even sole proprietors are eligible.

Participation Fee:

• - Free

Participants will be responsible for their travel and accommodation expenses. Each attendee is requested to bring their own computer or tablet for online sessions.

Program Leadership:

• - Hiroshi Tatematsu, Adjunct Professor from Project Design Institute
• - Main sponsor: Tohoku Electric Power Co.
• - Co-sponsor: PDG, Project Design Institute

Application Timeline

Applications will be accepted from November 26, 2025, to March 31, 2026. Notifications regarding selection results will be communicated by April 15, 2026. Those interested in the project are encouraged to attend an information session to learn more about our objectives, details, and recruitment process. For more information, the project's official web page can be accessed at this link.

Open Campus Information

In Aomori Prefecture, open campus sessions related to the Regional Revitalization Laboratory will take place in Aomori City and Hachinohe City. These sessions will offer opportunities to experience mini-lectures on project design and discussions with faculty and alumni.

• - Aomori City: March 6, 2026, from 1 PM to 4 PM and March 7, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Venue: Wa-Rasse Learning Room.
• - Hachinohe City: March 13, 2026, from 1 PM to 4 PM. Venue: Hatch Theater 1.

For additional details, consult the official website provided earlier to ensure participation.

About Project Design Graduate School

Founded in April 2012 in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo, the Project Design Graduate School focuses on structuring and implementing innovative business concepts for working professionals. It offers varied curricula aimed at fostering skills needed to generate, envision, and realize business concepts. Interactions with faculty and students from diverse industries culminate in a comprehensive project plan, leading to the awarding of the Master of Project Design (MPD) professional degree after two years of study.

Currently entering its 14th term with campuses in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sendai, the program has conferred degrees to over 830 graduates, resulting in numerous innovations and new ventures. The school's affiliated Project Design Institute actively conducts research based on business projects, with over 4,000 graduates from the programs and numerous publications such as the monthly magazine Project Design. For further details, visit the graduate school's website at this link.

The Sendai campus of Project Design Graduate School, established in 2022, is conveniently located on the seventh floor of the JR Sendai East Gate Building, directly connected to Sendai Station.