Matsuura City Partners with Oikura to Enhance Reuse Initiatives

Matsuura City Collaborates with Oikura for Recycling Initiatives

Matsuura City, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is joining forces with Market Enterprise, a Tokyo-based company, to launch a reuse initiative aimed at tackling local environmental issues. Set to commence on August 1, 2025, this partnership will utilize the Oikura reuse platform, encouraging residents to repurpose unwanted items instead of discarding them, thus contributing to waste reduction and the establishment of a circular economy.

Background and Context

In recent years, Matsuura City has taken various steps toward sustainability, including initiatives for collecting recyclable materials and used cooking oil. However, the rising costs of waste disposal and the realization that many discarded items are reusable have prompted the city to explore new avenues for public awareness and community engagement in reuse practices. Market Enterprise, which focuses on online reuse business models, has also been actively collaborating in SDGs-related projects and has proposed innovative solutions using its Oikura platform. This mutual interest and commitment to fostering a circular society have led to the establishment of this collaboration.

What is Oikura?

Oikura is a comprehensive reuse platform operated by Market Enterprise that simplifies the selling process for unwanted items. Users can submit appraisal requests through the platform, which aggregates bids from various affiliated reuse shops nationwide, allowing sellers to compare offers easily. This user-friendly service has attracted around 1.3 million users (as of June 2024), making it a popular choice among those looking to sell unwanted goods.

Addressing Matsuura City's Challenges with Oikura

Currently, Matsuura City conducts monthly bulk waste collections, but larger items and heavy goods require residents to transport them outside their homes. The Oikura platform offers a solution by providing on-site collection services that can assist with moving bulky or heavy items directly from residents' homes. Additionally, appliances that fall under the Home Appliance Recycling Law, such as refrigerators and washing machines, may also be eligible for purchase if they are still functional. This streamlined process allows residents to sell unwanted items quickly, sometimes receiving cash on the very same day they submit their request via Oikura, all without any costs incurred by the city or its residents.

Future Prospects

On August 1, 2025, at 3:30 PM (subject to change), additional information about Oikura will be made available on the Matsuura City official website, enabling residents to easily apply for bulk item appraisals. The partnership between Matsuura City and Oikura aims to invigorate the second-hand goods market while promoting waste reduction within the community, ultimately leading to decreased waste processing costs for the local government. By recognizing the ease of repurposing unwanted items through sales, residents will increasingly consider reuse as a viable option over disposal. This initiative is also expected to raise awareness about sustainable practices among citizens, thereby fostering greater community commitment to building a circular society.

About Matsuura City

Matsuura City is situated in the northeastern part of Nagasaki Prefecture and is bordered by Genkai Sea and Imari Bay to the north, Sasebo City to the south, Imari City of Saga Prefecture to the east, and Hirado City to the west. The city boasts a rich natural environment, including several islands off its coast, such as Fukushima and Takashima. Known for its stunning seafood, particularly the high volume of horse mackerel caught, Matsuura declared itself the “Holy Land of Fried Horse Mackerel” in April 2019. The city is not only famous for its seafood but also engages in farming activities producing high-quality vegetables and fruits, supporting a healthy agricultural community.

Matsuura City is dedicated to supporting families and enhancing educational opportunities, providing an environment that supports parenting amid natural beauty and community resources, making it an attractive place for child-rearing and living.

- Population: 20,172 (as of June 1, 2025)
- Number of Households: 9,809 (as of June 1, 2025)
- Area: 130.55 square kilometers (as of April 1, 2025)
- Website: Matsuura City

About Market Enterprise

Market Enterprise is a company focused on online reuse business models, alongside media and mobile communications services, aiming to create a sustainable society since its establishment in 2006. Having gone public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in June 2015 and transitioned to a Prime Market listing in April 2022, the company has witnessed significant growth. Its reuse business segment, encompassing the Oikura platform and international exchange of used agricultural machinery to over 80 countries, has catered to approximately 9.4 million users to date. With the implementation of the Oikura service in Matsuura City, the total number of municipalities adopting this initiative nationwide now stands at 269.