#Japan #Regional Advisor #Iwaki City #ALL IS NEW #Naoya Yoshida

Naoya Yoshida's New Role as Regional Activation Advisor

Naoya Yoshida, the CEO of ALL IS NEW based in Iwaki City, Fukushima, has officially been certified as a 'Regional Activation Advisor' by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, effective April 2026. This recognition stems from Yoshida's extensive work in tackling local business and human resource challenges, starting with recruitment support. His efforts have led to a significant endorsement from Fukushima Prefecture.

As a newly appointed advisor, Yoshida aims to drive local revitalization efforts across Japan, focusing on recruitment and human resource acquisition. This initiative aligns with the Ministry's program designed to enlist private-sector experts who possess valuable knowledge and know-how to enhance regional activities. To qualify, candidates like Yoshida must receive recommendations from their respective prefecturals and demonstrate a commitment to collaboration and innovative project execution in local revitalization efforts.

Background of Yoshida's Appointment

Yoshida founded ALL IS NEW in 2021, leveraging a fresh perspective on recruitment that goes beyond traditional methods. Rather than merely filling positions, he has focused on addressing foundational issues faced by his clients. Over the past five years, this approach has significantly broadened his collaboration with municipalities grappling with shared challenges such as declining populations and labor shortages.

Notably, Yoshida has engaged with Shinjō Village in Okayama Prefecture, which has a population of approximately 750. His company provided advisory services to enhance the hiring frameworks for village officials and community revitalization coordinators, ultimately resulting in 13 new hires within a year. The collaboration aimed to articulate the village's unique charm, improve job listings, and effectively target potential candidates in urban areas.

Yoshida has also extended advisory support to the Iwaki City Industry Promotion Division. By analyzing job seeker needs and the employment market's trends, he has provided recommendations to improve local industry initiatives and communication strategies through the city’s job portal, 'Fura Job IWAKI'. His actionable insights have emphasized the importance of connecting young talents with local businesses.

Innovative Workation Initiatives

Recognizing the potential of 'workations' to foster community engagement, Yoshida has initiated programs that differ from traditional tourism-focused models. Instead of merely sightseeing, these initiatives promote understanding local issues and nurturing discussions with local businesses. By leveraging his diverse professional network, he has attracted various experts, creating opportunities for participants to collaborate with local enterprises, at times even leading to side-job arrangements.

In addition, Yoshida has participated as a facilitator in multiple events hosted by the Fukushima Prefectural government and Iwaki City, aimed at promoting migration and community engagement. He has effectively communicated the allure of living in Fukushima to urban residents, playing a bridge role between the regional community and metropolitan areas.

Furthermore, Yoshida initiated 'pop-up' food events in Tokyo, utilizing local ingredients from Iwaki. These events, which frequently attract larger audiences than anticipated, have served as gateways for creating connections between urban dwellers and the unique offerings of Fukushima.

A Vision for the Future

In reflecting on his journey, Yoshida states, “Every recruitment inquiry opens a window to root challenges. Observing a shortage of manpower often leads to dynamic solutions beyond mere hiring. This is why I believe we must analyze deep-seated issues rather than focusing solely on tactical phases. Each region encounters its own set of distinctive challenges amid the overarching problems of population decline and labor shortages.”

Through this advisor role, Yoshida hopes to engage with communities nationwide, applying his expertise in recruitment to help tailor solutions to regional issues.

About Naoya Yoshida

Born in Iwaki City, Fukushima, and currently residing in Tokyo, Naoya Yoshida is actively engaged in both urban and regional spheres. As the founder of ALL IS NEW, he oversees collaborative efforts with over 50 organizations since its inception in 2021, focusing on recruitment support and regional revitalization consulting. Yoshida is also a part-time lecturer at the Bunka Fashion College and Fukushima National College of Technology. With his new role as a Regional Activation Advisor, he aims to redefine the interactions between local communities and urban markets.

For more information, please visit: ALL IS NEW.