#Japan #Tokyo #Rural Innovation #Inspire #Shugo Yanaka

Online Lecture on Rural Producer Training

The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is set to host an innovative online lecture for its Rural Producer Training Course. Scheduled for July 8, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, the session will delve into the topic of innovation in rural areas, spearheaded by Shugo Yanaka, a recognized expert and professor at BBT University Graduate School of Business Administration

The event will take place via Zoom Webinar and is open to anyone interested in community development. Participants will be provided with valuable insights into “Super Amazing Town Development®”, a framework developed based on the collective knowledge of 10,000 innovators engaged in local revitalization across Japan. One of the highlights will be a discussion on Yanaka's bestselling book, “The Ultimate Jomon-Type Business”, which integrates management theory and urban engineering.

Overview of the Event

• - Title: Rural Producer Training Course (Beginner Level: Innovation)
• - Organizer: MAFF
• - Date and Time: July 8, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (JST)
• - Instructor: Shugo Yanaka, MBA Professor at BBT University Graduate School
• - Format: Online via Zoom
• - Target Audience: Anyone interested in community development
• - Participation Fee: Free
• - Official Page: MAFF Official Page
• - Registration Form: Register Here

Key Points of the Lecture

In rural innovation, it is crucial to combine two approaches: one that logically addresses social issues and a “value creation-oriented” approach that starts from bold ideas and connects them to social challenges.

Innovators who create novel businesses are prevalent in rural settings. The lecture will explore how these creators tap into their ingenuity and the “Business Design Techniques” that have emerged from the INSPIRE platform.

Topics to Be Discussed:

• - How innovators create transformative town development initiatives
• - Business design practices that creating value in local revitalization
• - Techniques to generate exceptional ideas: “Oogiri Innovation”
• - The importance of stakeholder engagement in producer roles
• - Accelerating rural innovation through Jomon-style business strategies

Additionally, the course will touch upon the four principles of innovation according to the Jomon culture, drawing from Yanaka's book which provides a comprehensive understanding of business strategies based on the Jomon era's philosophies: intuition, cooperation, creativity and gratitude.

Instructor Profile

Shugo Yanaka is not only an MBA professor at BBT University but also the representative director of the insurance organization INSPIRE. Born in Kōsei City, Shizuoka Prefecture, he graduated from the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Engineering, specializing in urban engineering. After working with Booz Allen Hamilton to support private and public organizations, he initiated INSPIRE, a platform that aims to share collective knowledge for dynamic local revitalization.

With experience in various expert panels, such as Japan’s Cabinet Office and the OECD’s comradery on rural innovation, Yanaka has contributed to significant policy discussions across 30 countries. His awarded book “The Ultimate Jomon-Type Business” resonated with business leaders and has gained acclaim in the media.

For more information on how to participate in this transformative online lecture, please check the official pages listed above.