Tokyo's Gals Join Forces with Gotemba for Town Revitalization Project

A new initiative called the "#Local Gap Town Revitalization Project" has recently launched, spearheaded by a committee dedicated to making Japan a more exciting and vibrant place over the next decade. This project aims to foster encounters between high school students from Tokyo and those from rural areas, leveraging their distinct worldviews to generate innovative ideas for the future.

The first phase of this project, titled "Will Tokyo Gals Change Gotemba?", is set to take place on May 10 from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Students from the BLEA Academy's Girls High School in Meguro, Tokyo will visit Gotemba High School in Shizuoka Prefecture. This encounter promises to be enlightening as they share and challenge each other's perceptions, ultimately rediscovering the allure of Gotemba using contemporary terminology.

Experience Highlights

The participants will engage in various immersive activities aimed at enriching their understanding of the local culture:

- First Meeting & Tea Picking at Katsumata Tea Factory: Students will get hands-on experience in tea cultivation, a significant aspect of local industry.
- Lunch at Jibokurabu: A taste of local cuisine will bring them together over a shared meal, enhancing cultural exchange.
- Strawberry Picking and Mini Tomato Harvesting at Serizawa Marche: Explores agricultural practices firsthand.
- Social Media Campaign (#Local Gap): Here, they will document their experiences, emphasizing the generational differences in communication and promotion.
- Video Production and Broadcasting: Participants will create and disseminate videos featuring Gotemba, showcasing its beauty and uniqueness.
- Presentation at Kyotenba: The culmination of their experiences, where they will present their findings and creative outputs.

The unique aspect of this initiative lies in its emphasis on generating output rather than merely participating in activities. The project encourages the students to communicate their experiences and insights via social media, further promoting the delightful aspects of Gotemba.

About BLEA Academy

The BLEA Academy focuses on nurturing young talents for industries such as beauty, childcare, entertainment, and apparel. Their motto, "LOVE YOURSELF MORE! – Becoming more fond of yourself," drives students to recognize and expand their potential fully. Five seniors from the academy are actively involved in this project, contributing to the richness of the experience.

About Gotemba High School

Located at the base of Mount Fuji, Gotemba High School leverages its natural surroundings to enrich its educational environment. With a reputation for strong extracurriculars and career pathways, five seniors from this school will participate in the project as well.

Project Background

The aim of this initiative transcends mere interaction. It seeks to:
1. Reframe and communicate the charm of rural areas through the eyes of youth.
2. Broaden students' perspectives and future options through extraordinary experiences.

While rural areas hold immense allure, it often remains underappreciated. Urban centers possess robust outreach abilities but may lack authentic experiences. The intersection of these two realms holds the potential for innovative value creation.

The Catalysts

The genesis of this project came from a partnership forged between local enthusiasts eager to spotlight Gotemba and a team based in Shibuya looking to develop new content ventures by the year 2025. Core themes emerged from their discussions, including "Disseminating Gotemba's Charm," "Connecting Urban and Rural Areas," and "Learning." With these themes in mind, the creative vision aims to inspire all participants through unparalleled experiences and emotions.

Future Developments

- May 2026: The first phase will culminate with the BLEA Academy students visiting Gotemba and interacting with their counterparts.
- Summer 2026 (tentative): Gotemba's high school girls are expected to visit Tokyo, where they will learn about beauty and makeup at BLEA and explore trending locations like Shin-Okubo. Current plans involve sharing their experiences via YouTube as a new model of local revitalization combined with real experiences for Gen Z.

Committee Members

- Yutaro Suzuki: CEO of UTR Corporation, he promotes public-private partnerships and works on local activities, visioning Gotemba as a vibrant city.
- Maki Aikawa: CEO of Felice, with a background as a screenwriter, she brings expertise in crafting engaging narratives.
- Shinmichi Mori: Based in Shibuya, he develops projects linking urban centers to rural revitalization efforts.
- Hazuki Kumada: A writer and content producer involved in media coverage and event planning.

For further inquiries about the project, feel free to reach out.