#Japan #Ridilover #Shimane #NTT West #Matsue, Shimane

Tackling Regional Challenges: NTT West Shimane and Ridilover's Innovative Program

In a remarkable effort to tackle local challenges in Shimane Prefecture, Ridilover has partnered with NTT West's Shimane branch. This collaboration aims to foster a deeper sense of community involvement among employees, specifically targeting those from outside the region. The program, titled "Shimane Prefecture Challenge Exploration 3Days Program," is designed to enhance local commitment and competency in problem-solving regarding broader regional issues.

The Background of the Initiative

NTT West Shimane plays a crucial role in supporting districts in Shimane Prefecture by addressing challenges related to network and digital transformation (DX). However, the branch has faced challenges in cultivating a sense of local attachment and interest among its workforce, particularly with many employees being transferred from outside the region. Recognizing this gap, the Shimane branch sought avenues to nurture capabilities that would not only be beneficial in Shimane but across different regions in the future.

Therefore, Ridilover's program centers on two main objectives:
1. Fostering interest and attachment to local challenges in Shimane.
2. Developing competencies in participants that would equip them as proactive contributors to regional issues, regardless of their assigned area.

Program Overview: Field Research and Solution Proposal

Ridilover custom-designed the program according to the unique requirements of its participants, focusing on these objectives. The program engaged with the local government of Oda City, allowing for real-world application and practical suggestions. It included a series of field research activities to gain insights, culminating in tailored solutions that were presented to the city.

The program emphasized hands-on experiences, incorporating dialogue sessions with local innovators from Yunotsu—Oda City’s notable site recognized for its historical townscape and craftsmanship. The primary focus was on inviting local players to enhance understanding of the community's current challenges from multi-faceted perspectives.

For the three-day program, the participants—16 selected young employees aged in their 20s to 30s—were immersed in activities aimed at diagnosing and proposing feasible solutions for increasing the relational population in the Oda and Yunotsu areas.

Day-by-Day Outline

• - Day 0: Participants developed preliminary hypotheses through desk research regarding the challenges of Yunotsu and Oda City.
• - Day 1: The team engaged in discussions with officials from local departments, conducted site visits, and interacted with local innovators to deepen their understanding and refine their hypotheses.
• - Day 2: Participants collaborated with area innovators to gain insights through fieldwork, tackling issues like regional demographic decline and resource sustainability. This was further enhanced by dialogue sessions with stakeholders aiming to validate their proposed solutions.
• - Day 3: Participants presented their final proposals to Oda City officials and reflected on their learning journey, reinforcing their commitment to future community engagement and problem-solving.

Yunotsu: The Challenging Landscape

Positioned almost centrally in Shimane Prefecture, Oda City hosts the UNESCO World Heritage site, Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine. Yunotsu, once a thriving port for the silver mine, stands today as a nationally recognized historical district yet grapples with significant challenges, including population decline and an alarming 53% vacancy rate. Current initiatives aim for a renaissance in this area, emphasizing two crucial components: redefining local assets and expanding the relational population.

The program illustrated a productive intersection between passionate local players and innovative urban development strategies, showcasing a rich field of insights and practical applications.

Participant Proposals

The participants generated several proposals which included:

• - A regional currency integration app to visualize and enable cyclical economies.
• - Projects focused on securing human resources for Yunotsu facilities.
• - A community-integrated career experience program for children.
• - Enhanced stakeholder collaboration through structured meetings.

Reflections and Future Directions

NTT West Shimane's representatives expressed that the program enriched employees’ understanding and attachment to the region, urging them to apply their insights into future business endeavors. The local government of Oda City voiced appreciation for the actionable insights derived from the program, noting it as a valuable engagement with regional realities.

Ridilover's program was designed to not only foster participants’ capabilities but also to enhance NTT West Shimane's presence as a responsive local entity capable of navigating structural challenges in community partnership and regional business development. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the continuous ambition to resolve local issues in Shimane Prefecture.

With a focus on innovative problem-solving and strong community ties, this initiative showcases potential pathways for regional development that may serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges.