#Japan #Wakayama #Osaka University #Regional Revitalization #Katsuragi Town

Collaboration for Regional Revitalization in Katsuragi Town

On September 25, 2025, the Graduate School of Social Design at Osaka University and the Katsuragi Town office in Wakayama Prefecture signed a comprehensive collaboration agreement aimed at revitalizing the local community. This partnership is designed to leverage the town's local resources while integrating the university's educational and research activities. The overarching goals are to tackle regional issues and foster human resource development collaboratively.

The partnership outlines the following objectives:

• - Promoting research and proposals to solve local challenges.
• - Developing human resources related to these initiatives.
• - Addressing any additional matters that may arise from discussions.

Practical Implementation

As part of this agreement, students enrolled in the Community Project Manager training program at Osaka University engaged in five months of field research. This included literature reviews and discussions with stakeholders to formulate specific policy proposals addressing the challenges faced by Katsuragi Town.

Policy Proposal Challenges from Katsuragi Town:

• - Revitalization strategies for the area surrounding JR Kasada and Myoji Stations to create a vibrant community.

Selected Titles of Policy Proposals from Students:

• - Utilizing Agricultural Products for Regional Revitalization (Japanese Napa Valley Concept)
• - Establishing a Socially Engaged Station in Katsuragi Town (Myoji Base)
• - Citizen Engagement Project and Increasing Stakeholder Participation through Disaster Prevention Functions
• - Enhancing Katsuragi Town's Brand Power Using