#Japan #Shibuya #FORVAL #Regional Revitalization #Kizuna PARK

FORVAL Team Kizuna's Achievement in Regional Revitalization

FORVAL Co., Ltd., a prominent consulting group based in Shibuya, Tokyo, has recently made headlines by receiving the Minister of Regional Revitalization Award at the Cabinet Office's 'Regional Revitalization Policy Idea Contest.' This contest, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, sought innovative proposals aimed at addressing regional challenges across Japan.

Under the ethos of 'Creating a New World through New Norms,' FORVAL, in collaboration with Shima Productions LLC and Next IWATE, developed a comprehensive regional revitalization plan targeting four municipalities in the Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. Their project, titled 'The Future of Regions Begin with Cross-Border Co-Creation - New Value Design Plan Created Together with Kuritobito', effectively captured the essence of collective efforts aimed at rejuvenating local economies.

Overview of the Contest

The 'Regional Revitalization Policy Idea Contest' is an initiative by the Cabinet Office that utilizes the Regional Economy Analysis System (RESAS) to analyze local issues and solicit feedback on impactful policy proposals. Open to students, local government employees, and private sector stakeholders, the contest encourages a wide range of participants to contribute their ideas. Up to 1,153 entries competed in this year’s contest, demonstrating a deep engagement with regional issues across Japan.

Achievements in the Contest

FORVAL's team distinguished itself by winning four awards, including the prestigious Minister of Regional Revitalization Award, recognizing the group's detailed analysis and innovative policy suggestions. The awards are classified as follows:

1. Minister of Regional Revitalization Award - Recognizing the top four proposals from various groups (two from high school students and two from university and general participants).
2. Tohoku Economic Industry Bureau Director Award - Presented to five outstanding proposals from the Tohoku region.
3. Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Award - Two awards each from both categories.
4. Tourism Forecast Platform Award - Similarly, two awards for each category.

Policy Idea Overview

The team's focus on four municipalities – Kurihara City and Tome City in Miyagi, and Ichinoseki City and Hiraizumi Town in Iwate (collectively referred to as Kuritobito), highlighted critical trends. Since 2020, these regions have faced a significant decline in the working-age population, exacerbating ongoing challenges. The analysis showed sectors like Agriculture and Manufacturing hold substantial production value, underlying the urgent need to enhance agricultural productivity, especially in regions like Kuritobito.

To tackle these pressing challenges, the team suggests two key initiatives:

1. Development of Support Talent: 'Kuritobito Enterprise Doctors (KKD) (Tentative Name)' - This initiative aims to cultivate local experts who provide visible and supportive management assistance to businesses, promoting growth and productivity based on factual observations.

2. Platform for Information Visualization and Sharing - The creation of Kizuna PARK, which will aggregate and visualize business-related data, thus supporting localized decision-making processes based on empirical data rather than mere intuition.

Rationale for Recognition

The proposal was noted for its rigorous data analysis, combining both quantitative and qualitative insights while also incorporating various datasets beyond RESAS. The clarity in demonstrating the necessity and efficacy of the policies, paired with innovative insights and realistic impact assessments, solidified its recognition. Presentation quality and ease of understanding were also highly regarded, further bolstering its selection.

Voices of the Awardees

• - Takashi Yamauchi, Head of Data Analysis at FORVAL Kizuna PARK, expressed his honor in receiving the Minister of Regional Revitalization Award and acknowledged the team's collaborative efforts in enhancing local community values.
• - Akihiro Shimada, representative of Shima Productions, also echoed the sentiment of pride and commitment to future community endeavors alongside their partners.
• - Yutaro Ueno, CEO of Next IWATE, remarked that this award signals a collaborative journey and not just an endpoint, emphasizing their continuing commitment to sustainable value creation.

About FORVAL

Founded in 1980, FORVAL (Headquarters: Shibuya, Tokyo, CEO: Masanori Nakashima) specializes in consulting services, focusing on five key areas: information technology, overseas expansion, environmental sustainability, human resource development, and business succession. Their mission aligns with the government's initiatives for green, digital, energetic regional development, and addressing declining birth rates. With substantial investments in educating and developing the future workforce, they aim for a thriving economic future in Japan's local communities.

For more information, please visit FORVAL's official website.