#Japan #Oikura #Market Enterprise #Harima #Harima Town

Harima Town's Innovative Reuse Project

Harima Town, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is set to embark on an exciting collaboration with Market Enterprise, starting on February 20, 2026. This partnership aims to tackle significant waste management challenges faced by the community by utilizing the reuse platform, "Oikura." The primary objective is to reduce waste and foster a circular economy within the region.

Background and Context

The community has been grappling with issues such as improper waste sorting and the difficulties posed by an aging population, complicating the disposal of household waste. Recognizing the need for increased awareness and active involvement in reuse activities, Harima Town officials began exploring possible strategies to implement reuse initiatives. Meanwhile, Market Enterprise has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable practices through its reuse business and has participated in various initiatives aimed at fostering public-private collaboration for sustainable development goals (SDGs). As both parties identified overlapping needs, they decided to join forces utilizing the Oikura platform.

What is Oikura?

Oikura is a reuse platform managed by Market Enterprise, designed to facilitate the selling of unwanted items. Users can request evaluations for their items through Oikura, which then sends out bulk requests for assessments to various participating reuse shops nationwide. This streamlined process allows users to compare prices, evaluation dates, methods, and user reviews quickly, enhancing the selling experience. The platform has so far attracted approximately 1.55 million users as of June 2025.

Addressing Harima Town's Challenges

Once a month, Harima Town conducts bulk waste collection at designated points, but residents face challenges in transporting large or heavy items to these locations. Oikura provides a convenient solution by offering on-site buy-back services, where agents can visit homes to assist with the collection of larger items. Even appliances that fall under the home appliance recycling law may be purchased if they are still functional. Residents can initiate buy-back requests and potentially complete transactions on the same day, making the process efficient. Importantly, this service incurs no costs for the town or its residents.

Future Developments

On February 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM (subject to adjustments), information regarding Oikura will be made available on Harima Town's official website, allowing residents to submit their requests for bulk item assessments directly. This partnership is expected to invigorate the secondary market, contributing significantly to the aforementioned circular economy while also helping the town reduce waste disposal quantities and associated costs. As residents become more familiar with the ease of reselling items instead of discarding them, the uptake of reuse solutions is likely to grow, further diversifying the means through which residents can manage unwanted items. Additionally, this initiative may spark a shift in public awareness towards reusing instead of disposing, setting a precedent for a community-led approach to sustainability.

About Harima Town

Situated in the southeastern part of Hyogo Prefecture, Harima Town is the smallest municipality in the region, rich in history and vibrant industry. Beginning in the late Yayoi period, the area has a storied past, with significant historical sites like the nationally designated Oonaka ruins reflecting this. Approximately 30% of the town consists of artificial islands, where over 60 companies operate, primarily in machinery and chemical industries, significantly contributing to the local economy. The iconic red lighthouse, located on the southern tip of the artificial islands, serves as a beloved symbol of the town, frequented by fishing enthusiasts.

The town boasts excellent transport links, with two train stations providing quick access to major urban centers, enhancing its attractiveness to residents and businesses alike.

About Market Enterprise

Founded in 2006, Market Enterprise focuses on online reuse activities and has since diversified into multiple sectors, including mobile communications and media operations. The company's vision is to create sustainable societal frameworks, leading to its public listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Prime Market in 2022. With ongoing growth, they have successfully expanded their services internationally, including exporting used agricultural machinery to over 80 countries. With the introduction of Oikura in Harima Town, the total number of participating municipalities in this endeavor has reached 302 across Japan.

For more information, please visit their websites: Oikura for Municipalities and Market Enterprise.