#Japan #Shizuoka #B.LEAGUE #HiPro #Vertex Shizuoka

Vertex Shizuoka Hosts a Groundbreaking Project for Community Revitalization

On March 14 and 15, 2026, a unique initiative will unfold in Shizuoka City, Japan, where freelance talents will collaborate with the local professional basketball team, Vertex Shizuoka. The aim of this innovative project, organized by Persol Career’s HiPro service, is to generate and implement ideas that can enhance regional vitality through cross-industry collaboration.

Maximizing engagement, this project will invite up to eight freelancers who possess a range of expertise to propose plans aimed at increasing attendance at Vertex Shizuoka's games, which is part of the B.LEAGUE. These selected ideas will be situated within a framework where implementation can occur in collaboration with VELTEX Sports Enterprise, the parent company that oversees Vertex Shizuoka, ensuring a practical approach to the shared vision.

Project Goals and Objectives

Located in Shizuoka, this initiative aligns with the upcoming changes in league requirements set for 2026, emphasizing sustainable crowd-drawing strategies, as well as contributions to the community. Alongside this, Vertex Shizuoka is gearing up for its new arena scheduled to open in 2030, aiming to achieve an average of 3,000 attendees per game.

Participants will engage in a one-night, two-day work retreat, immersing themselves in essential activities such as site visits to VELTEX Sports Enterprise, attending games, and touring the future arena's construction site. This hands-on experience enables participants to gain vital insights into the local context and the club's operations, which can be instrumental in developing appealing content that leverages local attractions within “food,” “tourism,” and “entertainment.”

The culmination of the project will see participants presenting their proposed new content ideas to stakeholders, with the most viable projects standing a chance to move forward under a contract arrangement for implementation and evaluation with VELTEX Sports Enterprise.

Enhancing Engagement through Localized Content

This collaborative effort is more than just about increasing game attendance; it seeks to encourage visitor engagement with the local community, fostering economic activity, and creating collaborative opportunities among schools, local governments, and businesses. This underscores a dual aim of enhancing the club's drawing power while promoting broader community interaction and consumer spending.

The ideation for these new projects will be informed by a previous workshop conducted on February 8, which engaged local high school students to gather insights under the theme of “Local Students’ Perspectives on Shizuoka’s Food, Tourism, and Entertainment.” The feedback gleaned from this workshop will serve as a springboard for freelancers to build upon during their presentations.

Details of the Collaborative Project

• - Date: March 14-15, 2026
• - Location: Shizuoka City, Japan
• - Participants: Up to 8 freelancer talents (recruited by HiPro)
• - Judging Panel: VELTEX Sports Enterprise

Who Can Participate?

The project welcomes skilled professionals interested in revitalizing their region and engaged in the sports industry. Candidates should have practical experience in content planning and execution, ideally with backgrounds in marketing, branding, public relations, or tourism development.

Advocating for Professional Talent Utilization

This initiative forms part of the broader “Skill Return” strategy, which encourages urban professionals to contribute their skills back to their hometowns. As Japan faces challenges of an aging population and declining workforce, the utilization of professional talent becomes a critical component in fostering regional economic development.

Launched in June 2023, the Skill Return project aims to facilitate the connection between experienced professionals and regional companies, making the use of such talent a normalized approach rather than the exception.

HiPro Service Overview

The HiPro service is designed to unlock professional skills to diversify and address corporate challenges. HiPro connects companies with freelance professionals across various sectors, enabling a platform for both businesses seeking talent and individuals looking to pursue meaningful projects. Effective problem-solving in corporate environments is increasingly aided by these professional partnerships, which extend beyond traditional employment models.

About Persol Career

Persol Career aims to empower individuals in their professional journeys and has expanded its offerings through the launch of HiPro to effectively tap into the burgeoning freelance market. Their mission focuses on creating social value while addressing labor market challenges head-on, striving towards a future where every worker can find fulfillment in their work.