Collaboration Between Ogawa Town and Oikura to Promote Reuse Business and Reduce Waste

Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

Ogawa Town, under the leadership of Mayor Yasuhiro Shimada, has partnered with Market Enterprise, a Tokyo-based company, to launch a reuse initiative aimed at addressing community challenges through waste reduction. This collaboration, which will commence on September 25, 2025, utilizes Market Enterprise's reuse platform, "Oikura," to facilitate the recycling of unwanted items instead of discarding them. The ultimate goal is to foster a circular economy within Ogawa Town.

Background of the Initiative

The current waste management practices in Ogawa Town reveal a significant issue: many items discarded as trash could be reused. Local officials have acknowledged the need to explore reuse policies more thoroughly. Meanwhile, Market Enterprise has focused on promoting sustainable practices through its online reuse business. The company has actively participated in initiatives aimed at achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) by collaborating with both public and private sectors. Their vision has been to function as an optimal trading company for realizing a sustainable society. Recognizing a mutual interest in promoting reuse activities, this partnership was born, with "Oikura" serving as the primary tool to facilitate this initiative.

Understanding Oikura

"Oikura" is a reuse platform operated by Market Enterprise. It enables individuals looking to sell unwanted items to submit their requests for evaluations through the platform. This function allows users to receive multiple offers from registered reuse shops across Japan in one go, simplifying the selling process. With approximately 1.55 million users (as of June 2025), the platform has gained immense popularity for its convenience, allowing customers to compare offers quickly and efficiently. Find out more at Oikura's Website.

Addressing Ogawa Town's Waste Problems

Ogawa Town collects bulky waste twice a month through paid individual collections, but residents must transport their large items outside their homes. This is where "Oikura" comes in by offering home visit services for collection. With "Oikura," residents have the option for professionals to visit their homes to help transport items, making it significantly easier to sell larger or heavier unwanted goods. Furthermore, even electronics like refrigerators and washing machines, which the town does not typically collect, may still be purchased if they are in working condition. With an efficient request process through "Oikura," residents can potentially complete these transactions on the same day.

What Lies Ahead

Starting on September 25, 2025, at 3:30 PM (tentative), information regarding "Oikura" will be available on Ogawa Town’s official website, enabling residents to submit requests for bulk evaluations directly. The collaboration between Ogawa Town and "Oikura" is expected to enhance the secondary market significantly, contributing to a reduction in waste on a community scale. Additionally, it will help lower municipal waste treatment quantities and costs, encouraging residents to embrace the idea of reuse over disposal. This initiative aims not just to improve the community's reuse rates but also to instill a cultural shift towards sustainability within residents. By highlighting the option of reuse, local citizens will gain a clearer understanding of their choices regarding unwanted goods pressing on their disposal needs.

About Ogawa Town

Ogawa Town, located slightly west of central Saitama Prefecture, is embraced by lush greenery from the surrounding mountains. The town is historically rich, known for traditional crafts like Ogawa washi (Japanese paper) and silk. It has been called "Little Kyoto of Musashi" for its historical sites and beautiful streetscapes. As of August 1, 2025, Ogawa Town has a population of 27,160, with 13,120 households across an area of 60.36 square kilometers. More information about the town can be found on its official website.

About Market Enterprise

Established in 2006, Market Enterprise has been at the forefront of internet-based reuse businesses, expanding into media and mobile communications while maintaining the promise of achieving a sustainable society. The company went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Mothers section in 2015, transitioned to the first section in February 2021, and now operates in the Prime market. Market Enterprise continues to grow, boasting a user base of about 9.4 million through its various services, including "Oikura." As of 2025, the platform has been adopted by 276 municipalities across Japan, making significant strides in promoting recycling and reuse practices. More information can be found at Market Enterprise's Website.