Shimada Masakazu Appointed as Local Revitalization Advisor for Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture

Shimada Masakazu Appointed as Local Revitalization Advisor

Bunkyo Gakuin University, located in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, has announced that Masakazu Shimada, the university president and the head of the institution, has been appointed as the "Local Revitalization Advisor" for Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture. This appointment marks a significant step towards fostering community development and promoting sustainable growth in the region.

Background of the Advisor System

Since 2015, Kamaishi City has implemented a system of Local Revitalization Advisors to gain specialized guidance from prominent figures across various sectors. Currently, there are ten external advisors selected from industries such as business, education, and finance. They contribute to formulating comprehensive strategies, offering proposals for specific actions, and assessing local initiatives.

Profile of Masakazu Shimada

Masakazu Shimada, born in 1961, holds a Doctorate in Management from Meiji University and graduated from Waseda University’s Faculty of Social Sciences. He served as a visiting researcher at the University of Michigan and as a fellow at Hitotsubashi University. His career highlights include:

- 1993: Appointed as a lecturer at Bunkyo Women's University (now Bunkyo Gakuin University) in the Faculty of Management.
- 2001: Became a professor in the same faculty.
- 2015: Took on the role of Director of Bunkyo Gakuin Educational Institution.
- 2022: Appointed as President and Director of Bunkyo Gakuin University.

At the university, he teaches courses on managerial theory and has published several works, including "Shibusawa Eiichi: Pioneer of Social Entrepreneurship" and "Messages from Shibusawa Eiichi: A Reading of the Original Text."

Partnership Between Bunkyo Gakuin University and Kamaishi City

Bunkyo Gakuin University has maintained a continuous relationship with Kamaishi City, especially following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. The university’s efforts in supporting the community include:

- 2011-Now: The "Bremen's" student organization has engaged in recovery support through the creation and sale of charity goods.
- 2017: Initiated the "Nebula Daruma Project" to support reconstruction alongside local citizens.
- February 2020: Signed a comprehensive partnership agreement aimed at community development, human resource training, and academic promotion.
- 2022-Onward: Participated in the annual "Festival of the Sea and Hope in Kamaishi," providing enjoyable workshops for families.
- 2023: Launched a unique educational program called "Kamaishi Studycation," allowing students to solve local issues while attending regular classes on-site.
- July 2024: President Shimada to speak at the 4th Kamaishi Chamber of Commerce meeting on the role of industry and education based on lessons from Shibusawa Eiichi.
- February 2026: President Shimada takes on the role of Local Revitalization Advisor for Kamaishi City.
- May 16, 2026: The 4th "Kamaishi Studycation" is set to take place, where 10 students are expected to stay for two weeks.

Through his extensive experience and knowledge gained over the years, President Shimada plans to assist in the reliable promotion of the 3rd-term population vision and open city strategies of Kamaishi City, as well as in providing advice on projects utilizing national subsidies.