#Japan #Chino City #Business Technology #Vacan #Rural Development

Vacan Receives Certification for Rural Contribution Activities

Vacan, a company based in Tokyo, Japan, has been officially recognized for its innovative contributions to rural revitalization by receiving the "Contribution Activities Certificate for Agricultural, Mountainous, and Fishing Villages for Fiscal Year 7" from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. This certification validates Vacan's efforts in implementing a shelter management system coupled with a community interaction app named "tami tami" in Chino City, Nagano Prefecture.

About the Contribution Activities Certificate

The Ministry of Agriculture works to merge efforts between public and private sectors through the "Economic and Living Environment Revitalization Platform for Agricultural, Mountainous, and Fishing Villages." This platform aims to address regional issues and enhance living conditions by encouraging cooperation among corporations, local governments, and relevant organizations. The Contribution Activities Certificate is awarded to entities engaged in activities that significantly contribute to the revitalization of rural areas, particularly in the backdrop of challenges like population decline and aging communities.

With this initiative, Vacan, founded in June 2016 and represented by CEO Takeshi Kawano, focuses on the synergy of technology and community development. They aim to leverage various resources to tackle problems in rural landscapes facing food supply instability and loss of diverse functionalities.

The Recognized Initiative

Vacan’s certified initiative involved practical testing in Chino City between August and December 2025. As a part of the area’s operations led by a local management organization known as the Rural Management Organization (RMO), the project primarily aimed at boosting community engagement and managing disaster shelter operations effectively.

The initiative includes an innovative approach that integrates physical and technological contributions to address regional challenges, such as improving the efficiency of shelter registration and roster management during emergencies, along with fostering connections among residents through the app. This method adheres to a "phase-free" concept, ensuring that systems utilized in daily life can seamlessly transition into disaster response functionalities.

During the certification announcement ceremony, senior officials from the Ministry, including Parliamentary Vice-Minister Keisuke Yamamoto, acknowledged Vacan’s significant contributions alongside Vacan’s spokesperson, Maki Harada.

Project Summary

• - Project Name: Phase-Free Utilization via Shelter Management System and Community Interaction Application "tami tami"
• - Implementer: Vacan, Inc.
• - Execution Area: Chino City, Nagano Prefecture
• - Activity Type: Community engagement by local management organizations (RMO)
• - Form of Contribution: Direct and indirect contributions (both physical and technological)
• - Implementation Period: August 18, 2025 – December 8, 2025

Future Directions

Vacan recognizes the unique challenges faced by rural communities, especially those requiring oversight and care, such as the elderly. With constraints on manpower and budget, Vacan is committed to further enhancing its capabilities in the digital transformation of shelter operations. This includes managing crowd visibility, maintaining registrant lists, and controlling supplies during emergencies. Furthermore, the company's plans include employing communication functions that foster connections between residents and local governments, leading to a cohesive support system for everyday activities and emergencies alike.

About Vacan, Inc.

• - Company Name: Vacan, Inc.
• - CEO: Takeshi Kawano
• - Location: 3F Nakarin Auto Building, 2-8-4 Shinkawa, Chuo City, Tokyo
• - Established: June 2016
• - Website: Vacan Official Website

As a selected company under the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry's "J-Startup," Vacan continues to pursue its mission of "gently connecting people and spaces through technology." By visualizing congestion using artificial intelligence, they aim to upgrade the living and urban environments, providing space management and monitoring services to improve everyday experiences.