#Japan #Tokyo #digital advertising #JICDAQ #sembear

Introduction

On October 27, 2025, a pivotal webinar titled Digital Advertising Basics will take place, hosted by the Japan Interactive Advertising Association (JIAA) and led by Koutarou Harita, CEO of Sembear LLC. This session aims to provide municipal employees with a comprehensive understanding of the essential components involved in implementing digital advertising strategies effectively.

Importance of Digital Advertising in Local Governments

The significance of digital advertising has surged, especially highlighted by the statistics from 2020, where internet advertising expenses surpassed those of traditional media formats such as television, radio, newspapers, and magazines combined. As digital platforms become central to information dissemination in Japan, local governments are urged to utilize these tools for outreach and to increase their community engagement. However, despite a high interest—where nearly 90% of local administrations expressed a desire to engage in digital marketing—only around 20% have successfully implemented such strategies, revealing a significant gap between interest and action.

Challenges Faced by Local Governments

Various challenges impede local governments from leveraging these digital advertising opportunities effectively. Key obstacles include navigating budget requests, drafting specifications, and undergoing proposal evaluations, all of which are specific procedural processes endemic to local government operations. Unfortunately, crucial knowledge concerning these aspects often remains absent, leaving municipal staff unsure about best practices and methodologies related to digital advertising initiatives.

To address these hurdles, the upcoming webinar will offer insights on overcoming these challenges. Notably, the JIAA’s Executive Director, Satoshi Niino, will discuss 'Fundamentals and Considerations of Digital Advertising,' covering the importance and overview of these digital strategies tailored for municipal staff. Additionally, Harita will elucidate the essential steps for local government digital marketing, including budgeting, specification drafting, and proposal reviews.

Who Should Attend?

This webinar is an essential opportunity for:

• - Municipal employees unsure about how to initiate digital advertising projects.
• - Staff members needing clarity on crafting an effective specification document for digital advertising initiatives.
• - Those seeking to learn from practices adopted by other local governments.

If you resonate with any of these concerns, your participation in this seminar is highly encouraged.

Register Here to secure your spot in this informative session!

Speakers' Profiles

Satoshi Niino (JIAA)

With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, Niino has collaborated with diverse clients in sectors including finance, automotive, and telecommunications. Since 2022, he has served as the Executive Director of the Japan Interactive Advertising Association, focusing on advancing the field of digital advertising.

Koutarou Harita (Sembear LLC)

As the founder and CEO, Harita is renowned for his innovative approaches in digital marketing technologies. He established Sembear LLC in 2020 to facilitate the training of expert personnel in advertising and media, as well as to support digital marketing initiatives for local governments. His extensive experience includes serving as a digital marketing advisor for Tochigi Prefecture since April 2023.

About Sembear LLC

Founded in January 2020, Sembear LLC has aimed to enhance digital marketing efforts across Japan. Building upon their wealth of marketing technology experience, they offer training programs for digital marketing professionals and have expanded services tailored to local municipalities since 2021. They actively support digital transformation initiatives across several local governments, including Tochigi Prefecture and Utsunomiya City.

The Host: JICDAQ

The Japan Digital Advertising Quality Certification Organization (JICDAQ) was established to address quality challenges in the digital advertising market. Comprising influential advertising associations in Japan, JICDAQ aims to promote healthy development in the digital advertising sector, ensuring beneficial outcomes for both businesses and society as a whole. Their commitment to certifying and promoting responsible advertising practices is fundamental to achieving safe and trustworthy digital ad placements.

For more information, visit JICDAQ.