Reiwa PR Empowers Local Businesses with Strategic Public Relations Training

On February 13, 2026, Reiwa PR, led by CEO Mika Ozawa, conducted a significant training session on public relations titled "How to Accelerate Management with PR" in collaboration with the Saitama Small and Medium Enterprises Association and PR TIMES. Approximately 50 local business leaders attended the workshop, emphasizing the need for companies to evolve beyond mere recognition towards building trust and credibility in the community and among their employees.

The Importance of Public Relations in Business

In today's information-saturated world, it is essential for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to create and foster trust rather than merely seeking awareness. For organizations with limited management resources, PR evolves into a powerful tool not just for advertising but also for enhancing recruitment capabilities, increasing sales, and fostering internal unity.

During the training, Ozawa highlighted how effective public relations can foster change within a company.

Overview of the Training Session

The training was structured into three segments: lectures, workshops, and group sharing.

Lecture: The Essence of Public Relations and Branding

The lecture covered a wide range of topics, from the fundamentals of public relations to the latest trends in social media, focusing on the crucial aspects of 'everyone being a PR representative' and the importance of inner branding. Ozawa stressed that PR should not be viewed simply as tactical techniques but as an integral part of business identity, deeply embedded in the company's operations and its underlying purpose.

She emphasized the potential of storytelling and narratives, noting that SMEs can connect directly with their audience in ways that larger corporations cannot. The emphasis was placed on utilizing creative approaches such as engaging social media content and other strategies that can be implemented immediately.

Workshop: Extracting Applicable Elements for Each Business

In the workshop, participants analyzed award-winning press releases as a springboard to identify applicable strategies for their companies. Ozawa encouraged attendees to transform press releases from merely a way to garner media attention into a business asset that encapsulates their company’s history and values. Each participant was prompted to articulate the unique stories and values their companies could share, cultivating a mindset shift towards seeing their narratives as powerful communication tools.

Group Sharing: Formulating Action Plans

The final segment of the training invited participants to articulate their aspirations for their own PR efforts and share these within their groups. This collaborative environment encouraged honest discussions and facilitated the sharing of insights, allowing participants to re-discover and communicate their company’s unique advantages. Ozawa roamed among the groups, providing personalized advice about how individual aspirations could be transformed into societal value.

Post-Training Survey Results

Following the training session, a survey revealed that 94% of attendees rated their experience as highly satisfactory. Many expressed shifting perspectives, emphasizing the importance of community engagement through shared values. Others acknowledged the practical tips gained, with intentions to incorporate feedback into their internal and external communications actively.

Feedback Highlights

- Perspective Shift: Recognized the impact of storytelling for engagement and understood the concept of trust as an asset.
- Practical Learning: Realized smaller internal events could become newsworthy and wanted to amplify employee voices through storytelling.
- Mindset Growth: Participants felt inspired to engage their teams in upcoming PR initiatives and to regularly share their organizational values internally.

Additional Resources

Questions posed by the Saitama Association members during the training are now addressed in episodes of "Reiwa PR Radio." Topics include:

- Utilizing AI in social media strategies
- Crafting product narratives that resonate with audiences
- Exploring the potential of platforms like note and Voicy for spreading messages
- Strategies for managing public relations crises, specifically concerning the fear of negative backlash.

Explore More

Visit YouTube to view the training sessions.

Remarks from Speaker Mika Ozawa

Ozawa shared her thoughts on the talented entrepreneurs in Saitama, acknowledging their remarkable innovations and passion. Yet, she highlighted the critical importance of public relations, indicating that no matter how excellent a product or service might be, if it is unknown, it effectively does not exist. She reinforced the idea that public relations should encapsulate the spirit of the company, its vision, and employee dedication, emphasizing that the training aimed to reposition PR as a core element of business identity. The outcome was a powerful rediscovery of each company’s value and potential.

About Mika Ozawa

Mika Ozawa is the CEO of Reiwa PR, having started her career at Recruit Co., Ltd. and had significant roles in various organizations, culminating in the establishment of Reiwa PR. Her focus is on PR strategies that align with business goals, supporting companies in maximizing their outreach and impact.

Join Us for Future Training Opportunities

Reiwa PR is committed to advancing public relations training tailored to various organizational needs. From social media strategies to media relations, our team is here to support your journey. For inquiries, visit our website at Reiwa PR.