#Japan #Fukuoka #Sharing City #Gaiax #Fukuoka Forum

Engaging Communities: The Role of Dual Residence in Population Growth

The National Sharing City Forum 2026 is set to take place on July 31, 2026, in Fukuoka City. This event, organized by the Sharing Economy Association, emphasizes the theme "SHARE the LOCAL - Co-creating Japan’s Future through Sharing". Among the various sessions, the discussion surrounding "Promoting Dual Residence and Creating Active Populations" is especially notable.

The session will feature significant speakers, including Shoichiro Seki, Deputy Governor of Nagano Prefecture, and Yasuaki Tsuda, Senior Executive Officer of ANA Holdings. They will be joined by Yuusuke Hirowatari from Gaiax, and Kazutaka Watanabe from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, alongside other distinguished professionals. Together, they will delve into reinventing regional contributions beyond temporary engagements, engaging in what they describe as “supporting populations”—a step further than mere interactions with the community.

Session Highlights

The session aims to shed light on the intersection of administrative support and business initiatives in fostering self-sustaining community practices. Gaiax, known for its successful projects in various regions such as Kagawa and Gunma, proposes innovative strategies that advocate for continuing relationships within local areas.

1. Supportive Populations: Many regions experience transient engagements, particularly through tourism and events. Often, these connections fade once financial support or external contracts dry up. Gaiax identifies this gap and aims to develop a framework where active community participants—termed as “supporting populations”—can thrive alongside business owners, helping sustain local operations.

2. Community Co-Creation Ventures: These enterprises, led by local representatives, serve as vital entry points for supportive populations. By fostering investment opportunities, community members become stakeholders in local ventures, furthering economic interactions through repeat patronage and personal investment.

3. Connecting Dual Residence and Relocation: The relationships cultivated through these interactions align beautifully with dual residence initiatives and local resident registration systems, leading to longer-term relocations. Gaiax acknowledges the role of the Ministry of Land in promoting dual residence policies and focuses on forming alliances to execute practical research in local contexts.

4. Sustainable Development Phases: Unlike conventional support that depends on continuous payments to agencies, Gaiax envisions graduation plans that phase out financial dependence, moving towards sustainable revenue generation from local businesses. Their approach structures assistance into three phases—initiation, collaborative support, and independent operation—ensuring local businesses remain integral parts of their communities.

Showcasing Success Stories

Gaiax has actively worked with approximately 50 enterprises, municipalities, and organization to promote DAO and regional co-creation initiatives. During the forum, they will highlight success stories, including:

• - Miyoshi City, Kagawa: The Miyoshi Shopping Street DAO successfully revitalized local businesses, involving over 150 community members and securing substantial investments.
• - Gunma Prefecture: The Gunma Mountain Cultivation DAO focuses on meaningful land usage projects, linking historical traditions with modern initiatives to create a new demographic of supportive populations.
• - Regional Cultural Projects: The Planet DAO has attracted international support for local cultural heritage preservation, illustrating the global appeal and necessity of engaging populations who genuinely care about maintaining and enhancing local legacies.

Why Gaiax?

Gaiax's capability to foster these connections stems from its comprehensive understanding of the local challenges, leveraging its assets across six different operational sectors: social media, sharing economy, web3, business incubation, and more. Their extensive network of over 100 partner services ensures the provision of necessary resources such as funding, workforce, and logistical support to meet community needs.

As they gear up for the forum, Gaiax is committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in community engagement and economic sustainability. More details about the forum can be found on their official page here.

Join the Conversation

With the forum already fully booked for in-person attendance, you have the opportunity to participate virtually. Don't miss the chance to engage with trailblazers like Gaiax, whose initiatives not only aim to enhance local governance but redefine what it means to belong to a community.