Gunma Prefecture Launches Innovative Succession Support Project for Local Businesses

Launch of the GUNMA Atotsugi Project

In a bid to empower the next generation of business leaders in Gunma Prefecture, Stamen Inc., headquartered in Nagoya, Aichi, has officially launched the "GUNMA Atotsugi Project" for the 8th year of Reiwa. This initiative focuses on supporting successors in not just maintaining but also evolving and growing local businesses. The project aims to assist successors in recognizing their company’s strengths and values, helping them determine their competitive strategies to face new challenges in the market.

The GUNMA Atotsugi Project is centered around three key components: a succession training program, personalized support, and a community network. These elements work together to empower successors, facilitating decision-making and actions that contribute to sustainable business growth and local economic development.

Background of the GUNMA Atotsugi Project

Gunma Prefecture has actively engaged support organizations and the local community to streamline business succession. However, many successors face challenges such as difficulty in decision-making, a lack of business literacy, and limited opportunities for taking risks. These issues highlight the necessity for assistance that goes beyond merely ensuring the transfer of business operations.

The previous GUNMA Atotsugi Project established a community and provided individualized support to successors, successfully promoting a culture of challenge. This year, the project will take things a step further by shifting focus from mere succession to strategic evolution. By offering comprehensive support that includes acquiring business literacy and strategic design, the project seeks to create an environment conducive to generating new value for successors.

Online Briefing Session

An online briefing session for the GUNMA Atotsugi Program will take place, inviting heirs and potential successors of small and medium-sized enterprises in Gunma, as well as representatives from support organizations. Those interested in the program’s content and participation details are encouraged to attend.

- Date & Time: May 20, 2026, from 14:00 to 15:00
- Format: Online via Zoom
- Agenda:

1. Overview of the Program
2. Detailed introduction of program components
3. Q&A session

- Participants:

- Succession leaders (heirs or potential successors) from local SMEs
- Members of the business succession network
- Interested parties involving succession support

- Participation Fee: Free
- Registration Deadline: May 19, 2026, by 18:00
- Registration Link: Sign Up Here

Project Details

For further information, please refer to the official website: Atotsugi Program

1. Successor Development Program

The program is designed to transform family business "assets" into future "weapons" through business reform. It provides practical training aimed at helping successors identify their competitive edge and decide on their strategic direction. This five-session curriculum helps participants organize their strengths, customers, and values to articulate their competitive advantages and ultimately finalize their action plans.

2. Individualized Support Program

Building on the strategies outlined in the training, this program offers personalized support for launching new ventures or enhancing existing operations. Regular consultations with mentors, along with the involvement of external partners as necessary, facilitate support from decision-making to execution. This culminates in a showcase of outcomes to share learnings and pave the way for further growth.

3. Atotsugi Community

This initiative fosters connections between challengers and supporters through networking events, workshops, and talk sessions, deepening engagement among successors. An online community platform, TUNAG, is utilized for ongoing discussions, queries, and updates from the management office, providing a continuous support system.

About Stamen Inc.

Founded in 2016, Stamen Inc. operates under the philosophy of delivering inspiration and happiness to as many people as possible. Following a successful expansion, the company went public in December 2020. Stamen offers a range of services in the HR Tech field, including the TUNAG platform and the cloud-based IT asset management tool, Watchy.