Happiness-Centered Community Development Seminar Held in Higashikagura Town
On June 15, 2026, Daito Kentaku Co., Ltd. organized a seminar focused on community development towards happiness, specifically tailored for the employees of Higashikagura Town in Hokkaido. This seminar involved 47 town officials and was led by the company’s Rental Future Research Institute. The event was inspired by the town achieving the top rank in the nationwide "Happiness City Ranking 2025" for two consecutive years.
The purpose of the seminar was to provide insights and new perspectives based on research data from Daito Kentaku. Specifically, the seminar aimed to support Higashikagura’s aspirations for creating a community centered around happiness. It featured detailed discussions on comparative analyses and techniques to understand the 'structure of happiness'.
A noteworthy aspect was the participation of special guests, including Takahiro Ushiyama, the mayor of Nagano Prefecture's Harabura, which also ranked high in the happiness ranking, securing the top spot in 2023 and second place for the subsequent two years. The exchange of knowledge between municipalities in the upper echelons of the ranking fostered a dynamic networking environment.
Higashikagura is located near the geographic center of Hokkaido, adjacent to the core city of Asahikawa. The town is a growing residential area known for its agriculture and woodworking industries, particularly famous for its locally produced vegetables and the high-quality Asahikawa furniture. Despite being one of the smallest towns in the region by area, its proximity to Asahikawa Airport and easy access to JR Asahikawa Station within approximately 20 minutes by car make it a convenient locale. Since the large-scale residential development started in the Heisei era, the population has grown, resulting in a youthful demographic with family-friendly amenities amidst rich nature and high convenience.
You can learn more about Higashikagura Town here.
Established in 2018, the Rental Future Research Institute is dedicated to advancing the real estate market and improving the living conditions and lifestyles of residents. They conduct extensive research focusing on the future of renting, releasing significant reports like the "Living Comfort Ranking in Towns" on an annual basis, which explores resident satisfaction.
More about the Rental Future Research Institute can be found here. For the living comfort ranking, visit here.
Professor Sou was born in Kitakyushu City in 1965. He graduated from Kyushu Institute of Technology in 1987 and worked at Recruit Co., Ltd. in various capacities before taking on roles that shaped housing information and research. Notably, he led several research initiatives and held prominent positions at Recruit Corporate, ultimately becoming a professor at Reitaku University where he continues to influence the discourse on social engineering and IT strategy along with his role at the Rental Future Research Institute.
The purpose of the seminar was to provide insights and new perspectives based on research data from Daito Kentaku. Specifically, the seminar aimed to support Higashikagura’s aspirations for creating a community centered around happiness. It featured detailed discussions on comparative analyses and techniques to understand the 'structure of happiness'.
A noteworthy aspect was the participation of special guests, including Takahiro Ushiyama, the mayor of Nagano Prefecture's Harabura, which also ranked high in the happiness ranking, securing the top spot in 2023 and second place for the subsequent two years. The exchange of knowledge between municipalities in the upper echelons of the ranking fostered a dynamic networking environment.
Key Highlights of the Seminar:
- - Scientific analyses of the “Living Comfort in Towns” survey data.
- - Discussions on the aims of community development and the theories behind happiness.
- - The seminar encouraged thought on concrete future initiatives required for happiness-centric community building.
- - Participation came from across 13 departments of the town, comprising 47 officials, promoting collaborative learning.
- - Cross-dialogue between municipalities was enhanced with special appearances from notable figures like Mayor Ushiyama.
Seminar Overview:
- - Date: June 15, 2026 (Monday) 16:00 - 17:00
- - Venue: Cultural Hall Kanon, 1-3-2 Minami 1-jo Nishi, Higashikagura Town, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
- - Attendees: Town executives and officials (13 departments)
- - Special Guests: Takahiro Ushiyama, Mayor of Harabura, Nagano, and an accompanying official
- - Speaker: Professor Takeshi Sou from Reitaku University, who also serves as a fellow at Daito Kentaku’s Rental Future Research Institute.
About Higashikagura Town:
Higashikagura is located near the geographic center of Hokkaido, adjacent to the core city of Asahikawa. The town is a growing residential area known for its agriculture and woodworking industries, particularly famous for its locally produced vegetables and the high-quality Asahikawa furniture. Despite being one of the smallest towns in the region by area, its proximity to Asahikawa Airport and easy access to JR Asahikawa Station within approximately 20 minutes by car make it a convenient locale. Since the large-scale residential development started in the Heisei era, the population has grown, resulting in a youthful demographic with family-friendly amenities amidst rich nature and high convenience.
You can learn more about Higashikagura Town here.
About Daito Kentaku Co., Ltd. Rental Future Research Institute:
Established in 2018, the Rental Future Research Institute is dedicated to advancing the real estate market and improving the living conditions and lifestyles of residents. They conduct extensive research focusing on the future of renting, releasing significant reports like the "Living Comfort Ranking in Towns" on an annual basis, which explores resident satisfaction.
More about the Rental Future Research Institute can be found here. For the living comfort ranking, visit here.
About Professor Takeshi Sou:
Professor Sou was born in Kitakyushu City in 1965. He graduated from Kyushu Institute of Technology in 1987 and worked at Recruit Co., Ltd. in various capacities before taking on roles that shaped housing information and research. Notably, he led several research initiatives and held prominent positions at Recruit Corporate, ultimately becoming a professor at Reitaku University where he continues to influence the discourse on social engineering and IT strategy along with his role at the Rental Future Research Institute.
Related Information:
- - January 15, 2024: Rental Future Research Institute hosts a seminar in Nagakute City using the "Living Comfort Ranking" as a topic. Details Here
- - July 23, 2024: Series of seminars for Nagakute City employees focusing on community living. Details Here
- - November 12, 2024: Fieldwork implemented for Nagakute City staff with design thinking at the forefront. Details Here
Topics People & Culture）
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