#Japan #Community Development #Taketa City #Taketa #Social Design University

Collaboration for Community Revitalization in Taketa City: A New Agreement

On March 17, 2026, a significant agreement was established between Taketa City in Oita Prefecture and the Social Design University located in Tokyo. This partnership, aimed at addressing local issues and training individuals who can contribute to society, marks the university's first comprehensive agreement with a local government in Oita Prefecture.

Purpose of the Agreement

The primary goal of this agreement is to collaborate in promoting educational and research activities that focus on local challenges. By doing so, both Taketa City and the Social Design University aim to cultivate talent that can effectively tackle community issues and contribute to sustainable development.

Areas of Collaboration

The agreement outlines several key areas of cooperation, including:

• - Promoting educational and research endeavors that address regional concerns.
• - Cultivating human resources capable of implementing solutions for local challenges.
• - Engaging in initiatives that enhance community revitalization and contribute to societal welfare.

Through this collaboration, the educational and research assets of the university will synergize with the practical needs of the community, ultimately striving for the long-term development of Taketa.

Implementation Activities

Students enrolled in the Regional Project Manager training program at the university will partake in extensive field studies, literature reviews, and discussions with local stakeholders over five months. They will formulate concrete policy proposals to confront Taketa City's specific challenges.

Policy Proposal Topics from Taketa City

The city has highlighted various pressing issues, inviting policy proposals that address the following topics:

• - Effective utilization of local resources and strategic information dissemination.
• - Leveraging tourism assets for regional branding.
• - Addressing the shortage of personnel in agriculture, forestry, and livestock industries while revitalizing local industry.
• - Enhancing the child-rearing and education environment.
• - Maintaining community structures and improving local living conditions.

Research Students’ Policy Proposals

The university's research students presented a range of insightful proposals focused on Taketa's challenges during their final presentations:

• - “Attraction to Sake: Embracing the Gifts of Water and Greenery.”
• - “Bamboo-Centric Town Development: A Project Integrating Bamboo Recycling, Education, and International Collaboration.”
• - “One Grip OK!”
• - “Colorful City of Taketa: A Concept for Creating a City Enhanced by Saffron.”
• - “From Points to Stories: Rebirth in Taketa.”
• - “Tourism Development Connecting with the World through the Latinization of Taketa.”
• - “Community University Concept for Oita Taketa.”

These proposals explore diverse perspectives such as tourism promotion, regional branding, and cultural education, envisioning a vibrant future for Taketa City.

Mayor's Feedback on Student Proposals

Mayor Masahiro Doi shared his insights regarding the students' proposals, underscoring the city's demographic challenges. He stated, “Taketa City has lost around 10,000 residents in the last 20 years due to municipal amalgamation and now has around 18,000 residents. With an aging rate approaching 50%, we face significant challenges, including declining birth rates. We are committed to implementing policies that will both resist this decline and reshape our city to fit within a reduced demographic framework.