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Strengthening Local Economies: The Forval Partnership

On June 22, 2026, a significant partnership agreement was signed between Forval, the Ichinoseki Chamber of Commerce, and Next IWATE, all dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and revitalizing the local economy. This signing ceremony marked a pivotal moment for the three entities, symbolizing a collaborative effort to assist businesses facing numerous challenges in today’s economic landscape.

Representatives of the involved organizations included Forval’s CEO, Masanori Nakajima; Ichinoseki Chamber of Commerce Chair, Kunihiro Koiwa; and Next IWATE CEO, Yutaro Ueno. Their shared vision revolves around enhancing business support systems, pivotal for fostering sustainable growth within the community.

Understanding the Challenges

SMEs in local areas are grappling with a myriad of challenges: declining populations, labor shortages, and the slow adaptation to digital transformation. These pressing issues necessitate a robust support network. In Ichinoseki, it is increasingly crucial to support the sustainable growth of local SMEs, as enhancing the industrial foundation is a primary policy issue. To effectively tackle these challenges, collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector have become more vital than ever.

Ichinoseki has proactively engaged in enhancing local business support through industrial promotion policies, coordinating with the Chamber of Commerce and Next IWATE to build a solid support structure deeply rooted in the community. Through this collaborative framework, Forval plans to apply its extensive experience in SME support and digital transformation (DX) initiatives to foster a comprehensive support system in conjunction with local stakeholders.

Voices from the Leaders

Kunihiro Koiwa, Chair of the Ichinoseki Chamber of Commerce, expressed optimism about the new partnership. He stated, “We anticipate that this agreement will significantly advance our team-based support approach. Given the increasingly complex challenges faced by SMEs, this partnership represents a vital opportunity for collaboration among industry, government, academia, and financial sectors, paving the way for the sustainable development of local businesses and the local economy.”

Yutaro Ueno, CEO of Next IWATE, emphasized the importance of this agreement as a starting point for thoughtful collaboration aimed at the region's future. “Next IWATE has been committed to connecting the ambitions of local youth with the challenges faced by regional businesses. This agreement will enhance our efforts to create systems that enable shared growth between young people and local enterprises, fostering new challenges in Ichinoseki and contributing to sustainable development.”

Masanori Nakajima, CEO of Forval, expressed his gratitude for the partnership, asserting, “We are honored to have formalized this agreement. Through this collaboration, we believe that the joint efforts of Ichinoseki’s entities will enable us to provide more effective and localized support. By leveraging Forval's expertise in DX and management support, we will contribute to the ongoing growth of businesses in Ichinoseki and invigorate the regional economy.”

About Forval

Founded in 1980, Forval (TSE Standard: 8275) specializes in consultancy services geared towards small and medium-sized enterprises. Their support spans five critical areas: information and communication technology, international business, environmental initiatives, human resources and education, and business succession. Employing a unique “Corporate Doctor” model, Forval provides comprehensive services from visualization of management issues to actionable proposals and implementation support. Their initiatives aim to promote high-value-added business practices incorporating ESG management, human capital management, and advancing digital and green transformations.

In addition, Forval is dedicated to the regional revitalization strategy known as the F-Japan Initiative, fostering collaboration among local governments, businesses, educational institutions, and financial organizations to build and expand regional co-creation models.

Company Overview

• - Company Name: Forval, Inc.
• - CEO: Masanori Nakajima
• - Founded: September 18, 1980
• - Location: 14th Floor, Aoyama Oval Building, 5-52-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

For further information, please visit our official website.