#Japan #Digital Transformation #FORVAL #Iwakuni #Iwakuni City

FORVAL and Iwakuni City: A New Era of Collaboration

FORVAL, a leading consulting firm based in Shibuya, Tokyo, which focuses on supporting ESG management and promoting sustainable business practices, recently announced a significant milestone. On November 4, 2025, FORVAL entered into a business advancement agreement with Iwakuni City, headed by Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda. This agreement marks a pivotal step in their ongoing commitment to enhance the quality of life for residents, especially the elderly, through innovative approaches to digital transformation (DX).

The partnership builds upon a fruitful four-year collaboration where FORVAL has been actively involved in DX projects aimed at supporting the elderly community. In the fiscal year 2023, FORVAL participated in the Yamaguchi Prefecture initiative, ‘Yamaguchi Digital Implementation Model Creation’, collaborating with Iwakuni City on practical demonstrations as part of the ‘Kizuna Partner Project’. These efforts are set to transition into a full-scale implementation in the fiscal year 2025, utilizing a rental office provided by Iwakuni City to kickstart business operations.

Goals and Objectives of the Agreement

The newly signed agreement encompasses several key areas of collaboration:

• - DX Support for Residents: Development and management of a cloud-based support system for the elderly.
• - GDX Support for Local Governments: Introduction of solutions aimed at increasing efficiency and digitalization in administrative practices.
• - GDX Support for Local SMEs: Providing consulting and tools to facilitate the digital transformation of local businesses.
• - Establishment of a Community Center: Launch of a center to address local issues through dedicated initiatives.

These initiatives align closely with the city’s seven policy guidelines, promoting a cooperative approach among residents, local governments, and businesses to foster a sustainable community environment.

Comments from Key Stakeholders

Kazunari Fujimura, the Supervisor of Business Location in the Yamaguchi Prefecture’s Industry and Labor Department, expressed his enthusiasm: "Today, we celebrate the signing of the business advancement agreement between FORVAL and Iwakuni City. FORVAL’s active engagements across multiple sectors display their adaptability to technological advancements and their commitment to creating attractive employment opportunities. This venture will significantly contribute to Yamaguchi’s digital evolution and the cultivation of a new generation equipped for the challenges ahead."

Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda also highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating: "FORVAL's efforts, initiated in 2021 in Nishiki Town, focus on utilizing digital tools to tackle regional issues, especially as we confront an aging population. This collaboration promises not just to ensure the safety of the elderly but also to alleviate the burdens on their families and caregivers. We hope that the creation of ‘new standards’ will transform into widely recognized practices."

FORVAL’s President Masanori Nakajima noted, "This agreement with Iwakuni City is a crucial leap forward in our commitment to addressing regional challenges. By offering cloud-based support systems for the elderly and providing GDX assistance to local governments and SMEs, we aim to establish sustainable, community-rooted solutions. We envision Iwakuni City as a model area for deploying similar strategies across Japan, fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors as we work towards local sustainability."

About FORVAL

Founded in 1980, FORVAL has established itself as a next-generation consultancy firm with a robust focus on ESG management. With a capital of 4,105 million yen and a stock code of 8275, the company specializes in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises across five key areas: information technology, international business, environmental management, human resources and education, as well as business succession strategies. Through its ‘F-Japan’ program, FORVAL is committed to nurturing DX and GX human capital, facilitating necessary links between municipalities, private enterprises, educational institutions, and financial entities, all aimed at revitalizing local economies and ensuring enduring local development. Furthermore, the firm addresses the increasing focus on ESG management and the visibility of human capital through its consulting services.

For more information on FORVAL, please visit their official website.