Kihoku Town Launches Partnership with Market Enterprise for Reuse Project

Introduction to the Collaboration

Kihoku Town in Mie Prefecture has initiated a partnership with Market Enterprise, a leading organization in the reuse industry. This collaboration, formalized on July 22, 2025, aims to address community issues through effective reuse strategies. Utilizing Market Enterprise's platform, Oikura, the partnership intends to develop a more sustainable means of reusing unwanted items instead of discarding them. The ultimate goal is to minimize waste and foster a circular economy within Kihoku Town.

Background and Context

Kihoku Town has faced rising garbage disposal costs while recognizing that a significant number of discarded items are still usable. To tackle this issue, the town sought innovative reuse strategies that could raise public awareness and encourage citizens to reuse items instead of throwing them away. Meanwhile, Market Enterprise, which has established itself as an innovative firm in the reuse sector, has actively participated in initiatives promoting sustainable development through partnerships. Their vision is to create a more sustainable society, aligning perfectly with Kihoku's goals for waste reduction. Thus, the collaboration emerged as a mutual need to promote reuse activities, leveraging Oikura as the vehicle for this initiative.

What is Oikura?

Oikura is a comprehensive reuse platform operated by Market Enterprise. It allows individuals wishing to sell unwanted items to submit assessment requests that are then sent to multiple affiliated reuse shops across the nation. Users can quickly compare offers in one easy process, which simplifies the selling process, garnering positive responses from around 1.3 million users by mid-2024. The platform is designed to be user-friendly and effective, easing the burden of disposal for community members.

Kihoku Town's Challenges and Oikura's Solutions

Currently, Kihoku Town relies on self-delivery for bulky waste collection. However, residents often find it difficult to transport large items by themselves. Oikura addresses this challenge with its 출장 보상abile service, offering home pick-up for those in need. This enables the easy sale of large or heavy items without requiring community members to handle transportation themselves. Further enhancing the initiative, Oikura can also buy used appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines that are still functional, which the town does not traditionally collect. Depending on the request timeline, residents may be able to sell items and have them transferred on the same day as the assessment submission.

Future Prospects

On July 22, 2025, Oikura-related information will be made available on Kihoku Town's website, allowing residents to submit bulk assessment requests directly. The collaboration is expected to significantly boost the secondary market, aiding efforts toward a circular economy while reducing municipal waste processing quantities and costs. As public awareness of the ease of reusing through sales increases, Kihoku residents will have more options beyond disposal, catering to their diverse needs regarding unwanted items.

Moreover, through this initiative, it is anticipated that there will be a shift in residents' attitudes towards reuse, further driving the formation of a circular society. The partnership seeks to tackle both societal and economic challenges toward realizing a sustainable future.

About Kihoku Town

Kihoku Town is located at the entrance to the Nanki region in southern Mie Prefecture, surrounded by nature. The area is known for its lush forests due to high rainfall, providing a mild climate during different seasons. Kihoku is home to several cultural and natural landmarks, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes and the stunning Choshi River, attracting numerous tourists. The town thrives on fishing as its key industry, renowned for its seafood products like bonito and Ise shrimp. Kihoku's local brand also includes a variety of products that receive acclaim both locally and nationally. Moreover, traditional festivals such as the Funadanjiri and Kihoku Lantern Festival highlight the town's rich cultural heritage, making it a hub for nature, food, and culture.

About Market Enterprise

Market Enterprise is at the forefront of the online reuse industry, engaging in various services, including media ventures and mobile communication. Since its establishment in 2006, the company has been committed to its vision of fostering a sustainable society through optimization. The company went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2015 and transitioned to the Prime Market in 2022. Market Enterprise continues to expand its services, including Oikura and the export of used agricultural machinery to over 80 countries. With Kihoku's partnership, Oikura now operates in 266 municipalities across Japan.

Conclusion

This collaborative effort between Kihoku Town and Market Enterprise marks a significant step towards promoting sustainable practices within the community. By encouraging reuse and reducing waste, they aim to create a greener and more sustainable future for all residents.