#Hokkaido #KIZUNA #Saito Senmoto

KIZUNA Summit 2026: Fostering Collaboration in Hokkaido

On February 17, 2026, Tokikawa Town in Hokkaido hosted the KIZUNA Summit 2026 at the prestigious TOKYO TORCH, located in Chiyoda, Tokyo. This event welcomed over 70 attendees, including representatives from more than 20 official partner companies and one public partner municipality. The summit aimed to foster connections and dialogue across various sectors, paving the way for collaborative projects to emerge.

The summit began with a welcoming reception, where participants were greeted with a refreshing drink while networking. The day kicked off with opening remarks delivered by the Tokikawa Town Mayor, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation for the region's development.

Leadership and Insights

A notable highlight of the program was the Leadership Camp Report presented by students from Rissho University. They shared innovative proposals on how local enterprises and community initiatives could harmonize to envision future goals. This synergy between academic insights and real-world applications proved to be a rich ground for ideation.

Following this, attendees participated in the KIZUNA Innovation Workshop, where they were divided into groups. Each group examined their respective strengths and challenges to brainstorm new business concepts and integrated initiatives specifically tailored for Tokikawa. The collaborative atmosphere encouraged spirited discussions and culminated in group presentations aimed at identifying actionable steps forward.

A New Tourism Ambassador

A significant moment came when Saito Senmoto, co-founder of KDDI and advisor to Kyoto University, was officially appointed as the Tourism Ambassador for Tokikawa Town. The ceremonial appointment was marked by an engaging keynote address by Senmoto, focusing on *