A Partnership for Disaster Preparedness: Fullcast and AZ-COM Maruwa's Cooperative Agreement

A Strategic Partnership in Disaster Response

On November 21, 2025, Fullcast Holdings, headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, led by CEO Takeshi Hirano, entered into a significant cooperative agreement with AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings based in Yoshikawa, Saitama, under President Katsumi Wasami. This partnership aims to enhance disaster readiness and response capabilities in the face of increasingly frequent large-scale disasters in Japan.

The agreement emerges against a backdrop of heightened awareness surrounding disaster preparedness, triggered by incidents like the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 and the Noto Peninsula earthquake of 2024. As many forecast further natural disasters, such as major earthquakes in metropolitan areas and extreme weather events linked to climate change, the collaboration between Fullcast and AZ-COM Maruwa aims to ensure swift delivery of essential personnel during emergencies.

Enhancing Disaster Logistics

Utilizing Fullcast's established network for rapid personnel deployment and AZ-COM Maruwa’s robust logistics capabilities, the partnership will tackle urgent challenges like the acute shortage of staff needed for the operation and sorting of relief goods during disaster times, a recurring bottleneck in past crises. By combining their strengths, both companies aspire to strengthen infrastructure support during large-scale disasters, significantly improving response times and efficiency when communities need it most.

AZ-COM Maruwa, through its affiliates, has already anchored vital agreements with various local governments across Japan to facilitate the transportation of relief materials during emergencies. This includes establishing operational bases for logistics, which are crucial during disaster scenarios. Meanwhile, Fullcast has demonstrated a strong track record during crises, providing flexible human resource solutions and logistical support, including during major events like the East Japan Earthquake and the Kumamoto Earthquake.

Key Initiatives in the Agreement

The cooperative framework focuses on four primary initiatives:
1. Conducting training sessions related to logistics during large disasters.
2. Ensuring rapid access to both short-term and long-term human resources through Fullcast’s expansive national network.
3. Launching joint research projects aimed at improving operational efficiencies in disaster relief efforts.
4. Sharing vital information regarding disaster response and employee leadership training.

This comprehensive approach aligns both companies' operational capabilities and prepares them to respond effectively to future disasters, ensuring that resources and personnel can be mobilized promptly.

Comments from the Leaders

Takeshi Hirano, CEO of Fullcast Holdings expressed pride in this collaboration, noting that "partnering with AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings is a significant step forward in our social responsibility to provide essential services during disasters. With our combined resources and experience, we are committed to ensuring rapid and effective support for communities in need." He reiterated Fullcast's dedication to resolving urgent human resource needs during such crises.

Katsumi Wasami, President of AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings, emphasized the critical role logistics and workforce networks play in disaster situations. "Our mission as logistics providers is to deliver necessary resources to those in need, even in challenging circumstances. This partnership will enable us to establish a quick response system and ensure we can support affected areas with speed and precision."

Building a Resilient Future

As both companies embark on this partnership, they recognize the importance of continual coordination to enhance disaster response capabilities across Japan. The goal is to create an adaptive system that can efficiently deliver essential resources to affected regions, driven by proactive and meticulously planned operations.

The cooperative agreement not only aims to enhance immediate disaster response protocols but also invites other organizations to consider similar partnerships in fortifying community support systems against the increasing threat of natural calamities.