#Japan #C&R Group #Matsubara #C.R.E.S. #Matsubara City

Matsubara City: A Beacon of Regional Revitalization

Matsubara City, located in Osaka Prefecture, is taking proactive steps to revitalize its local economy by leveraging the legacy of the upcoming 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. This initiative is managed by C.R.E.S. (C&R Everlasting Story), a company from the C&R Group that specializes in investment and business succession support. The project is officially titled the "Matsubara City Regional Vitalization Project," aiming to create innovative local products in collaboration with various municipalities and share their knowledge and creativity across regions.

Objectives of the Matsubara City Regional Vitalization Project

The project seeks to develop unique fusion dishes that combine the specialties of Matsubara City with those from member municipalities of the Japan Mayors’ Alliance, including Niigata's Murakami City, Wakayama's Arida City, Yamaguchi's Nagato City, and Saga's Taku City, among others. An important target is to transform these culinary creations into return gifts for the hometown tax donation program, which promotes regional products. By connecting products from multiple municipalities, the project aims to enhance promotional efforts and information dissemination that would otherwise be challenging for a single municipality. Through this collaborative approach, similar to that undertaken during the Expo, Matsubara City aims to effectively cultivate its regional resources and stimulate local development.

The Role of C&R Group

The C&R Group has a proven track record in executing a variety of governmental projects related to regional revitalization, such as the "Metaverse-based Tourism Promotion Project" in Gunma's Tatebayashi City and "Intellectual Property Support for Beginners" in Aomori. For the Matsubara Project, the group will pool its expertise alongside C.R.E.S. The initiative will also involve Chef’s Value and Connect Around, two other companies under the C&R umbrella, each contributing their strengths to the project.

Chef’s Value connects chefs directly with consumers to provide exceptional culinary experiences while also offering career support, independence training, and event planning for culinary professionals. On the other hand, Connect Around engages in agricultural technology businesses and other sectors in Kanagawa's Kawasaki City and Fukushima's Okuma Town. Utilizing Chef's Value's chefs and Connect Around's agricultural processing capabilities, the project aims to create high-quality products utilizing Matsubara's local specialties.

Online Co-Creation Platform

To facilitate co-creation, the project will employ "JAPAN Co-Creation BASE Rirocal," an online community platform operated by Creek & River Co., Ltd., the backbone of the C&R Group. By sharing products from the various municipalities participating in the Japan Mayors’ Alliance within this online community, information will seamlessly flow between communities, leading to further innovative co-creation opportunities.

What is Rirocal?

"Rirocal—Re:Local" encompasses local online communities across eight regions of Japan, providing connections to local businesses and municipalities. As of June 2026, the platform boasts over 110,000 participants, and anyone can join for free, exploring their favorite regions while engaging with local enterprises. Local organizations can set up small communities for a nominal monthly fee, utilizing a dedicated AI engine for optimal interaction with residents.

Meaning Behind the Name Rirocal

The term "Rirocal" encapsulates the essence of reconnecting with localities, rediscovering their charm, and creating new values together. This initiative aims to foster a fresh take on regional development, ensuring vibrant connections among communities while laying the foundation for the creative local transformations of tomorrow.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding the Matsubara City Regional Vitalization Project, please contact:

• - C&R Everlasting Story
• - Email: [email protected]

Company Profiles

C&R Everlasting Story: Located in Minato City, Tokyo, specializes in business succession, investment, M&A advisory, and consulting services. Website

Chef's Value: Aimed at enhancing chefs' lifelong value and supporting their careers through various initiatives including a startup restaurant and a chef academy. Website

Connect Around: Focuses on integrating agritech and professional ideas to create innovative agricultural businesses while promoting regional employment. Website

This collaborative effort aligns with the vision of creating sustainable, vibrant communities that cherish local heritage while embracing futuristic innovations.