#Japan #Minato, Tokyo #Quon Inc. #C&R Co. #LOCAL JAPAN EXPO

Bridging Local Divides with Online Community Initiatives

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Quon Inc., headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, and C&R Co. have successfully launched the 'LOCAL JAPAN EXPO+' within the AI fan community mall 'JAPAN Co-Creation BASE Rirokaru'. This initiative aims to create an online co-creation community that connects various municipalities and local residents across Japan. It is part of a broader partnership agreement with over 650 local governments represented by the Japan Mayors' Alliance. This exciting development offers an innovative solution to pressing regional issues while fostering an environment of collaboration.

Background and Objectives

Japan's rural regions face various challenges, such as declining populations, an aging society, and stagnant local economies. Amidst these struggles, the 'Resolution of LOCAL JAPAN' exhibition showcased at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo served as a catalyst for cross-municipality cooperation, highlighting the potential for new partnerships. 'LOCAL JAPAN EXPO+' was established as a sustainable online platform to channel this energy into a legacy of co-creation for the future of local communities. Moreover, it encourages the integration of not only municipal representatives but also businesses and residents, thus nurturing “relationship populations” who feel attached to the regions, prompting them to engage through visits and purchases.

Through this permanent online community, municipal employees, regional companies, and residents can transcend geographical constraints to facilitate collaborative dialogues. The goal is to initiate simultaneous grassroots movements across various regions, paving the way for interconnected challenges and opportunities to emerge.

Overview of 'LOCAL JAPAN EXPO+'

This co-creation community aims to address regional challenges that municipalities often find difficult to tackle independently. It facilitates continuous learning and cooperation, creating a reusable 'co-creation knowledge database' that ensures valuable insights are not lost, but rather utilized by municipalities and businesses for ongoing reference.

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Achievements of 'LOCAL JAPAN EXPO+'

• - Continuing the Legacy of the Expo: The community retains the positively charged environment generated during the expo.
• - Accessibility for Learning and Collaboration: Participants can connect and collaborate online without geographical limitations.
• - Incorporating Real User Feedback: The platform allows for incorporating genuine feedback from residents, enhancing problem-solving.

Features of the Platform

• - A Tri-Party Co-Creation Hub: Connecting municipalities, residents, and businesses for meaningful collaboration.
• - AI-Powered Insights: Utilizing AI to visualize community feedback, enabling informed decision-making.
• - Secure Community Environment: Designed for comfort and safety, leveraging AI moderation and participant ID management to maintain community integrity.

Usage Benefits

Member municipalities of the Japan Mayors' Alliance can access various benefits:

• - Free trial period for community setup, operation, and data analysis.
• - Regular members are granted free access until March 2027.
• - Supporting members enjoy three months of free access (followed by an annual fee of ¥450,000).
• - General participants can register and use the platform for free.

Participating Municipalities (as of January 26, 2023)

• - Matsubara City
• - Takaishi City
• - Hirakata City

Endorsement

This initiative is supported by the Japan Mayors' Alliance (formerly the Expo Mayors Alliance).

Operations

'LOCAL JAPAN EXPO+' is managed by C&R Co. and Quon Inc.

For more information: LOCAL JAPAN EXPO+

Moving Forward

Looking ahead, 'LOCAL JAPAN EXPO+' plans to expand by:

• - Opening additional municipal communities.
• - Launching cross-thematic online events and calls for projects.
• - Hosting campaigns involving residents.
• - Providing AI reports (insight analysis).
• - Organizing nationwide online forums to tie municipalities together.

By integrating C&R's extensive professional network with Quon's expertise in AI technology and community management, we aim to cultivate an environment where municipalities, businesses, and residents can collaboratively envision and embark on a brighter future together. 'LOCAL JAPAN EXPO+' is designed to be a platform where the possibilities of local communities interconnect, fostering ongoing challenges and opportunities, thereby robustly promoting regional collaboration and enhancing local appeal. It underlines the power of interconnectedness, shifting the perspective that the future of a region depends solely on individual municipalities. Together, we will expand this concept nationwide and innovate community development in Japan!