‘Soso Henai 12bu’: Club-Style Community Based on Personal Interests Launches Across 12 Municipalities in Fukushima

Under the 'Community Creation Project for Self-Sustaining Exploration Frontiers Through Hobbies' organized by the Fukushima Soso Reconstruction Promotion Foundation, Circle Change Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo Ward, Tokyo; CEO: Nobuto Takano, hereinafter 'Circle Change') has launched the planning and operation of 'Soso Henai 12bu (Soso Henai Twelve),' a club-style community that begins with individuals' 'likes' and intellectual curiosity to cultivate ongoing engagement with local communities across 12 municipalities in Fukushima. Applications for members are now open starting July 10 (Friday). The name 'Soso Henai 12bu' reflects the fact that activities are based in the 12 municipalities of Fukushima, with activities launching this fiscal year around three core themes.

In this club activity, participants from both within and outside the region will engage continuously as equal 'members,' building connections through shared experiences and interactions. This year, each of the three clubs will recruit 10 members from within the 12 Fukushima municipalities and 10 from outside Fukushima Prefecture (mainly the Greater Tokyo Area), aiming to create a new relational population community of approximately 60 members under the 'Soso Henai 12bu' umbrella.

Background and Objectives of the Project

In the 12 municipalities of Fukushima, various initiatives have been underway to increase visitor and relational populations as part of recovery efforts following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear disaster. However, there is a growing need to go beyond simply 'visiting' the region and instead build mechanisms that foster ongoing engagement and deepen relationships with local communities.

This project leverages the rich natural environment and cultural heritage of the 12 municipalities in Fukushima, using interests in food, lifestyle, and other areas as entry points to explore common themes and build lasting regional connections. Additionally, by enabling participants to bring their regional experiences back into their daily lives, the project aims to transform the image of the 12 municipalities from 'problem-affected areas' to 'frontiers of exploration.'

Three Key Features of 'Soso Henai 12bu'

① Three clubs where people from inside and outside the region collaborate, starting from shared 'likes'

This year, three new clubs—'Living Things Exploration Club,' 'Home Cooking Club,' and 'Lifestyle Craft Club'—will be established, focusing on nature, food, and daily life to engage with the unique charms of the 12 municipalities in Fukushima. By sharing their personal passions and deep interests, members will build activities together, leading to new encounters and discoveries.

② Digital clubrooms and regional activity hubs

Each club will establish a 'Digital Clubroom' using LINE Open Chat. This will support information sharing and daily communication, creating an environment where members can easily stay connected even outside of fieldwork activities.

Additionally, 'Minna no Kominca' in Naraha Town, Fukushima Prefecture, and the community space 'sponge' in Shibuya, Tokyo, will serve as physical activity hubs. The program will include two annual two-day fieldwork trips within the 12 municipalities and joint practice sessions in Tokyo, enabling continuous club activities throughout the year.

③ Dual support system with local navigators and expert advisors

For each club, individuals and organizations active in the 12 municipalities of Fukushima, aligned with each theme, will be selected as 'Local Navigators' to lead fieldwork that incorporates local perspectives and knowledge. Additionally, experts with specialized knowledge and extensive experience in each field will be invited as 'Advisors' to provide learning opportunities that deepen members' intellectual curiosity.

Through this two-layered support system—leveraging both local navigators and expert advisors—the program will support each member's personal exploration by combining on-the-ground practice with specialized expertise.

Future Developments

'Soso Henai 12bu' is designed not to conclude within a single fiscal year. In subsequent years, existing members will take central roles in supporting new members, aiming to create a self-sustaining community where participants' personal passions and intellectual curiosity continue to grow organically. In addition to the three clubs launched this year, the project will explore expanding the community by establishing new clubs based on additional themes.

【Applications and Inquiries】

Soso Henai 12bu Secretariat (Circle Change Inc.)

Email: [email protected]

Website and Application Form: https://soso-henai12.com/