Investing Experience and Wisdom in Amagasaki’s Future: The 'Amanushi Project' Launches

Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture (Mayor: Shin Matsumoto), a member of the Open Innovation Core Amagasaki (OIC), will launch the 'Amanushi Project' in June 2026 at its open innovation hub 'ARKade.' The project aims to bring together businesses in Amagasaki to co-create the region's future through dialogue. In line with this, the city has begun accepting applications for 'Amanushi' partners—companies that will proactively participate and invest their own experience and knowledge back into the region.

Background of the Project Amagasaki, having developed as a manufacturing city, has seen many companies play vital roles as suppliers. However, amidst major structural changes in society, there is an urgent need to address fundamental questions: "Where, with whom, and what kind of value should we create?" This project aims to visualize and re-edit the region’s intangible assets—knowledge, technology, relationships, and pride—by tackling questions like "What does it mean to do business in Amagasaki?" and "What kind of future do we want to build in this city?" through dialogue across company boundaries.

What is 'Amanushi': An Investor in the Future The project names participants 'Amanushi' (likening them to shareholders) to emphasize that they are not mere 'users,' but colleagues investing their assets into the future of the region. 'Amanushi' partners will contribute intangible assets—experience, knowledge, technology, networks, and stories of challenge (including failures)—to the region through dialogue. The accumulation of these dialogues aims to generate new collaborations and technological dissemination, ultimately leading to new regional value.

Program Details (Fiscal 2026 Schedule) - Amanushi Networking Sessions (Dialogue sessions): Held once a month (First: June 9, Second: July 13, Third: August 20) - Reciprocal Company Visits: Conducted as needed - Amanushi General Meeting: A成果 report meeting planned for around March 2027

Application Overview - Entry Period: May 11 (Mon) – May 29 (Fri), 2026 - Target: SMEs with headquarters or offices in Amagasaki City that are currently pursuing or willing to pursue new business or organizational reforms. - Main Requirements: Not fixated on short-term results; willing to share both success stories and failures; open to forming questions from the discussions of others. - Benefits of Participation: Building relationships with like-minded business leaders and successors, reassessing corporate values, and opportunities to influence policy.

Inquiries For details and applications, please visit the Amanushi Project page. Amagasaki City, Economic and Environmental Bureau, Economic Department, Innovation Promotion Division Email: [email protected]