Social Welfare Corporation Yukyukai (headquartered in Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture; President: Hideaki Nagayo) will host the talk event 'Local Startup Shimabara Vol.2' on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 'Cafe Garden on the Hill' in Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture. In addition to in-person attendance, the event will be live-streamed via Zoom, allowing free participation from across Japan.

What is universal tourism? What does barrier-free travel entail? Can combining welfare and tourism make local communities more vibrant? In response to such questions and interests, a current student entrepreneur and the president of a social welfare corporation will share their experiences and visions.

Event Overview

The guest speaker is Hayato Suzuki, CEO of Flatcare Co., Ltd., a company providing barrier-free travel support services.

A current university student entrepreneur who, after experiencing over 100 in-home care sites and studying abroad, founded his company to realize a society where everyone can enjoy travel.

The dialogue partner is Hideaki Nagayo, President of Social Welfare Corporation Yukyukai, an organization creating new value in the local community through lodging, dining, and tourism. The two will discuss 'universal tourism,' 'barrier-free travel,' 'welfare × tourism,' 'regional revitalization,' and 'new challenges in rural areas' through their respective practical experiences.

Key Highlights of the Event

- The Reality of a Student Entrepreneur Turning 'Can't Go' into 'Can Go'

Hayato Suzuki, who started his venture while still in university, will share why he chose to enter the field of barrier-free travel. He will speak about the challenges he faced as a student, his journey to entrepreneurship, and his vision for a society where no one has to give up on traveling.

- Why a Social Welfare Corporation Is Venturing into Tourism

A social welfare corporation operating accommodations and restaurants—Yukyukai is pursuing regional development beyond the scope of traditional welfare. Based on real initiatives such as the lodging facility 'GreenWell Wakana,' Cafe Garden on the Hill, and restaurant jaillir, the event will introduce the new possibilities that welfare and tourism can bring to local communities.

- Rethinking 'Universal Tourism' Using the Venue Itself as a Case Study

Cafe Garden on the Hill, the event venue, still faces accessibility challenges such as steps and a gravel parking lot. Rather than hiding these issues, this event will be a hands-on session where participants and speakers together consider how to make the space accessible to everyone.

- Community Building That Goes Beyond Talk

During the cross-talk session, participants will discuss questions such as 'How can we make Shimabara a more accessible town to visit?', 'Can welfare and tourism become a new local industry?', and 'What can we implement starting tomorrow?'. Ideas generated during the event will be reflected in actual improvements at Cafe Garden on the Hill, contributing to ongoing community development.

Recommended For

- Those interested in universal tourism - Individuals who want travel and tourism to be enjoyable for everyone - Those seeking to learn about new regional development combining welfare and tourism - Students and young people interested in entrepreneurship or social entrepreneurship - Individuals aiming to create new jobs or businesses in local communities - Those interested in working in regional revitalization or community activation - Those wanting to learn about barrier-free travel and accessibility - Students and young people who want to hear real stories from fellow student entrepreneurs

Event Details

- Event Name: Local Startup Shimabara Vol.2 - Date and Time: Friday, August 7, 2026. Registration from 17:30, Main Program 18:00–19:40, Networking Session 19:50–21:15 (optional) - Venue: Cafe Garden on the Hill (1580-Ko, Uwafunehashimachi, Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture) - Participation Fee: Main Program: Free / Networking Session: General 3,000 JPY, Students 1,000 JPY - Capacity: 100 online participants / 25 in-person participants - Registration: https://forms.gle/1ARnZ3m7nRabGad56

Program

- 18:00: Opening - 18:05: Presentation ① Hayato Suzuki (40 min) 'Turning "Can't Go" into "Can Go"—The Huge Market of Wheelchair Travel Discovered by a Student Entrepreneur' - 18:45: Presentation ② Hideaki Nagayo (15 min) 'A Social Welfare Corporation Runs a Hotel. Runs a Restaurant.—Transforming "A Place for Everyone to Stay" into Regional Value' - 19:00: Break (5 min) - 19:05: Cross-Talk (20 min) 'How Can We Make Shimabara a Town You Can "Drop In" On?' - 19:25: Q&A Session (10 min) - 19:35: Closing (Summary and Group Photo) - 19:40: End of Main Program - 19:50–21:15: Networking Session

Speaker Profiles

### Hayato Suzuki

- CEO, Flatcare Co., Ltd. / 4th Year, Faculty of Business, Hosei University - After observing over 100 in-home care sites and developing an interest in differences between Japan and overseas, he studied in Denmark through the 'Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN' program. Upon returning, he founded Flatcare Co., Ltd. to deliver barrier-free travel services and realize a society where everyone can enjoy travel. - Flatcare Website: https://flatcare.jp/

### Hideaki Nagayo

- President, Social Welfare Corporation Yukyukai - Focusing on 'welfare × community development,' he has expanded welfare expertise into local businesses, including food services (Shimabara Musubisu, Restaurant jaillir), full-building rental accommodations (GreenWell Wakana), and participation in the Volcano Tourism Council. - Domestic Travel Business Manager - Yukyukai Website: https://yukyukai.or.jp/ - X (Twitter): @nagayo_hide26 - note: https://note.com/hideaki_nagayo - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aki.naga55

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event