Population decline, labor shortages, shrinking communities—

While regional revitalization initiatives are underway across Japan, many local governments face challenges such as 'failing to cultivate local leaders despite public-private collaboration' and 'initiatives led solely by administrations being unsustainable.'

What is now needed in community development is 'privately-led regional revitalization'—where private players and relational populations from within and outside the region take the lead in driving change, building upon public-private collaboration as a foundation.

100DIVE Inc. (headquartered in Toshima-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yashihiko Shoji) will host the 'Community-Building Summit 2026' on Friday, September 4, 2026, in Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture, and online.

Centered on the theme of 'democratizing regional revitalization,' the event will bring together perspectives from local governments, the private sector, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to share cutting-edge initiatives from across Japan, including relational population development, local business creation, and creative reconstruction in the Noto Peninsula.

This is a practice-oriented summit designed for municipal officials, community development organizations, private enterprises, and all stakeholders interested in shaping the future of regional development.

For details and registration: https://summit-20260904.peatix.com

Background

Despite nationwide efforts toward regional revitalization, challenges such as population decline and labor shortages persist in many regions.

In this context, recent attention has focused on initiatives where private actors—both local and external—take the lead in sustainable community development while collaborating with local governments.

Rather than relying solely on administrative solutions, diverse stakeholders—including residents, private companies, and relational populations—are taking initiative to create new value for their communities.

This summit will share practical examples of this 'democratization of regional revitalization' and discuss the future of community development.

Key Highlights of the Event

① Leaders from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, local governments, and regional revitalization pioneers discuss the 'next phase' beyond public-private collaboration

In Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture—a frontline region in regional revitalization—innovative, privately-led community development initiatives have emerged on the foundation of public-private collaboration.

A prime example is 'kadoya,' a multipurpose facility that soft-launched on June 15 this year.

Formerly a beloved local inn, it has been renovated into a 'village lobby' featuring a café and micro-hotel.

At this summit, held in Kosuge Village, we welcome Ms. Kaeko Nakano, Deputy Director of the Regional Policy Division, Regional Capacity Creation Group, Ministry of Internal Affairs; Ms. Naomi Funaki, Village Mayor of Kosuge; and Mr. Shunpei Shimada, CEO of Satoyume Inc., a leading regional producer active nationwide. They will participate in a panel discussion on 'privately-led regional revitalization,' sharing real-world insights into community development driven by private actors.

② Learning from the frontlines of Noto: The reality of 'creative reconstruction'

While recovery and reconstruction continue in the Noto region after the earthquake, a new form of community development—'creative reconstruction'—is emerging, focused not on returning to the past but on building a future-oriented society.

This session features Mr. Kiyotaka Miyata, Advisor to the Wajima Onsen Creative Reconstruction Town Development Promotion Council; Mr. Katsunori Ogawa, former Head of the Noto Town Homeland Revitalization Division and now an active local leader; and Ms. Keiko Hashimoto, Director of the Nanao City Furusato Tax Promotion Office, who is advancing relational population creation.

From administrative, private, and local perspectives, they will share practical cases of creating new value, industries, and relational populations by engaging people from within and outside the region, discussing the future of reconstruction.

Recommended for

- Local governments promoting regional revitalization and public-private collaboration

- Municipalities interested in local business creation

- Community development organizations and companies tackling regional challenges

- Anyone interested in regional revitalization

Event Overview

・Event Name

Community-Building Summit 2026

・Date and Time

Friday, September 4, 2026

[Part 1] 11:30– On-site tour in Kosuge Village (for in-person attendees only)

[Part 2] 14:00–17:30 Panel Discussion (available online and in person)

・Venue

Hybrid: Online and in-person

Venue: Kosuge Village Central Community Center, Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture

・Capacity

30 in-person attendees

Online participation available

・Participation Fee

Free

* Travel expenses to the venue are at the attendee's own cost.

For details and registration: https://summit-20260904.peatix.com

Company Information

Company Name: 100DIVE Inc.

Established: October 1, 2021

CEO: Yashihiko Shoji

Head Office: 6F, Minami-Otsuka T&T Building, 3-36-7 Minami-Otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

Website: https://100dive.co.jp/

Business Activities:

- Planning and operation of co-creation projects for regional challenges involving relational populations

- Provision of management resources to local governments, NPOs, and human resource development organizations

- Investment in and support for local governments, NPOs, and human resource development organizations

- Planning, design, management, operation, and consulting for regional problem-solving

- Planning, design, management, operation, and consulting for human resource development

- Provision of workation (working while staying in local areas) opportunities and operation of related facilities

- Business initiatives contributing to the healthy development of local communities

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event