The Local Government DX Promotion Council (hereinafter referred to as "the Council") will re-stream the first session of its webinar series "Relationship Population Lab," titled "Beyond Relationship Population: How Migration and U-Turns Happen ~From the Journey of Wakayama City~," on July 8, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, due to the overwhelming positive feedback received from participants.

▶ Click here to apply for the re-streaming of "Relationship Population Lab" #1

*If the above link does not open, please apply via email to the following: Relationship Population Lab Secretariat, Local Government DX Promotion Council E-mail: [email protected]

"Beyond Relationship Population: How Migration and U-Turns Happen ~From the Journey of Wakayama City~"

Background of the Re-streaming

The original session on July 1st was attended by many participants from municipalities, tourism associations, and businesses nationwide. In the post-session survey, approximately 90% responded that it was "very helpful" or "helpful," and many positive comments were received regarding Wakayama City's specific public-private partnership initiatives and the explanations provided by series lecturer Mr. Ito.

On the other hand, many participants who had to leave early due to work or who could not attend on the day requested "to watch it again" or "to see the archive." In response to these requests, we will re-stream the same content on July 8 (Wed).

Participant Feedback (Excerpts from Survey)

*Some responses are published anonymously to protect the identity of the respondents.

- "I learned that relationship population can be fostered even in 'ordinary towns' without tourism resources. I want to share this within my department and consider what we can do."

- "We also face the challenge of maintaining connections with young people who move away and encouraging their return, so this was very helpful."

- "The point that there are various channels for relationship population beyond tourism extensions, and that it's actually easier to build connections through these channels than through tourism extensions, was helpful."

- "I realized that the struggles and challenges faced by the private sector interacting with local governments are exactly the same as ours, hearing the direct voices of municipal officials."

- "Each session increases my understanding of relationship population, making it very informative."

Background of the Event

The phrase "relationship population is important" has become widespread, and many municipalities and companies have begun working to build connections with their regions. However, how to translate these increased connections into "the next step" such as migration or U-turns remains a tentative effort.

In particular, how to maintain relationships with young people who leave their hometowns for education or employment and foster the option of "returning" someday is a common challenge for many regions. #1 focuses on the journey of Wakayama City, which has directly addressed this question. To maintain the connection between young people who leave their hometowns for education or employment and their hometowns, Wakayama City has collaborated with Synergy Marketing Inc. to foster relationship population through "FAVTOWN," a relationship population platform that digitally connects those who have moved away with the region. This seminar will discuss the challenges faced in migration and settlement policies, what has changed on the ground through public-private collaboration, and the significance of collaboration between municipalities and businesses, based on Wakayama City's experience.

Day's Schedule (Finalized)

10:00-10:10 | Opening & GDX Project Introduction Greetings and an introduction to the Council's activities and the purpose of the "Relationship Population Lab" series.

10:10-10:30 | Relationship Population Lab Talk Session Part 1 Series lecturer Mr. Masato Ito will answer and explain questions received in #0 and discuss key points surrounding "relationship population."

10:30-11:20 | Talk Session Part 2 (Wakayama City x Synergy Marketing Inc.) Mr. Ito will facilitate a discussion on Wakayama City's journey in migration, settlement, and relationship population building, as well as their public-private collaboration initiatives through the relationship population platform "FAVTOWN." The session will delve into what has changed on the ground and the significance of collaboration between municipalities and businesses, including Q&A.

11:20 - 11:30 | Ending

Closing remarks.

*The times for each part may vary depending on the progress of the session.

Title

Relationship Population Lab #1 "Beyond Relationship Population: How Migration and U-Turns Happen"

Date and Time

July 8, 2026 (Wed) 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM *Re-broadcast

Format

Online Webinar (using ZOOM)

Target Audience

Municipal employees, company representatives, researchers, students, and others interested in relationship population.

Organizer

Local Government DX Promotion Council (GDX)

Click here to apply for Relationship Population Lab #1

*If the above link does not open, please apply via email to the following: Relationship Population Lab Secretariat, Local Government DX Promotion Council E-mail: [email protected]

▶ Archive Video (#0 "What Exactly is Relationship Population?")

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDiIylI2BKE

【Guest: Wakayama City】

Ryosuke Matsuzaka

Ryosuke Matsuzaka

Chief, City Promotion Division, Wakayama City Hall

Entered Wakayama City Hall in 2006. After working in departments related to welfare and industry, he transferred to the newly established City Promotion Division in fiscal year 2025. He is currently in charge of promoting migration and settlement, including relationship population building, as well as attracting and collaborating with universities.

Yutaro Okamoto

Yutaro Okamoto

Staff, City Promotion Division, Wakayama City Hall

Entered Wakayama City Hall in 2019. After working in the Property Tax Division, he transferred to the predecessor of the current City Promotion Division, the Migration and Settlement Strategy Division, in 2024. He is currently focused on relationship population, building a framework for cross-border learning within Wakayama City, and fostering connections with former residents who have left the city.

【Guest: Synergy Marketing Inc.】

Kazunori Hirate

Kazunori Hirate

Manager, Media Business Department, Synergy Marketing Inc.

Has long supported companies in building sustainable relationships with customers (CRM) as part of their marketing strategies. He applied this expertise to building relationships between former residents and their regions, launching the relationship population platform "FAVTOWN." He is working to create relationship population by maintaining connections with young people who move away, with an eye toward future U-turns.

Series Lecturer: Masato Ito

Masato Ito, Lecturer and Researcher, Global Communication Center, International University of Japan

Lecturer and Researcher, Global Communication Center, International University of Japan

Graduated from the Faculty of Environmental and Tourism Studies, Nagano University, and completed graduate studies at Hitotsubashi University. Has been involved for many years in research and practice related to the movement of people across regions, including regional migration and relationship population, and tourism. He is a leading scholar in the sociological study of young people's mobility choices.

His books include "Regional Migration Promotion Interpreted Through Numbers and Facts," "Mobility and Class," and "A History of Regional Migration Policy in Post-War Japan." In June 2026, "Relationship Population Created by Companies and Regions" (edited, Gakugei Publishing) will be published.

About the Local Government DX Promotion Council

The Local Government DX Promotion Council (GDX) is an incorporated association established in 2023 to support the promotion of DX in local governments through collaboration with private companies. As a hub connecting local governments and companies, it conducts hearings, matching, and information dissemination, publishes the newsletter "Local Government DX Guide," plans and operates seminars for local governments nationwide, and conducts various surveys.

Inquiries Regarding This Release and Seminar

Relationship Population Lab Secretariat, Local Government DX Promotion Council

TEL: 03-6683-0106 E-mail: [email protected]

URL: https://gdx.or.jp/

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