Archived Video Released: Kankei Jinko Lab #1 'Beyond Relationship Population – How Migration and U-Turns Are Created' Featuring Wakayama City and Synergy Marketing Now Free on YouTube

The General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion (hereinafter 'the Association') has released on YouTube the archived video of its webinar series 'Kankei Jinko Lab' #1, 'Beyond Relationship Population – How Migration and U-Turns Are Created – Learning from Wakayama City’s Journey' (Guests: Wakayama City, Synergy Marketing Co., Ltd.), held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Additionally, those who complete a post-viewing survey will receive the presentation materials used during the session.

▶ Watch the archived video (#1) here

Kankei Jinko Lab #1: 'Beyond Relationship Population – How Migration and U-Turns Are Created'

▶ Post-viewing survey (to request presentation materials) here

Background of the Release

The webinar held on July 1 attracted many participants from municipalities, tourism associations, and businesses across Japan. While approximately 90% of respondents in the post-event survey answered 'very helpful' or 'helpful,' many also expressed that they 'could only watch partway due to work commitments,' 'wanted to rewatch via archive,' or 'wanted the materials.'

In response to these requests, the full session has now been published on YouTube as an on-demand archive.

Receive Presentation Materials by Completing the Post-Viewing Survey

Those who watch the archive and complete the survey will receive the presentation materials via email. Please use these materials to share insights on relationship population strategies and the public-private collaboration between Wakayama City and Synergy Marketing within your organization.

Participant Feedback (from survey, excerpts)

- 'I learned that relationship populations can be created even in ordinary towns without major tourist attractions. I’ll share this within my department and consider actionable steps.'

- 'We also face the challenge of maintaining connections with youth who move away and encouraging their return. This was extremely helpful.'

- 'It was insightful to hear that relationship-building channels go beyond tourism—and that non-tourism channels may actually foster stronger connections.'

- 'I clearly understood that the real voices of municipal staff and the challenges faced by private-sector partners working with administrations are exactly the same as those in our own company.'

- 'Each session increases my understanding of relationship population, and I find them highly valuable.'

Background of the Event

The idea that 'relationship population is important' has spread widely, prompting many municipalities and companies to work on building regional connections. However, how to turn these connections into the 'next step'—such as migration or U-turns—remains largely uncharted territory.

In particular, maintaining relationships with young people who leave their hometowns for education or employment, and nurturing the idea of return, is a common challenge across many regions.

Session #1 focused on Wakayama City’s journey in directly addressing this challenge. To maintain ties between youth leaving for education or work and their hometowns, Wakayama City partnered with Synergy Marketing Co., Ltd. to develop 'FAVTOWN,' a digital relationship population platform connecting outbound residents with their local communities.

During this seminar, speakers shared Wakayama City’s experiences—challenges in migration and settlement policies, on-the-ground changes brought by public-private collaboration, and the significance of partnerships between municipalities and private enterprises.

▶ Post-viewing survey (to request presentation materials) here

▶ Archived video (#0 'What Exactly Is Relationship Population?') also available

Archived video (#0 'What Exactly Is Relationship Population?') also available

About the General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion

The General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion (GDX) was established in 2023 as a nonprofit organization to support digital transformation (DX) in local governments through collaboration with private companies. Acting as a hub between municipalities and businesses, GDX conducts outreach, matchmaking, and information dissemination. It publishes the newsletter 'Municipal DX Guide,' plans and operates seminars for municipalities nationwide, and conducts various surveys on current conditions.

Inquiries Regarding This Release and 'Kankei Jinko Lab'

Kankei Jinko Lab Secretariat General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion

TEL: 03-6683-0106　Email: [email protected]

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