Amakusa City's 'Digital Art Island Creation Project,' Supported by ORENDA WORLD, Contributes to Cabinet Office's Regional Revitalization 'Shin-Ketsugo' Case Study

The 'Digital Art Island Creation Project,' promoted by the General Incorporated Association Digital Art Amakusa (hereinafter 'Digital Art Amakusa')—co-founded by ORENDA WORLD Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yoji Shibuya; hereinafter 'ORENDA WORLD') and Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture—has contributed to a case study conducted by the Cabinet Office as part of its 'Shin-Ketsugo' (New Combination) regional revitalization initiative, aimed at expanding successful models nationwide.

This survey focuses on initiatives that create new added value for local communities by combining different fields, such as policies, human resources, and technologies previously absent from the region, under the 'New Combination' framework outlined in the 'Comprehensive Strategy for Regional Revitalization.'

Accordingly, the 'Hearing Report (Interim Summary),' compiled based on interviews conducted by Azusa Audit Corporation (May 18–19), commissioned by the Cabinet Office, has been published on the Cabinet Office's official website.

Cabinet Office page (Document 4): https://www.chisou.go.jp/sousei/keizai.html

Direct PDF link: https://www.chisou.go.jp/sousei/pdf/shinnketsugo-hiarinngu.pdf

Key Features of the Project (Highly Evaluated 'New Combination' Aspects)

Integration of Industries (Tradition × Advanced Technology)

A strategic approach that combines Amakusa City’s rich traditional local resources—such as primary industries and tourism—with digital art (3DCG) technology to implement new industries within the region.

Integration of Human Resources and Technology (Rural × IT Talent Development)

A public-private-academia collaboration framework that transfers cutting-edge creative techniques from urban centers to Amakusa, fostering the development of young local digital talent.

Creation of Added Value (Sustainable Economic Circulation)

Beyond hosting one-off events, the project promotes the establishment of new employment domains within the region and increases 'related population,' driving the construction of a sustainable local economy.

Background and Past Initiatives

ORENDA WORLD, following its corporate entry into Amakusa City in February 2023 (Reiwa 5), co-established 'Digital Art Amakusa' with the city in July of the same year. The association, led by CEO Yoji Shibuya as Representative Director, aims to localize digital content industries—such as gaming, animation, and video—by addressing regional challenges like youth outmigration.

To date, the project has implemented technical training by active creators at Amakusa Technical High School and launched initiatives to attract creators by branding the entire island as a 'studio dedicated to creative production.' These pioneering efforts under the 'New Combination' concept led to the invitation to participate in the Cabinet Office’s case study.

Comment from Yoji Shibuya, CEO of ORENDA WORLD Inc. (Representative Director of Digital Art Amakusa)

'We are deeply honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the Cabinet Office’s case study on 'Shin-Ketsugo' as an example of our collaborative journey with the people of Amakusa City through the 'Digital Art Island Creation Project.'

Our goal is not to host temporary digital events, but to use technology to build a foundation for new industries in rural areas and create an environment where young people can pursue their ambitions locally. We firmly believe that the 'combination of different fields and technologies'—the very essence of 'Shin-Ketsugo'—is the key to advancing regional revitalization to the next stage.

We will continue to strengthen the self-sustaining structure that generates industries and employment from rural areas and strive even harder to expand this successful model of digital art-driven regional revitalization from Amakusa to the entire nation.'

Future Outlook

Building on this collaboration and the publication of the hearing report, we will further strengthen partnerships with the Cabinet Office and relevant government agencies, accelerating digital talent development in Amakusa City and expanding content creation leveraging digital art. We aim to further advance the 'Shin-Ketsugo'-based regional revitalization model, building an ecosystem where digital content continuously emerges from Amakusa for global audiences, contributing to the revitalization of regions across Japan.