"Michinoku Reconstruction Project Symposium" Held Seeking Hints for Regional Revitalization

Michinoku Reconstruction Project Partners and NPO ETIC. held the 3rd Michinoku Reconstruction Symposium: Exploring Hints for Regional Revitalization from the Tohoku Model at Dentsu Inc. Hall in Shiodome, Tokyo, on March 9. The Partners is a platform where companies collaborate to support the self-sustaining recovery of disaster-affected areas. Currently, seven companies participate: Ajinomoto, Isuzu Motors, Kao, Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance, Toshiba, Benesse Holdings, and Dentsu Inc.

First, Deputy Minister of the Cabinet Office Masaaki Taira delivered a keynote speech titled "Tohoku Recovery from the Perspective of Regional Revitalization." Deputy Minister Taira stated, "Following the implementation of the national growth strategy to break the prolonged economic stagnation, we must urgently formulate regional comprehensive strategies. We hope to see increased industrial productivity and entrepreneurship with an eye toward the Asian region."

Next, in the presentation "New Value Emerging in Tohoku" by recovery leaders, Masayuki Shimada, President of Familia Inc.; Daigo Hashimoto, Representative Director of Ripurasu General Incorporated Association; Eiju Handa, Representative Director of Fukushima Recovery Solar & Agri Experience Exchange General Incorporated Association; and Yosuke Komatsu, Representative Director of Asu Henokiho NPO, took the stage. They introduced case studies related to sixth-sector industrialization, elderly healthcare, next-generation development, and community building. Together with moderator Koji Yamauchi, Director and Business Director at ETIC., they explored the applicability of these initiatives. Shinjiro Koizumi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Cabinet Office and Parliamentary Secretary for Reconstruction, who attended the event, stated, "Tohoku's reconstruction and regional revitalization are interconnected. I urge companies to participate and energize the new initiatives emerging in Tohoku."

Following this, with ETIC. Representative Director Haruo Miyagi as moderator, Shimada, Komatsu, and Shiro Yamazaki, Director-General for Regional Revitalization at the Cabinet Office's Headquarters for Regional Revitalization, held a discussion on the theme "Collaboration between Regional Organizations, Businesses, and Government."