Six groups from disaster-affected areas held a "Business Improvement Retreat."

On July 19 and 20, Michinoku Reconstruction Project Partners, with NPO Ethic serving as its secretariat, held a "Business Brush-Up Retreat" program in Onagawa Town, Miyagi Prefecture, targeting businesses and organizations in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Six groups and corporate CSR personnel participated. Approximately 40 people refined their business visions and strategies for the self-sustaining recovery of the disaster-affected areas, guided and advised by experts with extensive practical experience.

As the fifth year since the disaster approaches, creating jobs, services supporting daily life, and community building are essential for the region's self-sustaining recovery. This fiscal year, Michinoku Reconstruction Business Partners is focusing its support on organizations aiming to grow into pillars supporting their communities, offering a year-long program.

As part of this effort, the recent retreat allowed participating organizations to engage in intensive two-day mentoring sessions with experts, discussing the current status and challenges of their projects.

Motoki Sugaya of the participating NPO Koriyama Pep Child-Rearing Network stated, "We were able to reaffirm our strengths and take stock of our projects, clarifying necessary future actions and priorities."

Furthermore, Haruo Miyagi, Representative Director of Etic., stated, "The participating organizations hold the potential to shape the future of our local communities. There is great significance in companies continuously providing them with opportunities to foster their growth."

Michinoku Reconstruction Business Partners is a consortium initiated by Etic where companies collaborate to support local businesses and organizations engaged in reconstruction efforts. Currently, seven companies participate: Isuzu Motors, Kao, JCB, Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance, Toshiba, Benesse Holdings, and Dentsu Inc.