[Participants Wanted] Regional E-Commerce Research Institute Seminar #2: "What Kind of E-Commerce Support Are Local Businesses Demanding from Municipal Governments Now?" June 21

Dentsu Inc.s problem-solving marketing information site, Do! Solutions, is recruiting participants for its webinar "What Local Businesses Need from Municipalities Regarding E-Commerce Support" to be held on June 21.

While consumer interest in regional specialty products is growing, few local governments and businesses are effectively utilizing e-commerce as a sales channel for these products. To capture consumer demand and revitalize regional economies, expanding sales channels beyond traditional offline methods to include e-commerce is crucial.

The "EC Research Institute for Local Communities, " established as an accessible consultation point for local governments and businesses, shares case studies of e-commerce adoption by municipalities and provides insights into consumer trends. It held its first seminar, "The Potential of E-Commerce in Revitalizing Local Economies," in February.

This second seminar targets local government officials exploring EC sales channel expansion for regional specialties and business support measures. It features EC consultants with nationwide experience supporting businesses and operators of prefectural official online shops to discuss the EC support measures regional businesses require.

EC Research Institute for Regional Development Seminar #2
What EC Support Do Local Businesses Need from Municipalities Now?

[Overview]
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 21, 14:00–15:30
Cost: Free
Format: Zoom Webinar
Registration Deadline: Thursday, June 16, 17:30
Capacity: 500 participants

■Register and view seminar details here

【Program】

Part 1
Learning from Nationwide EC Support Case Studies: Challenges and Paths to Success for Regional EC
Tetsuo Tachikawa, Executive Officer, DX Strategy Group, Itsumo
Explains challenges faced by regional businesses pursuing e-commerce and the support measures required from local governments, based on actual support cases for e-commerce businesses nationwide.

Part 2
Key Points for Selling Local Products Online: Insights from Operating a Prefecture's Official Online Shop
Koshi Kosaka, President & CEO, Oki Cosmetics (Operator of "Oita Prefecture Official · Oita Hot Springs Prefecture Online Shop")
Explains key points for operating an EC shop as a prefecture's official antenna shop and the reality of collaboration between municipalities and contracted operators.

【Speaker Profile】

Tetsuo TATSUKAWA, Executive Officer, DX Strategy Group,

For approximately 12 years, he has supported companies aiming to enter or expand their e-commerce businesses by developing strategies and establishing operational frameworks. He also serves as an instructor for e-commerce training sessions targeting manufacturers and regional e-commerce operators. His authored books include "Gentle Guidance for E-Commerce Managers: Knowledge and Practical Skills," "E-Commerce Strategy Navigator," and "Textbook for Becoming a Professional E-Commerce Manager."

President & CEO, Oki Cosmetics
Etsushi Kosaka
At Oki Cosmetics, founded in the cosmetics wholesale business, he launched the cosmetics mail-order site "Cosme Box" in 2004, entering the e-commerce business. The site has won the Rakuten Market Shop of the Year award three times.
In 2017, he signed a contract with Oita Prefecture to manage and operate its online store for local products. Currently, the "Official Oita Prefecture Online Shop: Oita Onsen Prefecture" operates on Rakuten Ichiba, PayPay Mall within Yahoo! Shopping, and Amazon Marketplace. Sales are expanding due to the high appeal of Oita Prefecture products combined with the synergistic effect of stay-at-home demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Director, E-Commerce Research Institute for Regional Development / Chief Solution Director, Dentsu Inc.
Junichi Kanno
Extensive experience overseeing projects for local governments and public agencies, including serving as the main planner for online sales of prefectural products for both Fukushima Prefectural Government (FY2017–present) and Oita Prefectural Government (FY2020, FY2021), and as the activation part leader for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' COVID-19 countermeasure project (#Genki Itadakimasu Project) in FY2020.
Beyond local government projects, he primarily handles collaborations between consumer goods manufacturers, food manufacturers, and distribution companies (including e-commerce), point operators, and digital payment providers, as well as new business development projects for clients.