Session Event: Discovering the Reality of Regional Co-Creation

speaker

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  Rakuten Group, Inc. Rakuten University President　

  Shinya Nakayama

  Joined Rakuten during its founding period (20 employees). Established "Rakuten University" and spearheaded the cultivation of a merchant community.
  Became Rakuten's only fellow-style full-time employee (with flexible work hours and side jobs permitted), founded Nakayama Kousai, providing materials for contemplation.
  Mission: Increase the number of adults children admire—those who are passionate about their work. Motto: "Work as if it were play." Author of numerous books, including "The Rules for Teams to Achieve a Major Victory with Their Current Members."
  Joined Rakuten during its founding period (20 employees). Established "Rakuten University" and spearheaded the cultivation of a merchant community.
  Became Rakuten's only fellow-style full-time employee (with flexible work hours and side jobs permitted), founded Nakayama Kousai, providing materials for contemplation.
  Mission: Increase the number of adults children admire—those who are passionate about their work. Motto: "Work as if it were play." Author of numerous books, including "The Rules for Teams to Achieve a Major Victory with Their Current Members."

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  Yasui Architectural Design Office Co., Ltd. Executive Officer / Head of Business Division

  Yasuhiko Kumagai

  Graduated from Waseda University Graduate School in 1995. Joined Yasui Architects & Associates the same year, where he worked for 30 years. Engaged in architectural design for 29 years, serving as Design Department Manager, International Department Manager, and Management Business Department Manager.Possesses experience in design and construction management (CM) for domestic and international hotel projects, offices, large-scale developments, community facilities, transportation facilities, and more. Currently serves as an Executive Officer responsible for Management Business (including CM operations) and New Business Development. Pursues new possibilities in fields such as building operation, energy and environmental management, and business planning—areas aligned with the "era of utilization" and "community development" as a forward-thinking architectural firm.
  Graduated from Waseda University Graduate School in 1995. Joined Yasui Architects & Associates the same year, where he worked for 30 years. Engaged in architectural design for 29 years, serving as Design Department Manager, International Department Manager, and Management Business Department Manager.Possesses experience in design and construction management (CM) for domestic and international hotel projects, offices, large-scale developments, community facilities, transportation facilities, and more. Currently serves as an Executive Officer responsible for Management Business (including CM operations) and New Business Development. Pursues new possibilities in fields such as building operation, energy and environmental management, and business planning—areas aligned with the "era of utilization" and "community development" as a forward-thinking architectural firm.

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  Ingen Co., Ltd. Representative Director

  Sakurai Kyoko

  After graduating from Chiba University's Faculty of Horticulture, he became aware of the structural issue that Japanese agriculture "doesn't make money even when you produce" and started his own business. As a soil doctor, he travels to production areas nationwide, providing support by combining harvest prediction technology based on climate change with sales channels and branding.He collaborates with local governments to build systems creating "profitable production areas" centered on contract farming. In Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, he is working to establish a production area for soft kale—a crop that can be grown alongside high-demand crops like rice, leeks, and chrysanthemums—challenging himself to improve revenue reproducibility and create a system generating sustainable local employment.
  After graduating from Chiba University's Faculty of Horticulture, he became aware of the structural issue that Japanese agriculture "doesn't make money even when you produce" and started his own business. As a soil doctor, he travels to production areas nationwide, providing support by combining harvest prediction technology based on climate change with sales channels and branding.He collaborates with local governments to build systems creating "profitable production areas" centered on contract farming. In Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, he is working to establish a production area for soft kale—a crop that can be grown alongside high-demand crops like rice, leeks, and chrysanthemums—challenging himself to improve revenue reproducibility and create a system generating sustainable local employment.

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  Meisei University, Faculty of Business Administration, Department of Business Administration, Professor

  Tomohisa Ito

  After completing graduate studies at the University of Tokyo, he worked at Nomura Research Institute providing management consulting to domestic and international corporations and public institutions. Alongside his primary role, he established the Shiga University Business Innovation School and served as its Director, focusing on entrepreneurship education. He later transitioned to become a university faculty member, engaging in research and teaching while serving as a Director of the Japan MIT Venture Forum, where he was involved in entrepreneur mentoring activities. He also works as a corporate management advisor, management consultant, and lecturer for various seminars.Co-authored numerous books including Regional Revitalization (Chuo Keizai Sha) and The Textbook of Business Frameworks (SB Creative).
  After completing graduate studies at the University of Tokyo, he worked at Nomura Research Institute providing management consulting to domestic and international corporations and public institutions. Alongside his primary role, he established the Shiga University Business Innovation School and served as its Director, focusing on entrepreneurship education. He later transitioned to become a university faculty member, engaging in research and teaching while serving as a Director of the Japan MIT Venture Forum, where he was involved in entrepreneur mentoring activities. He also works as a corporate management advisor, management consultant, and lecturer for various seminars.Co-authored numerous books including Regional Revitalization (Chuo Keizai Sha) and The Textbook of Business Frameworks (SB Creative).

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  Rondo Co., Ltd. Representative Director

  Akihiko Kaneko

  During university, he started a business through regional revitalization projects. He established Rond Co., Ltd. in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, with the vision of "turning town development into an industry." He develops businesses rooted in local resources, such as the "Fisherman's Encyclopedia" which showcases the appeal of fishermen and fishing, and "Fishing Boat Sake madara," which aims for stay-type tourism in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture.Acting as a buffer connecting the region with the outside world, he deeply engages with local communities, practicing support for settlements with populations under 2,000. As a co-creator bridging rural and urban areas, he continues initiatives to generate new value for the region.
  During university, he started a business through regional revitalization projects. He established Rond Co., Ltd. in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, with the vision of "turning town development into an industry." He develops businesses rooted in local resources, such as the "Fisherman's Encyclopedia" which showcases the appeal of fishermen and fishing, and "Fishing Boat Sake madara," which aims for stay-type tourism in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture.Acting as a buffer connecting the region with the outside world, he deeply engages with local communities, practicing support for settlements with populations under 2,000. As a co-creator bridging rural and urban areas, he continues initiatives to generate new value for the region.