Solving Regional Issues with Citizens' Ideas and University Expertise: Launch of 'Open Innovation Co-creation - Hinokage'
On May 18, 2026, Hinokage Town, E&M Corporation, Kyoritsu Solutions Co., Ltd., and the University of Miyazaki launched the industry-academia-government collaboration project 'Open Innovation Co-creation - Hinokage' and released its portal site to aim for regional issue resolution and new industry creation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 18, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 04:58 (18h 26m after Collected)
Release of 'Open Innovation Co-creation - Hinokage'
May 18, 2026
Hinokage Town
E&M Corporation
Kyoritsu Solutions Co., Ltd.
University of Miyazaki
Dear Sir/Madam, we hope this message finds you well.
On Friday, May 30, 2025, Hinokage Town, E&M Corporation, Kyoritsu Solutions Co., Ltd., and the University of Miyazaki signed a cooperation agreement to build a collaborative relationship, appropriately respond to regional issues, and promote joint projects. This aims to contribute to the formation and development of a vibrant local community and the improvement of resident services.
Following this collaboration, we have launched the industry-academia-government collaboration project 'Open Innovation Co-creation - Hinokage' and released a dedicated portal site. This project aims to solve regional issues and create new industries by utilizing the ideas of local residents and the nationwide expertise and technology of universities, companies, and researchers.
▼ Open Innovation Co-creation - Hinokage -
https://openinnovation-hinokage.com
In this project, we will publish regional issues nationwide and combine residents' ideas, university research expertise, and corporate technology to aim for the creation of new businesses originating from the region and their social implementation.
▼ Background
Issues faced by local governments, such as population decline and the shrinking of local industries, are becoming more complex every year. In Hinokage Town, we have started initiatives to solve these issues not by the municipality alone, but through an 'open innovation' mechanism of co-creation with diverse entities such as residents, universities, and companies. On the portal site, we publish regional issues nationwide and solicit ideas and technical proposals from researchers and companies.
▼ Project Mechanism
This project promotes the resolution of regional issues and commercialization through the following process:
1) Organization of regional issues
2) Solicitation of ideas on the portal site
3) Industry-academia-government matching
4) Proof of Concept (PoC) projects
5) Commercialization and utilization of grants and subsidies
Through this mechanism, it serves as a regional co-creation model that comprehensively supports everything from demonstration to commercialization, going beyond simply collecting ideas.
▼ Main Features of this Initiative
1) A new mechanism for municipalities to publish regional issues nationwide
2) Co-creation through industry-academia-government collaboration with universities and companies
3) Matching municipal needs with university research seeds
4) Web platform utilizing AI
5) Promotion of participation through gamification
6) Incentive design utilizing social approval
7) Creation of new businesses leading to regional DX and GX
8) Potential for creating startups originating from the region
▼ Project Secretariat
Miyazaki Tachibanadori Building 2F, 1-2-17 Tachibanadori-nishi, Miyazaki City, 880-0001
E&M Corporation, Business Reform Examination Office
Tel: 0985-24-1817
Contact: Senba, y-senba@eandm.co.jp
May 18, 2026
Hinokage Town
E&M Corporation
Kyoritsu Solutions Co., Ltd.
University of Miyazaki
Dear Sir/Madam, we hope this message finds you well.
On Friday, May 30, 2025, Hinokage Town, E&M Corporation, Kyoritsu Solutions Co., Ltd., and the University of Miyazaki signed a cooperation agreement to build a collaborative relationship, appropriately respond to regional issues, and promote joint projects. This aims to contribute to the formation and development of a vibrant local community and the improvement of resident services.
Following this collaboration, we have launched the industry-academia-government collaboration project 'Open Innovation Co-creation - Hinokage' and released a dedicated portal site. This project aims to solve regional issues and create new industries by utilizing the ideas of local residents and the nationwide expertise and technology of universities, companies, and researchers.
▼ Open Innovation Co-creation - Hinokage -
https://openinnovation-hinokage.com
In this project, we will publish regional issues nationwide and combine residents' ideas, university research expertise, and corporate technology to aim for the creation of new businesses originating from the region and their social implementation.
▼ Background
Issues faced by local governments, such as population decline and the shrinking of local industries, are becoming more complex every year. In Hinokage Town, we have started initiatives to solve these issues not by the municipality alone, but through an 'open innovation' mechanism of co-creation with diverse entities such as residents, universities, and companies. On the portal site, we publish regional issues nationwide and solicit ideas and technical proposals from researchers and companies.
▼ Project Mechanism
This project promotes the resolution of regional issues and commercialization through the following process:
1) Organization of regional issues
2) Solicitation of ideas on the portal site
3) Industry-academia-government matching
4) Proof of Concept (PoC) projects
5) Commercialization and utilization of grants and subsidies
Through this mechanism, it serves as a regional co-creation model that comprehensively supports everything from demonstration to commercialization, going beyond simply collecting ideas.
▼ Main Features of this Initiative
1) A new mechanism for municipalities to publish regional issues nationwide
2) Co-creation through industry-academia-government collaboration with universities and companies
3) Matching municipal needs with university research seeds
4) Web platform utilizing AI
5) Promotion of participation through gamification
6) Incentive design utilizing social approval
7) Creation of new businesses leading to regional DX and GX
8) Potential for creating startups originating from the region
▼ Project Secretariat
Miyazaki Tachibanadori Building 2F, 1-2-17 Tachibanadori-nishi, Miyazaki City, 880-0001
E&M Corporation, Business Reform Examination Office
Tel: 0985-24-1817
Contact: Senba, y-senba@eandm.co.jp
FAQ
What is Hinokage Town's open innovation project?
It's an industry-academia-government collaboration to solve local issues and create new industries by gathering nationwide expertise.
Which entities are participating?
E&M Corporation, Kyoritsu Solutions Co., Ltd., and the University of Miyazaki are participating.
How can I participate in this project?
You can submit ideas and technical proposals through the dedicated portal site (openinnovation-hinokage.com).