Tsunagaru Inc. Selected for METI's '300 Soaring SMEs and Small Business Owners' in Overseas Expansion Category

Tsunagaru Inc. (Headquarters: Osaka, Representative Director: Takeshi Kanaoka) is pleased to announce that it has been selected in the 'Overseas Expansion' category of the '300 Soaring SMEs and Small Business Owners' program, which is selected by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

The '300 Soaring SMEs and Small Business Owners' program is a system that selects SMEs and small business owners that have demonstrated excellent initiatives in areas such as growth strategies, productivity improvement, overseas expansion, GX, DX, and investment in human resources.

This selection was realized upon the recommendation of the Embassy of Japan in Bahrain, and it recognizes the company's initiatives centered on the Middle East GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) market, including luxury inbound travel for wealthy individuals, overseas expansion of Japanese culture and regional products, and connecting Japan's tourism resources and traditional industries to overseas markets.

■ Reason for Selection

In the 'Overseas Expansion' category selected by METI, evaluation criteria include business development with a view to overseas markets, branding for overseas markets, and the development of overseas sales channels.

Tsunagaru's mission is 'to increase Japan's presence by committing to local communities and earning foreign currency,' and it operates businesses that connect various parts of Japan with the world.

As the population declines and the domestic market shrinks, it is important to attract people and capital from overseas and create a new economic cycle in local communities for their sustainable development.

The company has developed initiatives including the luxury inbound travel brand for wealthy Middle Eastern clients, 'AL Tsunagaru Travel,' corporate matching through the WBAF investment and economic exchange business in Bahrain, the production and sale of official towels for Baseball United made in Imabari, and promotions targeting the Middle East in collaboration with local governments.

Matching 5 regional Japanese startup companies with Middle Eastern investors. Producing and selling official towels for the first professional baseball league in the Middle East, made in Imabari.

■ Focusing on the Potential of the Middle East Market, Taking on an Untapped Market

The company began its full-fledged efforts in the Middle East market about three years ago.

At that time, there were limited travel agencies in the Middle East region that continuously sold travel to Japan, and the distribution of travel products to Japan was not yet fully established.

Since then, thanks to the efforts of related organizations such as JNTO, the number of travelers from the GCC visiting Japan has continued to expand, growing to over 50,000 people per year.

The company was quick to recognize the growth potential of the market, and through continuous visits and dialogue with local stakeholders, it has built a network of travel agencies, companies, and government officials.

Currently, the company has a network of partner companies and clients in all six GCC countries: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, and is promoting initiatives that connect various parts of Japan with the Middle East market.

In recent years, growth in the Bahrain market has been particularly notable. In 2025, the company accepted educational trips from the country, and in 2026, as part of a Nara Prefecture project, it conducted a promotion introducing Japanese regional products such as dried persimmons from Nara Prefecture and Imabari towels at the Emperor's Birthday Celebration Reception hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Bahrain.

Through these activities, the company is also working to promote cultural and economic exchanges that go beyond tourism.

■ Main Achievements in the GCC Market

The company has now built a network of over 1,200 companies, including travel agencies, corporations, and government officials, across the six GCC countries.

Since launching its luxury inbound travel service for wealthy Middle Eastern clients in 2023, the company has arranged trips for a cumulative total of over 1,500 people, and in 2025 alone, it sent 744 customers to various parts of Japan.

Furthermore, the company has implemented promotions and market development projects for the Middle East market in a wide range of regions from Hokkaido to Kyushu. It has supported the dissemination of tourism, culture, and industry to the Middle East market in collaboration with local governments and regional businesses, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Fukuoka Prefecture.

In recent years, the company has been working not only on inbound travel but also on the overseas expansion of regional products, the promotion of Japanese culture, and the creation of inter-company collaborations. It is also advancing initiatives to promote economic exchange between Japan and the Middle East, such as connecting to a Hokkaido GX project through collaboration with a major UAE corporate group.

■ Comment from Representative Director Takeshi Kanaoka

The environment surrounding the Middle East region is currently facing various changes and uncertainties. However, precisely because we have continued to engage with this region, we believe that a recovery period leading to even greater exchange and economic growth will surely come after the current situation.

Going forward, we will continue to act as a bridge connecting Japan and the Middle East not only in tourism but also in various fields such as culture, industry, and investment, contributing to the further development of various regions in Japan.

With this award as encouragement, we will contribute to improving Japan's presence by committing to local communities and earning foreign currency.

[About Tsunagaru Inc.]
Tsunagaru is a company that brings sustainable profits to local communities by delivering Japan's 'treasures' to the world.

In addition to its core businesses of solution services and inbound travel, the company is engaged in the overseas expansion of regional resources and experience production. We look forward to hearing from companies and local governments that wish to expand into overseas markets.

Tsunagaru Inc. HP: https://www.tsunagaru.co.jp

Contact: info@tsunagaru.co.jp