[July is Shiga Prefecture Small Business Support Month] Bringing Shiga's Hidden Charms to the Nation

Cocri Shiga (Shiga Prefecture) has been commissioned by Shiga Prefecture to hold an information dissemination seminar for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the prefecture on July 24, 2026, as part of "Shiga Prefecture Small Business Support Month." This is a practical program designed for managers and staff who feel they have no newsworthy material, enabling them to articulate their company's "value to society" in three hours and leave with the framework for a press release.

The lecturer is Shunsuke Matsuura (Representative Director, MIKATA Co., Ltd.), who has provided over 6,000 management consultations at Gaki Biz and Gaki Biz for eight years. A practitioner from Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, with a proven track record in "finding and communicating the strengths of SMEs," he has had his support for turning around a factory on the brink of bankruptcy featured in over 300 media outlets.

[Recommended for]

Those who want to disseminate information but struggle to articulate "what to convey."

Those who want to try SNS/press releases but are unsure if their company has suitable content.

Those who are not effectively communicating for recruitment or sales purposes.

Those who are already engaged in information dissemination and wish to improve its effectiveness.

[Background of the Event]

Some SMEs in Shiga Prefecture are already engaged in initiatives that address social issues, such as employing people with disabilities, utilizing local ingredients, and regenerating vacant houses. However, their "appeal" often remains buried because it is not disseminated. A common challenge for many companies is the lack of clarity on "what and how to convey" before even attempting to post on social media or issue press releases. This seminar focuses on developing "content design skills" rather than SNS operation methods.

[Seminar Overview]

Date and Time

July 24, 2026 (Fri) 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Venue

Shiga Prefectural Government Building

Target Audience

Managers and PR staff of small and medium-sized enterprises in Shiga Prefecture

Capacity

In-person attendance: First 20 participants (YouTube Live streaming also available for those not attending in person)

Participation Fee

Free

[How to Apply]

Those who wish to participate, please fill out the necessary information via the Google Form below and apply.

Application URL:

https://forms.gle/jQcojW1Cz9p8N9qG7

[Day's Program]

Part 1 (45 minutes) Input

How to disseminate the "appeal of small businesses." Explanation of how information dissemination benefits corporate management, based on leading examples from Shiga.

Part 2 (60 minutes) Workshop

Unearthing the "social aspects" of your company through pair work and group sharing, and articulating strengths.

Part 3 (45 minutes) Practice

Learning the press release format (5W1H + social significance) and drafting the framework individually. Individual feedback from the instructor.

Closing (30 minutes)

Participant presentations and mutual feedback. Connection to ongoing support (community/individual mentoring).

All participants will complete and take home the "framework for their company's press release" on the same day. The completed framework serves as a "management asset" that can be repurposed for social media posts, websites, project proposals to government agencies, and more.

[Examples of Mentoring by Cocri Shiga]

Cocri Shiga, the organizer of this seminar, has supported press release creation with businesses in Shiga Prefecture. "Palette," a cake shop in Otsu City, was featured in multiple media outlets for its "cake decorating experience for children." "Hashimoto Fuel" in Takashima City rebranded its used cooking oil biodiesel business as the "Shiga Wakuwaku Oil Field Project" and promoted it as a regional circular energy initiative. This seminar directly delivers the practical knowledge gained from these experiences to participants.

[Lecturer Profile]

Shunsuke Matsuura / Representative Director, MIKATA Co., Ltd.

Born in 1983, from Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.

After graduating from university, he was involved in startup support, industry-academia collaboration, and new product development utilizing regional resources at public sector institutions such as Shinshu University. In April 2016, he was appointed Deputy Center Manager of the Seki City Business Support Center, and promoted to Chief Advisor in April 2019. From April 2021 to March 2024, he served as Project Manager at the Ogaki Business Support Center, handling over 6,000 consultations from more than 1,200 companies in manufacturing, service, construction, forestry, and agriculture.

His support cases, including assisting a cutlery manufacturer with a hit product and turning around a factory on the brink of bankruptcy, have garnered significant attention and been featured in over 300 media outlets, including national broadcasts on NHK and the front page of the Gifu Shimbun.

In June 2024, he founded MIKATA Co., Ltd. (June 6, Reiwa 6). He specializes in business creation (new business development, new product development), sales growth support leveraging strengths (marketing, PR, information dissemination, etc.), branding, business planning, and social business.

Visiting Researcher, Entrepreneurship Research Institute, Musashino University.

Completed Graduate School of Management, Shinshu University. Co-author of "Entrepreneurship Textbook" (Chuo Keizai Sha).

[About Cocri Shiga General Incorporated Association]

With the concept "'I want to!' can become 'Maybe I can!'", Cocri Shiga General Incorporated Association has provided mentoring support to SMEs and small businesses in Shiga Prefecture. In supporting the "challenges to enrich the region" of players within the prefecture, we feel that the SMEs we encounter are the entities that support the existing richness of the region and society. We believe that by drawing out the social impact and appeal that individuals may not be aware of, we can support new challenges for SMEs in the prefecture. We hope that this seminar will serve as an entry point to meet companies with a passion for the region and lead to an increase in social initiatives by SMEs in the prefecture.

[About Shiga Prefecture Small Business Support Month]

Shiga Prefecture Small Business Support Month recognizes small and medium-sized enterprises ("small businesses") in the prefecture as pillars of the regional economy and society, and is an initiative to widely disseminate their appeal and roles and encourage the utilization of support measures. Centered around July, government agencies, economic organizations, financial institutions, support organizations, and municipalities collaborate to intensively implement seminars and events related to management, market development, and entrepreneurship, thereby fostering corporate growth and regional revitalization.

Media Contact Information

Cocri Shiga General Incorporated Association

Contact: Jumpei Ito

E-mail: info@cocre-shiga.com

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