[Kyoto Prefecture Kyotamba Town] Relationship Population Symposium to be held on May 30. Considering the ideal form of relationship population in anticipation of the Hometown Resident Registration System.

Kyotamba Town, Kyoto Prefecture (Mayor: Genichi Hatakenaka), will host the "Relationship Population Symposium in Kyotamba" on May 30, Reiwa 8 (2026). This symposium will serve as a platform to collectively explore new models of relationships between the community and diverse individuals, drawing upon the town's accumulated experience in promoting its relationship population.

Since establishing its town promotion policy, "Community Connected by Thoughts," in October Reiwa 5 (2023), Kyotamba Town has been actively working to create and expand its relationship population. At the core of these efforts is "CLUB Kyotamba," the town's fan club, which currently boasts approximately 1,700 registered members. Through events and hands-on activities, the club fosters a growing network of individuals who maintain continuous engagement with the region. These initiatives go beyond mere interaction, aiming to build relationships where external individuals can actively participate in town development alongside local residents.

Furthermore, the "Hometown Resident Registration System," scheduled to be implemented from Reiwa 9 (fiscal year 2027), is drawing attention as a mechanism to formally position the relationship population and to visualize and expand their diverse forms of engagement with the region. Kyotamba Town's past practices align closely with the spirit of this system, and the symposium will share the background and current status of these efforts while deepening discussions on future developments.

Kyotamba Town Official Website: Regarding the Holding of the "Relationship Population Symposium" / Kyotamba Town
Town Promotion Policy "Community Connected by Thoughts" Kyotamba Fan Club "CLUB Kyotamba"

## Event Overview

- Event Name: Relationship Population Symposium in Kyotamba
- Date: May 30, Reiwa 8 (Saturday), 14:00-16:00
- Venue: Kyotamba Town Hall, 2nd Floor, Large Conference Room
- Admission: Free (pre-registration required)
- Target Audience: Town residents, individuals interested in relationship population, businesses involved in regional activities/town development, etc.
- Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfhOTd96YhnYUnMRvW7xYxZvDnpCCWAJAzoKsG0mf81Ev5dg/viewform?usp=dialog

## Program Content

- **14:00-14:10**: Opening remarks by the Mayor of Kyotamba Town
- **14:10-14:50**: Keynote Lecture "New Regions Created with Relationship Population"
- Lecturer: Professor Tokumi Odagiri, Faculty of Agriculture, Meiji University
- Professor Odagiri will deliver a lecture covering the concept and significance of the relationship population, alongside case studies from across Japan illustrating how regions and diverse human resources can build relationships and mutually support local communities. The lecture will also touch upon trends in the institutionalization of relationship population and indicate future directions for regional policies.
- **15:00-15:30**: Talk Session Theme: "The Reality of Creating a 'Relationship Population' on Site"
- Practitioners engaged in creating a relationship population in Kyotamba Town will take the stage to share their processes for building relationships with the relationship population, strategies for fostering continuous engagement, and challenges faced. Concurrently, discussions will deepen on the future of regional development from the perspective of viewing the relationship population as "partners in town building."
- **15:30-15:50**: Closing (Introduction to Town Policies and Systems)
- Initiatives of CLUB Kyotamba
- Introduction of relationship population creation measures
- Future directions anticipating the "Hometown Resident Registration System"
- This segment will organize the town's past initiatives and future developments in anticipation of system implementation, sharing concrete ways for individuals to engage with the region as part of the relationship population.

## Positioning of this Project

This symposium is positioned as a proactive initiative, building on Kyotamba Town's accumulated experience in relationship population policies, and anticipating the full-scale implementation of the "Hometown Resident Registration System."

How can the relationship population, viewed not merely as an extension of exchange population but as partners in town development, be nurtured and sustained? This symposium will serve as a venue to share this direction and connect it to future practical actions.

Kyotamba Town will further develop its relationship population policies based on CLUB Kyotamba, promoting the creation of mechanisms that lead from the generation of relationship population to continuous engagement and ultimately to their participation as contributors.

Furthermore, in anticipation of the full-scale implementation of the "Hometown Resident Registration System," the town plans to progressively expand initiatives for the visualization and deepening of relationship population relationships.

## About Kyotamba Town, Kyoto Prefecture

Kyotamba Town is located in the upper reaches of the Yura River system in the Tamba Highlands, central Kyoto Prefecture. Over 80% of its area is covered by forests, boasting magnificent nature.
Blessed with conditions ideal for growing lush agricultural products, such as the "Tamba fog" and the significant day-night temperature differences that lock in flavor, the town produces the "Tamba brand" of delicious crops.