Visualizing Management Resources of 100 Young Entrepreneurs in Northern Shinshu Amid Population Decline and Business Succession Challenges - Regional Business Media 'FOCUS N3' Launches

The Nakano Junior Chamber of Commerce (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) (located in Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture; Chairman: Tatsuya Abe) started operating 'FOCUS N3 (Focus North Nagano Next),' a regional business media platform that visualizes the management resources and networks of 100 young entrepreneurs active in the Hokushin region, in April 2026.

This media initiative aims to promote collaboration among local companies and create new businesses, against the backdrop of challenges faced by regional enterprises such as population decline and business succession.

URL: https://focusn3.com/

■ Background

In Japan's rural areas, the sustainability of local businesses is a major issue due to population decline, business succession problems, and a lack of successors. In the Hokushin region (Nakano City and Yamanouchi Town), while many companies possess excellent technologies and resources, there is no sufficient system for systematically sharing their management resources and the philosophies of their leaders.

The Nakano Junior Chamber of Commerce believed it was necessary to create a foundation that encourages collaboration and new business creation by visualizing the 'strengths,' 'values,' and 'networks' of young entrepreneurs who drive the local economy, leading to the launch of 'FOCUS N3.'

On May 31, 2026 (Reiwa 8), a press conference was held at the Shinshu Nakano Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a May public meeting, declaring the full-scale operation of the media.

■ Features of 'FOCUS N3'

■ Interviewing 100 Young Entrepreneurs in Northern Shinshu:
Interviews with 100 young entrepreneurs who continue to take on challenges in the Hokushin region will be published sequentially. The media will record the real management philosophies and challenge stories of local companies.

■ Referral-based Relay Interviews:
Using a 'relay method' where the interviewee introduces the next entrepreneur, the media visualizes the local management network. It aims to build a community based on trust.

■ Publication of Management Resources:
Each entrepreneur's

・We Can (value they can provide)

・We Want (collaboration they seek)

will be published, presenting specific possibilities for business matching and collaboration.

■ Archive of Regional Businesses:
It serves as a business archive that records the thoughts and challenges of local companies for future generations.

■ Comments from Interviewees

Mr. Kazuhiro Ogihara, Ogihara Farm

'While continuing to manage in the region, there are not many opportunities to deeply interact with entrepreneurs from other industries. I hope this media will create connections among entrepreneurs in the Hokushin region and lead to new challenges.'

Mr. Takumi Shimotori, Kinoko no Mori Co., Ltd.

'By making entrepreneurs' ways of thinking and strengths visible, I feel there is potential for concrete collaboration, not just simple exchange. I think this initiative will become a starting point for a new business network in the Hokushin region.'

■ Comment from Project Leader

Yukiaki Yoshiike, Chairman of the Regional Charm Inheritance Committee, Nakano JC

'The Hokushin region has many companies with excellent technologies and unique resources. However, it cannot be said that their respective strengths and the thoughts of their leaders are sufficiently shared. Through this media, we want to deepen mutual understanding among entrepreneurs and create opportunities for new collaborations and challenges for local companies.'

■ Future Developments

The media will sequentially conduct interviews with 100 young entrepreneurs in the Hokushin region and publish them on the web. Furthermore, in October, an exchange event will be held for the interviewees, aiming to lead to actual business collaborations and the creation of new businesses.

■ Media Overview

Name: FOCUS N3 (Focus North Nagano Next)

Launch Date: April 2026

URL: https://focusn3.com/

Content:

・Interviews with young entrepreneurs in the Hokushin region
・Visualization of management resources
・Building entrepreneur networks
・Regional business archive

■ Operator

Nakano Junior Chamber of Commerce (Nakano JC) (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation)

Lead: Regional Charm Inheritance Committee

Address: 1-7-12 Chuo, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture

URL: https://nakano-jc.com/

Number of Members: 26, plus 3 external auditors (as of April 1, 2026)

Applications for membership are accepted at any time. For details, please see the official website.