From Preserving to Creating Inheritance. Announcing the Start of Participant Recruitment for "RYZE," a Mentoring Support Program for Successors in Saga Prefecture.

The Saga Prefecture Industrial Revitalization Organization's Saga Industry Mirai Creation Base (hereinafter "RYO-FU BASE") is commencing recruitment for participants in "RYZE," a mentoring support program for successors (atotugi) in Saga Prefecture who are inheriting or planning to inherit family businesses. This program aims to create "atotugi ventures" that not only "preserve" family businesses but also generate new value from their own generation's perspective, providing consistent support from business conceptualization to implementation and dissemination over approximately seven months of mentoring. Background of the Program Implementation Amid declining populations, shrinking markets, and diversifying values, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are now required to transform their businesses and venture into new areas, alongside business succession. However, many successors face challenges such as: - Wanting to try new things but not knowing where to start - Difficulty consulting with family or within the company - Lack of peers who can share similar concerns In response to these voices, RYO-FU BASE has designed this program as an environment where successors can take on challenges with peers and experts, without having to bear the burden alone. Program Outline Eligibility Successors or prospective successors of SMEs with headquarters or main bases in Saga Prefecture, or managers within approximately 10 years of succession. Number of Participants Around 10 people Participation Fee Free Program Period After support decision ~ February 2027 (planned) Program Details Please check the website below: https://ryze-saga.com/ Additionally, free information sessions will be held in three regions within the prefecture (Saga City, Tosu City, Karatsu City). At these sessions, in addition to program explanations, participants can hear real-life experiences from senior successors who have challenged business transformation in their family businesses. Click here for the flyer. (1) Timetable | Common to all venues - 15:30-16:00 Venue Open/Reception - 16:00-16:05 Opening - 16:05-16:20 Program Overview Explanation - 16:20-16:25 Introduction of RYO-FU BASE's other support menus - 16:25-17:10 Experience Sharing from Senior Successors (Talk Session or Keynote Speech) - 17:10-17:55 Interaction Workshop for Participants - 17:55-18:00 Closing / Future Guidance —For those who wish, below— - 18:00-18:45 Individual Consultation / ES Creation Advice (2) Each Venue and Guest A. Saga City Venue ● Date: Monday, May 18, 2026, 16:00-18:00 ● Venue: SAGA CHIKA (1-1-59 Jonai, Saga City) ● Guest: Mr. Hirofumi Fujii (President / 3rd Generation, Masuda Kiribako Store Co., Ltd.) While preserving traditional techniques, he promotes original products suited to daily life and international expansion. "Rice bins" featuring paulownia wood boxes became a hit, with over 1 million boxes produced annually. He has achieved the largest scale in Japan by balancing craftsmanship and efficiency, and is a leader involved in a wide range of businesses such as regional revitalization and DX utilization. B. Tosu City Venue ● Date: Friday, May 22, 2026, 16:00-18:00 ● Venue: Egao ga Mitai Kara (Egao Building 2F, 1336-6 Motomachi, Tosu City) ● Guest: Mr. Fumihiro Sakemi (CEO, WAAK Inc.) After engaging in furniture manufacturing for his family business in Okawa, a furniture town, he established a design office. He became President in 2016, and in 2019, launched "WAAK°," a D2C brand for office furniture, and started a new business. He secured funding from VCs and is pioneering the future of the furniture industry. C. Karatsu City Venue ● Date: Monday, May 25, 2026, 16:00-18:00 ● Venue: Karatsu Citizen Exchange Plaza (Otte 3F, 1-1 Minamijonai, Karatsu City) ● Guest: Mr. Ken Sato (Vice President, Mold Model Co., Ltd.) Second generation of a company specializing in plaster casting. Received the Grand Prix (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award) at the 6th Atotsugi Koshien. Advocates a circular regional revitalization model that creates calcium liquid fertilizer for grapes from waste plaster. Atotsugi Ambassador. How to Apply for Free Information Sessions Please apply via the application form on the website below: Here How to Apply for This Program Please apply via the application form on the website below: ht