Gassaku Inc. Launches Comprehensive Support Services for Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps, with Over 750 Municipalities Having Taken Its Training

The Regional Co-Creation Department of Gassaku Inc. (Headquarters: Osaki-cho, Kagoshima Prefecture; President: Tomohiko Saito) is fully deploying three support services—'Training,' 'Recruitment Support,' and 'Activity Support'—led by a team of experts spearheaded by a Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps Advisor (*). This initiative aims to solve challenges faced by local governments in operating the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps system, such as 'lack of applicants,' 'low settlement rates,' and 'increasing workload on staff.' ■ Background and Strengths of This Project: Proven Trust and Results from an MIC Advisor Our Regional Co-Creation Department includes specialists with extensive on-the-ground experience, such as Hiromi Saito, who has been commissioned as an 'MIC Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps Advisor,' along with certified career consultants (national qualification), designers, and former managers of regional trading companies. To date, we have conducted recruitment support and assistance for over 70 municipalities nationwide, and more than 750 municipalities (as of the end of May 2026) have taken our training, demonstrating overwhelming expertise and a track record. *) MIC Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps Advisor An advisor commissioned by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The MIC dispatches 'Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps Advisors' who possess knowledge and know-how about the system to regions considering its use. The purpose is to promote the efforts of the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps by having the advisor provide advice, recommendations, information, and other support. Reference: https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/jichi_gyousei/c-gyousei/adobaiza_hakenjigyo.index.html *Hiromi Saito of Gassaku Inc. has been commissioned by the MIC as a 'Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps Advisor' for fiscal year 2026. Saito has been involved since the system's inception, and this is his fourth year of commission. ■ Business Content Huge Response from Municipalities Nationwide! 'Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps Training' Covering Everything from System Understanding to Recruitment Know-How and Business Start-up/Settlement Support Methods Our strength, the 'Training' service, is highly evaluated and has received requests from numerous prefectural and municipal governments across Japan, including Hokkaido, Miyagi, Yamagata, Ibaraki, Tokyo, Nagano, Ishikawa, Toyama, Wakayama, Kochi, Saga, and Kumamoto, in addition to the MIC's national training and block meetings. We provide basic knowledge and practical methods to prevent mismatches and avoid troubles among stakeholders. In surveys conducted for staff training, nearly all participants responded 'very good' or 'good,' achieving extremely high satisfaction rates. "I felt the point that 'just recruiting and hiring because it's a shame to pass up' is a source of trouble was spot on. I'll be careful in future recruitment." (Local government staff) "I was struck by the point that cooperation corps members are not superhumans (professionals). I understood that we need to clarify recruitment content without excessive expectations, treating them as novices in their first year as working adults." (Local government staff) "It was a very helpful course for someone without knowledge, as it taught things thoroughly from the basics. There were many points to refer to in the future, such as the mindset of corps members, legal issues, and experience stories." (Corps member) "I gained insights into preparations after leaving the corps. I was able to discover a path for after the term of the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps." (Corps member)

Training for Staff: Basic System Course, Recruitment and Hiring Course (specific methods to reduce mismatches and attract applicants), Activity Support Course (management and support for settlement/business start-ups) Training for Corps Members: Initial Training (administrative rules and how to interact with the community), Job Creation Training (career development after the term ends) Moving Away from 'Just Recruiting' to Hiring the Right Person with Accompanied Support The root cause of hiring mismatches lies in 'vague recruitment planning.' Our company provides accompanied support over a 3-4 month preparation period through four steps: 'System Understanding and Constraint Organization,' 'Recruitment Plan Design,' 'Recruitment Strategy Design,' and 'Information Dissemination.' Results: Implemented in 15 municipalities during fiscal years 2024-2025, achieving application rates of 2 to 5 times even in municipalities that previously had no applicants. This directly leads to hiring the right people. Building a System for Settlement and Preventing Post-Appointment Troubles We implement 'Staff Support' such as 'Support System Review Meetings' to enable staff to properly manage corps members. Simultaneously, we conduct 'Corps Member Support' like 'Individual Interviews' to listen to corps members' concerns and grievances from a third-party perspective. These two wheels work together to facilitate smooth activities during the term and promote settlement. ■ Introduction of the Expert Team (Regional Co-Creation Department) Hiromi Saito: Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps Advisor (Commissioned by MIC) A former Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps member. He serves as a lecturer for approximately 40 lectures and training sessions per year on the corps system. He conducts training for both corps members and local government staff at prefectural offices and the MIC nationwide. In 2016, he appeared on stage at the 'Regional Revitalization Fest' alongside then-Minister of State for Regional Revitalization Shigeru Ishiba, among others. Yuna Maki: In Charge of Accompanied Support for Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps Originally from Tokyo. After 10 years with the operational secretariat of the Niigata Prefecture 'Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale' supporter organization, she worked in operations at eumo, a non-profit stock company aiming to realize a society based on empathy capital. Since 2024, she has been providing accompanied support for the utilization of the cooperation corps system in over 10 municipalities at Gassaku Inc. Natsumi Negishi: In Charge of Accompanied Support for Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps / Designer Originally from Miyagi Prefecture. She served as a Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps member in Fujisato-cho, Akita Prefecture. After her term ended, she lived in the same town for about 10 years, working on projects like 'Hatsukoi Design.' In 2025, she moved her base to Tokyo and joined Gassaku, aiming to leverage her experience as a former corps member and her experience of relocating to a rural area. Other former corps members (OB/OG) and members with extensive support experience will also provide accompaniment. Message from the Team The Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps has 23,200 active and former members achieving significant results. However, challenges are arising on the ground, such as a lack of applicants, increased burden due to mismatches, and difficulty gaining understanding within the local government and community. We have been working closely with over 70 municipalities since the system's inception, striving for system operation that also brings fulfillment to staff members. To date, we have accompanied a total of 3,000 staff members through training and other means. For successful operation of the cooperation corps system, it is crucial to correctly understand the system and optimize and accumulate knowledge according to local circumstances. We will leverage our accumulated expertise to support comprehensive system design, including improving the reception system, recruitment, and activity support. Our goal is to provide support so that the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps system becomes a rewarding endeavor for staff members and a project that allows them to feel the future of their region. Inquiries regarding this press release Gassaku Public Relations Department E-mail: pr@gassaku.co.jp ◼️ About 'Gassaku Inc.' Location: Osaki-cho, Kagoshima Prefecture President: Tomohiko Saito Established: July 2020 Business: Support for utilizing the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps system, support for promoting a circular society, public-private partnership planning and accompanied support (Kifu Sekkei Lab), support for creating related population (Tadaima, Osumi.), secretariat operation of the Osaki-cho SDGs Promotion Council, etc.