“We want to convey Abira's charm nationwide”—Former Professional Speed Skater Returns Home. The Nakamura Brothers Take on a Challenge in Abira Town, Hokkaido, Aiming to Double Furusato Nozei in 3 Years

Big Gate Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Representative Director: Masahiro Oseki), which provides Furusato Nozei support services to municipalities across Japan, has been contracted to handle Furusato Nozei operations for Abira Town, Hokkaido, starting April 1, 2026, and has opened a local office within the town.

Shunsuke Nakamura, a native of Abira Town and former professional speed skater, has been appointed as the head of this project.

Together with his younger brother Hayato Nakamura, they have started on-site support, providing continuous assistance to the region with a "two-brother system."

## "Only after leaving did I realize" the value of my hometown, Abira Town

Abira Town boasts many attractive regional resources, including its history as the birthplace of a specialized cheese factory, a major horse racing production area, and the highly acclaimed Asahi Melon nationwide.

However, its value is not yet fully recognized across the country.

Nakamura says that it was only after leaving the town for his athletic career that he felt a strong sense of unease about this reality.

## "Why isn't something so good known?"

After retiring from his active career, Shunsuke Nakamura joined Big Gate Co., Ltd. and was responsible for the Furusato Nozei project in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture.

Over three years, he visited businesses more than 120 times annually and developed over 300 new return gifts.

He grew the donation amount by over 250%.

Through that experience, he strongly felt that:

"The value of a region is determined not just by 'whether it exists,' but by 'whether its charm is conveyed'."

And at the same time, he says he saw a reflection of his hometown, Abira Town.

## "Repaying with results" - A Challenge by Brothers

In this project, they will establish a base in Abira Town and set up an "easy-to-drop-in consultation office."

They will visit businesses and provide on-site support, including return gift development, page improvements, and shipping system arrangements.

The biggest feature is the system where "the Nakamura brothers settle in this town and deeply root themselves in the community."

Instead of being mere 'external contractors,' by living in the same town and addressing challenges from the same perspective, they aim for more effective support.

## Comment from Shunsuke Nakamura, Head of Abira Office

To be honest, I didn't realize the value this town held until I left Abira Town.

It was only after leaving and experiencing the outside world that I became convinced that Abira is overflowing with things to be proud of nationwide.

At the same time, I feel a sense of frustration that its charm is not yet fully conveyed.

It is no longer an era where "if you make good things, they will sell"; it is an era where "if that goodness is not conveyed, they will not sell."

That is why I am thoroughly committed to conveying the thoughts of Abira Town's producers and the value of their products nationwide.

I want to leverage my experience of pushing for 0.01 seconds in the world of speed skating and my experience of increasing donations in Ishinomaki City to convey the charm of Abira Town this time.

Increasing donation amounts is just one result.

Our goal is to convey the value of Abira Town to many people across the country.

As someone raised in Abira Town, I will do my utmost with my brother to repay the town with results.

## Aiming to Double Donations in 3 Years - Challenging with Both "System" and "Field"

This project will be developed around the following measures:

- Collaborating with businesses to develop new return gifts / brush up existing products
- Improving landing pages and brand design for Furusato Nozei websites
- Providing accompanying support to businesses (shipping, customer service, etc.)
- Other immediate problem-solving through close local engagement

Through these, they aim to approximately double Abira Town's Furusato Nozei donation amount in three years.

## Comment from Hideichiro Oikawa, Mayor of Abira Town

I feel very encouraged that Mr. Nakamura, after achieving results outside, has returned to his hometown, and is taking on this challenge with his brother.

I expect that by local government and private sector working together with the same vision, the charm of Abira Town will reach even more people.

## Big Gate Co., Ltd. Abira Office Overview

Concept: A community-based consultation office where business owners can easily drop in.

Structure: Total of 2 people, including Director Shunsuke Nakamura and staff (Hayato Nakamura).

Location: Within Abira Town, Hokkaido (Oiwake Honmachi 2-chome 38, Abira Town).

Main business activities: Management of Furusato Nozei websites, page creation, planning and development of new return gifts, business development, accompanying support for businesses (thank-you letter creation, shipping consultation, promotion, etc.).

Business hours: Weekdays 9:00 - 18:00.

## Contact for this matter

Big Gate Co., Ltd. Contact: Shunsuke Nakamura

TEL: 080-8085-9677 / Email: abira@big-gate.co.jp