LIFULL and Tarumizu City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Conclude Comprehensive Partnership Agreement for Regional Revitalization
LIFULL and Tarumizu City, Kagoshima Prefecture, have signed a comprehensive partnership agreement for regional revitalization. The aim is to promote sustainable regional development by supporting work-life balance for parents, developing digital talent, and utilizing empty houses to solve population decline and empty house issues.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 22:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 12:56 (1502h 56m after Published)
LIFULL Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yuji Ito; TSE Prime: 2120; hereinafter "LIFULL"), which addresses social issues through its business, concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement for regional revitalization with Tarumizu City, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
This agreement aims to solve serious social issues faced by Tarumizu City, such as "population decline" and "empty house problems." LIFULL and Tarumizu City will collaborate on disseminating information and implementing initiatives related to digital human resource development and supporting the balance between childcare and work. They will also build a sustainable matching function for empty houses, etc., utilizing the know-how of private companies.
Background
Tarumizu City, Kagoshima Prefecture, rich in nature with views of Kinko Bay and the magnificent Sakurajima, is blessed with regional resources such as primary industries, including Japan's largest production of farmed amberjack, and hot springs. However, the increase in "empty houses" due to population decline has become a serious issue. In addition to the aging of property owners, repair and maintenance costs for roofs, etc., and abandonment of management due to inheritance are major hurdles to utilization, leading to an increase in cases where empty houses are left unattended.
Tarumizu City has been promoting initiatives to utilize empty houses as a receptacle for migration and settlement. However, a more specialized approach was needed to further accelerate the creation of related populations and promote migration and settlement.
Furthermore, with the spread of telework in recent years, an increasing number of urban business people are seeking to raise children in a natural environment and improve their work-life balance, leading to a growing demand for diverse working styles.
Tarumizu City and LIFULL have a track record of collaboration, including holding teleworker training courses, establishing "child-friendly offices" where children can accompany parents to work, and supporting the recruitment of regional revitalization cooperation volunteers. Based on this history, to further enhance these initiatives and build a stronger collaborative system for solving regional issues by utilizing LIFULL's knowledge and network regarding empty houses, this comprehensive partnership agreement was concluded.
Overview
Name: Comprehensive Partnership Agreement for Regional Revitalization
Date of Conclusion: March 30, 2026
Purpose: To mutually cooperate and support in creating a rich future for the region by promoting the creation of related populations, migration, settlement, and dual-residence, supporting the balance between childcare and work and promoting work-life balance, recruiting and developing human resources for regional issue resolution, and utilizing empty houses, empty stores, and empty idle facilities.
Main Initiatives:
- Dissemination of information to promote migration, settlement, and dual-residence
- Support for balancing childcare and work, promotion of work-life balance, and promotion of digital human resource development
- Recruitment and development of human resources for regional issue resolution
Comment from Mai Akiba, Executive Officer and Head of HR Solutions Division, LIFULL Co., Ltd.
The population decline and empty house problems faced by Tarumizu City are serious issues confronting local governments nationwide, requiring urgent action.
Through this comprehensive partnership agreement for regional revitalization, we will work with Tarumizu City to promote migration, settlement, and dual-residence, utilize empty houses, support the balance between childcare and work, and develop digital human resources, among other initiatives, to create sustainable regional development and a prosperous future.
We strongly hope that this partnership, which is the first for LIFULL with a local government in Kagoshima Prefecture, will become a model case nationwide and spread to other municipalities, contributing to the regional revitalization of Japan as a whole.
Comment from Yuji Masuda, CEO of Regional Revitalization Business, LIFULL Co., Ltd.
Until now, our company has been working on the utilization of empty houses through the operation of a nationwide empty house bank and support for the establishment and operation of empty house consultation desks in local governments. We have also been working on the consideration of measures and the establishment of operational systems tailored to local circumstances.
In Tarumizu City, we will leverage this expertise to steadily work with local residents, in cooperation with human resources such as regional revitalization cooperation volunteers, to promote the circulation of empty houses and matching with those wishing to relocate.
Through this agreement, we will contribute to improving the attractiveness of the region and creating related populations.
About LIFULL Co., Ltd. (https://lifull.com/)
LIFULL's corporate message is "Making every LIFE FULL." It is a social enterprise that aims to solve social issues that hinder peace of mind and joy, from individual challenges to broader societal issues, through its business. Currently, as a group, it operates businesses such as the real estate and housing information service "LIFULL HOME'S," "LIFULL Kaigo" which supports the lives of seniors, and "Kenbiya," an information site for real estate investment and income properties.
FAQ
What is the main purpose of this agreement?
To solve population decline and empty house issues, support work-life balance for parents, develop digital talent, and promote sustainable regional development through empty house utilization.
What kind of cooperation has LIFULL had with Tarumizu City so far?
They have collaborated on teleworker training courses, child-friendly office development, and recruitment support for regional revitalization cooperation volunteers.
What does this agreement mean for LIFULL?
It is LIFULL's first partnership with a local government in Kagoshima Prefecture, expected to become a nationwide model for regional revitalization.