Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Furusato Mirai College" Project Launches Nationwide Expansion with Matching Site

NTT DX Partners, Inc. (hereinafter "NTT DX Partners"), together with NTT East Corporation, was selected for the "Regional Problem-Solving Project through University-Community Collaboration" (hereinafter "Furusato Mirai College")*1 conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in FY2025. In collaboration with the University of Tokyo's Urban Planning Laboratory and the certified non-profit organization ETIC. (hereinafter "ETIC."), they have been engaged in activities aimed at solving regional issues, creating 'related populations,' and enhancing regional attractiveness.

They have supported model demonstrations in 15 municipalities nationwide, and on March 12, 2026, held a final report meeting to share their achievements. Simultaneously, they launched a website*2 to support matching between local governments and universities. This matching site serves as a platform to promote collaboration for regional problem-solving, allowing local governments/regions, higher education institutions/student organizations interested in "Furusato Mirai College" to learn about each other's initiatives. It provides information on members, regional issues and initiatives, case studies of regional problem-solving, and seminar information.

*1 Furusato Mirai College: https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/jichi_gyousei/c-gyousei/furusatomiraikarejji.html *2 Furusato Mirai College Matching Site: https://furusato-mirai-college.go.jp/

"Furusato Mirai College" Matching Site Screen Image

**1. Overview**

Regional issues, such as population decline and shrinking regional economies, are becoming increasingly diverse and complex. In recent years, there has been a growing demand to incorporate the perspectives of young people, including students, into regional initiatives to foster sustainable community development. "Furusato Mirai College" is a project aimed at creating programs where universities and communities collaborate to solve regional issues, create 'related populations,' and enhance regional attractiveness. In this project, 15 local governments eager to collaborate with universities to solve problems were selected as model municipalities, and efforts to address their specific regional challenges have been supported.

Concurrently, research and studies were conducted on the content and results of initiatives in each model municipality, operational methods, and how to proceed with university collaborations. These findings, along with other advanced case studies, were compiled into a research report. This report shares and disseminates the know-how of regional problem-solving through university-community collaboration to local governments nationwide, aiming to promote initiatives in various regions.

**2. Main Activities of the FY2025 Project**

**① Operation of Model Demonstration Projects