Launch of Nationwide Expansion via the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Furusato Mirai College" Matching Site

NTT DX Partner Corporation (hereinafter "NTT DX Partner"), together with NTT East Corporation, was selected for the "Project for Regional Issue Resolution through Collaboration between Universities and Local Communities" (hereinafter "Furusato Mirai College"*1) conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in fiscal year 2025. In partnership with the University of Tokyo's Urban Design Lab and the NPO ETIC. (hereinafter "ETIC."), the company has been engaged in activities aimed at solving regional issues, creating a "related population" (people who have a connection to a region), and enhancing regional appeal.

After supporting model demonstrations in 15 municipalities nationwide, a final report meeting was held on March 12, 2026, to share the results, and a website*2 was launched to support matching between local governments and universities. This matching site serves as a foundation to promote collaboration for regional problem-solving, allowing local governments, regions, higher education institutions, and student groups interested in "Furusato Mirai College" to learn about each other's initiatives. It provides information on member activities, 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/

[Image: Screenshot of the "Furusato Mirai College" matching site]

1. Overview
Regional issues such as population decline and the contraction of local economies are becoming increasingly diverse and complex. In recent years, there has been a demand to incorporate the perspectives of young people, such as students, into regional initiatives to foster sustainable community development. "Furusato Mirai College" is a project aimed at creating programs where universities and local communities collaborate to solve regional issues, thereby fostering a related population and enhancing the appeal of the region. In this project, 15 municipalities eager to solve regional issues in collaboration with universities were selected as model municipalities, and we have supported their efforts to address specific local challenges.

Additionally, we conducted research and studies on the content, results, operational methods, and collaboration processes of these model municipalities. These findings, along with other advanced case studies, were compiled into a research report to share know-how on university-community collaboration with local governments nationwide, thereby promoting similar initiatives across the country.

2. Main Activities in Fiscal Year 2025
① Operation of Model Demonstration Projects
We provided hands-on support for the regional problem-solving initiatives of the 15 selected model municipalities. By establishing "Mutual Learning Meetings" to share the content, insights, and know-how of each municipality, we fostered awareness and learning among local governments and universities, creating horizontal connections between the model municipalities. In Obuse Town (Nagano Prefecture) and Ama Town (Shimane Prefecture), stronger partnerships were built, leading to further project advancement. Furthermore, the participation of advisors from the University of Tokyo's Urban Design Lab, ETIC., the Smart City Institute, and experts participating in SSPP*3 contributed to the quality of the model demonstration projects.

*3 Sustainable Smart City Partner Program: A program promoted by NTT to support future urban development with the goal of maximizing the happiness of regions and residents.

[Images: Scenes from the Mutual Learning Meeting and the Final Report Meeting]

② Research and Analysis of Advanced Case Studies
We comprehensively collected a "long list"*4 of 450 cases nationwide where universities and local governments collaborate to solve regional issues. We conducted multifaceted research and analysis on the results, challenges, and mechanisms for sustainability, extracting 10 advanced case studies. Common characteristics identified in these cases regarding "co-creative community development" include: (1) multi-sector involvement, (2) shared vision, (3) chain of innovation, (4) process of subject formation, and (5) opportunities for mutual learning. It was found that these factors influence each other, nurturing people, strengthening networks, re-valuing existing regional resources, and creating new daily innovations. In "Furusato Mirai College," many advanced cases showed that not only students but various involved parties continue to engage sustainably as a "co-creation population"*5.

*4 Long list: A list that comprehensively extracts candidates based on certain conditions (e.g., projects where universities based in metropolitan areas collaborate with local governments to solve regional issues).
*5 Co-creation population: Defined in this study as human resources who create innovation by engaging with diverse entities such as local residents, government, NPOs, companies, and the related population.

③ Matching Support and Launch of the Matching Site
In our matching support for local governments and universities, we initiated approaches to approximately 560 entities, steadily advancing cases from initial meetings to verbal agreements and tripartite conferences, resulting in 49 matches and 10 project agreements.

Furthermore, on March 12, 2026, we launched a website to support new matching opportunities. By registering on the site, municipalities with regional issues and universities seeking collaboration can create more effective matching opportunities. The site includes records of successful collaborations and the findings from the advanced case study research (see ②). We aim to use this as an information resource for municipalities and universities, including those already implementing "Furusato Mirai College." (See "3. Overview of the 'Furusato Mirai College' Matching Site")

④ Fostering Momentum for Participation
We held seminars featuring expert lectures, case studies, and policy explanations, as well as matching events*6 for stakeholders from local governments and universities, in a hybrid format (in-person and online). By having NTT DX Partner manage and execute everything from planning and lecturer coordination to on-site operations and report creation, we promoted participation from local governments and universities and fostered momentum for the expansion of this project.

*6 Overview of matching events: https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/jichi_gyousei/c-gyousei/r711furusatomiraicollegeevent_00001.html

[Images: Lecture by local journalist Terumi Tanaka, a talk session, and a dialogue session]

3. Overview of the "Furusato Mirai College" Matching Site
Municipalities wishing to incorporate young perspectives into regional problem-solving, universities seeking to foster students' problem-finding and solving abilities, and students wanting to use their skills for regional revitalization can receive matching support by registering on this site.

◆ Target Audience: Local governments, higher education institutions (universities, etc.), and students
◆ Cost: Free for both registration and use
◆ What you can do on the matching site:
- "Learn": Gain hints from case studies and events in other regions.
- "Search": Find collaboration partners that meet your criteria.
- "Connect": Form concrete collaborations through direct communication via direct messages or public inquiry functions.
◆ URL: https://furusato-mirai-college.go.jp/

4. Results of the FY2025 Model Demonstration Project and Future Initiatives
In fiscal year 2025, the first year of this project, we went beyond solving individual regional issues. By sharing information on initiatives and progress while aiming for sustainable development, we contributed to the creation of attractive regional development in Japan and the cultivation and circulation of human resources responsible for community building. This led to the creation of model cases for sustainable initiatives.

In the coming year, policies such as the "Furusato Resident Registration System" are expected to accelerate efforts to create a related population. In this context, the importance of "Furusato Mirai College," which creates opportunities for young people to engage with regions, is increasing. The matching site is also expected to expand its role and develop as an important foundation. NTT DX Partner, the University of Tokyo's Urban Design Lab, and ETIC. are continuing to consider mechanisms for creating a related population and remain committed to the further development of this project and the promotion of regional co-creation.