sooup Consulting Implements Corporate Hometown Tax Donation to Kochi Prefecture for the 6th Consecutive Year, Participating Again in Kochi's "Tebate! Study Abroad JAPAN!" (Inquiry-Based Overseas Study Program) to Support High School Students' Study Abroad

sooup Consulting Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hironobu Wada), which provides administrative and back-office support, is pleased to report that it has made its sixth consecutive corporate hometown tax donation to Kochi Prefecture and its second consecutive donation to Kochi Prefecture's "Kochi Future Creation Global Human Resource Development Project."

To contribute to the development of human resources who can solve not only local issues in Kochi but also national and global challenges through their study abroad experiences, we will continue to support the overseas studies of high school students in Kochi Prefecture, the hometown of our representative, Wada.

Our Representative, Wada, Speaks at the "Kochi Future Creation Global Human Resource Development Project" Send-off and Pre-Orientation Session

Scene from the 2025 Kochi Future Creation Global Human Resource Development Project Send-off Ceremony

Scene from the pre-orientation on June 7, 2026 (Sunday)

At the "Kochi Future Creation Global Human Resource Development Project" send-off and pre-orientation held on June 7, 2026 (Sunday), our representative, Wada, gave a speech to encourage the high school students from Kochi Prefecture participating in the study abroad program.

On that day, Wada shared his own experiences, emphasizing the importance of gaining experience abroad and encountering diverse values, as well as the attitude required in the future society. The earnest gazes and positive attitudes of the participating high school students were particularly impressive.

We will continue to support the challenges of young people in the region and contribute to the development of individuals with a global perspective.

Utilization of Donation Funds

■ What is the "Kochi Future Creation Global Human Resource Development Project"?

This is a human resource development project by Kochi Prefecture that aims to support "inquiry-based overseas study" for high school students in the prefecture, utilizing the "Hub Formation Support Program" of the "Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN!" public-private collaborative overseas study support system (New Japan Representative Program) implemented by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Japan Student Services Organization.

Overview of the Kochi Future Creation Global Human Resource Development Project
URL: https://sites.google.com/g.kochinet.ed.jp/kochimirai/HOME

■ What is Corporate Hometown Tax Donation?

Established in 2016, this system allows companies to receive tax credits for corporate taxes when they donate to regional revitalization projects designated in regional revitalization plans certified by the government. Combined with the tax reduction effect from being treated as a deductible expense (approximately 30% of the donation amount), up to 90% of the donation amount can be reduced, making the effective burden on the company approximately 10%.

Number of local governments with certified regional revitalization plans: 1,613 municipalities Total donations: 63.14 billion yen (8,464 companies) As of April 1, Reiwa 8 (2026)
URL: https://www.pref.kochi.lg.jp/doc/kigyou/

While the recognition of individual hometown tax donations is high, the recognition of corporate hometown tax donations is still not widespread. sooup Consulting aims to raise awareness among a wider audience and will also provide support for its utilization to our clients.

■ Comment from Hironobu Wada, Representative Director of sooup Consulting

I was born in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, and raised in a single-parent household. I paid for my tuition entirely on my own through scholarships and part-time jobs from high school through graduate school, so studying abroad was not a readily available option for me during my student days. Although I gained experience working for overseas corporations after becoming a working adult, I believe that opportunities to experience and learn about different cultures at a young age are extremely valuable. I resonated with the strong desire of the Kochi Prefectural Government officials to send high school students from the prefecture abroad to study, and I have made a modest donation.

I recognize that the current issues facing Kochi Prefecture, such as aging population and the state of the regional economy, are serious problems that will eventually affect all of Japan. I sincerely hope that the high school students from Kochi who will study abroad will utilize their valuable experiences to become individuals who can solve problems not only in Kochi but also in Japan and globally, and I will continue to support them.

■ Comment from Mr. Takahisa Maue, Director of the High School Division, Kochi Prefectural Board of Education

The Kochi Prefectural Board of Education supports the "Kochi Future Creation Global Human Resource Development Project," in which high school students set their own themes related to the prefecture's challenges and study destinations, and study abroad to solve these issues.

We are deeply grateful to sooup Consulting Co., Ltd. for their understanding of the project's purpose and for their donation this year, following last year.

President Wada also participates in pre- and post-orientation sessions and results reporting meetings related to the study abroad program. His talks, which include his own overseas experiences, are always filled with smiles and laughter, and there is lively interaction with the high school students who listen to his advice and encouragement with serious eyes. President Wada's expectations and passionate aspirations not only heighten the students' motivation for learning abroad but also serve as a boost for the young people who will shape the future of Kochi and Japan.

This year, 32 high school students from 14 schools will study abroad, and the donated funds will be used as part of their study abroad expenses. We kindly request your continued support and cooperation for the overseas study of high school students in Kochi Prefecture, enabling them to pursue their dreams and hopes.

[sooup Consulting Co., Ltd. Company Profile]

Location: 4th Floor, Daiichi Kasahara Building, 3-21-18 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Hironobu Wada, President and CEO
Established: July 1, 2016
Business Activities: Administrative and back-office consulting services
Company Website: https://sooupconsulting.co.jp