Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture (Mayor: Junichi Sato) has signed an agreement with Cocoo Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yusuke Irie) on June 30, 2026, concerning the "Bandai Town Regional Revitalization DX-LAB in Bandai Town." A "Bandai Town DX-LAB (Lab)" has been established within the town hall as a research and development base. This is the company's ninth location nationwide and its first expansion into the Tohoku region.

Bandai Town has previously utilized the "Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur" system, receiving a CIO Assistant from Cocoo Inc. to promote administrative DX and regional problem-solving. With this new agreement and the opening of the lab, the town will further accelerate the creation of a "locally sourced and locally utilized digital talent model" where individuals born and raised in the region acquire digital skills and contribute locally.

*A coined term meaning "local talent actively contributing within their own region."

(Left: Takayoshi Ando, Head of Regional Revitalization DX Office, Cocoo Inc.; Right: Mayor)

Background to the Agreement

Bandai Town signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Cocoo Inc. in July 2025. Based on this agreement, Mai Shiraishi, dispatched as a Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur and CIO Assistant, has been dedicated to improving operations through DX, creating a positive work environment, and fostering the next generation of staff. Building on these achievements, this new agreement was concluded to further promote administrative DX and digital talent development.

Objectives of the Agreement

In a society facing population decline, we aim to realize a new decentralized regional society where local residents can acquire digital capabilities and actively participate as stakeholders in their communities. Based on Cocoo Inc.'s "locally sourced and locally utilized digital talent model," we will challenge ourselves to build a sustainable talent ecosystem, thereby promoting regional revitalization and the active participation of women.

Collaborative Matters under the Agreement

(1) Promotion and development of the Regional Revitalization DX-LAB

(2) Building the "locally sourced and locally utilized digital talent model"

(3) Improving digital skills and creating opportunities for local residents, especially women and young people

(4) Administrative DX and operational reform

(5) Promoting DX for local businesses and related organizations

About the "Locally Sourced and Locally Utilized Digital Talent Model"

The "locally sourced and locally utilized digital talent model" is a sustainable system that revitalizes the regional economy by enabling local residents to acquire digital skills and contribute to local businesses. It particularly promotes education and employment opportunities for individuals with no prior digital experience, including women and young people.

About the "Bandai Town Regional Revitalization DX-LAB"

The "Regional Revitalization DX-LAB" is a research and development base that utilizes the "Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur System" to create a circular structure of "administration, business, and human resource development" within the region. Bandai Town is the first of its kind. Through the "Bandai Town DX-LAB," we aim to realize a "talent ecosystem" where local people acquire digital skills and drive regional DX.

Full Text of the "Bandai Town Regional Revitalization DX-LAB" Joint Declaration

Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture, and Cocoo Inc., rather than despairing in the face of a declining population projected towards 2040, aim to realize a new decentralized regional society where individuals born and raised in the region, or those who cherish the region, can acquire digital capabilities and each actively participate as stakeholders in their communities.

To achieve this, we designate the Bandai Town Hall as the operational base for the "Bandai Town Regional Revitalization DX-LAB," and will integrally promote administration, business, education, and human resource development, challenging ourselves to build a sustainable talent ecosystem through the "locally sourced and locally utilized digital talent model."

Furthermore, we hereby declare our intention to widely share the knowledge and outcomes gained through this initiative and, together with municipalities across Japan, create a new model for regional revitalization in Japan.

June 30, Reiwa 8 (2026)

Junichi Sato, Mayor of Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture

Yusuke Irie, CEO of Cocoo Inc.

About Cocoo Inc.

Company Name: Cocoo Inc.

Location: 5F, Teikoku Shoin Bldg., 3-29 Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Established: February 6, 2019

Representative: Yusuke Irie, CEO

Business Activities: <Talent x Digital Business> DX Consulting, EXCEL Girls, Data Science, RPA, AI, Digital Marketing, IT Infrastructure, Education

URL: https://cocoo.co.jp/

About Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture

Located approximately 200 km north of central Tokyo, in the northeastern part of the Aizu Basin, it is a land of scenic beauty with Mount Bandai towering nearby. It is a town that has inherited history, tradition, and culture, having flourished as the birthplace of Aizu Buddhist culture with the founding of Enichi-ji Temple by the eminent monk Tokuitsu in the early Heian period.

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 協定締結