Private-Led 'Regional HR Department' Consortium 'F-DRivE' Established in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Catalyst Entertainment LLC has launched 'F-DRivE,' a private-led consortium in Fuji City to address regional labor shortages by integrating talent development, retention, and recruitment, aiming to create a new model for regional revitalization.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 21:34
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 13:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 23:59 (10h 57m after Collected)
Catalyst Entertainment LLC (CE, Representative: Kodai Ide) established the 'Regional HR Department' recommended by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) on April 15, 2026, in a private-led consortium format. This initiative is in collaboration with Fuji City (Mayor: Yuki Kanazashi), the Fuji Chamber of Commerce (Chairman: Yuji Asami), the Fuji City Board of Trade (Chairman: Osamu Kawaguchi), and the Fuji Shinkin Bank (Chairman: Yuji Asami). CE will handle the secretariat functions for this project, 'Fuji HR Department F-DRivE,' and CE COO Daiki Kawakami has been appointed as the CHRO (Chief Human Resource Officer) and business execution manager of the consortium.
F-DRivE Organizational Structure Concept
The newly formed 'Regional HR Department F-DRivE' is a platform aimed at boosting Fuji City's industrial strength by creating a cycle of 'Development → Retention → Recruitment.' By increasing the number of companies that meet the needs of young people, the project seeks to achieve sustainable development. Furthermore, it aims to transmit the F-DRivE model nationwide, establishing a new role model for regional revitalization where 'building a career in Fuji City becomes a brand.'
Key initiatives in 'Fuji HR Department F-DRivE' include:
'Development': Increasing the number of employees who find fulfillment and challenge through CE's original cross-border human resource development program. This includes regional problem-solving projects involving high school and university students.
'Retention': Supporting organizational improvement while respecting company backgrounds. This includes assistance in transforming into 'companies chosen by young people' through MVV formulation, evaluation systems, training, team building, and community activities.
'Recruitment': Directly connecting companies that have successfully transformed with students (schools) with whom trust has been built, introducing them as employment destinations.
To commemorate the formation, the 'Fuji HR Department Launch Anniversary Symposium' will be held on Tuesday, May 19.
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 18:30–20:00
Location: Jiatco Ltd. Headquarters 1F Hall (700-1 Imaizumi, Fuji City, Shizuoka)
Overview:
Part 1: 'The METI-Recommended Regional HR Department and the Launch of Fuji HR Department'
Part 2: 'Panel Discussion on Fuji's Human Resource Challenges: The Current State and Next Steps of Development, Retention, and Recruitment'
Speakers: Yuki Kanazashi (Mayor of Fuji), Keiko Wakuda (Vice Chairman, Fuji Chamber of Commerce), Yuki Yamaoka (Fuji City Council Member), Takashi Watanabe (CEO, VITAL DESIGN), Daiki Kawakami (CHRO, F-DRivE).
*1: A comprehensive initiative where a group of regional companies work together with local governments, financial institutions, and educational institutions to secure talent (including concurrent and side jobs) and build career steps within the region.
*2: The name F-DRivE reflects the desire to create organizations and people that are chosen by youth and continue to earn sustainably—i.e., 'Driving the company's growth engine through people and organization.'
F-DRivE Organizational Structure Concept
The newly formed 'Regional HR Department F-DRivE' is a platform aimed at boosting Fuji City's industrial strength by creating a cycle of 'Development → Retention → Recruitment.' By increasing the number of companies that meet the needs of young people, the project seeks to achieve sustainable development. Furthermore, it aims to transmit the F-DRivE model nationwide, establishing a new role model for regional revitalization where 'building a career in Fuji City becomes a brand.'
Key initiatives in 'Fuji HR Department F-DRivE' include:
'Development': Increasing the number of employees who find fulfillment and challenge through CE's original cross-border human resource development program. This includes regional problem-solving projects involving high school and university students.
'Retention': Supporting organizational improvement while respecting company backgrounds. This includes assistance in transforming into 'companies chosen by young people' through MVV formulation, evaluation systems, training, team building, and community activities.
'Recruitment': Directly connecting companies that have successfully transformed with students (schools) with whom trust has been built, introducing them as employment destinations.
To commemorate the formation, the 'Fuji HR Department Launch Anniversary Symposium' will be held on Tuesday, May 19.
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 18:30–20:00
Location: Jiatco Ltd. Headquarters 1F Hall (700-1 Imaizumi, Fuji City, Shizuoka)
Overview:
Part 1: 'The METI-Recommended Regional HR Department and the Launch of Fuji HR Department'
Part 2: 'Panel Discussion on Fuji's Human Resource Challenges: The Current State and Next Steps of Development, Retention, and Recruitment'
Speakers: Yuki Kanazashi (Mayor of Fuji), Keiko Wakuda (Vice Chairman, Fuji Chamber of Commerce), Yuki Yamaoka (Fuji City Council Member), Takashi Watanabe (CEO, VITAL DESIGN), Daiki Kawakami (CHRO, F-DRivE).
*1: A comprehensive initiative where a group of regional companies work together with local governments, financial institutions, and educational institutions to secure talent (including concurrent and side jobs) and build career steps within the region.
*2: The name F-DRivE reflects the desire to create organizations and people that are chosen by youth and continue to earn sustainably—i.e., 'Driving the company's growth engine through people and organization.'