Cocoo Opens First "Regional Revitalization DX-LAB" in Bandai Town, Fukushima, to Foster Local Digital Talent

Cocoo Inc. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yusuke Irie; hereinafter referred to as Cocoo), which supports societal DX through its "Human Resources x Digital" business, has signed a "Collaboration Agreement on Regional Revitalization DX-LAB in Bandai Town" with Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture (Mayor: Junichi Sato) to aim for the realization of a sustainable local community in a declining population society.

Based on this agreement, the "Bandai Town DX-LAB," which will be the first research and development base for Cocoo's "Regional Revitalization DX-LAB (Lab)," has been established within the Bandai Town Hall on June 30, 2026. This base will promote the resolution of regional issues, human resource development, administrative DX, regional corporate DX, and the construction of a "local production for local consumption model for digital human resources" (Note 1). This marks Cocoo's first expansion into the Tohoku region and its ninth base nationwide.

Note 1: A coined term meaning "for local human resources to be active in their own region." In its regional revitalization initiatives, Cocoo aims to realize a "local production for local consumption" model where individuals born and raised in the region are trained as DX human resources (local production) and become active in promoting DX within that region (local consumption).

Background and Objectives for Establishing the "Regional Revitalization DX-LAB"

In July 2025, Cocoo signed a comprehensive collaboration agreement with Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture, and Cocoo employees were appointed as "Regional Revitalization Entrepreneurs" in Bandai Town. As CIO advisors, they have been involved in promoting administrative DX and expanding it to regional companies, including supporting the smooth execution and achievement of "Redesigning Work Styles" in Bandai Town's "Bandai Town Citizen Happiness Project."

The "Regional Revitalization DX-LAB (Lab)" established by Cocoo is a research and development base that acts as a "catalyst" to create a circulation structure for digital human resources in the region by integrating administration, corporations, and human resource development, while utilizing the "Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur System." Through this lab, we aim to launch the "local production for local consumption model for digital human resources" business within three years.

Bandai Town is a town that practices fundamental initiatives to change the town's very existence, not just digitalization, with the philosophy of "changing the region by working backward from the future." We have positioned this DX-LAB as the first base for nationwide expansion, using the initiatives cultivated by the CIO advisor (Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur) in Bandai Town as a model for regional revitalization that will spread across the country.

At the "Bandai Town DX-LAB," we aim to realize a "human resource ecosystem" where individuals born and raised in the region acquire digital skills and drive DX in their communities.

Bandai Town DX-LAB <Location> 1855 Aza Nakanohashi, Bandai, Bandai-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, 969-3392 (within Bandai Town Hall)

▼ About Cocoo's Regional Revitalization Initiatives

https://cocoo.co.jp/corporate/vision2030/regional-revitalization/

▼ Documentary Video

4 months following an employee dispatched to Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture as a "Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur" as they tackle regional issue resolution and administrative DX promotion as a CIO Advisor <YouTube>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71oUy1UoXPo

Collaborative Measures to be Implemented Through This Agreement

Cocoo and Bandai Town will collaborate to build a regional revitalization model that addresses the declining population society by promoting the resolution of regional issues using digital technology, human resource development, revitalization of regional industries, and the formation of a sustainable local community.

<Collaborative Matters of the Agreement>

(1) Promotion and development of the Regional Revitalization DX-LAB (2) Construction of a local production for local consumption model for digital human resources (3) Improvement of digital skills and creation of opportunities for participation for local residents, especially women and youth (4) Administrative DX and business reform (5) Promotion of DX for regional companies and related organizations

Comments on the Signing of the Collaboration Agreement

・Junichi Sato, Mayor of Bandai Town

I am extremely pleased to take this new step with Cocoo Inc. as the first base for the "Regional Revitalization DX-LAB."

Bandai Town has been challenging itself to transform the town with the happiness of its citizens at its core, going beyond mere digitalization, with the aspiration of "changing the region by working backward from the future." I am confident that this collaboration agreement will further advance that challenge.

Going forward, we will utilize the Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur System and work together as administration and corporations to build a "local production for local consumption model for digital human resources" where local residents, especially women, can acquire digital skills and actively participate as stakeholders.

We will dedicate our full efforts to ensure that this "human resource ecosystem" created in Bandai Town becomes a force to overcome the declining population society and serves as the starting point for a regional revitalization model that spreads nationwide.

・Takayoshi Ando, Head of Regional Revitalization DX Office, Cocoo Inc.

In our long-term management plan "VISION2030," we have identified regional revitalization as one of our most important themes, aiming to establish 30 bases nationwide. However, what we truly want to achieve is not the number of bases, but the creation of a "human resource ecosystem" where people who value their region can acquire digital skills and keep the economy circulating even in a declining population society, acting as stakeholders in their local communities.

The "Regional Revitalization DX-LAB" is the "catalyst" for intentionally launching this ecosystem. We have designated Bandai Town as the first location for this. This is because Bandai Town is already practicing fundamental challenges such as establishing a CDO and implementing organization-wide reforms, embodying the concept of "changing the region by working backward from the future."

Through the activities of our employee, who is originally from Fukushima and is currently active as a Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur, we strongly feel the potential of a model where individuals "born and raised in Fukushima" can "engage with their hometown," and where administration, corporations, and human resource development are integrated to grow together.

Bandai Town is the origin and starting point for a regional revitalization model that will spread nationwide. We want to create a model that will endure for the future of Japan, together with Bandai Town.

June 30, 2026: Signing Ceremony for the Collaboration Agreement (Photo: Mayor Junichi Sato <right>, Takayoshi Ando, Head of Regional Revitalization DX Office, Cocoo Inc. <left>)

About Bandai Town

Bandai Town in Fukushima Prefecture is a small town with a population of approximately 3,100 people, located in the central part of the Aizu region. It is situated about 200 km north of central Tokyo, in the northeastern part of the Aizu Basin. The town is overlooked by Mt. Bandai and is a place of scenic beauty, with approximately 70% of its area covered by forests. It boasts the Bandai Nishiyama麓 Spring Water Group, selected as one of the "100 Famous Waters of the Showa Era," and this pure water is distributed throughout the town via water pipes.

It is also a treasure trove of nature that shows different faces throughout the seasons. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom against the backdrop of Mt. Bandai with its lingering snow. In summer, you can enjoy active nature experiences such as mountain climbing and hiking. In autumn, a spectacular view of mountains ablaze with autumn leaves unfolds, and in winter, you can enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowboarding in a world of white.

It is a town where you can feel the beauty of the four seasons and the blessings of its famous waters.

▼ Official Website of Bandai Town: https://www.town.bandai.fukushima.jp/

About Cocoo Inc.

Since its founding in 2019, Cocoo Inc. has been involved in "DX support" and "DX human resource development" for companies and local governments.

With the purpose of "Creating a society where diversity and inclusion are the norm through the power of digital," we promote the active participation of diverse human resources.

As the first step (Step 1), we focus on promoting the active participation of women. We hire motivated women from various industries who wish to build careers in the digital field without prior experience, and train them into DX human resources through our unique program. Of our approximately 900 employees, 82% are women, and many female employees support the DX initiatives of companies.

Cocoo's strength lies in its diverse workforce, united by a shared philosophy and corporate culture where "each employee has a sense of ownership and takes proactive action."

Through these achievements, we have received numerous awards related to women's active participation and D&I, including ranking 2nd in the corporate category at the "Forbes JAPAN WOMEN AWARD 2023."

In our long-term management plan "VISION2030," formulated in 2023, we are focusing on "Diversity & Inclusion," "Regional Revitalization," and "Business Partnerships" as key themes, aiming to become "No. 1 in DX Human Resource Incubation - Creating a society where everyone can work vibrantly by improving Japan's productivity."

Company Name

Cocoo Inc. (English: COCOO Corp.)

Location

[Tokyo Head Office] 5F, Teikoku Shoin Bldg., 3-29 Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0051

Established

February 6, 2019

Capital

505 million yen (including capital reserve)

Representative

Yusuke Irie, Representative Director & CEO

Business Activities

<Human Resources x Digital Business> ・DX Consulting Business ・EXCEL Girls Business ・Data Science Business ・RPA Business ・AI Business ・Digital Marketing Business ・IT Infrastructure Business ・Education Business

Website

https://cocoo.co.jp/

Contact Information

TEL: 03-3527-1167 (Main)

<Inquiries Regarding This Matter>

Cocoo Inc.

[Contact for Media Relations]

Public Relations Group, Contact: Fukamachi

TEL: 080-7681-9473 (Mobile), 03-3527-1167 (Main) MAIL: prg@cocoo.co.jp

[Contact for Regional Revitalization DX Office]

Regional Revitalization DX Office

TEL: 03-3527-1167 (Main) MAIL: region-dx@cocoo.co.jp