Addressing Talent Shortage, Market Expansion, and Technical Succession: Higashiosaka Hosts Manufacturing Support Forum via Public-Private Partnership

COMMON Inc. (the secretariat for the Future Town Planning Organization) planned and operated the 'Higashiosaka Manufacturing Talent Forum' held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Creation Core Higashiosaka.

This forum was held to explore solutions for manufacturing companies in and around Higashiosaka facing management challenges such as talent shortages, market expansion, technical succession, DX readiness, and resource limitations. The focus was on leveraging side-job and concurrent talent, as well as collaboration with government, financial institutions, support agencies, and private companies.

Participants included manufacturers from both within and outside Higashiosaka, government officials, financial institutions, and support firms. In addition to presentations, the event featured exchange booths and networking opportunities, leading to concrete consultations and potential future partnerships.

Prior to the event, it was featured in the Yomiuri Shimbun, and on the day, it was covered by Higashiosaka Cable Television. Furthermore, pre-event dissemination via PR TIMES led to coverage by 34 media outlets, generating significant interest both within and outside the region.

Addressing HR Challenges in Higashiosaka Manufacturing
Higashiosaka is a city renowned for its manufacturing prowess. However, local companies increasingly face challenges that are difficult to resolve independently, such as recruiting difficulties, shortages of young talent, market development, technical succession, DX, PR, and lack of internal resources.

This forum served as a platform to rethink these issues not merely as 'lack of manpower,' but from the perspective of how to effectively use side-job talent, external specialists, government support, regional finance, and support organizations.

Part 1: Sharing Options for Problem Solving from Perspectives of Side-Job Talent, Regional Finance, Support Systems, and Government Policies
COMMON Inc. opened the forum by outlining the challenges surrounding Higashiosaka's manufacturers and the possibilities of support through public-private partnerships.

Speaker 1: Indeed Recruit Partners Co., Ltd.
'What is Side-Job Talent Utilization for Solving Management Issues?'
Indeed Recruit Partners lectured on new approaches to recruitment in the era of talent shortage, specifically the use of side-job and concurrent employees. They highlighted that by borrowing external talent for necessary themes, companies can take new steps forward.

Speaker 2: Osaka City Shinkin Bank
'Manufacturing Support from the Perspective of Regional Finance'
Osaka City Shinkin Bank discussed manufacturing support from the viewpoint of regional finance. Financial institutions serve as broad consulting partners, providing support not only in funding but also in management reorganization, business succession, market development, and HR issues.

Speaker 3: Osaka Industrial Bureau
'Information on Side-Job/Concurrent Talent Utilization and Support Systems'
The Osaka Industrial Bureau introduced consultation windows and support systems available for companies interested in utilizing side-job and concurrent talent.