Hirokawa Town, Yame District, Fukuoka Prefecture, and Epson Sales Inc. Conclude Dispatch Agreement for "Regional Revitalization Entrepreneurs"

　Hirokawa Town, Yame District, Fukuoka Prefecture (Mayor: Kentaro Himuro, hereinafter referred to as Hirokawa Town) and Epson Sales Inc. (President: Haruo Kuribayashi, hereinafter referred to as Epson Sales) have concluded an agreement to dispatch employees from Epson Sales to Hirokawa Town based on the "Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur System" promoted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Under this agreement, digitalization of administrative services will be advanced based on the "Hirokawa Town DX Promotion Plan" formulated by Hirokawa Town. Furthermore, it aims to support regional DX initiatives that lead to the resolution of regional issues and improved convenience for residents, thereby contributing to the strengthening of the entire town's digital foundation.

Characteristics and Initiatives of Hirokawa Town

　Hirokawa Town is an agricultural town blessed with abundant nature, widely known for its specialty products "Amaou" strawberries and "Yamecha" tea. Crafts such as "Kurume Kasuri," designated as a national traditional craft, also form part of the region's charm.

　In terms of transportation, there is the Hirokawa IC, and industrial and new industrial parks have been developed. Currently, in addition to promoting town development centered on children, efforts are being made to expand digital touchpoints with residents through measures such as the online processing of administrative procedures and information dissemination via official LINE.

Hirokawa Town Homepage: https://www.town.hirokawa.fukuoka.jp/

Characteristics and Initiatives of Epson Sales

　Epson Sales aims to be "a company that contributes to solving social issues and creates sustainable value with its customers." To date, it has addressed social issues such as reducing environmental impact and improving operational efficiency by providing solutions that utilize printers and projectors.

　In recent years, it has also been working to strengthen collaboration with local governments and promote regional value creation through initiatives such as GX and DX promotion.

　Under this agreement, Epson Sales will leverage its knowledge of digital utilization and business improvement know-how cultivated through supporting local governments to improve the quality of administrative services based on the "Hirokawa Town DX Promotion Plan" and to support the launch of new digital services that contribute to solving regional issues. Through these initiatives, it will contribute to the improvement of resident services and convenience, including in the child and child-rearing domain, which is a focus area for Hirokawa Town.

Epson Homepage: https://www.epson.jp/

About the Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur System
　This is a system established by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to create and expand human flow, by dispatching human resources from companies located in urban areas to local governments in rural regions for a certain period to tackle regional issues and promote revitalization. (Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur" Official Website)

Purpose of the Agreement

　To contribute to the resolution of regional issues and regional revitalization through projects that strengthen the town's overall digital foundation, based on the "Hirokawa Town DX Promotion Plan" formulated by Hirokawa Town.

Specific Initiatives

(1) Operations related to the online processing of administrative procedures based on the "Hirokawa Town DX Promotion Plan," promotion of ICT utilization, improvement of resident services, and streamlining of internal operations.

(2) Planning and execution of operations related to Hirokawa Town's unique digital transformation concept and specific action plans.

(3) Support for DX human resource development, digital education, training, and seminars.

(4) Operations related to creating an environment where everyone, regardless of age, disability, or economic reasons, is not left behind, and all residents can benefit from digitalization through the utilization of digital technology.

(5) Operations related to information dissemination for each initiative.

(6) Operations contributing to regional revitalization.

Dispatch Period

Scheduled for a maximum of three years, starting from April 1, Reiwa 8 (2026).

Comment from Hirokawa Town Mayor Kentaro Himuro

　We are forming a strong partnership with Epson Sales Inc. and, as "Regional Revitalization Entrepreneurs," we will welcome personnel with their company's specialized know-how, knowledge, and extensive network. Working as one team with our town staff, we will vigorously promote "Hirokawa Town's DX" and strive to improve services for our residents.

　We will further accelerate the online processing of administrative procedures and the creation of a system for "no writing, no waiting, no going" at service counters, and together, we will build an environment where residents can truly feel the convenience of digital technology in their daily lives.

Comment from Epson Sales President and Representative Director Haruo Kuribayashi

　We place our customers at the center of all our actions and strive to solve social issues and create value.

　We view the conclusion of this agreement with Hirokawa Town as an important opportunity to apply the digital utilization knowledge and business improvement know-how we have cultivated in supporting local governments towards the realization of the town's DX promotion plan.

　Through these DX initiatives, we will jointly promote "Project Centered on Children," a key policy of Hirokawa Town, and work towards realizing Hirokawa Town's vision of a "warm and smiling town where people of all generations can live comfortably.".

　As a partner contributing to the future of Hirokawa Town, we will evolve as a company that creates sustainable value and new possibilities by leveraging our locally rooted initiatives and digital expertise.

End