Forval and Kumamoto City Sign Location Agreement

Forval Corporation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President: Masanori Nakajima; hereinafter "Forval"), a "Corporate Doctor (Next-Generation Management Consultant) Group" that supports ESG management through visualization and hands-on guidance under the philosophy of "Creating a new world with 'New Normals'," announces that it signed a location agreement with Kumamoto City (Mayor: Kazufumi Onishi) on March 26, 2026, with the attendance of Kumamoto Prefecture.

Background and Purpose of the Agreement

In recent years, Kumamoto has seen the accumulation of new industries, including the semiconductor sector, leading to a rapidly growing need for hands-on support to advance local industries and foster corporate growth. Anticipating these environmental changes, Forval has been commissioned by Kumamoto City for its "SME DX Acceleration Project" since fiscal year 2023, providing multifaceted support including hands-on guidance for local companies, seminar management, human resource development, and the hosting of result presentation meetings. Furthermore, as the secretariat for the Kumamoto City DX Portal, Forval has contributed to building a foundation for DX promotion across the region by disseminating case studies and providing consultation services.

Based on these ongoing efforts, Forval has decided to expand its business base in Kumamoto. By further strengthening its locally-rooted support system, the company aims to contribute more significantly to the growth of local businesses, job creation, and the sustainable development of the industry.

Details of the Agreement

Under this agreement, Forval will open a new office in Kasuga, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City, to develop a corporate support business based on internet-related services. At the new office, the company will provide DX promotion support regarding the utilization of digital tools and the creation of information infrastructure. Additionally, it will offer permanent, hands-on management support (including ESG management support, operational improvement, and human resource development) to local companies, fully launching initiatives to boost the management capabilities and sustainable growth of regional businesses. Furthermore, from the perspective of regional industrial promotion, the company will prioritize local businesses for the procurement of services and materials, strive to strengthen cooperation with related companies, and work on job creation with consideration for local hiring, ensuring a healthy workplace environment, and maintaining harmony with the local community.

Comment from Fumiaki Okajima, Director of the Corporate Location Promotion Division, Department of Industry, Kumamoto City Economic and Tourism Bureau

I would like to express my sincere congratulations on the opening of the "Kumamoto Corporate Clinic Lab."

Through your "Next-Generation Management Consulting," your company has long been a powerful leader in promoting DX for small and medium-sized enterprises, and by practicing "New Normals," you have contributed significantly to the development of the entire regional economy.

We have high expectations that by providing diverse solutions through hands-on support to SMEs in this period of transformation, your company will help promote GX and DX in our city. Furthermore, for our city, which is working to accumulate information and communication-related industries, revitalize the local economy, and create attractive employment opportunities for young people, I am confident that this opening will be a powerful boost toward realizing our goal of becoming a "High-Quality Living City."

I sincerely pray for the further development of your company and the creation of a future in collaboration with our region, using this base as a foundation.

Comment from Katsunori Hirohata, Executive Officer and General Manager of Kyushu/Chugoku-Shikoku Company, Forval

The opening of the "Kumamoto Corporate Clinic Lab" is a testament to our commitment to being a "Corporate Doctor" in Kumamoto...