Seminar on April 22 (Thu): Why Solving Labor Shortages Turns People into 'Regional Fans'

Press Release Translation: English

Future Link Network Co., Ltd. (Head office: Funabashi, Chiba; CEO: Takeharu Ishii; hereinafter FLN), which promotes the creation of a 'relational population,' will hold an online seminar on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, titled "[Relational Population Strategy Seminar #5] Why Solving Labor Shortages Turns People into 'Regional Fans' ~The Potential of Municipal Collaboration with 'Otetsutabi,' with over 95,000 Registered Users~."

This time, we will welcome Mr. Yuta Horiuchi, team leader for municipal collaboration at 'Otetsutabi,' a service garnering widespread attention for simultaneously addressing labor shortages and creating regional connections.

Nativ.media Editor-in-Chief Yoshihiro Kurashige will delve deep as the interviewer, exploring practical perspectives for municipalities to collaborate with private businesses on the theme of creating a relational population.

We will deliver the forefront of "mechanisms for nurturing the relationship between regions and people," including its connection to the Furusato Resident Registration System, for which the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications released guidelines on Friday, March 27, 2026, moving it into the "implementation phase."

### ■ Seminar Overview

- **Title:** [Relational Population Strategy Seminar #5] Why Solving Labor Shortages Turns People into 'Regional Fans' ~The Potential of Municipal Collaboration with 'Otetsutabi,' with over 95,000 Registered Users~ - **Date and Time:** Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 15:30-17:00 (Admission starts: 15:00) - **Format:** Online (Zoom Webinar) *Archive video available for registered attendees only - **Participation Fee:** Free - **Capacity:** Limited to 100 people - **Registration URL:** https://nativ.media/104966/ - **Organizer:** Future Link Network Co., Ltd., Relational Population Creation Department, Nativ.media Editorial Department

### ■ Background

Short-term and seasonal labor shortages, concentrated during agricultural harvest periods and the high season for tourism, are pressing issues for rural areas nationwide. However, this problem is not merely an economic and labor issue.

The continuing decline in workers is a social crisis that concerns the very survival of regional communities, and many municipalities and regional businesses continue to search for fundamental solutions.

In this context, 'Otetsutabi' has brought about a major paradigm shift.

The service has demonstrated the existence of a cycle where "the process of solving labor shortages itself gives birth to deep regional experiences and emotional connections, nurturing fans of the region."

This unique value experience, which can be described as a "middle ground between work and volunteering," does not end with simply providing labor but leads to the formation of a deep affection for the region.

'Otetsutabi,' which has grown to over 95,000 registered users, is not limited to a spread among the youth but is also expanding its user base to middle and senior age groups, with increasing inquiries from municipalities and regional businesses wanting to collaborate.

Many users who gather through 'Otetsutabi' are not just part--timers but become a relational population with deep feelings for the region, engaging continuously.

How can we attract and nurture these regional fans?

The mechanisms and initiatives of 'Otetsutabi' should be highly informative for regions looking to accelerate their creation of a relational population through the "Furusato Resident Registration System," which is set to be fully implemented this fiscal year.

In this seminar, Mr. Yuta Horiuchi, who is in charge of the frontline of municipal collaboration, and Yushi Saso, head of the FLN Relational Population Creation Department, will discuss in detail the specific strategies and perspectives for simultaneously achieving "solving labor shortages" and "creating a relational population." Please join us at this timely moment, right after the guidelines have been released, as a place to gain "implementation knowledge."

### ■ Seminar Purpose and Target Audience

This seminar aims to focus on the "possibility of simultaneously solving" the two regional issues of labor shortage and relational population creation, and to share perspectives and practical knowledge for municipalities and regional businesses to collaborate with private services.

We encourage the following individuals to participate: - Those in charge of migration, settlement, and relational population creation at local governments. - Those concerned about labor shortages in their region (e.g., in primary industries, tourism). - Those working on regional revitalization in roles such as Local Revitalization Cooperator, regional trading companies, or tourism associations/DMOs. - Those considering "concrete measures" to increase the relational population.

### ■ Speakers

**Guest ①: Yuta Horiuchi** Team Leader, New Business & Partnerships, Otetsutabi Inc. Born in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. After graduating from Keio University, he worked for two companies in the telecommunications and IT industries. From his personal experiences in his hometown, he developed a desire to "unearth and convey the unknown charms of rural areas" and transitioned to sales for municipalities. In his previous job, he was involved in supporting regions with everything from product development to promotion for inbound tourism attraction and reception for municipalities. He currently leads the new business and municipal collaboration team at Otetsutabi.

**Guest ②: Yushi Saso** Executive Officer, Head of Relational Population Creation Dept., Future Link Network Co., Ltd. Born in Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture. He joined Future Link Network Co., Ltd. in 2013. After working in the Public Solution Department, he served as the head of the directly managed areas of the regional information platform "My-pre," contributing to the growth of the local marketing x SaaS business. From 2022, he oversaw new business development, experiencing the launch of four businesses. In September 2025, he established the Relational Population Creation Department to consolidate these efforts and became its head. He is currently active on the front lines of solving regional issues, envisioning the future of "relational population creation" from the perspectives of policy, on-the-ground practice, and media.

**Interviewer: Yoshihiro Kurashige** Editor-in-Chief, Nativ.media Born in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture. In March 2016, he founded Native Inc., a venture specializing in regional marketing. In 2017, he established Nativ.media and has since developed various migration promotion and relational population creation projects across the country. In September 2022, he joined KAYAC Inc. (Omoshiro Hojin) through an M&A and was appointed "Head of the Regional Capitalism Business Division." In April 2025, he became independent for the second time, becoming the CEO of Beside Inc., where he supports the launch of regional revitalization projects for companies and provides guidance to local zebra entrepreneurs. In this capacity, he also assumed the role of editor-in-chief for Nativ.media, which was transferred to Future Link Network Co., Ltd. in April 2025, and is involved in the operation and business development of the media as its "insider." Author of "Migration Promotion and Relational Population Strategy by Municipalities in an Era of Population Decline."

### ■ Program

15:00 - Admission to participation URL begins 15:30-15:35 - Introduction (MC: Yoshihiro Kurashige) 15:35-16:40 - Talk Session 16:40-16:55 - Q&A 16:55-17:00 - Announcements from the Nativ.media Editorial Department (FLN) 17:00 - Closing (May be extended until 17:15)

Main Topics for Talk Session (Tentative): - Why is 'Otetsutabi' spreading so much now? - Why does solving labor shortages lead to creating regional fans? - What perspective is needed on the regional side to ensure it doesn't just end with securing labor? - What roles should municipalities and private businesses play in their collaboration? - The potential of 'Otetsutabi' in the era of the Furusato Resident Registration System. - Future outlook and a summary of challenges, etc.

### ■ Remarks

This seminar series is held continuously as a venue for sharing knowledge with municipalities and regional stakeholders on the theme of creating a relational population. To date, it has been **held 4 times, with a total of 688 applicants (including 335 from municipalities)**, indicating high interest, primarily from municipal officials.

Past Sessions: - #1: What Should Municipalities Prepare and How? ~Exploring the Potential and Essential Utilization of the Furusato Resident Registration System~ - #2: Considering the Linkage between Furusato Nozei (Hometown Tax) and Relational Population ~Practical Ideas for Connecting Donors to Become Regional Fans and Supporters~ - #3: Redesigning "Migration Promotion x Relational Population" with Numbers and Facts ~Points for Strategic Transformation in View of the Furusato Resident Registration System~ - #4: Where is the 'Essence' of Relational Population Creation? ~Hearing the On-the-Ground Reality from the Insider of Hida City's 'Hidasuke!'~