The General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion (hereinafter "the Association") will host the first session of its webinar series "Relationship Population Lab," which re-examines "relationship population" from the frontlines of municipalities and businesses. Titled #1 "Beyond Relationship Population — How Do Migration and U-Turns Happen? ~ Insights from the City of Wakayama ~," the event will take place online (webinar format, free of charge, advance registration required) on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30. We are pleased to announce that the schedule for the day has now been finalized.

▶ Register for Relationship Population Lab #1 here

※ If the link above does not work, please register by email to: General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion, Relationship Population Lab Secretariat, Email: kankei@gdx.or.jp

The preceding #0 session, "What Exactly Is Relationship Population?" held on May 27, welcomed a total of 198 participants from municipalities, tourism associations, and businesses (archived video available on YouTube). Building on this, #1 will focus on migration and U-turns—the "next step" beyond relationship population—featuring the City of Wakayama and Synergy Marketing Co., Ltd., which collaborates with the city.

We will explore Wakayama's public-private initiatives for migration and settlement, and delve into the significance of collaboration between municipalities and businesses, facilitated by Mr. Masato Ito. The series instructor will continue to be Mr. Masato Ito, Lecturer and Researcher at the Global Communication Center (GLOCOM), International University.

"Beyond Relationship Population — How Do Migration and U-Turns Happen? ~ Insights from the City of Wakayama ~"

Background

The idea that "relationship population is important" has become widespread, prompting many municipalities and businesses to work on building connections with local communities. However, how to convert these growing connections into concrete next steps such as migration or U-turns remains an area of trial and error. In particular, maintaining relationships with young people who leave their hometowns for education or employment, and nurturing those relationships so that "returning home" becomes a viable future option, is a shared challenge across many regions.

Session #1 will spotlight Wakayama City's efforts, which have directly addressed this challenge. To maintain ties with youth leaving for education or employment, Wakayama City has partnered with Synergy Marketing Co., Ltd. and implemented "FAVTOWN," a digital relationship population platform that connects departing residents with their hometown. During this seminar, we will hear from Wakayama City about the challenges previously faced in migration and settlement policies, what has changed on the ground through public-private collaboration, and the deeper meaning of such partnerships.

Event Schedule (Finalized)

10:00–10:10|Opening & Introduction to GDX Initiatives Welcome remarks, introduction to the Association's activities, and an overview of the "Relationship Population Lab" series.

10:10–10:30|Relationship Population Lab Talk Session Part 1 With series instructor Masato Ito as moderator, we will address questions raised during #0 and clarify key topics surrounding "relationship population."

10:30–11:20|Talk Session Part 2 (Wakayama City × Synergy Marketing) Facilitated by Mr. Ito, we will discuss Wakayama City's journey in migration, settlement, and relationship population building, along with its public-private collaboration via the relationship population platform "FAVTOWN." We will explore what has changed on the ground, the significance of municipal-business collaboration, and include a Q&A segment.

11:20–11:30|Closing Closing remarks

※ Session timings may be adjusted slightly depending on the flow of discussion.

Event Name

Relationship Population Lab #1 "Beyond Relationship Population — How Do Migration and U-Turns Happen?"

Date and Time

July 1, 2026 (Wed) 10:00–11:30

Format

Online webinar (using ZOOM)

Target Audience

Municipal officials, corporate representatives, researchers, students, and others interested in relationship population

Organizer

General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion (GDX)

Register for Relationship Population Lab #1 here

※ If the link above does not work, please register by email to: General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion, Relationship Population Lab Secretariat, Email: kankei@gdx.or.jp

▶ Archived Video (#0 "What Exactly Is Relationship Population?")

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDiIylI2BKE

[Guest: City of Wakayama]

Ryosuke Matsuzaka

Ryosuke Matsuzaka

Section Chief, City Promotion Division, City of Wakayama

Joined Wakayama City Hall in 2006. After working in welfare and industrial departments, transferred in 2025 to the newly established City Promotion Division. Currently responsible for promoting migration and settlement—including relationship population initiatives—as well as attracting and collaborating with universities.

Yutaro Okamoto

Yutaro Okamoto

Chief, City Promotion Division, City of Wakayama

Joined Wakayama City Hall in 2019. After serving in the Asset Tax Division, transferred in 2024 to the Settlement Strategy Division (predecessor to the current City Promotion Division). Currently focuses on relationship population initiatives, building cross-boundary learning systems within Wakayama City, and maintaining connections with former residents who have moved away.

[Guest: Synergy Marketing Co., Ltd.]

Kazunori Hirate

Kazunori Hirate

General Manager, Media Business Division, Synergy Marketing Co., Ltd.

Long engaged in supporting customer relationship management (CRM) as part of corporate marketing strategies. Applied this expertise to building relationships between hometowns and former residents, launching the relationship population platform "FAVTOWN." Actively works to maintain connections with youth who have moved away and to foster future U-turn migration.

Series Instructor: Masato Ito

Masato Ito Lecturer and Researcher, Global Communication Center, International University

Graduated from the Faculty of Environmental Tourism, Nagano University, and completed graduate studies at Hitotsubashi University. Has long been involved in research and practice related to human mobility across regions, including rural migration, relationship population, and tourism. A leading sociological researcher on youth mobility decisions.

Author of "Decoding Rural Migration Promotion from Data and Facts," "Mobility and Class," and "A History of Postwar Rural Migration Policy in Japan." Co-edited "Relationship Population Created by Businesses and Communities" (Gakugei Shuppan, June 2026).

About the General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion

The General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion (GDX) is an organization established in 2023 to support municipalities in advancing digital transformation (DX) through collaboration with private enterprises. Acting as a hub connecting municipalities and businesses, GDX conducts interviews, matchmaking, and information dissemination. Activities include publishing the newsletter "Municipal DX Guide," planning and operating seminars for municipalities nationwide, and conducting various surveys.

Inquiries Regarding This Press Release and Seminar

General Incorporated Association for Municipal DX Promotion, Relationship Population Lab Secretariat

TEL: 03-6683-0106 Email: kankei@gdx.or.jp

URL: https://gdx.or.jp/

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