HAMON Inc. and Arks Japan Inc. Announce Business Partnership to Solve Regional Labor Shortages with AI, Driving Next-Generation EC and Digital Marketing Support

HAMON Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yuta Ogasawara; hereinafter HAMON), which provides EC support, SNS management, and influencer marketing services, and Arks Japan Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shogo Sakamoto; hereinafter Arks Japan), which offers AI-driven marketing support, are pleased to announce their business partnership.

This partnership aims to overcome the labor shortage, a critical issue in regional revitalization, with the power of AI. By combining HAMON's on-site expertise in EC, Instagram management, and influencer marketing, cultivated through collaboration with regional businesses, with Arks Japan's AI utilization capabilities, we will establish a digital marketing support system that maximizes the potential of regional businesses.
We will promote the ability to deliver regional charm nationwide and globally from a technological perspective.

■ Background and Objectives of the Business Partnership

The promotion of regional revitalization hinges on the growth of regional industries and businesses.
While regional businesses possess strengths in unique product appeal, brand power, and community ties, a shortage of digital marketing personnel presents a structural challenge that prevents them from fully realizing their potential.

EC, Instagram management, and influencer marketing are effective means of conveying regional charm nationwide and globally. However, many cases see these initiatives postponed due to the inability to secure dedicated personnel, widening the digital utilization gap.

Meanwhile, rapid advancements in AI have made it feasible to automate and enhance various marketing processes such as content creation, data analysis, performance measurement, and creator management.
The era has arrived where high-quality digital marketing can be continuously deployed with limited resources through appropriate AI utilization.

HAMON has consistently worked closely with regional businesses, accumulating extensive on-site experience in EC support, Instagram management, and influencer marketing.
Arks Japan specializes in AI utilization support for EC and web marketing, focusing on designing operations that generate maximum results with minimal resources.

By collaborating, we are confident that we can maximize the charm and potential of regional businesses and strongly promote regional revitalization through digital marketing and AI, leading to this partnership agreement.

■ Support Areas Created by the Partnership: EC Support × AI Utilization

EC delivers the appeal of regional products and services to consumers nationwide.
By combining HAMON's EC support know-how with Arks Japan's AI implementation capabilities, we will automate and streamline product strategy, content creation, and customer communication, enabling high-level EC operations even with small teams. We will create an environment where regional businesses can focus on their strengths while utilizing EC as an economic engine for regional revitalization.

"Instagram Management × AI Utilization"

Social media is a crucial platform for regional businesses to showcase their unique worldview and appeal, and to foster fan communities.
By utilizing AI for content planning, post optimization, and engagement analysis, operational workload will be significantly reduced. We will create a system where regional businesses can contribute to regional economic revitalization through continuous account growth by integrating HAMON's qualitative insights from operational experience with AI-driven data analysis.

"Influencer Support × AI Utilization"

Influencer marketing is a powerful means of communication for conveying regional charm nationwide and globally.
By introducing AI into processes such as creator selection, performance measurement, and reporting, and combining it with HAMON's expertise in casting and relationship building, we will establish a system that allows regional businesses to sustainably implement influencer strategies without strain. We will broadly communicate unique regional stories and cultures to society through influencers.

■ Comments from Company Representatives

Yuta Ogasawara, CEO of HAMON Inc.

"HAMON has supported regional businesses with their EC, Instagram management, and influencer initiatives, working closely with them on the ground. Through our interactions with businesses across Japan, we've realized that regions possess truly wonderful products, services, and cultures.
We've also witnessed firsthand the reality that their potential is not being fully realized due to the structural challenge of a shortage in digital talent. With this partnership, by adding Arks Japan's AI utilization capabilities to our on-site expertise, I am confident that we can deliver a system that allows regional businesses to engage in digital marketing by maximizing their strengths.
We want to walk together as partners, supporting regional revitalization with the power of digital technology."

Shogo Sakamoto, CEO of Arks Japan Inc.

"Arks Japan specializes in AI utilization within the EC and web marketing domains, supporting businesses in expanding their potential through technology.
Many of the challenges discussed in the context of regional revitalization stem from the digital utilization gap, and I believe AI is one of the most realistic and powerful means to bridge this gap. Regions have solid product strength and deep-rooted trust.
Our role is to build a digital marketing foundation with AI to deliver this to the nation and the world. By collaborating with HAMON, who has worked closely with regional businesses, I am confident that we can make a substantial contribution to regional revitalization from the perspective of digital marketing and AI.
We will create a new model that unlocks regional potential together."

■ Company Overview

HAMON Inc.

CEO: Yuta Ogasawara

Location: NEUK Shirokane Takanawa 208, 1-20-2 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities: EC Support Business, Influencer Marketing Business, SNS Support Business, Creative Support Business

URL: https://hamoninc.com/

Arks Japan Inc.

CEO: Shogo Sakamoto

Location: Hamamatsucho Daiya Bldg., 2-2-15 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities: AI-driven marketing support, Development and provision of AI customer service "Clerky for Apparel" specialized for apparel EC, etc.

URL: https://arksjpn.com/