Unearthing Regional 'History and Culture' and Bringing it Nationwide: Asahi Broadcasting TV and Shobunsha Sign Basic Agreement for Joint Promotion of Regional Revitalization Business

Shobunsha Holdings Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Shigeo Kuroda; TSE Code: 9475; hereinafter "Shobunsha Holdings"), Shobunsha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: same as above; Representative Director and President: Tetsuya Kawamura; hereinafter "Shobunsha"), and Asahi Broadcasting TV Corporation (Headquarters: Fukushima-ku, Osaka; Representative Director and President: Toshiaki Imamura; hereinafter "Asahi Broadcasting TV") announced that on April 1st, they signed a basic agreement to promote a joint regional revitalization project (hereinafter "this initiative") based on Asahi Broadcasting TV's regional revitalization solutions and Shobunsha's services and media.

This collaboration aims to create new value for local governments and DMOs (Destination Management Organizations) nationwide by combining Shobunsha's newly acquired history entertainment brand "Rekishijin" and media brands derived from its long-selling guidebook series such as "Mapple" and "Cotrip," with Asahi Broadcasting TV's extensive regional network and communication capabilities.

Background and Purpose of this Agreement

As promotion methods in regional revitalization become more complex, local governments and DMOs require multifaceted media strategies that go beyond one-off advertising measures. In March of this year, Shobunsha acquired assets related to the monthly magazine "Rekishijin" from ABC Ark Co., Ltd., a former subsidiary of Asahi Broadcasting TV. By adding history as a new genre to its existing travel and outing-themed media, Shobunsha has established a foundation to deploy comprehensive information solutions tailored to regional characteristics and customer needs. Meanwhile, Asahi Broadcasting TV, based on its planning and communication capabilities and information design expertise unique to broadcast media, has developed a wide variety of regional solutions, from branding to content creation, visitor attraction, and migration/settlement promotion, and has handled numerous initiatives utilizing "Rekishijin" to date.

This agreement aims to integrate the resources of both companies to plan and propose optimal media strategies tailored to the needs of local governments, DMOs, and regional businesses, and to build a comprehensive support system for solving specific challenges.

Outline of this Initiative (Collaboration)

Based on the signing of this basic agreement, both companies will jointly consider and promote the following:

Consideration and promotion of joint sales and promotional activities: Development of joint sales and promotional activities targeting local governments, DMOs, tourism associations, etc.

Planning and development of new products and services: Planning and development of package products and new services combining solutions from Asahi Broadcasting TV and Shobunsha.

Strengthening regional promotion strategies: Consideration of planning optimal promotion strategies and strengthening solutions tailored to regional issues.

Exploration of possibilities for joint ventures: Discussions between Asahi Broadcasting TV and Shobunsha for further promotion of joint ventures.

Both companies will establish optimal collaboration systems for each individual project in the future and develop highly effective support tailored to regional needs.

Future Outlook

Starting with this initiative, both companies will combine their unique media and content assets and information dissemination capabilities to develop and provide unprecedented regional solutions such as "creating regional tour packages with history as a hook" and "video and publishing linked promotion measures." They will promote the creation of sustainable mechanisms that contribute to regional revitalization by redefining the tourism resources held by regions and leveraging their unique strengths.