Niyodogawa Town, Kochi Prefecture Launches Partnership with 'Oikura' Reuse Platform to Coincide with Peak Moving Season

Niyodogawa Town, Kochi Prefecture (Mayor: Nobuhiro Kataoka) and Market Enterprise Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Taishi Kobayashi; TSE Standard, Securities Code: 3135; hereinafter "Market Enterprise") have concluded an agreement on a reuse business aimed at solving issues in local communities, launching their partnership on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Using the reuse platform "Oikura" operated by Market Enterprise, the initiative builds a system for reusing unwanted items rather than discarding them, with the goal of reducing waste in Niyodogawa Town and forming a recycling-oriented society. ■ Background and Circumstances Niyodogawa Town identified two key issues: the increasing difficulty for elderly residents to bring household garbage to collection points, and the large number of reusable items being discarded as waste. The town had been exploring reuse measures to raise awareness and promote reuse activities among residents. Meanwhile, Market Enterprise has been developing internet-based businesses centered on reuse, pursuing cross-sector SDGs initiatives under its vision of being "an optimized trading company realizing a sustainable society" — including participation in the "Regional Revitalization SDGs Public-Private Partnership Platform" and involvement in the "Musical Instrument Donation Hometown Tax" executive committee. Niyodogawa Town approached Market Enterprise, and their shared need to "promote reuse activities and form a recycling-oriented society" aligned, making this partnership through "Oikura" possible. ※1 What is "Oikura"? Oikura is a reuse platform operated by Market Enterprise. When someone wishes to sell unwanted items, a single appraisal request through Oikura is sent simultaneously to member reuse shops nationwide, allowing users to compare purchase prices, dates, methods, and reviews. The convenience of receiving and comparing multiple appraisal results from one request has proven popular, with approximately 1.55 million users as of the end of June 2025. Website: https://oikura.jp/ ■ Niyodogawa Town's Challenges and Oikura's Solutions Niyodogawa Town currently collects oversized garbage at designated collection points once every two months, requiring residents to bring items outside their homes even if large or heavy. Oikura offers on-site pickup services that come inside the home and handle removal, making it easy to sell even large or heavy items. Additionally, home appliances subject to the Home Appliance Recycling Law — such as refrigerators and washing machines — may be eligible for purchase if still functional. Through Oikura, same-day sale and handover of unwanted items is possible at the earliest. There is no cost to residents or to the town for using the service. ■ Going Forward Starting at 3:30 PM on Thursday, March 26 (timing subject to change), information will be published on the Niyodogawa Town official website to inform residents about the service.