Akihiro Kadohata, formerly of AWS, Appointed as Advisor for "srest"

Microcity Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yuichiro Yamazaki) is pleased to announce that Akihiro Kadohata, former Senior Business Development Manager at AWS, author of "AWS Cost Optimization Guidebook" (KADOKAWA), and translator of "Cloud FinOps, 2nd Edition" (O'Reilly Japan), has been appointed as a technical advisor for "srest (Suresuto)," a Government Cloud FinOps tool provided by the company, effective July 2026. This appointment will accelerate the evolution of "srest" into a service that provides end-to-end support from visualization to optimization, by combining the data accumulated while supporting cloud cost visualization for approximately 400 local governments nationwide (as of June 2026) with Mr. Kadohata's expertise in cost optimization.

△ From left: Gen Ten Nago (Senior Sales Engineer), Changgyu So (Head of Business), Naomichi Yamakita (Product Owner), Akihiro Kadohata (Technical Advisor), Hikaru Isozaki (Business Development Leader), Yuhi Noda (Sales Engineer)

◼︎ Background

Local government core business systems have been migrating to the Government Cloud, with the transition deadline generally set for the end of March 2026. However, operational expenses are expected to increase post-migration. According to estimates by the Digital Agency, the operational expenses for systems migrating by the end of fiscal year 2026 are projected to increase from approximately 140 billion yen before migration to about 250 billion yen (approximately 1.8 times) (*1). Against this backdrop, the Digital Agency released the "Continuous Operational Expense Optimization (FinOps) Guide" for Government Cloud users, outlining methods for visualizing, analyzing, and continuously optimizing cloud usage fees (*2). The flow from cost "visualization" to "optimization" is becoming a new theme in the Government Cloud.

To actually implement such optimization, specialized knowledge in cloud design and operation is essential. "srest" has so far supported the establishment of FinOps promotion foundations for approximately 400 local governments in collaboration with operational support providers. To further strengthen our efforts from visualization to optimization, we are welcoming Akihiro Kadohata, an expert in cloud cost optimization, as an advisor.

*1 Digital Agency, "Regarding Subsidies for Operational Optimization Support Projects for Local Government Information Systems" (Published March 3, 2026)

https://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/digital_gyozaikaikaku/kyotsuwt10/siryou2.pdf

*2 Digital Agency, "Continuous Operational Expense Optimization (FinOps) Guide" (Published February 2026)

https://guide.gcas.cloud.go.jp/modernization-guide/finops-guide

Profile of Akihiro Kadohata

Graduated from the Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science; Master of Science from the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo; Doctor of Engineering from the Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University.

In 2007, engaged in research and development of mathematical optimization in communication networks at NTT Holding Company Laboratories. Subsequently, at Accenture, he was involved in consulting work related to IT/cloud strategy, cloud architecture, and SI before joining Amazon Web Services Japan LLC (AWS). At AWS, he was responsible for business strategy formulation and the development of user support programs for cloud cost optimization within the Business Development Division. His publications include "AWS Cost Optimization Guidebook" (KADOKAWA), and his translated works include "Cloud FinOps, 2nd Edition" (O'Reilly Japan).

◼︎ Comments from Stakeholders

Akihiro Kadohata, Technical Advisor for "srest"

As the utilization of the Government Cloud becomes more widespread, it is becoming important to achieve sustainable cloud optimization while maintaining the quality and stability of resident services, rather than simply reducing costs.

I have been involved in numerous cloud utilization and cost optimization initiatives as a Senior Business Development Manager at AWS. Leveraging that experience, I will contribute to the realization of a Government Cloud that local governments and related service providers can use with confidence, by connecting the visualized data from "srest" to improvement actions.

Changgyu So, Head of Business for "srest"

With initiatives such as the Digital Agency's provision of the GCAS Cost Dashboard (*3), "cost visualization" in the Government Cloud is steadily progressing, and the starting line for optimization is becoming visible.

On the other hand, cost optimization in the Government Cloud requires careful coordination among stakeholders regarding "what to optimize, who will do it, how to do it, and to what extent," prioritizing the stable operation of local government services while considering system configuration, operational structure, and future demand. By combining the expertise in Government Cloud-specific cost visualization and management cultivated through collaboration with local governments and service providers by "srest," with the knowledge of Mr. Kadohata, who is well-versed in cost optimization at AWS, we will evolve "srest" into a "FinOps tool that supports decision-making, explanation, and consensus-building among stakeholders, leading to continuous cost optimization, with stable operation as a prerequisite."

*3 A tool provided on "GCAS (Government Cloud Assistant Service)," a portal for Government Cloud users operated by the Digital Agency, allowing local governments and other organizations to visually check and manage their cloud usage fees and service-specific proportions on the web.

◼︎ About "srest"

"srest" is a Government Cloud FinOps tool that integrates costs from multiple AWS accounts and supports continuous cost optimization from a FinOps perspective.

It enhances the transparency of cloud usage fees through an intuitive dashboard that enables detailed cost analysis by local government and system. Furthermore, by supporting consensus-building between local governments and service providers starting from cost visualization, it achieves "actionable cost optimization" that goes beyond mere visualization.

It is also registered on "DMP (Digital Marketplace)," the cloud procurement platform for government agencies and local governments operated by the Digital Agency.

Service Site: https://srest.io/

◼︎ Company Overview

Company Name: Microcity Inc.

Location: Shibuya Scramble Square, 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Yuichiro Yamazaki, Representative Director

Established: April 8, 2025

Capital: 2.2 billion yen (including capital surplus)

Corporate Site: https://micronity.com

* AWS is a trademark of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

* Other proper nouns such as product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

◼︎ Inquiries from Media Representatives

Microcity Inc.

Public Relations, President's Office

pr@micronity.com

◼︎ Inquiries Regarding Services

Microcity Inc.

Technology Strategy Department

sales@srest.io