NTT West Appoints Two New "Regional Revitalization Advisors" to Accelerate Regional Co-creation

NTT West Corporation (President & CEO: Ryota Kitamura, hereinafter "NTT West") and Regional Revitalization Co-design Institute Inc. (Representative Director & President: Hidenori Kigami, hereinafter "Regional Revitalization Co-design Institute") are pleased to announce the appointment of two new experts as Regional Revitalization Advisors, effective April 1, 2026. NTT West and the Regional Revitalization Co-design Institute are committed to practicing regional revitalization through co-creation with local governments, universities, and regional companies. They address diverse regional challenges by utilizing human and intellectual assets beyond just ICT. With the appointment of these new advisors, they aim to further deepen their existing initiatives. (Reference) Regional Revitalization Advisor Introduction Page (Regional Revitalization Co-design Institute Official Website): https://codips.jp/advisors/

1. Newly Appointed Advisors (Effective April 1, 2026) Atsunobu Kimura Representative Director, Japan Living Lab Network Associate Professor, Faculty of Urban Life Studies, Tokyo City University

<Main Themes> Living Lab, Well-being Policy Design, Regional Revitalization, Design Studies, Information Science

<Biography> While engaged in research and development in information science and design studies at NTT Laboratories and business development within the NTT Group, Mr. Kimura felt the limitations of R&D and business development confined within a single company. He then launched social design/living lab research and practice projects that co-create with stakeholders and local communities. After joint experimental projects with Omuta City in Fukuoka Prefecture and Nara City in Nara Prefecture, and the establishment of regional intermediate support organizations, he was involved in and joined the establishment of the Regional Revitalization Co-design Institute in 2021. In 2023, he established the Japan Living Lab Network*1 and assumed the role of Representative Director. From 2026, he will serve as an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Urban Life Studies at Tokyo City University and lead the Social Design Laboratory. His publications include "First Steps in Living Lab" (NTT Publishing | 2025) and "Future Vision of Information and Communication Technology Lifestyles in 2030" (NTT Publishing | 2015), among others. *1 https://jnoll.org/

<Comment> Based on my experiences in Omuta City and joint research with Denmark and Kamiyama Town in Tokushima Prefecture, I believe the essence of regional revitalization and local government policy lies in creating situations where local people can proactively co-create beyond their existing roles. Maximizing the potential of the Regional Revitalization Co-design Institute, whose mission is to engage with regions and society over the long term without being constrained by short-term business or results, we aim to realize community and town development that feels like our own.

Shuichi Yoshida Representative, Office Yoshida Consultant for Occupational Life of Persons with Disabilities

<Main Themes> Promotion of Employment for Persons with Disabilities, Retention Support

<Biography> After working at three special subsidiary companies, including NTT Claruty, Pasona Heartful, and NTT West Lucent (Representative Director), he became independent. Currently, as the representative of "Office Yoshida," he is involved in supporting the employment and active participation of persons with disabilities.

<Comment> I believe that regional revitalization is closely linked to creating an environment where diverse individuals can fully utilize their strengths. Leveraging my practical knowledge, I hope to support the creation of inclusive communities where everyone can participate, through the initiatives of the Regional Revitalization Co-design Institute.

2. Future Outlook NTT West and the Regional Revitalization Co-design Institute will continue to deepen collaboration both within and outside the NTT West Group, leveraging the expertise of Regional Revitalization Advisors. Through cooperation with experts across various fields and positions, they will promote problem-solving and value creation that is closely aligned with local communities.

*The information contained in this news release is current as of the announcement date. Please be aware that it may be subject to change.