[Interim Report | Senior x Regional Revitalization Project 2026] First Half Achievements and Trajectory Tackling the Shortage of CXOs and Professional Talent in Regional Areas

Pro-J Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Akira Takahashi) is pleased to report on the current interim activities and progress of our "Senior x Regional Revitalization Project 2026," as well as media appearances as part of these efforts.

Our company develops businesses that connect the "experience assets" of seniors with "business succession" and the resolution of management issues for regional companies, as well as the development of "next-generation" leaders. This project was launched in 2026 in response to the challenges faced by regional companies. During the first half of the year, we focused on promoting understanding of regional business succession, particularly third-party succession, and on activities that propose a third career option, distinct from changing jobs or starting a business.

As a result, we are pleased to report that our business succession consultations in the first half of the year doubled compared to the previous year.

Background of the Project and Overview of the First Half

Currently, in Japan, especially in regional cities, the "succession of regional businesses" due to a lack of successors and the shortage of "CXO talent" and "professional talent" to drive management sophistication are serious issues. On the other hand, the opportunities for seniors with abundant expertise are not being optimally utilized.

Our representative, Akira Takahashi, has advocated for schemes that utilize senior and professional talent and contribute to "regional revitalization" in response to these challenges faced by PE funds and regional small and medium-sized enterprises. The first half of 2026 has been a period where we have gained solid momentum towards accelerating regional revitalization by strengthening awareness and information dissemination, in addition to accumulating matching achievements to date.

Key Activity Topics for the First Half of 2026

[April] Launched "Tsugu Monogatari," a Non-Fiction Business Succession Content Series

We launched "Tsugu Monogatari," a non-fiction serialized content series on our corporate website, which follows the real-life struggles and behind-the-scenes successes of business succession in regional companies. It realistically depicts third-party business succession by funds, which is not widely known, and the process by which senior professional talent are assigned and inherit the DNA of regional companies, receiving significant positive feedback from various quarters.

https://pro-j.co.jp/2026/04/16/nonfiction_businesssuccession_koshidamasahiro/

[May] Held Events and Disseminated Information on Official Note

May 19: Co-hosted "The Path of Professional Managers Opening the Future of Regional Areas" with YMFG Capital.

We held a talk event targeting managers of regional companies, fund stakeholders, and senior individuals interested in a next career as professional managers. Mr. Kenichi Takanashi, representative of Takanashi Manufacturing Co., Ltd., who is involved in family business succession, was invited as a guest to shed light on the realities of regional companies. A passionate discussion also took place regarding the fact that many matching cases involve individuals in their 50s and 60s, and about successful examples. The event was summarized and widely read on our Note.

▼Pro-J Inc. | Akira Takahashi's Note

How the "Experience" of People in Their 50s and 60s Can Save Regional Areas: The Option of Business Succession

▼YMFG Capital's Note

[Event Report] "The Path to Becoming a Professional Manager" to Open the Future of Regional Companies (Pro-J Inc. x YMFG Capital)

[June] Strengthened Serialized Enlightenment Articles and Public Relations Activities

To enlighten the market on regional business succession and the resolution of CXO talent shortages, we strengthened our public relations activities by presenting concrete measures on how senior professional talent can contribute to the management sophistication of regional companies. Our project was featured in a wide range of media that understood our initiative, from major news sites originating in Kansai to specialized sustainability media and local community FM radio.

Sustainability Information Web Media "coki" (Published June 9): This media, which visualizes corporate sustainability and SDGs initiatives, featured our business model of returning "experience assets" to society and our efforts to support the survival of regional companies. https://coki.jp/sustainable/sdgs/83780/

Maidona News (Published June 25): Drawing on our expertise as a headhunter specializing in seniors, we provided specific explanations on points for smooth organizational integration and effective utilization of abilities in response to real-world concerns in senior talent management. https://maidonanews.jp/article/16620355

[Radio] Kanazawa Seaside FM (Broadcast June 22): Our representative, Takahashi, appeared on the program to discuss his founding aspirations for regional revitalization and the project's outlook. A video of the broadcast is available on Kanazawa Seaside FM's YouTube. https://youtu.be/H0rB3vvmlXI?si=NCTWARb2quOfwMxv

Achievements of the "Senior x Regional Revitalization Project 2026" in the First Half of 2026

Through our activities in the first half of 2026, our business succession consultations, which support regional companies in resolving management issues, recorded a significant increase of double the previous year's figures. We are confident that this is a result of our scheme, which recirculates the abundant "experience assets" of senior talent to regional areas in response to the worsening shortage of successors and CXO talent, being highly valued by many companies.

As management challenges in regional companies become more diverse, we will focus on strengthening our supply system in the second half of the year and on acquiring higher-quality senior and professional talent.

Pro-J Inc. will continue to contribute to the realization of sustainable regional societies by circulating the knowledge of seniors to regional companies nationwide through the "Senior x Regional Revitalization Project 2026."

Message from President and CEO Akira Takahashi

"For many companies, especially excellent regional small and medium-sized enterprises invested in by PE funds, business succession and strengthening management systems are urgent tasks. We are reinforcing our efforts to create a system that not only introduces talent but also recirculates the brilliant 'experience assets' held by seniors as next-generation 'CXO talent' to regional areas. We hope that the potential of senior professional talent and a new form of regional revitalization will reach more managers and funds."

Pro-J Inc.

"Transforming individual experience into social assets. Turning one person's story into the power of the next generation."

We introduce and provide ongoing support for successor candidates, CXO talent, and professional talent who solve management issues for regional companies. Through the circulation of experience assets, we aim to realize a society where everyone can shine throughout their lives.

Location: 5F, Hulic JP Akasaka Building, 2-5-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Representative: Akira Takahashi, President and CEO Business Activities: Management Support Business, Professional Talent Introduction Business, DX Promotion Support Business URL: https://pro-j.co.jp/

[Profile of President and CEO] Akira Takahashi: Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture. With approximately 25 years in the human resources industry, he has supported over 30,000 management professionals and received numerous awards, including MVP at the Headhunter Summit. He is known as a legend in the headhunting world. He founded Pro-J Inc. in 2024. Advocating for a flat world that transcends all barriers such as age, gender, and region, he proposed the "Senior x Regional Revitalization Project 2026." He is a passionate leader who supports the transformation of regional companies and also enjoys running in his private life. He is creating a market that connects experience assets to the next generation. His hobby is cooking.

[Contact Information] Pro-J Inc. Public Relations Department Email: info@pro-j.co.jp URL: https://pro-j.co.jp/contact/