Mid-Year Report: Tracing Progress and Achievements of the 'Senior × Regional Revitalization Project 2026' in Addressing the Shortage of CXO and Professional Talent in Regional Areas

Pro Talent Organization Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Akira Takahashi) hereby reports the current mid-year status, progress, and media appearances related to its ongoing 'Senior × Regional Revitalization Project 2026.'

The company operates a business that connects the 'experiential assets' of senior professionals with 'business succession,' management issue resolution, and the development of 'next-generation' leaders in regional enterprises. Launched in 2026 in response to challenges faced by regional businesses, the project has focused in the first half of the year on promoting understanding of business succession—particularly third-party succession—and advocating for a 'third career path' distinct from job changes or entrepreneurship.

As a result, we are pleased to report that the number of business succession consultations handled by our company in the first half of the year has doubled compared to the same period last year.

Background of the Project and Overview of the First Half

Currently, Japan—especially its regional cities—faces severe challenges due to the lack of successors in 'regional business succession' and the shortage of 'CXO talent' and 'professional talent' responsible for advanced management. At the same time, the expertise of the 'senior' demographic is not being fully optimized or utilized.

Our CEO, Akira Takahashi, has long advocated for a framework that leverages senior and professional talent to address these challenges faced by PE funds and regional SMEs, linking them to 'regional revitalization.' In the first half of 2026, in addition to building on past matching achievements, we intensified awareness campaigns and information dissemination, gaining tangible momentum toward accelerating regional revitalization.

Key Activities in the First Half of 2026

[April] Launch of Non-Fiction Business Succession Series 'Kitsugu Monogatari' (The Story of Succession)

We launched a non-fiction serialized content series titled 'Kitsugu Monogatari' on our corporate website, documenting the real struggles and behind-the-scenes successes of business succession in regional companies. The series realistically portrays lesser-known third-party successions led by investment funds and how senior professional talent are assigned and carry forward the DNA of regional enterprises, generating significant attention across multiple sectors.

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

[May] Event Hosting and Information Dissemination via Official Note

May 19: Co-hosted 'The Path to Professional Management Opening the Future of Regional Areas' with YMFG Capital

We held a talk event targeting regional business owners, fund representatives, and senior professionals interested in pursuing a 'professional management' career path. We invited Mr. Kenichi Takayoshi, President of Takayoshi Seisakusho Co., Ltd., a firsthand participant in family-based business succession, to share authentic insights into the realities of regional enterprises. The event featured lively discussions on the increasing number of successful matching cases among professionals in their 50s and 60s. Highlights were published on Note and widely read.

▼ Pro Talent Organization | Akira Takahashi's Note

'Experience of the 50s and 60s Can Save Regional Japan: Business Succession as a Career Option'

▼ YMFG Capital's Note

[Event Report] 'The Path to Professional Management Opening the Future of Regional Enterprises' (Pro Talent Organization × YMFG Capital)

[June] Series of Educational Articles and Enhanced Public Relations

To raise market awareness on resolving regional business succession and CXO talent shortages, we strengthened our PR activities by presenting concrete strategies on how senior professional talent can contribute to the advanced management of regional enterprises. Our project was featured across a wide range of media outlets that support our mission—from major Kansai-based news sites to sustainability-focused media and local community FM stations.

Sustainability Web Media 'coki' (Published June 9): Our business model of returning 'experiential assets' to society and our initiatives supporting the sustainability of regional enterprises were introduced in this media platform that visualizes corporate sustainability and SDG efforts. https://coki.jp/sustainable/sdgs/83780/

Maidona News (Published June 25): Addressing real-world management challenges with senior talent, we provided specific insights from our expertise as senior-focused headhunters on smooth organizational integration and maximizing talent potential. https://maidonanews.jp/article/16620355

[Radio] Kanazawa Seaside FM (Broadcast June 22): CEO Takahashi appeared on air to discuss the founding vision behind regional revitalization and the project's outlook. The video was uploaded to Kanazawa Seaside FM's YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/H0rB3vvmlXI?si=NCTWARb2quOfwMxv

Achievements of the 'Senior × Regional Revitalization Project 2026' in the First Half of 2026

Through our activities in the first half of 2026, the number of business succession consultations we provided to support regional enterprises in resolving management challenges recorded a remarkable doubling compared to the previous year. We firmly believe this reflects high recognition from numerous companies for our scheme of circulating the rich 'experiential assets' of senior talent back into regional areas in response to the worsening shortage of successors and CXO personnel.

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

Moving forward, Pro Talent Organization Inc. will continue to circulate the knowledge of senior professionals to regional enterprises nationwide through the 'Senior × Regional Revitalization Project 2026,' contributing to the realization of sustainable regional communities.

Comment from President and CEO Akira Takahashi

'For many companies, especially high-potential SMEs in regional areas backed by PE funds, strengthening business succession and management systems is urgent. We are going beyond mere talent placement by enhancing frameworks to recycle seniors' brilliant 'experiential assets' into regional areas as the next generation of 'CXO talent.' We hope the potential of senior professional talent and the new form of regional revitalization reaches even more business leaders and fund managers.'

Pro Talent Organization Inc.

'From personal experience to social assets. From one person's story to the power of the next generation.'

We are committed to introducing and supporting successor candidates, CXO talent, and professional talent to resolve management challenges in regional enterprises. Through the circulation of experiential assets, we aim to create a society where everyone can continue to shine throughout their lives.

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

[President and CEO Profile] Akira Takahashi (born in Yamaguchi Prefecture). With approximately 25 years of experience in the talent industry, he has supported over 30,000 management professionals and received numerous awards, including MVP at the Headhunter Summit. Regarded as a legend in the headhunting industry, he founded Pro Talent Organization in 2024. Advocating for a flat world beyond age, gender, and region, he champions the 'Senior × Regional Revitalization Project 2026.' A passionate leader driving transformation in regional enterprises, he is also an avid runner in his personal life. He is dedicated to connecting experiential assets to the next generation.