[Eikei University] 'Hiroshima Value Shift Program' for FY2026 Launches: Solving Regional Issues Through Collaboration Between Companies, Core Talent, and Universities!

The Social Design Center of Eikei University (President: Mutsuhiro Arinobu, Location: Naka-ku, Hiroshima City) is launching the 'Hiroshima Value Shift Program,' an initiative that matches core talent active in metropolitan areas across Japan with companies in Hiroshima Prefecture to tackle management challenges and create regional value (Period: June to November, FY2026).

Since its launch last year, this program has deployed practical initiatives addressing management issues such as DX promotion, organizational reform, and new business development. Participant companies have achieved concrete results in operational improvement and organizational reform, drawing attention from inside and outside the prefecture as a new model for supporting the transformation of regional businesses.

This year, the number of participating companies has increased from five last year to seven. The core talent will stay in Hiroshima as 'Eikei University Guest Researchers,' working on-site at local companies for six months to resolve their management issues.

Ahead of this, the opening ceremony for FY2026 will be held on Monday, June 1. The ceremony will feature the presentation of certificates of appointment to guest researchers and opening remarks by participating companies and researchers, marking the official launch of this year's program.

1. What is the Hiroshima Value Shift Program?

This program accepts core talent active in metropolitan areas as 'Eikei University Guest Researchers' and matches them with local companies facing management issues. The guest researchers live in Hiroshima for six months, spending four days a week working on management issues at their host companies and one day a week attending seminars at Eikei University to enhance the value of both the companies and themselves. The influx of talent from metropolitan areas is expected to introduce external perspectives and expertise, driving management innovation for regional companies.

2. Participating Companies and Management Themes (in Japanese alphabetical order):

- Ogawa Ekonos Co., Ltd. [Construction of a regional revitalization platform starting from septic tank customers] - Kurata Corporation [Building a business development model for new products and services utilizing existing customer bases] - Kurimoto Holdings Co., Ltd. [Business development of acquired companies] - Shimaya Co., Ltd. [DX promotion for the entire core system and business process optimization project] - Shingi Co., Ltd. [Redesigning welfare programs centered on company housing systems] [Linking evaluation and treatment based on the implementation of a hierarchical education system] - TD Holdings Co., Ltd. [Strengthening business strategy and marketing strategy for new business launches] - Hiroshima Lumber Tech Co., Ltd. [Improving order rates through sales efficiency via DX and systemization]

3. Opening Ceremony Overview

Date and Time: Monday, June 1, 10:00–11:00 Location: Eikei University 15th floor (1-5 Nobori-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City) Content: Program explanation, remarks from participating companies and guest researchers, presentation of certificates of appointment, etc. Attendees: Naoto Tanaka, Chairman of the National Federation of Regional Business Promotion Cooperatives; Mutsuhiro Arinobu, President of Eikei University; Yoshinobu Hayata, Director of the Center for Industry-University-Government Collaboration and Research Promotion, Eikei University.