Young Employee from Shiga Wins Grand Prize at National Competition "Rookie of the Year in LOCAL 2026"! Breaking Through Challenges of "Municipalities at Risk of Disappearing" with a "System"

Sawamura Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Koichiro Sawamura) is pleased to announce that Haruka Wada, from its Planning and Public Relations Department, received the highest honor, the "Grand Prize," at the national competition "Rookie of the Year in LOCAL 2026," held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Hida City, Gifu Prefecture. This event supports young employees working in local regions.

What is "Rookie of the Year in LOCAL"?

"Rookie of the Year in LOCAL" is an award organized by ROIL Co., Ltd., specifically for young professionals working in local companies. The purpose of this competition is to spotlight the achievements of young employees (rookies) working in local areas and to encourage more young people to choose local careers. In an era of declining population, it holds significant social meaning for young people to present the value and growth of their work externally and to celebrate each other, thereby visualizing new career models in local regions. This time, a total of 14 rookies who won regional competitions and preliminary rounds presented their challenges, struggles, and the value they created in their communities.

Background of the Grand Prize Award | Driving Force to Transform the Future of the Region into "Concrete Actions" Beyond Job Titles

In addition to her public relations and recruitment duties in her company's Planning and Public Relations Department, Ms. Wada is also responsible for regional collaboration as a member of the town development concept project. This award recognized her efforts in addressing the theme of regional sustainability, going beyond her company's business domain, and translating concepts into execution.

Also received the Punctual Award from Punctual Co., Ltd., the main sponsor of the competition.

◆ Evaluation Points

Her proactive spirit, which allowed her to pioneer activities from scratch, even beyond her original job scope of "public relations and recruitment" and her company's business domain, was highly praised. Ms. Wada has consistently demonstrated autonomous thinking and action, with an eye towards the sustainability of Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture. Through various initiatives, including the "Omizo Town Development Marche," which is celebrating its fifth year, she has shaped a continuous flow that connects the future of the region and companies. Her journey, which presents hope for the future by "eradicating the 'disappearance' of municipalities at risk of disappearing" in a society facing population decline, received extremely high acclaim as a new model of success embodied by local rookies.

◆ Ms. Wada's Main Achievements

Doubling Regional Event Attendance and Fostering Community-Led Activities

She took over as the person in charge of launching the regional event "Omizo Town Development Marche" and established a framework for consensus building and operational decision-making with the community. She successfully doubled the number of visitors from 908 (2020) to 1,824 (2022).

Furthermore, instead of letting the event end as a "company-led initiative," she created a movement where local residents proactively started to "enliven the town themselves," fostering new initiatives within the community.

Implementing an Educational Collaboration Project Connecting Regions, Universities, and Young People

Collaboration with Seian University of Art and Design, which had previously been a one-off topic, was implemented as 14 practical classes with 21 participants (FY2025). The number of classes is planned to double to 28 this fiscal year, thereby increasing the density of learning that addresses regional issues. By involving local residents, universities, and the younger generation who will lead future town development, she built a cyclical relationship of practice and learning, developing educational collaboration into a "community-rooted project."

Overwhelming Results in Recruitment PR

In the area of recruitment PR, the number of applicants increased tenfold in the first year compared to the previous year. In recent years, the number of new graduate entries has grown from 460 (2026 graduates) to 677 (2027 graduates) (approximately 137% year-on-year increase).

By articulating the company's values and the meaning of work, rather than just disseminating information, she revamped recruitment PR to encourage candidate empathy and decision-making, significantly contributing to the enhancement of the corporate brand.

Group photo with finalists, company superiors, and other attendees.

Impact of the Competition and Participants' Voices

This competition received an extremely high satisfaction score of 9.29 (out of 10), bringing about significant changes in participants' career perspectives and perceptions of young people.

This award, transcending the framework of a young employee of a single company, became proof that the "system connecting the future of the region and companies" born in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, is recognized as a new hope (a local role model) for local companies across Japan.

【Excerpted Comments】

Changes in Career Perspectives

"I concretely felt the appeal and potential of working in local areas."

"Working in local areas has become a realistic career option."

Changes in Evaluation/Perception of Young People

"I was surprised by the presence of young people who proactively take on challenges. I want such talent in my own company."

"Touching upon the thoughts and passion of young people made me re-evaluate my own approach to work."

Direct Voices of Participants

"It's not the company's top executives, but the stories of individuals striving on the front lines..."

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