Announcement of "Innovation Creation Event for Solving Regional Issues"

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government aims for "co-existence and co-prosperity," where Tokyo and various regions across Japan combine their strengths to lead to the sustainable development of the entire nation. To this end, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government collaborates with various municipalities on measures that contribute not only to Tokyo's development but also to that of other regions.

As part of these efforts, Tokyo Innovation Base (hereinafter referred to as "TIB"), a startup support hub operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, is promoting initiatives with municipalities nationwide to solve the issues each region faces, aiming for innovation creation across all of Japan.

We are pleased to announce the "Innovation Creation Event for Solving Regional Issues," which will be held as described below. The event will explore solutions to regional challenges such as responding to this winter's heavy snowfall, promoting sustainable agriculture, and addressing wildlife damage from animals like bears, bringing together government, startups, and local small and medium-sized enterprises.

1. Event Overview

・ Date and Time: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 14:30-16:30 (Doors open at 14:00)

・ Venue: Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB) 2nd Floor (3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

・ Participation Fee: Free

・ Registration Form: https://forms.gle/yKrUPVksBiiP2yeJ6

・ [Registration Deadline: Monday, April 13, 2026, 17:00] *On-site participation is also possible.

2. Main Event Contents

(1) Keynote by Participating Governors (Akita x Yamagata x Niigata x Tokyo)

The governors will discuss the challenges facing their respective municipalities from a top-level perspective and exchange opinions on inter-municipal collaboration and strategies.

[Speakers]

Kenta Suzuki, Governor of Akita Prefecture

Mieko Yoshimura, Governor of Yamagata Prefecture

Hideyo Hanazumi, Governor of Niigata Prefecture

Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo

(2) Government Reverse Pitch

Officials from each municipality will present the challenges and needs their local governments face from an on-the-ground perspective.

[Main Themes (Tentative)]

Akita Prefecture: Measures for promoting agriculture in hilly and mountainous areas

Yamagata Prefecture: On sustainable rice cultivation

Niigata Prefecture: Prevention of snow damage in heavy snowfall regions (snow removal for private houses)

(3) Regional Issue-Solving Pitch by Startups, etc.

Startups will propose solutions to regional challenges with their superior technologies and ideas.

(4) Other

Booths will be set up by startups from each municipality, and a networking session for participants will be held. Each municipality will also promote its local specialty products.

This project promotes the "Future Tokyo: Tokyo's 2050 Strategy." Strategy 27: All-Japan "Achieving 'co-existence and co-prosperity' by supporting and developing together with all regions of Japan."