Report on the 'Challenge Naraha 2026' Event (Held Feb 14, 2026) and Information on Archived Video Distribution

Naraha Town, Fukushima Prefecture (Mayor: Yukihide Matsumoto), held an open event titled 'Challenge Naraha 2026' on Saturday, February 14, 2026, to share the results and the process of challenges involved in new businesses born from using Naraha Town as a practical field. We held five sessions and are now distributing the videos of the event and future developments on YouTube. Additionally, we have received comments from seven representatives out of the 25 speakers from local governments, universities, entrepreneurs, companies, and organizations who participated; please take a look at these as well. ● Fukushima Prefecture Naraha Town 'Kurasu nara Naraha' (If you live, live in Naraha) Official YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@kurasu_naraha ● Challenge Naraha 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynvrgba6jHs --------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Mitsuaki Nagayama, Executive Director, Naraha Mirai General Incorporated Association ▶ Post-event comment It was a great achievement to look back with the colleagues who were there when we started the startup creation project in Naraha Town, and to reaffirm our resolve and original intentions regarding relocation. I am once again grateful to Mr. Saito of Unk & Partners and Mr. Watanabe of Side Story, who have been involved since the beginning, for their cooperation in ensuring we were all moving in the same direction. We will continue to promote new town development together with the Naraha Mirai Migration Promotion Section. --------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Toshiyuki Endo, (Former) Director of Policy Planning Division, Naraha Town Hall (Currently Director of General Affairs Division) ▶ Post-event comment Before launching the Naraha Town migration promotion project, I visited Kamiyama Town in Tokushima Prefecture. I realized that their approach to attracting companies was not just about corporate recruitment, but about enhancing the town's appeal and attracting attractive people. We have created and promoted similar initiatives in Naraha Town. We will continue to build on efforts that lead to migration and settlement, and advance town development that makes people want to visit and work here. --------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Toshifumi Watanabe, Representative Director, Side Story Inc. ▶ Post-event comment Founded in 2021, we have spent about four years implementing an initiative called the 'Town HR Department' to solve recruitment and labor issues for local businesses. Hearing the struggles and visions of business owners has convinced me of the value of this initiative. Moving forward, we will proceed with the development of AI-based systems and BPO centers capable of reskilling to strengthen the region's human resources capabilities. --------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Ryu Nitta, Representative Director, Work Style Reform Research Institute Inc. ▶ Post-event comment As a 'Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur,' I have been working on establishing regulations, recruitment and retention, and creating a harassment prevention system for the town hall; results have begun to appear in the third year. The transfer of know-how to Side Story Inc., which is working on the Town HR Department project, is also progressing, and the foundation for continuity is being established. We will continue to advance mechanisms that support migration and settlement, centered on improving the working environment. --------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Kyosuke Yoshihama, Nozawa Seminar, School of Political Science and Economics, Meiji University ▶ Post-event comment At Challenge Naraha, I reported on the activities and future plans of 'ToMobie,' a foundation for regional contribution and student activities undertaken by the Mobility Group. Ultimately, we aim to realize a system where not only cars but various things can be traded, creating an opportunity to deepen relationships of mutual aid. --------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Daiki Shimokawa, Representative Director, AILE Inc. ▶ Post-event comment I introduced the conflicts I faced when starting my business while at Tohoku University, and the results of the town-wide health checkups and health classes in Naraha Town using frailty prediction AI that we are currently promoting. I feel a positive response from the residents, and we will continue to create advanced initiatives in Naraha Town and accelerate the expansion of our business nationwide. --------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Yasutaka Fujita, Health and Welfare Division, Naraha Town Hall ▶ Post-event comment I believe that through this event, people were able to learn about the industry-academia-government collaboration aspect of our project for frailty prevention and improvement—one of the initiatives aimed at realizing our town's basic philosophy of 'a town where everyone supports each other and can feel happiness'—and that many stakeholders, including AILE Inc. and DigiLab Holdings, are participating. I would like to continue thinking of mechanisms that allow each and every resident to proactively engage in health promotion.