Hideo Higashikokubaru Discusses "Local-Led Institutional Reform" and Achieving Dreams; Entrepreneurs Gather at Waksel Osaka Event
The social business community "Waksel" held an exchange event in Osaka, featuring former Miyazaki Governor Hideo Higashikokubaru. Discussions revolved around regional revitalization and the social implementation of dreams, with various entrepreneurs presenting their projects. Waksel is a community that provides human, financial, and social capital, aiming to solve social issues.
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The social business community "Waksel" (Location: Tokyo, Organizer: Yoshihiro Shimamura, General Producer: Tomoatsu Sumiya) held an exchange event in Osaka on April 12, 2026, welcoming former Miyazaki Prefecture Governor and House of Representatives member Hideo Higashikokubaru as a special guest. On the day, diverse entrepreneurs selected from approximately 1,800 collaborators took the stage, engaging in lively discussions with Mr. Higashikokubaru on "regional revitalization" and "methods for socially implementing individual dreams."
Hideo Higashikokubaru Discusses "Local-Led Institutional Reform" and Achieving Dreams
■ Background of the Waksel Conference
Waksel is a community with over 1,000 celebrities, business owners, and creators participating, based on the concept of "people who pioneer the future gather to excite the world." The regularly held "Waksel Conference" functions as a "practical venue" where participating collaborators share their projects and visions, fostering new collaborations.
Scenes from the Waksel Conference
■ Former Miyazaki Governor Hideo Higashikokubaru Discusses "Institutional Reform and Regional Identity"
In the main program of the event, Hideo Higashikokubaru, also a Waksel collaborator, took the stage. With his re-challenge for the Miyazaki gubernatorial election approaching, the venue was filled with great enthusiasm.
During the dialogue, he unraveled the history of Miyazaki's "20-degree shochu" influencing national liquor tax policy, presenting it as a "symbolic example of local realities changing the nation." He emphasized that to overcome the current decline in Japan, especially in rural areas, a "game changer" is needed instead of maintaining the status quo.
Mr. Higashikokubaru also shared an anecdote from his junior high school days when he ran away from home. He recounted how his planning, saving money through newspaper delivery to aim for Osaka, and the advice he received in the detention center – "become a comedian after completing your studies" – became a turning point in his life. He conveyed to the participants "the importance of pursuing dreams with planning and a realistic foundation."
Former Miyazaki Governor Hideo Higashikokubaru Discusses "Institutional Reform and Regional Identity"
■ Mr. Hoketsu's "Discovering Strengths" Workshop: The Art of Connection to Energize Organizations
Prior to Mr. Higashikokubaru's appearance, an interaction-promoting workshop titled "Discovering Strengths Class" was conducted by Mr. Hoketsu, a Waksel collaborator.
Mr. Hoketsu introduced the "Discovering Strengths Game," which has been adopted by All Nippon Airways (ANA) for many years. He taught a method to dramatically improve human relationships by focusing on the "beautiful points" of others rather than their shortcomings, thereby changing one's own perspective. In the venue, based on the philosophical background of the "Full Moon Principle" (even if it looks like a crescent moon, it inherently possesses wonderful qualities like a full moon), participants engaged in a workshop praising each other. This session deepened the bonds between first-time participants, and the venue was filled with a sense of unity. Mr. Hoketsu emphasized the importance of mutual support within the community, stating, "Through Waksel's connections, I want to support the dissemination of everyone's wonderfulness to the world."
Mr. Hoketsu's "Discovering Strengths" Workshop: The Art of Connection to Energize Organizations
■ Waksel's Vision for Circulating "Human, Financial, and Social Capital"
At the outset, Tomoatsu Sumiya, Waksel's General Producer, explained the organization's philosophy and mechanism. Waksel is a 5-year-old community supported by approximately 100 volunteer staff and boasting over 1,800 collaborators nationwide.
Waksel's "Three Capitals"
Human Capital: Skill improvement through media outreach and crowdfunding support.
Financial Capital: Commitment to business growth and support for concrete businesses.
Social Capital: A strong network of like-minded individuals (community).
■ Solving "Social Issues" Through Diverse Collaborations
During the appeal time, 17 entrepreneurs and creators took the stage.
Traditional Crafts: Production of Makie lacquerware that set a Guinness World Record (Nao Higashimura)
Technology: "Sound AI Education Association" aiming to correct disparities with AI (Tetsuya Ito)
Welfare/Healthcare: Home-roasted coffee run by abuse survivors (Yasuyuki Hirata), and 5-finger socks that reduce the risk of falling (Yuki Matsufuji)
These projects are brought to fruition and released into society through Waksel's publishing function, media outreach, and matching among collaborators.
Solving "Social Issues" Through Diverse Collaborations
■ Future Outlook
Waksel will hold the "Waksel Award" on June 7, 2026, as a culmination of its five years of activity. Founder Mr. Shimamura is also scheduled to speak on the day, further expanding the circle of collaboration.
■ Social Business Community "Waksel"
Hideo Higashikokubaru Discusses "Local-Led Institutional Reform" and Achieving Dreams
■ Background of the Waksel Conference
Waksel is a community with over 1,000 celebrities, business owners, and creators participating, based on the concept of "people who pioneer the future gather to excite the world." The regularly held "Waksel Conference" functions as a "practical venue" where participating collaborators share their projects and visions, fostering new collaborations.
Scenes from the Waksel Conference
■ Former Miyazaki Governor Hideo Higashikokubaru Discusses "Institutional Reform and Regional Identity"
In the main program of the event, Hideo Higashikokubaru, also a Waksel collaborator, took the stage. With his re-challenge for the Miyazaki gubernatorial election approaching, the venue was filled with great enthusiasm.
During the dialogue, he unraveled the history of Miyazaki's "20-degree shochu" influencing national liquor tax policy, presenting it as a "symbolic example of local realities changing the nation." He emphasized that to overcome the current decline in Japan, especially in rural areas, a "game changer" is needed instead of maintaining the status quo.
Mr. Higashikokubaru also shared an anecdote from his junior high school days when he ran away from home. He recounted how his planning, saving money through newspaper delivery to aim for Osaka, and the advice he received in the detention center – "become a comedian after completing your studies" – became a turning point in his life. He conveyed to the participants "the importance of pursuing dreams with planning and a realistic foundation."
Former Miyazaki Governor Hideo Higashikokubaru Discusses "Institutional Reform and Regional Identity"
■ Mr. Hoketsu's "Discovering Strengths" Workshop: The Art of Connection to Energize Organizations
Prior to Mr. Higashikokubaru's appearance, an interaction-promoting workshop titled "Discovering Strengths Class" was conducted by Mr. Hoketsu, a Waksel collaborator.
Mr. Hoketsu introduced the "Discovering Strengths Game," which has been adopted by All Nippon Airways (ANA) for many years. He taught a method to dramatically improve human relationships by focusing on the "beautiful points" of others rather than their shortcomings, thereby changing one's own perspective. In the venue, based on the philosophical background of the "Full Moon Principle" (even if it looks like a crescent moon, it inherently possesses wonderful qualities like a full moon), participants engaged in a workshop praising each other. This session deepened the bonds between first-time participants, and the venue was filled with a sense of unity. Mr. Hoketsu emphasized the importance of mutual support within the community, stating, "Through Waksel's connections, I want to support the dissemination of everyone's wonderfulness to the world."
Mr. Hoketsu's "Discovering Strengths" Workshop: The Art of Connection to Energize Organizations
■ Waksel's Vision for Circulating "Human, Financial, and Social Capital"
At the outset, Tomoatsu Sumiya, Waksel's General Producer, explained the organization's philosophy and mechanism. Waksel is a 5-year-old community supported by approximately 100 volunteer staff and boasting over 1,800 collaborators nationwide.
Waksel's "Three Capitals"
Human Capital: Skill improvement through media outreach and crowdfunding support.
Financial Capital: Commitment to business growth and support for concrete businesses.
Social Capital: A strong network of like-minded individuals (community).
■ Solving "Social Issues" Through Diverse Collaborations
During the appeal time, 17 entrepreneurs and creators took the stage.
Traditional Crafts: Production of Makie lacquerware that set a Guinness World Record (Nao Higashimura)
Technology: "Sound AI Education Association" aiming to correct disparities with AI (Tetsuya Ito)
Welfare/Healthcare: Home-roasted coffee run by abuse survivors (Yasuyuki Hirata), and 5-finger socks that reduce the risk of falling (Yuki Matsufuji)
These projects are brought to fruition and released into society through Waksel's publishing function, media outreach, and matching among collaborators.
Solving "Social Issues" Through Diverse Collaborations
■ Future Outlook
Waksel will hold the "Waksel Award" on June 7, 2026, as a culmination of its five years of activity. Founder Mr. Shimamura is also scheduled to speak on the day, further expanding the circle of collaboration.
■ Social Business Community "Waksel"