【ZESDA Newsletter Vol. 40 (April 2026 Issue)】From Tohoku to Noto, and to the World: ZESDA Staff Supports "Chonmage Taicho" Tsun-san's Disaster Relief and US Visit Project
Non-profit Organization ZESDA supported "Chonmage Taicho" Tsun-san's disaster relief activities for the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, as well as his US visit project. Through screenings of the film 'MARCH' and inviting Noto junior high school students to Los Angeles, ZESDA is expanding an empathy network connecting Tohoku, Noto, and the world, promoting glocal businesses.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 20:10
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 01:18 (13h 46m after Collected)
Non-profit Organization ZESDA (Representative Director: Daisuke Sakuraba, Location: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter ZESDA) is a parallel career organization that produces glocal businesses. We report on event activities and project information conducted domestically and internationally.
Please visit the official ZESDA website for more details.
1) Top News
From Tohoku to Noto, and to the World. ZESDA Staff Supports "Chonmage Taicho" Tsun-san's Disaster Relief and US Visit Project.
In April, ZESDA Director Sezaki and Los Angeles Bureau Chief Horii supported the activities of "Chonmage Taicho" (Topknot Captain) Tsun-san (Mr. Hirokazu Tsunoda), who has been providing disaster relief nationwide since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and screenings of his documentary film "MARCH."
The film "MARCH," produced by "Chonmage Taicho" Tsun-san, who continues to support disaster-stricken areas nationwide, follows "Seeds+" (Seeds Plus), a marching band of children from Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, who were dispersed due to the nuclear accident of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In parallel with the film screenings, Tsun-san has for many years led a project to invite children from disaster-affected areas overseas.
Intersection of personal aspirations and Noto support context
On April 19, ZESDA Director Sezaki participated in a screening of the film held in Yokohama City. Sezaki learned that a child of a person involved in Noto Town, an area long supported by ZESDA and also affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, had been invited to France through this project. It was a moment where Tsun-san's passion for the disaster victims and ZESDA's long-standing involvement in Noto support intersected in an unexpected way.
Tsun-san giving a lecture at the film screening.
Circle of support in Los Angeles
Furthermore, a plan is underway to invite junior high school students from Noto to Los Angeles in June this year. In preparation for this, Tsun-san visited the US in late April, accompanied by ZESDA Los Angeles Bureau Chief Horii as a local guide. Horii coordinated screenings of "MARCH" and lecture events in Los Angeles, collaborating with multiple prefectural associations, including the Southern California Kumamoto Kenjinkai, and local studios.
Tsun-san giving a lecture on disaster relief efforts in Los Angeles.
ZESDA advocates for the production of glocal businesses and has accompanied activities that connect regions with the world. This time, the expansion of a circle of support connecting Tohoku, Noto, and Los Angeles, stemming from the pure desire of both staff members to "help those in disaster-stricken areas," can be described as a form of the empathy network we aim for.
The entire proceeds from the film "MARCH" screenings, after deducting expenses, will be donated to the disaster-stricken areas and used for recovery activities. New connections from ZESDA's network will also be made for this activity, supported by the spirit of "On-okuri" (paying it forward) from many people.
This visit provided an opportunity to personally feel what is needed for the Noto region, including Shuran no Sato, to overcome the earthquake and move forward. ZESDA will continue to deepen cooperation with local residents and new supporters, and continue to support the sustainable development of Shuran no Sato.
・Smile for Nippon (Chonmage Taicho Tsun-san's activities)
2) ZESDA-hosted Event Information
Glocal Business Seminar (GLBS)
A seminar series researching case studies of overseas expansion by local SMEs. Co-hosted with Meiji University's Masayuki Okuyama Laboratory.
Event Report
On April 15, we held Glocal Business Seminar Vol.34 "The Current State of Japanese Food in London and 'The Village' Concept." Mr. Tetsuro Hama, Representative Director of NPO The Village, was invited to speak on the current situation of Japanese food in London and "The Village" concept.
Mr. Hama giving a lecture.
Produce Talent Development Course (PSRi)
A seminar series learning methods from various producer talents who promote innovation. Co-hosted with the Production Research Subcommittee of the Japan Society for Research Policy and Innovation Management.
Event Report
On April 21, we held Produce Talent Development Course Vol.16 "Injecting Conservative Corporate Assets into Startups! ~Production Cases and Know-how~" at Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB). Mr. Kazuhiro Hasegawa, Executive Officer of Reverness Inc., was invited to give a lecture on production methods and case studies for strategically injecting diverse assets of conservative companies (existing large corporations) into startups.
Mr. Hasegawa giving a lecture.
Mr. Hasegawa (left) and Representative Sakuraba (right) having a dialogue.
3) Activity Reports for Each Project
ZESDA produces glocal businesses (overseas expansion of local SMEs, etc.) throughout Japan. We report on the activity information of each project.
Umaji Village Project (Umaji Village, Kochi Prefecture)
Keywords:
Please visit the official ZESDA website for more details.
1) Top News
From Tohoku to Noto, and to the World. ZESDA Staff Supports "Chonmage Taicho" Tsun-san's Disaster Relief and US Visit Project.
In April, ZESDA Director Sezaki and Los Angeles Bureau Chief Horii supported the activities of "Chonmage Taicho" (Topknot Captain) Tsun-san (Mr. Hirokazu Tsunoda), who has been providing disaster relief nationwide since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and screenings of his documentary film "MARCH."
The film "MARCH," produced by "Chonmage Taicho" Tsun-san, who continues to support disaster-stricken areas nationwide, follows "Seeds+" (Seeds Plus), a marching band of children from Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, who were dispersed due to the nuclear accident of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In parallel with the film screenings, Tsun-san has for many years led a project to invite children from disaster-affected areas overseas.
Intersection of personal aspirations and Noto support context
On April 19, ZESDA Director Sezaki participated in a screening of the film held in Yokohama City. Sezaki learned that a child of a person involved in Noto Town, an area long supported by ZESDA and also affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, had been invited to France through this project. It was a moment where Tsun-san's passion for the disaster victims and ZESDA's long-standing involvement in Noto support intersected in an unexpected way.
Tsun-san giving a lecture at the film screening.
Circle of support in Los Angeles
Furthermore, a plan is underway to invite junior high school students from Noto to Los Angeles in June this year. In preparation for this, Tsun-san visited the US in late April, accompanied by ZESDA Los Angeles Bureau Chief Horii as a local guide. Horii coordinated screenings of "MARCH" and lecture events in Los Angeles, collaborating with multiple prefectural associations, including the Southern California Kumamoto Kenjinkai, and local studios.
Tsun-san giving a lecture on disaster relief efforts in Los Angeles.
ZESDA advocates for the production of glocal businesses and has accompanied activities that connect regions with the world. This time, the expansion of a circle of support connecting Tohoku, Noto, and Los Angeles, stemming from the pure desire of both staff members to "help those in disaster-stricken areas," can be described as a form of the empathy network we aim for.
The entire proceeds from the film "MARCH" screenings, after deducting expenses, will be donated to the disaster-stricken areas and used for recovery activities. New connections from ZESDA's network will also be made for this activity, supported by the spirit of "On-okuri" (paying it forward) from many people.
This visit provided an opportunity to personally feel what is needed for the Noto region, including Shuran no Sato, to overcome the earthquake and move forward. ZESDA will continue to deepen cooperation with local residents and new supporters, and continue to support the sustainable development of Shuran no Sato.
・Smile for Nippon (Chonmage Taicho Tsun-san's activities)
2) ZESDA-hosted Event Information
Glocal Business Seminar (GLBS)
A seminar series researching case studies of overseas expansion by local SMEs. Co-hosted with Meiji University's Masayuki Okuyama Laboratory.
Event Report
On April 15, we held Glocal Business Seminar Vol.34 "The Current State of Japanese Food in London and 'The Village' Concept." Mr. Tetsuro Hama, Representative Director of NPO The Village, was invited to speak on the current situation of Japanese food in London and "The Village" concept.
Mr. Hama giving a lecture.
Produce Talent Development Course (PSRi)
A seminar series learning methods from various producer talents who promote innovation. Co-hosted with the Production Research Subcommittee of the Japan Society for Research Policy and Innovation Management.
Event Report
On April 21, we held Produce Talent Development Course Vol.16 "Injecting Conservative Corporate Assets into Startups! ~Production Cases and Know-how~" at Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB). Mr. Kazuhiro Hasegawa, Executive Officer of Reverness Inc., was invited to give a lecture on production methods and case studies for strategically injecting diverse assets of conservative companies (existing large corporations) into startups.
Mr. Hasegawa giving a lecture.
Mr. Hasegawa (left) and Representative Sakuraba (right) having a dialogue.
3) Activity Reports for Each Project
ZESDA produces glocal businesses (overseas expansion of local SMEs, etc.) throughout Japan. We report on the activity information of each project.
Umaji Village Project (Umaji Village, Kochi Prefecture)
Keywords: