■Yabuki Town, Fukushima Prefecture

[Overview]

In fiscal year 2023, we provided support for the formulation of a concept and business plan for town development utilizing sports and digital technology (Yabuki Town Sports × Digital Promotion Project).

[Challenges]

・Building consensus and confirming direction among stakeholders
・Achieving a consistent and focused initiative without losing direction

[Support Provided]

・Analysis using desk research, field research, and various frameworks
・Surveys and interviews
・Facilitation of work sessions

Yabuki Town faces the challenge of population outflow among the younger generation, and is working to increase its population through immigration, settlement, and child-rearing support measures. The town has established its “Digital Garden City Concept Basic Policy,” which aims to value each resident and rebuild a sustainable local society while fostering economic development.

The town is also active in promoting sports, with notable figures such as former Japan national baseball team manager Kiyoshi Nakahata and Masami Chiba, an Olympic athlete and the Japanese record holder in the women’s 400m. Sports clubs and school teams have also achieved strong results.

While making effective use of existing facilities and natural resources, the project aims to enhance public services and satisfaction and to create vibrancy in the town through sports and physical activity. By combining “sports” with the scalable potential of “digital,” the town promotes its unique “Sports × Digital Promotion Project” aimed at increasing exchange and inflow populations. We supported the development of the foundational concept and business plan through surveys, analysis, and work sessions involving local residents and stakeholders.