Players responsible for revitalizing local areas across Japan come together!

■ The theme is "A device that creates a cycle that will connect to the next 100 years"

In Japan, where the population is declining, we believe that interactive revitalization of each region, rather than the concentration of resources in Tokyo, is an essential theme. The previous "Watamachi Summit" held in Oga City, Akita Prefecture, showed that the involvement of resources from outside the region in positive challenges within the region could be one way of "future town development" through the expansion of related population. Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Prefecture, where this summit will be held, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of its ski resort. In this land with potential, practitioners of town development from both inside and outside the region will gather under the theme of "a device that creates a cycle that will connect to the next 100 years" to explore the form of "future town development" that should be connected across generations. This is a public event for people who are challenging local revitalization all over the country, and for those who are interested in the challenge.

■ Watamachi Summit Executive Committee

Nozawa Onsen Kikaku, which is working on urban development in Nozawa Onsen with the vision of "making Nozawa Onsen a village the world admires," Mitsubishi Estate Estate, which launched the "Megurumeku Project" with the aim of fostering prosperous relationships between communities and cities through agriculture and food, Mitsubishi Jisho Design, which is carrying out projects in various cities and regions with "urban development" as its identity, are holding this summit to bring together the shared passion for "future urban development" of the three companies. The aim is to apply the ideas and concepts gained from this summit to urban development in Nozawa Onsen, and to continue this initiative in other regions, following Oga City in Akita Prefecture and Nozawa Onsen Village in Nagano Prefecture.

Nozawa Onsen Planning Co., Ltd.

Nozawa Onsen is a beloved village blessed with mountains, greenery, and water, as well as a rich culture of skiing, hot springs, and festivals. However, the area faces many challenges, including the closure of guesthouses due to an aging population and a shift in tourism to winter. Nozawa Onsen Kikaku is creating a system to pass on culture and nature to the next generation in a sustainable way through urban development. To achieve this, it is important for people from both within and outside the region to collaborate and co-create businesses. In collaboration with Mitsubishi Estate and Mitsubishi Jisho Design, we have planned an event to connect with leading urban development practitioners from across Japan and discuss the future of Nozawa Onsen. We hope you will take this opportunity to experience the charms of Nozawa Onsen for yourself.

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

Mitsubishi Estate plans to establish a business and industrial support facility related to food and agriculture within the "(Tentative name) Uchikanda 1-chome Project," scheduled for completion in 2025. Prior to its opening, the company has launched the "Megurumeku Project," which will support the challenges faced by local producers and processors who will be responsible for the future of the food, agriculture, fisheries, and livestock industries. We believe that bringing together positive players from all over the country in one region will create a chemical reaction, and that this energy will then spread throughout the country, leading to the creation of rich relationships between the region and the city. We hope that hosting the "Watamachi Summit" will expand the possibilities for sustainable urban development in the region.

Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc.

Urban development is becoming increasingly important amid rapid and complex social change. Against the backdrop of post-COVID and the transition to a mature society, approaches to urban development are also undergoing major changes. Mitsubishi Jisho Design has been involved in urban development in various cities and regions both in Japan and overseas, including the Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho areas. Building on the insights gained from the Watamachi Summit held in Oga City, Akita Prefecture in March 2023, and the potential of regional urban development, we will be involved in the planning, operation, and administration of the second event, this time in Nozawa Onsen Village, as the secretariat. We hope to create a forum for diverse interactions within the city and for participants to connect with the origins of urban development.

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