Start a business from Singapore in Aomori, which is "excessive move-out" and "slender"!

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April 15th, 17:10

In Aomori Prefecture, "excessive migration", in which the population flows out of the prefecture, has been an issue for many years.

When I was interviewing about such population decline as an important theme, I hear that there are people from overseas who are trying to start a business in Aomori remotely.

Moreover, since it is a business that uses "apples" from Aomori, I immediately started interviewing.

Aiming for "remote entrepreneurship" from Singapore

The person who told me this story was the "Aomori Startup Center", which is operated by Aomori City and others.

Established with the aim of revitalizing the region through business, this center accepts consultations on "entrepreneurship" and management of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Yuka Shigeno (38) is on the monitor of the center.

Mr. Shigeno

"I left Aomori because I wanted to see a bigger and wider world, choose a job, and push forward with my life."

Mr. Shigeno is from the western part of Aomori prefecture, which is the Tsugaru region, where apple cultivation is popular.

After graduating from high school, he got a job at a company in the prefecture, but he jumped out of the prefecture in his twenties saying "I want to try my potential" and was involved in launching a sweets brand.

He also moved overseas, moved to Singapore three years ago, and is currently involved in the purchase of Japanese food products.

Mr. Shigeno is aiming to start a business in Aomori from Singapore, and he is consulting with the center about financing and partners to collaborate in Aomori.

"Leather from apple pomace"

Why did you decide to start a business in Aomori?

When I asked Mr. Shigeno, he answered like this.

Mr. Shigeno "Since I left Aomori,

I

've always wanted to be involved in revitalizing my hometown.

So I decided to start a business thinking that I could solve the problem even if I didn't live in Aomori. "

In fact, Aomori Prefecture is suffering from "excessive transfer".

Every spring, young people "sneak" out of the prefecture due to employment.

In the five years up to 2020, the latest statistics show that there are about 30,000 people, the highest number in Japan, and although I have a feeling for my hometown, it has been said that many people do not come back once they leave.

The background pointed out was that "there is no work that is attractive to young people."

Mr. Shigeno is thinking of solving this problem.

Mr. Shigeno is thinking of a business that utilizes apple pomace, which Aomori boasts the highest production in Japan.

From this pomace, we are trying to create leather that can be used for furniture, bags, car seats, and so on.

These non-animal leathers are called "vegan leathers" and are attracting worldwide attention from the perspective of animal welfare and environmental friendliness.

If it goes well as a business, I think it will be an "attractive job" that allows young people in Aomori to interact with the world.

Start a business remotely over about 6000 km!

However….

Mr. Shigeno wants to start a business with his base of life in Singapore.

Because her husband and children also want to continue living in Singapore.

How does she start a business from Singapore, about 6000 kilometers away from Aomori?

Here is Shigeno's plan for starting her own business.

Mr. Shigeno plans to register a new company in Aomori City with his partner in Japan.

We are aiming to establish the company in May, but initially we will not have an office.

For the time being, the staff who will join the business will also be doing "remote work" at home.

Mr. Shigeno, who is in Singapore, discusses with business partners and staff "remotely" and decides management policies.

If the business gets on track, I would like to increase the number of local staff, have university students in Aomori work as internships, and increase employment and opportunities for success.

Mr. Hiroma Uematsu of "Aomori Startup Center", who is consulted by Mr. Shigeno, expects that employment will increase by starting a new business in this way.

Mr. Uematsu, Aomori Startup Center "If a new company is created, new employment will be

created,

so increasing employment in the region is the shortest way to increase the number of founders.

I don't think it's there. "

Preparing to start a business in Aomori, my hometown

Mr. Shigeno, who is preparing to start a business, will visit Aomori, which will be the stage of a new business, in late February.

I went to an apple juice maker in Hirosaki City, which is one of the largest in Japan.

They are going to have them supply the apple pomace that is the material of the product.

Here, we have introduced a special dryer in order to effectively use the pomace that produces more than 6,000 tons per year for bioplastics.

Mr. Shigeno, who was shown the dried pomace, was surprised at the quality.

On the other hand, the manufacturer was also interested in Mr. Shigeno's business plan, which wanted to contribute to the community, because some of the pomace was paid for and disposed of.

JA Aoren

Ogasawara, Managing Director

, "Whenever you make apple juice, you will get squeezed residue. If you can use it effectively, you can contribute to SDGs =" Sustainable Development Goals. "

I would like to work with the people involved in the business that I receive. "

Can you contribute to your hometown in business?

Can you really contribute to your hometown with the business plan you envisioned?

Mr. Shigeno participated in a contest held in Aomori City in late February to compete for business ideas to revitalize the region.

Mr. Shigeno said, "I realized that my roots are in Aomori, and I was born and raised in Aomori. I want to create new value for apples." I appealed that I could rejuvenate my hometown even from Singapore.

As a result of the examination, Mr. Shigeno received the highest award in recognition of her ability to start a business beyond the border wall.

Mr. Shigeno:

"If more people like me start a business in Aomori, I think it will lead to employment and it will be a lot of fun. I'm absolutely confident that it will liven up Aomori

. I want to move forward with business by gathering people with the same vision. "

I want to contribute to the hometown that once jumped out through remote entrepreneurship.

I would like to continue to pay attention to whether the new challenges created by the Corona disaster will lead to the suppression of population outflow from rural areas and the revitalization of the economy.

Aomori Broadcasting Station Reporter

Tomoya Yoshinaga Joined

Aomori Broadcasting Station for the second time in

2006 From

the effects of warming on apple cultivation to energy and population decline measures, we are covering Aomori's issues

.