200km from Tokyo Large companies gather one after another 19:14 on July 8th

“What was predicted to happen 10 years ago came all at once due to the influence of the new corona.”
This month is the words of an executive officer of Seiko Epson, which was established in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. Over the past year, major companies in various industries, such as Mitsubishi Corporation, SoftBank, and Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan, have expanded into Aizu-Wakamatsu. What is the charm of Aizu-Wakamatsu about 200 km away from Tokyo? (Akira Taruno, correspondent at Fukushima Broadcasting Station)

Why to Aizuwakamatsu?

In April last year, the public and private sectors worked together to build an office building near Tsuruga Castle, the symbol of Aizu. The name of the building is "Smart City AiCT", which combines AIZU and ICT = information and communication technology.

Within the past year, 23 companies have moved in, 70% of which are outside the prefecture. It is a large base where more than 200 people work. About 200 km from Tokyo. Why is Aizuwakamatsu among the many local cities?

The reason for this is that we have pioneered nationwide promotion of "smart cities" and various services related to civic life have been created. In Aizu where snow is deep, you can easily check information such as "Where is the road where snow removal ends and it is easy to walk?"

The companies that have entered the market are collaborating with this smart city to create new business opportunities. Furthermore, there is the University of Aizu, which specializes in computer science and engineering, and it is also attractive that there are many human resources with a wealth of IT knowledge.

Further with the new Corona...

The move toward companies is accelerating. This is because we aim to anticipate the changes in the world that will take place with the new Corona.

This month, we set up a base in Seiko Epson, which has its headquarters in Nagano Prefecture. We were considering moving in before the infection spread, but as the number of people working from home with the new Corona increases, we would like to build a new service by connecting products such as printers via the Internet.

Executive Officer Yoshida
"What was predicted to happen 10 years ago came suddenly due to the influence of the new corona. We also need to accelerate our project, I would like to carry out various demonstration experiments at Aizu Wakamatsu, which is promoting smart cities "

I feel that IT venture companies in Tokyo have become less in need of being in Tokyo due to the spread of remote work. Furthermore, he said that he also aims to spread the risk of infectious diseases and disasters.

President Suesada
"With the Internet, there are almost no restrictions on the location. The new Corona spurred it. The case of Aizu Wakamatsu is quite famous in our industry, and it is nonsense to increase the number of bases in Tokyo now."

"Chemical reaction" between companies

Another point of this facility. Tenants say that it is “cooperation between companies”. Since companies with the same purpose of smart cities are gathering “under one roof”, it is said that there is an atmosphere of cooperation in the fields where information can be exchanged and linked with each other.

"Chemical reactions" are about to occur in this environment.

Satoshi Maeda, who started an IT company while studying at the local University of Aizu, developed a 24-hour unattended convenience store system. You can read the QR code with your smartphone, open the key, and do shopping without a wallet.

Originally, it was developed in anticipation of the demand of tourists who would like to do some shopping in the hot spring town, which usually closes at night.

President Maeda
"Being able to avoid contact between people is a positive thing in the Wiscorona era, so I hope other stores will use it in the future."

"Neighbors" asked for advice

However, for President Maeda, who has little know-how in ventures, how to draw a future strategy is a major issue. So the one who asked for advice was an “experienced neighbor under the same roof”.

I visited Mitsubishi Corporation's office one floor down and asked for ideas. Then, we received the answer that it is important for the next-generation convenience store to have added value other than selling goods.

Mr. Hiratake, Mitsubishi Corporation
"You should think about what the concept of a convenience store will be in the future. What is the place to provide it. Think about a camera there to receive telemedicine, a small business model It's not about how local governments, companies, and citizens work together."

I was able to hear one after another the ideas that Maeda did not have, such as the idea of ​​“remote medicine” that seemingly had nothing to do with convenience stores.

President Maeda
"I think it's easy to come up with such an idea to increase the number of products, but the idea to connect it to telemedicine does not come up immediately. It seems that future business will expand."

For reference in other areas

A new business development created by a rough exchange of opinions.

With the new Corona triggering companies to turn their attention to rural areas, the case of Aizu-Wakamatsu may serve as a reference for other areas.

Fukushima Broadcasting Bureau reporter
Akira Taruno
Joined in 2012 In
charge of regional economy at Fukushima station