How about moving to Tottori, companies?
February 22, 16:15
Can you say that there are only dunes?
!!
Tottori Prefecture is attracting attention as companies in Tokyo move their bases to rural areas.
In addition to the abundance of nature, the decisive factor is that the number of people infected with the new coronavirus is 208 (as of February 19), which is less than in other prefectures.
We talked about why the company decided to relocate.
(Tottori Bureau Yonago Branch Reporter Naofumi Nagayama)
IT companies in central Tokyo go to Tottori
The office of an IT company in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, where there are few people after the second state of emergency was declared.
I am in charge of developing a system for managing personal information.
About 500 employees and staff are teleworking more than 70% to prevent infection.
This company relocated part of its business to Tottori prefecture last October.
This is to disperse the risks of operations such as general affairs, accounting, and human resources that are necessary to continue the business.
The relocation destination is Yonago City in western Tottori Prefecture.
About 10 people, including the system engineer who was originally in charge of development, worked here.
In line with the move, we have set up a new office nearby in addition to the existing office.
Currently, we are hiring new local staff, and we expect to increase the scale of our business in Tottori to about 50, which is nearly five times the original scale.
Chairman Funakoshi
"I was encouraged by the new Corona. I was able to make a decision because it was a corona disaster."
The deciding factor is that there are few infected people
This company has been considering relocating the headquarters function in the city center for about three years.
In preparation for a wide range of disasters such as the Great East Japan Earthquake, studies were underway not only in Japan but also overseas.
At one point, Wuhan, China, where the group companies are based, was also a candidate site.
In deciding the candidate site, we added not only the aspect of business continuity but also the condition that "the risk of infection of the new corona is low".
Under these circumstances, Tottori Prefecture suddenly became a leading candidate among the bases in seven prefectures in Japan.
Today, the Tottori division has been "promoted" to a "second base."
Some officers will also be stationed in Tottori prefecture, and hope to contribute to local employment.
Chairman Funakoshi
"Because it is an IT company, if security is strong, you can work anywhere in the world. By creating multiple bases where you can do the same work as the head office, the possibilities of the company will expand. It will also lead to regional revitalization. Further advance business transfer "
Risk diversification is also in the manufacturing industry
The move to Tottori Prefecture is spreading to the manufacturing industry.
"Creco Lab" is a design production company headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo.
We have been working on products such as straws and mask cases made from domestic wood.
Last December, we set up our own manufacturing base for the first time in Chizu Town, eastern Tottori Prefecture.
I chose a small town in the mountains because the forestry industry was originally thriving and the environment for conducting business was in place.
The manufacturing base is a closed wooden school building
Although the land price is cheaper than in urban areas, he was worried whether he could quickly secure enough land and facilities to make products.
Under such circumstances, this company noticed the closed elementary school building.
The wooden school building built in 1945 was designated as a national tangible cultural property, and I thought it would fit the concept of a company that "utilizes wood."
We paid the rent to the organization that manages the building and built a production line.
We are hiring new locals and preparing for full-scale operation.
In the future, we plan to produce about 70% of our products in Tottori.
Manager Harada
"The risk of infection is low, and the abundance of nature is attractive. I would like to spread local cedar nationwide while increasing local employment."
With Tottori's strength without “denseness”, there are also issues to attract companies ...
With the spread of the new corona infection, there is a growing movement among companies to consider relocating to rural areas, and Tottori Prefecture is also strengthening support for attracting companies.
In addition to the existing subsidies, we plan to launch a system to subsidize up to 50 million yen for companies outside the prefecture that will newly establish production bases in the prefecture.
Although the number of inquiries from companies is increasing, many business owners are worried about employment and location, such as "whether we can secure the necessary human resources" and "whether we can secure a suitable place for the office". , It is said that there are not so many cases that lead to specific consultations and actual relocation or advancement.
In the future, the prefecture wants to support the relocation of companies by cooperating with local municipalities to secure offices and human resources.
Mr. Nakao
"I think the risk of spreading corona infection is much lower than in the city. We consider it a big opportunity and the prefecture wants to strengthen support through subsidies."
For new conditions for business expansion
I have been living in Tottori prefecture for four years, but I rarely encounter crowds in my daily life, and I strongly feel that there is less stress and the risk of infection is low.
The new coronavirus not only threatens our lives and health, but also has a major impact on our business continuity.
I felt that the fact that the population is small and the nature is abundant may become an advantageous condition for companies to choose a destination in the future.
Tottori Bureau Reporter
Naofumi Nagayama
Joined in 2017 After working as a police officer, Yonago Branch has been in charge for two years.