[Survey] More than 60% of companies are interested in regional revitalization. However, only just over 30% are actually taking action, revealing a gap between interest and actual efforts.
Monthly General Affairs Co., Ltd. Press release: September 8, 2025 To Members of the Press More than 60% of companies are interested in regional revitalization. However, only just over 30% are actually taking action, revealing a gap between interest and actual efforts. ~The biggest challenge in this initiative is “the difficulty in seeing results”~ Monthly General Affairs Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kenichi Toyoda), publisher of Japan’s only general affairs magazine, Monthly General Affairs, conducted a survey on regional revitalization targeting 154 general affairs personnel nationwide. [Survey results summary] More than 60% of companies are interested in regional revitalization ・33.7% of companies are working on regional revitalization. The most common reason given was “collaboration with local companies and
organizations.” – Reasons for engaging in regional revitalization include “contributing to society by solving local issues,” “improving the company’s brand value,” and “hiring and training local talent.” – The most common reason for not engaging in regional revitalization was “lack of resources.” ・The most common challenge companies face in regional revitalization is “difficulty in seeing results.” ◼️More than 60% of companies are interested in regional revitalization When asked about their level of interest in regional revitalization, 24.7% said they were “very interested” and 37.7% said they were “somewhat interested,” for a total of 62.4% (n=154).
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/60066/74/60066-74-adbfeddb47a8d9ad4d188b8e5952e73b-1920×1005.png
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/60066/74/60066-74-6b106d7faf53a59e8ff002429b9ea9c3-1920×1005.png When asked about the activities they are undertaking, 55.8% answered “collaboration with local companies and organizations,” followed by 46.2% who answered “hiring and training local talent” and 42.3% who answered “sponsoring local events and educational activities.” (n=52/companies working on regional revitalization).
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/60066/74/60066-74-05713ae5d5cab81a833c78b3836ecbe5-1920×1005.png ◼️Reasons for working on regional revitalization include “contributing to society by solving regional issues,” “improving corporate brand value,” and “recruiting and developing regional talent.” When asked why they are working on regional revitalization, 69.2% of respondents answered, “Because we believe that solving regional issues will contribute to society,” followed by 44.2% who answered, “Because we want to improve the company’s brand value,” and 38.5% who answered, “Because we want to expand opportunities to hire and train regional talent” (n=52/companies working on regional revitalization). Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/60066/74/60066-74-a610ae870472a2db58c06f87640a4ee5-1920×1005.png – We were able to learn about the current situation and needs of the local community, which led to collaboration. – Community collaboration and contributions have led to an increase in our value in the community. – An environment has been created in which employees actively take on initiatives that are conscious of their connections with the local community. – External recognition has increased. – Leads to increased sales for our core business. ◼️The most common reason for not addressing the issue is “lack of resources” When asked why they are not working on regional revitalization, the most common answer was “lack of resources” at 30.4%, followed by “feeling that it has little relevance to our company” at 28.4% and “low understanding and interest among management” at 27.5% (n=102/companies not working on regional revitalization).
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/60066/74/60066-74-dd935d6c552db00a8db156bd0b46bdc4-1920×1005.png ◼️The most common challenge companies face in revitalizing regional areas is “the difficulty of seeing results.” When asked about challenges in promoting regional revitalization efforts, 55.2% cited “it’s hard to see the results (it’s hard to evaluate),” followed by “it’s a big burden on the person in charge” at 40.9% and “there is no department in charge, and the promotion structure is unclear” at 37.7% (n=154).
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/60066/74/60066-74-88f49b2b64389d856394379f0d741443-1920×1005.png ◼️Regional revitalization initiatives that are attracting attention include “collaborative projects with local companies and
organizations” and “recruiting and training local talent.” When asked about areas that companies are focusing on in promoting regional revitalization efforts, 45.5% answered “collaborative projects with local companies and organizations,” followed by “hiring and training local talent” at 37.0% and “sponsoring local events and educational activities” at 31.2% (n=154).
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/60066/74/60066-74-21ecdf7b1754ddef189967af83a3c52a-1920×1005.png ◼️Overview This survey revealed that while over 60% of companies are interested in regional revitalization, only just over 30% are actually working on it, highlighting a large gap between interest and action. Behind this lies a lack of resources, a lack of understanding among management, and even a lack of understanding of where to start. However, companies that are working on these initiatives have reported comments such as, “New collaborations with local companies have been formed,” and “Employees have become more aware of their connections to the community.” This suggests that regional revitalization is not simply a social contribution; it is directly linked to human capital management outcomes such as improved employee engagement and strengthened corporate brand value. General affairs departments are expected to ensure that these initiatives do not end up as temporary CSR activities, but rather establish them as sustainable business strategies. Positioning regional revitalization as a mechanism for mutual growth between companies and local communities will be an important role that general affairs departments will be expected to play in the future. ◼️Profile of Kenichi Toyoda, President and CEO, Monthly General Affairs Co., Ltd.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/60066/74/60066-74-a025ff78dface7ed67cd5b3cfa57f1e6-914×1280.jpg President and CEO, Gekkan Soumu Co., Ltd. Director, Strategic Management Research Institute Graduated from the School of Political Science and Economics at Waseda University. Experienced accounting, sales, and general affairs at Recruit Co., Ltd., and general affairs manager at Uo-riki Co., Ltd. Former editor-in-chief of “Monthly General Affairs,” Japan’s only specialized magazine for general affairs departments. Currently, he lectures, writes, and consults as director of the Strategic General Affairs Research Institute, representative director of FOSC (a company), director of the Work DX Promotion Organization (a company), executive director of the IT Advisory Association (a company), and fellow of the Japan Omni-Channel Association. His publications include “Strategic General Affairs for Strengthening Management” (Japan Management Association Management Center). *Interviews are also welcome on topics such as “work styles,” “remote work/telework,” and “general general affairs.” *”Strategic General Affairs” is a registered trademark of Gekkan Soumu Co., Ltd. ▼Click here for media results https://www.g-soumu.com/company/message https://img.youtube.com/vi/0xTN9ERmkoo/sddefault.jpg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xTN9ERmkoo [Survey Overview] Survey Name: Survey on Regional Revitalization Research Organization: In-house survey Survey target: Readers of “Monthly General Affairs,” subscribers to the “Monthly General Affairs Online” email newsletter, etc. Survey method: Online survey Survey period: July 9, 2025 – July 16, 2025 Number of valid responses: 154 ◼️Request for quoting survey results *If you reprint or use the contents of this survey, please cite the source. Example: “According to a survey by ‘Monthly General Affairs’,” “According to a survey by ‘Monthly General Affairs’,” etc. ◼️About “Monthly General Affairs” Founded 62 years ago, Monthly General Affairs is Japan’s only magazine specializing in general affairs. With the slogan “Light a fire in the hearts of all general affairs professionals,” the magazine provides useful articles for a wide range of business professionals, with a focus on those working in general affairs departments. It is regularly subscribed to by a wide range of companies, from listed companies and major operating companies to mid-sized and small businesses. (First published: June 1963 / Printing: 12,000 copies / Price: ¥1,100) ◼️Monthly General Affairs Co., Ltd. Company Profile Company Name: Gekkan Soumu Co., Ltd. Representative: Representative Director Kenichi Toyoda Address: KANDA SQUARE, 2-2-1 Kanda Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0054 11F Established: August 2018 Business Activities: – Publication of “Monthly General Affairs,” Japan’s only magazine specializing in general affairs and human resources. – Operating “Monthly General Affairs Online,” which solves back-office problems. – Hosting “General Affairs Seminars” and “General Affairs Salons.” – Workstyle
reform-related consulting, etc. URL: https://www.g-soumu.com/ For more information about this release