News On Japan

Idols Join Forces to Energize Regional Japan

TOKYO, Oct 05 (News On Japan) - Former HKT48 member Haruka Kodama attended the press conference for the Cabinet Office’s “Local Revitalization 2.0” model project, titled “Revitalizing Communities with Idols,” held in Tokyo on October 1st.

Kodama was appointed as one of the “Public-Private Partnership Promotion Ambassadors,” alongside former AKB48 members Natsumi Hirajima and Yukari Sasaki, as well as the idol group Rain Tree, produced by Yasushi Akimoto.

The initiative will begin in three municipalities—Uda City in Nara Prefecture, Otsuki City in Yamanashi Prefecture, and Nachikatsuura Town in Wakayama Prefecture—as pilot regions leading the “Local Revitalization 2.0” model. The project aims to revitalize regional communities by collaborating with idols and entertainers to attract tourism, encourage local business participation, and strengthen community engagement.

Source: Kyodo

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