Morioka City, in Japan’s northern Iwate Prefecture, announced their new policy — the Morioka City Regional Enterprise Growth Acceleration Support Project — to actively support the establishment of startups with an impact on social problems and economic activity.

At the kick-off meeting held on September 28, Mayor Shigeru Uchidate declared, “We will create a city where entrepreneurship is a viable option for young people,” and expressed his determination to promote impact startups.

Under this support program, the city will certify innovative companies and provide them with courses to help them expand their business, provide them with advice from mentors, and assist with setting up business negotiations and networking in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Applications will be accepted until October 15, and three companies will be selected to receive support.Kenji Suzuki, the head of the city's Manufacturing Promotion Division, expressed his vision for the region's future, saying, “I want Morioka to be seen as a city of impact startups in 10 years' time.”

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