The Shizuoka New Business Conference held the Shizuoka New Business Forum in Hamamatsu on the 24th October. This was the first time in six years that the forum has been held in Hamamatsu.

The theme of regional industrial promotion was discussed in a panel involving the mayors of Hamamatsu, Iwata, Fukuroi, and Kosai, as well as executives from startup companies based in each city and executives from Yamaha Motors.

The panel discussed issues such as the importance of cooperation between local companies — including both start-ups and major corporations — and wide-area government bodies that are tailored to the living conditions of foreign residents, as well as measures to prevent young people from moving away from the region.

The event also saw Shizuoka University spin-out eZov International win grand prize in the Shizuoka Prefecture New Business Awards for start-ups.