Haretoco General Incorporated Association (headquartered in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture; Representative Director: Toi Kengo) signed a “Comprehensive Partnership Agreement on the Dissemination of Municipal Information” with Kurashiki City on June 2, 2026.
The agreement aims to improve understanding of municipal information, strengthen communication of information about events and other matters, and diversify the provision of information during disasters. To achieve these aims, our organization will establish a cooperative framework using its web media outlet, “Kurashiki Tocotoco.”
Purpose and Main Provisions of the Agreement
Through this agreement, we will combine the diverse information shared by Kurashiki City with our organization’s strengths in editing and outreach to promote understanding of municipal information and raise awareness of event information. We also aim to provide timely, easy-to-understand information during disasters and to preserve the region’s memories in an archive.
- Making municipal information personally relevant through citizen-focused “stories”
Writers will edit information about Kurashiki City’s policies and systems from the perspective of residents. We will share it in engaging, story-driven articles that readers can relate to their own lives, helping to increase interest in municipal affairs. - Disseminating event information through multiple channels
Using event information provided by Kurashiki City, we will publish monthly roundup articles and an “Outing Map” that lets users search by location on Kurashiki Tocotoco. - Cooperating to quickly share emergency information during disasters
In the event of a major disaster, we will use our own media channels (web and social media), based on official information from Kurashiki City, to quickly deliver clear information to residents and support evacuation and other actions. - Increasing information reach through secondary distribution to partner media
We will distribute articles we produce to partner platforms such as Yahoo! JAPAN, LINE NEWS, and SmartNews, extending their reach to a broad audience inside and outside the city. - Preserving the region’s memories in an archive
We will continue publishing the articles we produce as a record of the region’s history. By ensuring the information does not remain fleeting, we will pass it on as part of the region’s collective memory and help prevent it from fading away.
Message from Representative Director Toi Kengo
The web media outlet “Kurashiki Tocotoco” began after we witnessed many people passionately supporting disaster-stricken areas at the Kurashiki City Disaster Volunteer Center during the heavy rains of July 2018. Seeing this inspired us to ask ourselves, “Is there something we can do, too?”
Since our launch, we have made being a “trusted media outlet” our top priority. We view the signing of this comprehensive partnership agreement with Kurashiki City as recognition of the work we have done to date.
However, our activities remain financially and operationally fragile, with limited resources and personnel. Signing this agreement is not the finish line; it marks the beginning of a new challenge, as it calls for an operating structure that carries greater responsibility.
Going forward, we will work with Kurashiki City, drawing on each other’s strengths to share information about the region, and strive to become a media outlet that residents trust even more. At the same time, to ensure the continuity of our operations, we will focus on securing revenue, including by strengthening our financial foundation.
Agreement Overview
Date signed:
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Signatories:
Kurashiki City Mayor Kaori Ito
Haretoco General Incorporated Association Representative Director Toi Kengo
Main areas of responsibility:
Improving understanding of municipal information, strengthening communication of information about events and other matters, and diversifying the provision of information during disasters
Announcement on the Kurashiki City Official Website
▼Kurashiki City and Haretoco General Incorporated Association have signed a “Comprehensive Partnership Agreement on Disseminating Municipal Information”
https://www.city.kurashiki.okayama.jp/cityinfo/publicity/1001929/1015657/1026250.html
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