"JAPAN SKETTT. PROJECT" New Project Announcement ~PR project in which local talents become poster boys for local businesses~

2024.10.08

Yoshito Nagao/Masaru Hamaguchi/Ami Kikuchi/Toshiaki Megumi/Manami Hashimoto

Wunderbar Inc. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Nagao Yoshito) has announced the launch of the "JAPAN SKETTT. PROJECT," a project under the catchphrase "Let's make it bloom, together." The project will see local talents supporting local businesses struggling with PR.

Skettt, a comprehensive IP marketing support service, supports companies in increasing their awareness and sales by providing advertising materials from celebrities. Skettt has launched a new service with the aim of boosting PR for local companies.JAPAN SKETTT. PROJECT"The Act on Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy (Act No. 136 of 2014) came into force in 26, and now, marking the 10th anniversary of this milestone, this is the first project in Japan to create a future for regional revitalization, making the next 10 years a fruitful one. Celebrities from all over the country who have stepped up for their beloved hometowns will support companies as spokespeople. This project will also provide services that utilize AI.

To commemorate the launch of the projects, Hokkaido-born talent Kikuchi Ami will serve as an ambassador for the "HOKKAIDO SKETTT. PROJECT," Osaka-born comedian Hamaguchi Masaru of the comedy duo Yoiko will serve as an ambassador for the "KINKI SKETTT. PROJECT," Kagoshima-born Megumi Toshiaki will serve as an ambassador for the "KYUSHU SKETTT. PROJECT," and Yamagata-born actress and talent Hashimoto Manami will serve as an ambassador for the "TOHOKU SKETTT. PROJECT."

The four ambassadors also took to the stage and each shared their thoughts about participating in the project and their memories of their hometowns.

■ Wunderbar Inc. CEO Yoshito Nagao

I'm from Sapporo, Hokkaido, and I think the food in Hokkaido is delicious. I love beer gardens, so I love the cool weather when I go back in the summer and the delicious alcohol. The growth of local businesses is essential to revitalizing local areas. The three core keywords of this project - "tsukuru," "todokeru," "sasaeru," and "skettt" - are familiar to us, so I would like to convey them to local businesses in an easy-to-understand way.

■HOKKAIDO SKETTT. PROJECT Ambassador Ami Kikuchi

I was honestly very happy when I heard about the ambassador role. I am currently serving as a tourism ambassador for my hometown, Kitami City, but the opportunity to help the people of Hokkaido in such a big project was an honor for me, as I wanted to work in my hometown.
Hokkaido is large, so I recommend renting a car and taking your time to enjoy it. One place I'd love to see you drive is the "Road to Heaven" in Shiretoko. The single road that stretches all the way to the mountains really does seem to connect to the heavens. I've been going there with my family since I was little, but going back there again really brought home something special for me as an adult. When I lived in Hokkaido, I had a strong desire to go to Tokyo, but I think that leaving my hometown has made me love it even more and appreciate its many charms.
When filming a commercial that will be aired in Hokkaido, I smelled lavender to get myself in the mood and thought of Hokkaido. When I realized that the viewers would be local people, unlike usual, I felt a stronger desire to "reach the audience," and I think I was able to do a better job than usual.

Anecdotes about "Todokeru"
I communicate my feelings to my four-year-old daughter every day. I am conscious of not ignoring her when she has questions about something. She understands what I say and assumes it is true, so I try to live my life by carefully conveying each and every feeling and word.

■KINKI SKETTT. PROJECT Ambassador Yoiko Hamaguchi Masaru

I was incredibly happy when I was chosen as the ambassador. I wondered if I was the right person for the job. I was chosen from among many famous people in the Kinki region, so I will do my best to get everyone excited.
There's just so much food, and I think the culture of haggling is unique to Osaka. I was shocked when I went to other regions, where there's no such culture. Being able to eat cheap, delicious food is one of the attractions.
　There are many places I would like to recommend in the Kinki region, but among them, I would like to recommend "Kissa Hamayu" in Konohana Ward, Osaka City. It is actually my parents' coffee shop. It is the place where celebrities gather the most in the Kinki region, and so many celebrities come here for location shoots. You might even get to hear stories about my childhood there. (laughs)

An episode related to "Sasaeru"
My wife is my biggest support. I was able to come to this event today thanks to her, and she drove me home when I couldn't get a taxi. Since having a child, I've been contacting my parents more often, and I feel like my life has changed since I met my wife.

■KYUSHU SKETTT. PROJECT Ambassador Megumi Toshiaki

I moved to Tokyo when I was 18, and it's been 42 years since then. Although I've been in Tokyo far longer, I still always feel like I'm from Kagoshima Prefecture. Even when I go back to Kagoshima, I feel like I'm moving to Tokyo. I've seen my classmates from Kagoshima work hard and struggle in their hometowns, so I want to take this opportunity to fully support companies that are working hard in the regions.
Itoshima is a place in Kyushu that is sure to become famous in the future. It is also the setting for the currently airing TV drama "Omusubi." With the sea, the mountains, and the ability to cycle, it is a fascinating place that you can't see everything in one day. There is also a delicious ramen restaurant nearby, which I visited with my family. Fukuoka is a city I love so much that I would like to live here for the rest of my life. Among them, Itoshima is recommended for its great food and the opportunity to be close to nature.

Anecdotes related to "Tsukuru"
One of the reasons I resonated with the project's aim of boosting local businesses is that my family used to make Oshima Tsumugi silk, a traditional Kagoshima craft. The mud dyeing technique that my father patented requires the involvement of many different artisans, all of whom work hard to preserve it for the sake of their local communities. While it's often said that Tokyo is over-concentrated, there are many people supporting the industry throughout the region. "Tsukuru" is something that is difficult to revive once it's over, so I think it's important not to let it end.

■TOHOKU SKETTT. PROJECT Ambassador Manami Hashimoto

Tohoku has a lot of delicious food and places to recommend, so I want as many people as possible to know about it. I'm happy to be able to help promote Tohoku.
Tohoku is made up of six prefectures, and each has its own local specialties, such as Aomori's hiyashi noodles and tuna, and Yamagata's meat soba. Also, if you visit in the summer, there are festivals in all six Tohoku prefectures, so I recommend you visit them all. The festivals are held at different times, so if you take your time, you can see them all, and there are tours available, so I recommend visiting a variety of places.
　I've been skiing since I was four years old, sandwiched between my parents, and even now, when I come home, I go to Zao to ski. Afterwards, I usually have curry at the lodge and then soak in the large open-air bath, Genshichi no Yu, while watching the snow. It's the best.

Episodes related to "skettt"
I gave birth to my second child in July, and my mother has come over from Yamagata to help me out. We live together and she cooks local dishes every day. I moved to Tokyo when I was 17, so I thought it would be difficult to eat my mother's cooking again, but I've had this opportunity to do so. It's really helpful that we're living together. Today, I was able to come to the event because my mother is watching my child, so "SKET" has been a great help to me.