[Part 1] What is "Ikoshio Akita"? The Secret Story Behind the Formation of a Hometown Duo Born from Deep Local Love

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"Use us!" An Akita support project that pushes challengers forward

<Entertainment Kaitai Shinsho>
First, could you please tell our readers once again what kind of project "Ikoshio Akita" is?

<Rina Ikoma>
"Ikoshio Akita" is an Akita support project that I teamed up with Shiori Aiba to create.We are working to revitalize Akita with the hope that tourism and business in the prefecture will continue to develop and that the number of people with ties to the region will increase.

<Entertainment Kaitai Shinsho>
I see, a project!
While the two of you are the ones at the forefront, do you also envision like-minded people joining you and that circle expanding?

<Shiori Aiba>
That's right! We have absolutely no intention of taking a condescending stance of "let's revitalize Akita." We really want to move forward on the same level as everyone in Akita Prefecture.There are people who want to take on challenges but are worried about what others think or are afraid of failing. We also have a wish that

it becomes a little easier for such people to take action.

<Rina Ikoma>
Yes, that's exactly it. We don't want to just work in Akita as our own job, but we hope to connect it to everyone else's work as well.We want to create a win-win flow where everyone benefits, and we want to create the catalyst for that. We think it would be cool if we could become that.

<Shiori Aiba>
To put it a bit extremely, but simply, it's a feeling of "Please use us!"

<Entertainment Kaitai Shinsho>
So you want to be used as one of the catalysts for revitalizing Akita. That is wonderful!

A perfect match in their thoughts for Akita! Deep love for their hometown that never wavered even during busy times

<Entertainment Kaitai Shinsho>
By the way, how did the two of you come to work together?

<Rina Ikoma>
Shiori-chan had been supporting me since I debuted! I also knew that there was an announcer active in Akita, and I had been secretly watching her social media for a long time (laughs).

<Entertainment Kaitai Shinsho>
I see, so you were both following each other's success.

<Rina Ikoma>
We had an opportunity to be together at a prefectural association meeting about two or three years ago, and from there we started talking more closely. Or rather, I was the one who aggressively approached her (laughs).

<Shiori Aiba>
Since I was originally an idol fan, she is someone I truly respect. From her impressionable teenage years, she carried Akita on her shoulders and stood at the center of an idol group, bearing more hardship than anyone could imagine, right? Thinking about it now, it's surprising that I'm able to do support activities for Akita together with Ikoma-chan!

<Entertainment Kaitai Shinsho>
So you both had deep respect for each other.

<Shiori Aiba>
What I was really happy about was that, despite being so busy, she knew what kind of activities I was doing in Akita and what kind of thoughts I held. But I think that is an action that can only be done if you love Akita from the bottom of your heart. I felt how amazing she was, wondering if she really cared about Akita that much.

<Entertainment Kaitai Shinsho>
So that meeting led to the formation of "Ikoshio Akita."

<Shiori Aiba>
Yes! I was really happy that she recognized what I had been doing steadily in Akita. Just as Ikoma-chan did for me, I now want to support the people who are rooted in Akita and working hard. And as we talked,

our thoughts on Akita were a perfect match, which was the biggest catalyst.

<Rina Ikoma>
That's right.I was happy to meet someone with whom I could discuss the future of Akita together.It aligned with what I wanted to do, and I thought,"If it's Shiori-chan, I'd love to work with her!"

All challenges are "room for growth"! The positive reform envisioned by Ikoshio Akita

<Entertainment Kaitai Shinsho>
This might be a difficult question to answer, but... are there any challenges you feel exist regarding the current state of Akita?

<Shiori Aiba>
Akita has many wonderful people and things, but the people living thereoften still don't realize their value, and without external recognition, they are sometimes treated carelessly, soI feel it's a challenge that people who are rooted in the local area and working hard are not easily rewarded locally. However, while we at "Ikoshio Akita" recognize these as challenges, we
don't view them negatively.

<Entertainment Kaitai Shinsho>
...And that means?

<Shiori Aiba>
Simply put, we try to perceive the fact that the current situation is difficult asmeaning there is that much room for growth! I think many of the issues, such as the declining birthrate and aging population, are not just problems for Akita but are also seen as issues in other regions. If Akita can solve those challenges, it might be possible to apply those solutions to other regions as well. We are

not turning a blind eye to the problems, but trying to view them positively. And we are very conscious ofmaking sure we can visualize the performance indicators for solving those challenges as we tackle them ourselves
.

<Rina Ikoma>
How should I put this... I'll say this without fear of being misunderstood, but
I think Akita Prefecture has a strong tendency to be shy. For example, peaches, cherries, and apples in Akita are incredibly delicious, but they aren't widely recognized as Akita specialties, right?It's a shame that it's still not widely known that you can eat delicious produce in Akita just as well as in other prefectures.

<Shiori Aiba>
Indeed, that's for sure.

<Entertainment Kaitai Shinsho>
That is a great waste.

<Rina Ikoma>
Right now, what comes to mind when people think of Akita Prefecture is often a bit of negative news. But I also feel a wind that suggests the atmosphere so far is about to change significantly. Since "Ikoshio Akita" is starting at such a timing, we want to take the initiative to step into this shyness, improve our PR, andhelp create the brand value of many "Akita-grown" products!

That's it for Part 1!

Part 1 discussed the powerful stance of the two, who do not turn a blind eye to the current challenges of Akita but instead view them positively as "room for growth."

In the followingPart 2, we will approach"there is value in what is not there" as a new perspective for discovering regional charm, as well asthe creative ingenuity points of Ikoma-san and Aiba-san regarding Akita PR, and the core of their sharp PR strategy that shines witha business perspective unique to the two of them!

Click here for the previous interview with Shiori Aiba👇

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