Mr. Yoichiro Hata, Peatix Japan Co., Ltd.

Senior Manager of Community Partnerships at Peatix Japan Co., Ltd.YOXO BOXWe spoke to Yoichiro Hata, a community connector for (*1).

(*1) A “startup growth support base” located in Kannai. We carry out support programs for startups, individual consultations by startup support experts, business events, etc.

Spreading thoughts through “connections”

--What led you to get involved with YOXOBOX in Yokohama?

My starting point for this activity was to see if Peatix could support people who have a strong attachment to Yokohama, where they live, and are taking on new challenges in this area. It was around the same time that YOXO BOX was established that I began to meet people from various genres through events and connect them with each other, so I helped spread awareness of the facility. Ta.

Through our activities, we have had more opportunities to get people from other regions interested in YOXO BOX. From there, I decided to serve as a community connector.

--What are the activities of "Community Connector"?

We believe that by inviting new people to the YOXO BOX circle, we can revitalize the community and create new encounters, and our activities aim to ``involve new innovators in the community'' and ``connect innovators with each other.'' . Specifically, we create opportunities for people to visit our store by holding events and introducing YOXO BOX to the people we usually meet.

--Is there anything you are conscious of when making the first connection?

I am conscious of imagining how each idea and business will expand and spread to those around us through connections. It's like discovering the similarities and commonalities between person A and person B as points of contact, and moving gears together to move something big. What the two of you want to do is connected, and through co-creation, something even more wonderful is created, which creates empathy among those around you. I often connect people when I can imagine something like that.

The sense of distance that comes from being in Yokohama

--Do you feel that the number of startup companies in Yokohama is increasing?

The number of startups in various genres, whether BtoB or BtoC, is steadily increasing. In particular, the number of deep tech-oriented startups, which used to be rare, is increasing year by year. I think that having the innovation platform of Yokohama makes it easier to imagine what challenges our new technology can approach. I also think that one of the reasons is that we have an environment that makes it easy to conduct demonstration experiments through collaboration with companies and cooperation with the government.

--Are there any characteristics of YOXO's community?

The distance between people is very close. Having Yokohama as a common denominator makes it easy to meet each other. As a result, I get to know the person's personality better, and when I say I want to do something, someone will help me, which I think creates a really positive atmosphere. We often work together and introduce each other. Also, not only the startup companies but also the government are very close to each other and I think it is easy to talk to them and they provide a lot of support.

Once you come, you'll love it

--What exactly is the charm of Yokohama?

That's a very difficult question to express in one word (lol). I often go on business trips, and when I come back to Yokohama, I feel a sense of comfort and security, and I feel very calm. I have an image of Yokohama as a port, my home port. This feeling may be due to the closeness of people and the atmosphere of mutual support.

On the other hand, the city as a whole has a culture of innovation, with an atmosphere that harmonizes opposites: calm yet full of humanity, somewhat nostalgic yet progressive. I think this is the charm of Yokohama.

--Please tell us about the future prospects for the YOXO community.

I think that various communities will continue to emerge, such as gatherings of employees who work at different startups. If people with the same concerns and challenges connect across companies, new innovations will be born, and the number of people involved in the YOXO BOX community will increase, making it even more attractive. I would be very happy if I could help expand your thoughts.

For the past three years due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have been unable to hold events or gather offline, making it difficult to convey our passion to others. From now on, there will be more opportunities for people to meet face-to-face, and I think the environment will become easier to express your feelings to others. The feelings that I have been cultivating for the past three years are slowly starting to take root. I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of fruit this idea will bring.

FAVORITE SPOT

"Yokohama Marine Tower'

I went to Yokohama Marine Tower for the first time in a long time, and the view from the observation floor was amazing and I was moved. The sky garden at Yokohama Landmark Tower is wonderful, but we also recommend the view from Yokohama Marine Tower, where you can see Yamashita Park below!

"gooz Icho Namiki Street store'

If I feel like refreshing myself while working at YOXO BOX, I'll take a walk to Nihon Odori Street to get some coffee. There are many types of coffee available and it's fun to choose. I often drink Ginkgo Namiki Blend!

"Bluff Bakery Nihon Odori store'

A bakery whose main store is in Motomachi, Yokohama. It is located near the intersection of Baystars Street and Nihon Odori Station. There are many types of bread and they are all delicious, but I like milk sticks!