No.148 Promoting public-private partnerships

Public-private partnerships are a system in which the city receives sponsorship and proposals for city administrative projects, events, etc. based on collaboration with companies, universities, and other organizations. This allows the city to further improve public services and revitalize the local area, while companies can promote their own products and improve their image by contributing to society. This creates a win-win relationship in which both parties benefit.
　
It is also called "public-private partnership" or "industry-government-academia-private partnership," but since local governments are not "public," the term "public-private partnership" has become more common among local governments in recent years. I think that both roughly mean the same thing.
　
Our city has been committed to public-private partnerships for some time, but in 2022, we were invited by Higashiosaka Mayor Noda to participate in the National Mayors' Forum for Promoting Public-Private Partnerships, which he established, and this prompted us to further promote this idea.
　
I learned from participating in this forum that public-private partnerships are more prevalent in the west than in the east, with Kansai making progress but Kanto lagging behind. Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City have set up public-private partnership desks in their offices to accept free proposals for collaborative projects from companies at any time, while the government presents issues and solicits proposals. I learned that these desks are a one-stop service for liaison and coordination between departments involved in collaborative projects.
　
I believed that these good examples should be adopted in Inagi City immediately, so last year I included the establishment of a public-private partnership desk in my election pledges for my fourth term, and we established one in the Planning and Policy Division on October 1st of last year.
　
After the desk was set up, we began receiving inquiries about collaborative projects from various private companies. Among them, Mr. Mikio Takahashi, former mayor of Bibai City, Hokkaido, with whom we had previously worked at the National Association of Mayors, introduced us to the Public-Private Partnership Business Research Institute, Inc.
　
The company's goal is to "serve as a bridge between local governments and businesses to set a good example through public-private collaboration and promote sustainable urban development, with the aim of resolving local social issues." This was a very timely encounter for Inagi City, which had just opened a public-private collaboration desk.
　
With the company's coordination, we were able to hold a signing ceremony for a joint public-private partnership agreement on March 25th.
　
First, we signed a "Collaboration Agreement for Promoting Public-Private Partnerships" with the Public-Private Partnership Research Institute, Inc. Based on this agreement, the Institute will provide us with information on companies that wish to carry out collaborative projects, and will also provide consultation on solving problems facing the city.
　
The second is the conclusion of a comprehensive partnership agreement with Pigeon Corporation to create a comprehensive environment conducive to raising children.
　
Pigeon Corporation is a specialist in solving social issues surrounding babies and their families, and has long been looking for a partner to contribute to the local community in the Tokyo area. With this comprehensive partnership agreement as a start, we would like to not only provide childcare support, but also actively work on measures to combat the declining birthrate.
　
Thus, after meeting the Public-Private Partnership Research Institute, we were fortunate to be introduced to Pigeon Corporation as the first project. We will do our best to make Inagi City a precedent for public-private partnerships.