We are pleased to announce that on June 17, 2022, our company acquired the publishing business, including the magazine KURA, previously owned by Machinami Country Press Co., Ltd. and Unite Co., Ltd., both of which were declared bankrupt by the Nagano District Court on April 15, 2022 (Bankruptcy Trustee: Attorney Motoki Tatsuguchi).
Our company has been operating as a Destination Management Company (DMC), primarily focused on promoting inbound tourism to Japan. As a new business initiative, we will now expand into the domestic media sector through the operation of KURA and launch a new owned media platform aimed at the domestic market, alongside domestic marketing support services.
The reasons for this acquisition are twofold:
First, we deeply empathized with the many voices calling for the continuation of KURA, a publication that has shared the charm of Nagano for over 20 years.
Second, we believe that by combining our expertise in international marketing for inbound tourism with KURA’s strong content creation and communication capabilities both within and beyond Nagano Prefecture, we can offer comprehensive marketing support both domestically and internationally.
We are committed to continuing KURA’s mission of sharing Nagano’s lifestyle, cuisine, tourism, art, history, natural heritage, and the stories of the people connected to these elements—not only through print media, but also by enhancing our digital content offerings. Through this, we aim to contribute to regional revitalization by increasing local engagement, attracting interest from metropolitan residents, and encouraging relocation and long-term settlement in Nagano.
Preparations for the launch of this new business are currently underway, and we will provide further updates once the new business structure is in place.
Please note that any outstanding debts incurred by Machinami Country Press Co., Ltd. or Unite Co., Ltd. are not included in the scope of this business transfer. Creditors are kindly requested to contact the Bankruptcy Trustee, Attorney Motoki Tatsuguchi (Shinanoki Law Office, TEL: 026-217-7634) directly regarding such matters.
Sincerely,
Machinovate Japan Ltd.