About New Furusato
New Furusato was founded by long-term foreign residents of Japan to give back to our adopted communities by investing in rural regeneration projects and supporting new businesses.
“I am an investor and advocate for rural renewal in Japan. I work with communities to identify both new business ideas and cultural assets to preserve and develop. I then support these projects with business planning, attracting investment, and promotion domestically and internationally.
Prior to co-founding New Furusato, I was a technology business leader for over 20 years, establishing and growing businesses and consulting practices in new markets, including Japan, the Hong Kong SAR, Switzerland, and the People’s Republic of China. This included writing strategy, presenting to leadership and company boards, recruiting talent and creating eminence, as well as managing day-to-day operations and P&L.
I was an assistant English teacher on the JET Programme in southern Nagano in the 90s, which became my ‘second hometown.’ This wonderful experience set the course of my life, which is the source of my desire to give back to this and other rural communities.”
– Richard Kershaw, Co-Founder