HOPE, INC.
6195・Growth Market・Services
Business
Hope, Inc. holds the corporate philosophy of "providing new value to people through local governments, and pursuing the growth of the company and its employees," and is a municipality-specialized service company whose main clients are all 1,741 cities, towns and villages and 47 prefectures nationwide. In its Advertising Business, the company operates the SR (SMART RESOURCE) Service, which acquires municipal advertising space through bidding and sells it to private companies, as well as the SC (SMART CREATION) Service, which co-publishes the information booklet Machiret. In its Jichitai Works Business, the company promotes public-private collaboration through publication of Jichitai Works (Government Magazine), BtoG Solutions, and a private service comparison platform. In the Other segment, the company is cultivating the Corporate Furusato Nozei Support Business, the vacant-house countermeasure service Akisol, and the public relations app Machiiro. Consolidated net sales for FY2026 (ending March 2026) were ¥3,632 million.
Business Model
In the Advertising Business, the company generates stable profit through a brokerage model in which it bulk-bids for and purchases local government advertising space and sells it to private companies (segment profit margin of 23.7% in FY2026 (ending March 2026)). In the Jichitai Works Business, the company supports private companies' marketing toward local governments through Jichitai Works (Government Magazine), BtoG Solutions, and platforms, capturing growth revenue. The two businesses have a complementary structure that leverages long-term relationships with local governments as a shared asset.
Company Strengths
The Jichitai Works (Government Magazine) is provided free of charge to all 1,741 municipalities, 47 prefectures, and local assembly members nationwide, giving the company direct reach to local government employees. Nearly 20 years of transaction track record and know-how accumulated with local governments since the launch of the SR Service in 2006 form a barrier to entry and serve as the foundation for expanding BtoG Solutions and other offerings.
The Advertising Business achieved net sales of ¥1,784 million, segment profit of ¥422 million, and a profit margin of 23.7% in FY2026 (ending March 2026). Against a plan for lower revenue and higher profit, results were generally in line with plan, achieving gross profit per employee of ¥9,888 thousand. The company operates a PDCA cycle through bid price validity verification, continuously accumulating know-how to improve profitability.
The Jichitai Works Business achieved net sales of ¥1,541 million (up 42.8% year on year) and segment profit of ¥447 million (up 44.2% year on year) in FY2026 (ending March 2026). In addition to the steady expansion of BtoG Solutions and other offerings, the company has strengthened its business foundation through the consolidation of Chihou Sousei Technology Lab Co., Ltd. as a subsidiary and the establishment of Jichitai Link Co., Ltd., accelerating the capture of demand for public-private collaboration.
ENVALITH's Perspective
Performance Trend
In FY2026 (ending March 2026), the company achieved revenue of ¥3,632 million (up 15.6% year on year), operating profit of ¥345 million (up 18.2%), and ordinary profit of ¥347 million (up 17.4%), marking four consecutive fiscal years of increased revenue and profit. Following the completion of the structural transformation after its withdrawal from the Energy business, the recovery trajectory that began in the fiscal year ended March 2023 has continued. By segment, the Jichitai Works Business expanded sharply, with revenue up 42.8% and profit up 44.2%; its segment profit of ¥448 million surpassed the Advertising Business's ¥422 million, shifting the role of growth driver to Jichitai Works. The Advertising Business progressed stably in line with its plan for lower revenue but higher profit. The Other segment expanded, with revenue up 49.6%, but its loss widened (a loss of ¥27 million). Operating cash flow was maintained at a level similar to the previous period, at ¥229 million. For FY2027 (ending March 2027), the company forecasts revenue of ¥3,880 million and operating profit of ¥432 million.
Growth Strategy
Pursuing mid-term growth through three pillars: establishing Jichitai Works Business as the flagship business, stable growth in the Advertising Business, and monetization of emerging businesses
Continuing to expand sales across BtoG Solutions and other services while strengthening the brand of Jichitai Works (Government Magazine). In July 2026, Jichitai Works will absorb-merge with Chiho Sosei Technology Lab, aiming to maximize synergies with hands-on consulting services. Advancing multifaceted support for resolving local government challenges through the construction of a dedicated public-sector employee platform.
Under a plan of declining revenue with increasing profit, the top priority is maintaining and improving per-capita productivity, while continuing the nationwide rollout of Machiret (covering themes such as childcare, vacant homes, end-of-life notebooks, and condolence services). This business functions as a stable profit-generating engine and serves as the cash-generation base for the group as a whole. In FY2026 (ending March 2026), results landed in line with plan.
Given the government's decision to extend the corporate furusato nozei support system through fiscal 2027, the company aims for mid-term growth expansion. Akisol, a comprehensive platform supporting measures against vacant homes, targets early establishment of a profitable business model. In FY2026 (ending March 2026), the segment loss widened to ¥27 million, making monetization a key challenge.
Continuing share buybacks (¥366 million acquired in FY2026, ending March 2026) in accordance with the mid-term management plan to improve capital productivity. From FY2027 (ending March 2027), the company will begin regular dividends targeting whichever is higher between a consolidated DOE of 3% or a consolidated payout ratio of 20%. Annual dividend for FY2027 (ending March 2027) is planned at ¥8.40 (including an interim special dividend of ¥3.85).
Last updated: July 19, 2026