Exploring women’s entrepreneurship education and regional revitalization: Evidence from Japanese local cities

This study explores the mechanisms through which women’s entrepreneurship support programs may connect to regional revitalization, drawing on qualitative evidence from programs implemented in three local cities in Japan implemented between 2021 and 2024. Thematic analysis of interviews with 54 program participants and three mentors identified three core themes: (a) role model effects, (b) voluntary regional network formation, and (c) social capital development. Based on these findings, this study proposes the concept of a “role model chain effect”—a process by which program participants themselves become role models for the next generation of prospective entrepreneurs, generating sustained participation incentives. The findings suggest that this mechanism may enable external support to transform into an autonomous entrepreneurship-promoting system at the participant level. The study also suggests that women-specific programs may generate distinct value through participants’ entrepreneurial actions and mutual support networks, addressing structural barriers that general programs cannot.