Hello! This is X-BORDER KOZA. At this year's "KOZAROCKS 2026," we at X-BORDER were heavily involved in the operation, including preparations and sound engineering on the day, as one of the main session venues! However, this year, there was a forecast of an approaching typhoon even before the event started... We were very nervous leading up to the day, and in the end, we were forced to cancel the event midway through. But behind that, we were able to see the "amazingness of KOZAROCKS" from the perspective of those directly involved.

This time, we'll bring you a super-realistic account of the chaotic events that unfolded on the day of the typhoon, as seen by the X-BORDER on-site staff, and the passionate sessions that took place amidst it all!

Two exciting sessions held at X-BORDER

KOZAROCKS is celebrating its 6th year this year .

As a startup conference and festival originating in Okinawa, it has grown in scale year after year and has now become a summer tradition in Koza, attracting many guests from both within and outside the prefecture.

At X-BORDER KOZA, two sessions were filled with enthusiastic discussions.

In the morning session, "How to Conquer KOZAROCKS," we had presentations from Tokki, the IT boss of Okinawa; Kinu Ogawa, the head of KOZAROCKS; Nakamura, the manufacturing manager of Okano Valve; and our community manager, Susie.

As a tip for conquering Koza, Tokki-san imparted the mindset to Koza newcomer Nakamura-san, telling him to "shed your titles and be your true self" and "be a giver." Attendees were given away the "KOZAROCKS Secret Strategy Book," which helps you enjoy Koza's nightlife to the fullest, and "The Legend of the Heavy Drinker," an item to prevent hangovers on Okinawa's nightlife! The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, making it easy for even Koza beginners to venture into the city.

For all of you reading this report, we're specially sharing the "KOZAROCKS Secret Strategy Book," which was also distributed at the venue.

Be sure to download it and enjoy the deep, authentic nightlife of Koza!

[KOZAROCKS Secret Strategy Book (with Nightlife Map)] https://drive.google.com/file/d/10oEBzdEPgRXO7rr36VghacaZ_z6hDRey/view?usp=drive_link

In the following session, "The Raison d'être (Reason for Existence) Required of Companies in Creating the Next 100 Years," Mr. Minamiaki, President of Molten Corporation, and Mr. Kikuchi, Head of Corporate Planning at Okano Valve Manufacturing, took the stage.

Focusing on the question, "What is the purpose of a company for the next 100 years?", we delved into the reasons why both companies are taking on challenges beyond their core businesses.

At Molten, they believe that "you never know what will be profitable in the future," which is why they challenge themselves with various possibilities and value "playfulness" and "unconventionality." A symbol of this is the sheep they keep at their development base. The audience was very excited when they heard that the unusual presence of sheep at a manufacturing base attracts people and also serves as a marketing tool to help people remember the company.

On the other hand, for Okano Valve Manufacturing, new businesses are not only a way to generate new sales, but also a place to "train the organization." Mr. Kikuchi emphasized the importance of continuing to challenge oneself while adapting to change, by getting their hands dirty, reflecting on their experiences, and learning from them, thereby developing not only the "baseball-type" ability to follow instructions, but also the "soccer-type" ability to think and act independently.

And the phrase that President Minami said, "If we still can't see a bright future, then since we're a manufacturing company, we'll just create it ourselves," left a lasting impression on me during the session.

Typhoon mishaps and behind-the-scenes chaos

Behind the scenes of such an exciting session, Typhoon No. 9 was creeping in... For us, the organizing staff, this year's KOZAROCKS was a "series of battles" against the typhoon.

Actually, in the session titled "The Raison d'être (Reason for Existence) Required of Companies in Creating the Next 100 Years," President Okano of Okano Valve Manufacturing was originally scheduled to speak. However, his flight was canceled on the day of the session, creating a crisis where he would be unable to attend...

So, Mr. Kikuchi, the head of the corporate planning department, who had arrived the day before, stepped in as a substitute and, with great confidence on stage, he delighted the audience with the comment, "If you squint, it's Okano (the president)!" (laughs)

The audio and hybrid streaming were plagued with problems. Due to the typhoon, the speakers couldn't come to Okinawa, so we hastily changed to a hybrid online and offline event... Early in the morning, we rewired everything at lightning speed, and just an hour before the event, we all applauded and were overjoyed when we finally got it connected!

...immediately after that.

Shuan-kun, who worked hard to set up the sound system for X-BORDER, made an appearance.

"I'm sorry... I need to take that equipment with me."

I couldn't look him in the face when he told me that (lol).

The sound equipment leaves right before the performance... I understand it intellectually, but my heart can't keep up with the feeling of loss...

It might be similar to when I see my boyfriend off for a job assignment away from home (but it's definitely not).

In the end, I managed to get through the live stream by using brute force, moving my PC microphone closer to the venue's speakers.

A night in Koza that turned the typhoon to its advantage: "It won't end without a fight."

The program continued despite the bad weather, but a storm warning was eventually issued, forcing the cancellation of the official program at 4 PM on Day 1.

Amidst all this, at "Boost Up OKINAWA 2026" held at X-BORDER, the safety of attendees was the top priority, and they were guided to leave the venue while the presenters and staff continued their pitches via online streaming. I was deeply moved by their sincere attitude of "not wanting to stop this precious opportunity."

After the official program was canceled, we thought, "We want those who came all this way to experience at least a little of the excitement of KOZAROCKS," so we independently opened X-BORDER as a place where participants who had nowhere else to go could drop by.

The beer that was supposed to be served at the "Mitsuboshi MOAI" event, which was co-hosted with Orion Beer but was cancelled, was distributed free of charge thanks to the generosity of Mr. Saito, Corporate Value Creation Manager at Orion Beer. Nearly 100 people freely interacted at X-BORDER, and deep and passionate exchanges were born despite the typhoon.

Day 2 was also canceled during the day, but this time X-BORDER was opened up with warm miso soup and coffee, passing the baton warmly to the official networking event in the evening (held at Lagoon). There were also impromptu unofficial summits held at other venues, and a Taiwanese startup gave a pitch at another venue saying, "We can't go home until we pitch (lol)," making these two days a real testament to Koza's incredible resilience.

However, we can't let KOZAROCKS, which we've prepared so hard for, end on an unsatisfactory note!

Therefore, it has been decided that this year's KOZAROCKS will be postponed and held on Friday, November 20th as "KOZAROCKS 2026 Special"!

This time, we're officially collaborating with "ResorTech EXPO in Okinawa," Okinawa's largest comprehensive DX/IT exhibition, and we're coming back even stronger! [KOZAROCKS 2026 Special Event Overview] Name: KOZAROCKS 2026 Special (Theme: Cultural Innovation and Development)

Date and time: Friday, November 20, 2026 *Eve: Thursday night, November 19

Venue: Lagoon KOZA, X-BORDER, and the surrounding Koza Startup Shopping Street area (Okinawa City)

HP: https://kozarocks2026.koza.rocks/

The session "Mitsuboshi MOAI vol.3," which was originally scheduled to be held at X-BORDER, will be held again in November with the same content and the same energy! Please sign up!

▼Mitsuboshi MOAI Pre-registration https://forms.gle/MwQpFRHiEtD9K6dn6

And, a crowdfunding campaign (target: 3 million yen) to hold the event again has started on CAMPFIRE!

We have attractive rewards available, including original T-shirts and a luxurious collaboration set from the renowned Koza shop "TESIO × AMBER HOLIC."

To everyone who wants to support the lovable, down-to-earth spirit and passion of Koza, we would greatly appreciate your warm support!

▼Crowdfunding ( until October 31st ) https://camp-fire.jp/projects/971131/view