Circular City Gamagori is a circular city initiative led by Gamagori City, Aichi prefecture in Japan. As the country’s first municipality officially committed to becoming a circular city in 2022, Gamagori aims to achieve well-being for all citizens by promoting a circular economy and seeking an optimal balance between the economy, society, and the environment. With a vision of “Connect, Collaborate, and Spread,” Circular City Gamagori has set seven focus areas: education, consumption, health, food, tourism, mobility, and manufacturing.

Amid the global demand for addressing the climate crisis, the Japanese government declared in 2020 its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. In line with this, Gamagori declared the city a "Zero Carbon City" in March 2021. 

Simultaneously, as Gamagori faced challenges such as population decline due to the aging society and declining birthrate, the city recognized the need to create an environment where everyone, including older people, could live physically and mentally healthy lives. Additionally, new policies were needed to address the economic challenges in the post-COVID era.

In response to these issues, Gamagori focused on the concept of a circular economy to address these environmental, social, and economic challenges in an integrated manner and achieve all citizens' well-being. The circular economy not only contributes to the realization of decarbonization but also fosters connections within the community and leads to the creation of new businesses. The "optimized balance between economy, society, and environment" that the circular economy aims for perfectly aligned with Gamagori's future city vision, "A city where everyone shines and connects in harmony with abundant nature ~ The Gamagori You Love ~," as outlined in the Fifth Comprehensive Plan formulated in June 2021.

In 2022, Gamagori City became the first in Japan to declare itself a Circular City, establishing a circular city vision of "Connect, Collaborate, and Spread." This vision was developed through a citizen-participatory process involving multiple workshops.

The city also developed its original circular economy principles of "Respect, Rethink, Redesign" and identified seven key focus areas: education, consumption, health, food, tourism, mobility, and manufacturing. Action plans for each area were formulated and made public.

As a municipality, Gamagori has begun promoting the circular economy by forming public-private partnerships with several leading reuse companies and an electronics manufacturer.

For businesses, the city provides grants as part of the Gamagori Circular City Project pilot to support the creation of new circular business ventures.

For citizens, Gamagori is working to raise awareness and spread the concept of the circular city through initiatives such as the Gamagori Circular City Conference, circular lifestyle festivals, and circular design experience workshops.

In 2023, the city also published the first official sustainability report summarizing these activities, showcasing its advanced initiatives.

Tangible outcomes have started emerging with the city's holistic approach towards a circular city, including formulating the vision, action plans, subsidies for corporate pilot projects, and citizen awareness programs.

Several unique and innovative circular businesses have been developed through collaborations among local companies, such as futon upcycling, circular hangers made from recycled plastic, and circular wedding dresses crafted from curtain remnants.

Furthermore, Gamagori City has gained recognition as one of Japan's leading municipalities that promotes a circular economy. It has been featured as a model city in the Japanese government's case studies, received the Excellence Award at the EcoPro Awards, and started attracting significant attention from outside the city.