News
[1/25, 2022] Flyer information updated.
[12/28, 2021] Special Guests updated.
[12/22, 2021] Registration has been open. Special Guests updated.
[12/9, 2021] Special Guests updated.
[11/25, 2021] The website has opened.
About
The advent of big data and artificial intelligence has normalized how voluminous information is integrated into various aspects of our everyday lives. With the widespread use and expeditious development of personal devices, such as smartphones and smart sensors, we can now acquire and categorize a wide range of events using pertinent data for miscellaneous purposes. Furthermore, the extensive usage of social networking services has not only accelerated interpersonal connections in the physical world but also in the cyber world. It is not easy to find something that is not connected, and various things in society are connected with relationships and new value constantly created from their interactions.
Thus, highlighting these points, we started an international symposium from February 2019. This symposium served as a discussion forum to combine socionetwork and the market of data, to manifest a socionetwork to evolve spirally via connecting researchers, business people, and citizens with comprehensive knowledge that may contribute to innovation from data.
The symposium topic of this year is "Fun/fan Involvability for Community Innovation." Various industries and communities worldwide have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the gaps between social systems and forcing major transformations in our lives. Community innovation is the topic that ensures that AI technologies, engineering products, and services are accessible and inclusive of all users and promotes psychological wellbeing, and maximizes human capabilities. The community's ability to involve people with fun and its support technologies are in great demand to bridge the social gaps. This could also help us to design more human-centered systems that could improve the quality of our lives.
We hope this sysmposium will be a chance to think and take actions on innovation together.
Invited Guests
Professor Lakhmi C. Jain, PhD, Dr H.C., ME, BE(Hons), Fellow (Engineers Australia), is with the Liverpool Hope University and the University of Arad. He was formerly with the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Canberra and Bournemouth University.
He founded the KES International for providing a professional community the opportunities for publications, knowledge exchange, cooperation and teaming. Involving around 5,000 researchers drawn from universities and companies world-wide, KES facilitates international cooperation and generate synergy in teaching and research. KES regularly provides networking opportunities for professional community through one of the largest conferences of its kind in the area of KES.
His interests focus on the artificial intelligence paradigms and their applications in complex systems, security, e-education, e-healthcare, unmanned air vehicles and intelligent agents.
Nobuo Doumae
President and Representative Director, Executive Officer, Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd
After working for McKinsey & Company Inc. Japan, he joined Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. in September 1998. In November 1998, he was appointed as the Member of the Board of Directors. After serving as an Executive Vice President at Fast Retailing, he worked as an Independent Director of DeNA, Inc. and an Independent Director of Monex Group, Inc. He joined Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. in February 2019 as a Senior Executive Officer in charge of Sales and Operation, Information Systems, Logistics, and Planning. In May 2019, he was appointed as a Senior Managing Director. In September 2021, he became President and Representative Director of Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.
Yukio Ohsawa is a Professor of Systems Innovation with the School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo. He received a PhD from the School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo (1995). Then, he worked at the School of Engineering Science at Osaka University (research associate, 1995-1999), Graduate School of Business Sciences at the University of Tsukuba (associate professor, 1999-2005), and moved back to the University of Tokyo. In the field of artificial intelligence, he has created a new domain Chance Discovery to discover events with significant impact on decision making. He has delivered many keynote talks about Chance Discovery in conferences such as the International Symposium on Knowledge and Systems Sciences, International Conference on Rough Sets and Fuzzy Sets, Joint Conference on Information Sciences, and Knowledge-Based Intelligent Information and Engineering Systems. Chance Discovery has been embodied as an innovators’ marketplace, a methodology for innovation that is borrowed from principles of market dynamics. His original concepts and technologies have been published as books and monographs by global publishers such as Springer Verlag and Taylor and Francis. The two most important books among these are “Chance Discovery” (2003 Springer, Eric von Hippel gave the opening) and “Innovators’ Marketplace: Using Games to Activate and Train Innovators” (2012 Springer, Larry Leifer gave the opening). He has edited special issues as a guest editor for journals mainly related to chance discovery such as Intelligent Decision Technologies (2016), Information Sciences (2009), New Generation Computing (2003), and the Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management (2002). He has also published 100 journal papers and made several presentations at conferences. He has initiated symposia and workshops on data-based approaches toward business innovation.
Yuji Kiriake
Director, Information Policy Division, Planning Policy Bureau, Planning Department, Wakayama Prefecture
Joined the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in 2013. After working on the planning and operation of subsidy systems for local governments, he was transferred to the Office for Promotion of National Spatial Resilience, Cabinet Secretariat. After that, he was in charge of guidance and supervision of broadcasters based on the Broadcasting Act, and was transferred to his current position in July 2019. He has been working on the overall information policy of Wakayama Prefecture and the promotion of Workcation. From 2020, became a member of the Tourism Agency's New Travel Style Study Committee. Born in Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
Shinichiro Okada
President and Representative Director, Nanki-Shirahama Airport, Inc
Graduated from Kyoto University Graduate School of Engineering. Finished MBA program at Columbia Business School as a Fulbright Grantee. Has experience in management consulting, investing, company management at various faculties, such as Japan Highway Public Corporation, JH (currently Japan Road Traffic Information Center, JARTIC), Industrial Growth Platform, Inc., IGPI, and other foreign consulting agencies and investment banks. At the current position at the Nanki-Shirahama Airport, he is engaged in promoting the region and regaining the airport services with the concept of "airport-based regional revitalization." He is also one of the Partners and Managing directors at the IGPI and a senior advisor at the Japan PFI / PPP Association.
Masafumi Yamamoto
President and Representative Director, AWS CO.,LTD
He is the third generation manager of AWS CO., LTD, the company that operates “Wakayama Adventure World”, a theme park with 1,400 animals of 140 species, including giant pandas. He took over the management of the company in 2015, and has been running the company based on the corporate philosophy to cherish people involved and the slogan, "Smile Company that Creates Time with Heart." The new building, which was built as part of the company's efforts to spread its philosophy, won the "Kinki New Office Promotion Award" at the 31st Nikkei New Office Awards. The Wakayama Adventure World was selected as the best facility at "Japan Zoo and Aquarium Ranking 2018" on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel review site. It has marked over 40 million visitors until now.
Masahiro Tanaka
Executive Officer, Uhuru Corporation
Completed graduate studies at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies in 2003. In the same year, he joined Book Design Co. As chief director and chief designer, he worked on solving the business issues of each company through planning and creating activities as well as managing the organization, HR and training.Established COCON Inc. in 2008. In addition to consulting on service launches and rebranding for a wide range of clients, from major listed companies to start-ups, he also provides data-driven marketing support and UI design as an information architect. He joined Uhuru in 2014 following the transition of his business, and after serving as General Manager of the Business Division, assumed his current position.
Rikiya Nakata
Representative Director, Shirahamakan Co., Ltd
After graduating from Huron University in the US in 1995, he joined Tenzan-kaku Co. In 1999, he became the sales manager of the said company. Since 2004, he has served as a director of four companies: Tenzan-kaku Co., Kansai Kaihatsu Co., Ltd, Kansai Kankou Co., Ltd, and Shirahamakan Co., Ltd. In 2005, he became the Representative Director of Shirahakakan Co., Ltd. He has held a number of important positions, such as head of the Wakayama Branch of Nippon Travel Agency, officer of the Kinki Branch of All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association Junior (AJRA) and head of the JR Wakayama Branch, officer of the Kinki Branch of Japan Ryokan Association (Current Japan Ryokan & Hotel Association) and deputy head of the Kinki Nippon Tourist Affiliated Ryokan. & Hotel Federation (Current KNT−CT Partners (KCP)), deputy head of the Noukyou Kankou Branch, director of the Shirahama Onsen Ryokan Cooperative Association, and chairman of the Shirahama Onsen Ryokan Cooperative Association, and has been making efforts to revitalize tourism in Wakayama Prefecture and Shirahama Town.
Sae Kondo
Associate Professor Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University
Visiting Researcher, The University of Tokyo
After completing the doctoral course at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Engineering, she worked in the architectural design department of JR Tokai Consultants and as a project assistant professor at the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology before assuming her current position. She is a first-class architect and her representative design work is the JR Tokai Linear Pavilion at the Aichi Expo. In recent years, she has been involved in the renovation of abandoned houses as part of town development. She specializes in the creation of hubs for civic collaboration and exchange, facility management of public facilities, living labs, and the utilization of public space.
Satoshi Tachibana
ABeam Consulting Ltd.
Executive Officer, Principal
Digital Technology Business Unit
DXI Sector Head
After working for a manufacturer-based system integration company, he joined ABeam Consulting. He has been involved in new project development, new business and service planning, platform building, and global IoT supporting projects in the DX domain using digital technology and data in the manufacturing industry. He has provided consulting services as to strategy, new projects, business reform, system construction, and IT operations for many companies in various industries, including manufacturing, wholesale, distribution and service, telecommunications, finance, and public sectors. He has also led ABeam Consulting's digital domain since its launch.
Masato Tagami
President and Representative Director, Tagami Co., Ltd.
Director, Nanki Mirai Co., Ltd.
Deputy Director, Tanabe Tourism Association
The company, Tagami, inherited and developed the Maruta Rice Mill, which was established in 1944 and sold rice, and in 2013 entered the agricultural business as Tagami Co., Ltd. Facing the challenges of the region, he is playing a role in improving the situation of abandoned lands and the lack of successors. In 2020, the company launched an IOT project with SoftBank Corp., and is promoting progressive regional projects in the field of agriculture. He has also held important positions in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tourism Associations of Wakayama Prefecture and Tanabe City, organized the Tanabe-Benkei Film Festival in 2009, and served as the chairman of the Nanki-Tanabe Beachside Dolphin Petting Project from 2009 to 2012. Through these activities, he has been making efforts to address the attraction of Wakayama Prefecture and Tanabe City.
Tsunetaka Tamai
Chairman of board of directors, Agricultural Corporation Akizuno Co., Ltd.
Director and Consultant, Agricultural Corporation Kitera
President and Representative Director, Akizuno Yui Inc.
Deputy Representative Director, General Incorporated Association Furusato Mirai
While working for NTT West, he participated in the community development of Kamiakitsu and was deeply involved in the Agri-colony Drainage Project, the establishment of the Village Environment Improvement Center, and the founding of Akizuno Juku. In 1999, he was involved in the establishment of Kitera, an Akizuno direct sales center, with the aim of providing a place for urban and rural communities to meet and interact while focusing on local products brought in by farmers and residents. In 2005, he established the Orenchi (meaning my house) Club to realize his wish to cherish local citrus and deliver the authentic fruits to consumers. Since 2019, he has been making efforts to develop agriculture in the Akizuno area of Tanabe City for many years, such as promoting exchanges between urban and rural areas through green tourism by utilizing agriculture and local resources as the chairman of Agricultural Corporation Akizuno Co., Ltd., and working toward the realization of smart agriculture as the president of Akizuno Yui Inc.
Minako Endo
Total Solution Office, Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd.
After graduation from university, she worked as a director at a web production company and was involved in corporate web promotion. After working for a tax accountant office, she joined Kyodo Printing in 2014. She has been involved in sales and planning, and is currently engaged in new business development, including the operation and sales channel development of Waccas, a matching website that connects instructors with companies, local governments, and educational institutions.
Yoko Kuroyanagi
Director of Ethical Consumption Promoting Office, Shuminavi Inc.
After graduating from university, she joined a major printing company. After 13 years of working in sales and sales promotion planning, she worked for a health food and cosmetics mail order company before joining Shuminavi Inc. in 2018. While working as a sales representative for sales promotion and PR support using a nationwide network of 15,000 hobby classes, she launched the Ethical Consumption Promotion Office in December 2019, and is working to educate and promote ethical consumption through "hobby experiences".
Masaaki Enomoto
Owner of Re-barrack Interior
Born in 1977 in Tanabe city. After graduating from university, he worked for an interiors trading company before joining Enomoto Furniture Store in 2003. He is the fourth generation of the well-established furniture store, which has the history from 1910. In 2009, he opened "re-barrack," a furniture and lifestyle store in a revitalized old furniture factory of the company, and in 2018, he formed a cross-industrial unit, "BokuMoku," of which he is the representative. The company is creating new value for Kumano's forestry industry by transforming insect-eaten wood (akane wood), whose commercial value was damaged by the Anaglyptus subfasciatus, into beautiful furniture.
Program
Feb, 12th (Sat.)
| Day 1 | |
| 13:30 | Registration start |
| 14:00 |
[14:00-14:15] Welcome and Opening Ramarks The University of Tokyo Institute for Open Innovation Kansai University The Research Institute for Socionetwork Strategies |
| 14:15 |
[14:15-15:15] Keynote Speech Service to the Society during Pandemic
Professor Lakhmi C. Jain |
| 15:15 | Coffee Break |
| 15:30 |
[15:30-17:30] Panel Discussion Fun/fan Involvability for Community Innovation
|
| 17:30 | Coffee Break |
| 17:45 |
[17:45-18:25] Commendation ceremony with memorial speeches Literacies for Data Federative Innovations 
Yukio Ohsawa (The University of Tokyo)
|
| 18:25 |
[18:25-18:30] Closing Remarks |
| 19:00 |
[19:00-21:00] Banquet |
| 21:00 | Day 1 closing |
Feb, 13th (Sun.)
| 2日目 | |
| 8:30 | Registration start |
| 9:00 |
[9:00-9:05] Opening Teruaki Hayashi (The University of Tokyo) |
| 9:05 |
[9:05-10:20] Invited business Talks
|
| 10:20 | Coffee Break |
| 10:30 |
[10:30-12:30] Panel Discussion Introduction of activities in Wakayama region and the local business case in Japan
|
| 12:30 |
[12:30-12:40] General comments |
| 12:40 |
[12:40-12:45] Closing remarks |
| 12:45 | Closing |
Location
Venue
SHIRAHAMA KEY TERRACE HOTEL SEAMORE (Access)
1821, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun 649-2211 Wakayama
Zoom Webinar
2/12, 2022 14:00-18:30
2/13, 2022 9:00-12:45
Participation
Free event
*Registration is required for both online and on-site participation.
Please registrait from this Google Form
NOTE
Guidline for infection preventionAs the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact continue to evolve and develop, I hope you, your family, and your colleagues are safe. In order to protect the health and safety of all the participants, we are proactively using the Webinar and on-site for the symposium. We apologize that the current measures will impose a great inconvenience on all of our partners and concerned parties, and we sincerely thank you for your understanding.
