Co-hosted by Nikken Sekkei, Pacific Consultants, and Loftwork
Hosting “Online Discussion Series: Exploring New Relationships Between Rural and Urban Areas” (5-part series)
PRESS RELEASE
2021.10.07
Nikken Sekkei Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: President and CEO: Atsushi Omatsu), Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: President and CEO: Tomoyuki Shigenaga), and Loftwork Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: President and CEO:Mitsuhiro Suwa) will host a series of five online panel discussions co-organized by the three companies, beginning on Thursday, October 21.
As the world around us undergoes rapid and dramatic changes, we aim to create a space for open discussion to help shape an attractive future. Together with guests representing various fields—including urban planning, business management, energy, digital technology, and law—we will explore new relationships between rural areas and cities, broadly gather ideas and identify challenges related to sustainability, and share and disseminate this information.
Co-hosted by these three companies, we will combine our expertise and experience in urban planning, architecture, and civil engineering with our network for co-creation with a diverse range of creators to identify avenues for solving social challenges.
Co-hosted by these three companies, we will combine our expertise and experience in urban planning, architecture, and civil engineering with our network for co-creation with a diverse range of creators to identify avenues for solving social challenges.
program
Session 1: “The Potential of Cities and Rural Areas”
Date and Time: Thursday, October 21, 2021, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
We will welcome Mr. Masataka Baba, CEO of Open A, and Ms. Sayaka Ogawa, a cultural anthropologist, to explore the challenges emerging in both urban and rural areas and the possibilities that can be seen from them.
Masataka Baba (Architect)
Representative of OpenA. While focusing on architectural design, he engages in a wide range of projects, including renovation, the revitalization of public spaces and regional cities, and the editing and production of books and media. In addition to bringing out the unique charm of local communities, he is also an active writer and is regarded as a leading figure among his peers.
Sayaka Ogawa (Scholar)
Specializes in cultural anthropology and African studies. Withdrew from the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University, after being approved for doctoral supervision. Ph.D. in Area Studies. Previously served as a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Research Fellow, Institutional Researcher at the Research Strategy Center of the National Museum of Ethnology, Assistant Professor at the same center, and Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies, Ritsumeikan University; currently serves as a Professor at the same graduate school.
The 2nd "Innovation from the Regions"
Date and Time: Monday, November 15, 2021, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
We will welcome Shigeharu Asagiri of Kyodo Shoji (President and CEO), the company behind the craft beer brand “COEDO,” and Nozomi Torii, a director at the online bookstore “Value Books,” to discuss compelling initiatives originating in regional areas.
Shigeharu Asagiri (Business Executive)
Representative Director of Kyodo Shoji Coedo Brewery Co., Ltd. President and CEO. He is also the founder of “COEDO,” a craft beer brand based on the “Beer Beautiful” concept.He won the Grand Prix at the “Forbes JAPAN SMALL GIANTS AWARD 2019-2020.” He is exploring new ways for craft breweries to engage with their local communities and is in the process of transitioning the Kawagoe plant of Saitama Prefecture to a circular economy model.
Nozomi Torii (Business Owner)
After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at Keio University, he worked at Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co., Ltd. for 15 years. In 2015, I joined Value Books Co., Ltd., a company based in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, that buys and sells used books. For two years, I was in charge of “Charibon,” a donation program using used books. Currently, as a member of the management team, I handle finance and public relations. As part of this role, I am working toward obtaining B Corp certification, which will serve as a guiding principle for the company.
The 3rd "Innovation Through Data and Legal Affairs"
Date and Time: Thursday, January 27, 2022, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
We will welcome data scientist Takuya Kudo and attorney Yu Mizuno to discuss new case studies in regional areas from both data and legal perspectives, while also examining the relationship between regional areas and the metropolitan center.
Takuya Kudo (Data Scientist)
After graduating from the Faculty of Commerce at Keio University, he joined Accenture. He left the company in 2004 and earned a master’s degree from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University in 2005. After returning to Japan in 2011, he rejoined Accenture and spent approximately three years, through 2014, working on recovery efforts following the Great East Japan Earthquake. He subsequently moved to Seattle, where he served as Global Head of the company’s Data Science Center; after leaving Accenture in 2021, he returned to Japan. As of October 2021, he serves as a partner at McKinsey & Company.
Yu Mizuno (Attorney)
Legal professional. Attorney (City Lights Law Office). Board member of Creative Commons Japan. Board member of Arts and Law. Visiting Professor at the Kyushu University Global Innovation Center. He is a part-time lecturer at Keio University SFC and provides hands-on legal services and cutting-edge strategic legal counsel on new business ventures and management strategies for clients ranging from startups to large corporations in the IT, creative, and urban development sectors. He also serves as a committee member and advisor to government agencies and local municipalities.
Organizer Profile
Nikken Sekkei Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director President and CEO: Atsushi Omatsu)
A professional services firm engaged in architectural design and supervision, urban design, and related research, planning, and consulting services. Upholding its fundamental philosophy of “contributing to society through valuable work,” the firm has been committed to creating a better social environment since its founding in 1900, striving to meet the needs of society and the diverse requests of its clients.
Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director President and CEO: Tomoyuki Shigenaga)
A group of professionals that provides consulting services centered on infrastructure engineering to shape the future. As we celebrate our 70th anniversary, guided by the vision “Turning the Power of Technology into Hope for the Future,” we are committed to society’s sustainable development, aiming to be an indispensable partner precisely in these challenging times marked by a mix of anxiety over various risks and expectations for technology.
Loftwork, Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director President and CEO: Mitsuhiro Suwa)
A creative company that designs websites, content, communications, and spaces.The company operates “FabCafe,” a globally expanding digital fabrication café; “MTRL (Material),” a global platform that supports co-creation between materials manufacturers and creators to foster innovation; and “AWRD (Award),” a platform that promotes co-creation with creators. By collaborating with creators around the world, the company provides a wide range of creative services.
A professional services firm engaged in architectural design and supervision, urban design, and related research, planning, and consulting services. Upholding its fundamental philosophy of “contributing to society through valuable work,” the firm has been committed to creating a better social environment since its founding in 1900, striving to meet the needs of society and the diverse requests of its clients.
Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director President and CEO: Tomoyuki Shigenaga)
A group of professionals that provides consulting services centered on infrastructure engineering to shape the future. As we celebrate our 70th anniversary, guided by the vision “Turning the Power of Technology into Hope for the Future,” we are committed to society’s sustainable development, aiming to be an indispensable partner precisely in these challenging times marked by a mix of anxiety over various risks and expectations for technology.
Loftwork, Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director President and CEO: Mitsuhiro Suwa)
A creative company that designs websites, content, communications, and spaces.The company operates “FabCafe,” a globally expanding digital fabrication café; “MTRL (Material),” a global platform that supports co-creation between materials manufacturers and creators to foster innovation; and “AWRD (Award),” a platform that promotes co-creation with creators. By collaborating with creators around the world, the company provides a wide range of creative services.
Contact information regarding this matter
株式会社日建設計 広報室 Tel. 03-5226-3030（代表）e-mail：webmaster@nikken. jp
Media and Press Inquiries
株式会社ロフトワーク 広報 e-mail：pr@loftwork.com
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