CREATIVE KIDS TOP Blab B Lab Newsletter, Vol. 50

Blab

2026.07.15
B Lab Newsletter, Vol. 50

E-MAIL MAGAZINE Vol. 50 (July 2026 Issue)

◆ Announcement from B Lab:
We are pleased to announce that B Lab, which has been based at iU, will be transferred to the Research Institute affiliated with the Graduate School of Media Design (KMD) at Keio University, with the aim of further advancing its research and social implementation.Effective July 7, 2026, a center named “B Lab” has been established within the KMD Research Institute. The transfer will proceed in phases; fiscal year 2026 has been designated as the transition period, and the transfer is scheduled to be officially completed by March 2027.

To date, B Lab has carried out activities spanning research, demonstration, and social implementation, driving various projects through co-creation with diverse fields and organizations. Moving forward, we will further deepen our collaboration with the KMD Research Institute’s research infrastructure and networks to advance interdisciplinary research and social implementation even more, aiming to create an even greater social impact. Moving forward, we will continue to serve as a platform for co-creation that transcends disciplinary and organizational boundaries, promoting research, demonstration, and social implementation to create new value. We look forward to your continued support and cooperation.
◆ What’s New! for Each Project:

Workshop Held in Kaiyo Town Where Generative AI Recreated “Residents’ Voices,” Allowing Staff to Refine Policies from the Residents’ Perspective!
As part of the development of Kaiyo Town, Tokushima Prefecture’s Third Comprehensive Plan, a workshop was held in which staff from six departments engaged in dialogue with generative AI. The AI, which recreated “residents’ voices” based on resident surveys, posed candid questions, enabling staff to refine policy measures from the residents’ perspective.This shift from “the government should handle everything” to “sharing the burden with the community” has enhanced the precision and sustainability of the policies.

Digital Archive Preserving Town Memories from Children’s Perspectives and Disaster Prevention AI Lessons Simulating the Nankai Trough Mega-Earthquake Held!
These two lessons are being implemented in all elementary and junior high schools in Kaiyo Town, Tokushima Prefecture.1) Creating a community archive that records local memories through photos, audio, and video, and shares them via a digital map and the town library’s website. 2) Disaster prevention classes that use generative AI to teach evacuation procedures for a simulated Nankai Trough earthquake through interactive dialogue. These classes deepen students’ understanding of their community while fostering the ability to view disaster prevention as a personal responsibility.

Bringing Japan’s Traditional Industries to the World—A New Project Launches!
We connect long-established businesses, production regions, and artisans—who possess outstanding skills in areas such as bonsai, watering cans, and kimono but face challenges in developing new sales channels—with overseas buyers and collectors seeking authentic Japanese products, thereby promoting the value of Japanese craftsmanship to the world.We’re looking for people who want to promote their brands or businesses to affluent audiences overseas! You can distribute articles to 300,000 affluent individuals overseas once every three months. We have two overseas companies as partners. Click here for details.

“The World in Our Minds: Neurodiversity”—Now Accepting Exhibitors and Sponsors!
“Everyone’s Brain World 2026 ~Hyperdiversity~” will be held on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, at Tokyo Port City Takeshiba. Last year, the event featured 77 exhibits spanning industry and academia and was bustling with visitors.This year, we are once again seeking exhibitors and sponsors to help deepen our understanding of diverse sensory worlds. For details, click here.

Sumida Ward Is Becoming the “City of Esports”!
To promote an influx of young people, iU, Sumida Ward, and INS Co., Ltd. have signed a partnership agreement.The goal is to combine iU’s educational and research capabilities with Sumida Ward’s local resources and INS Co., Ltd.’s expertise in esports management to brand Sumida Ward as an “Esports City” and promote the further influx and retention of young people who will lead the next generation.


◆ Announcements from Participating Organizations and Researchers
● Hosting a Physical AI Workshop Event for Children in Collaboration with Sagamihara City!
(RobotMateHub / Rikiya Yamamoto)
On Saturday, June 13, 2026, RobotMateHub held a physical AI workshop for children at “Sagamihara Robot Friendly Day 2026,” an event held to commemorate “Robot Day” (June 10), a holiday established by Sagamihara City.More than 10 children interacted with a life-size humanoid robot.
⇒ Click here for details

● We’ll be speaking at the World Talent Conference again this year!
(Study Abroad Sommelier Co., Ltd. / Shoichi Okawa)
We’ll be speaking at the Global HR Conference “World Talent Conference” again this year! If you’re in Osaka on August 7, let’s meet at the venue. Student discounts are available.
⇒ Click here for details

● “Turn Your Words into a Loan Proposal That Gets Approved” — Proposal Writing Support Service
(Success Knowledge LLC)
Do you know any business owners or startup founders who think, “As long as I have a loan proposal, I can move forward”? We’ve launched a new support service where “professionals turn your ideas into a polished proposal just by listening to your vision.”
⇒ Click here for details here
● We’re hosting an online symposium
(Super Education Association) We’re hosting
online symposia during lunchtime (12:00 PM–12:55 PM). We look forward to your participation. ・Friday
, July 24:
“ What Should University Education Preserve in the Age of Generative AI?” Nozomu
Yamazaki, Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law, Chuo University ・August
5 (Wed)
“ Discussing Digital Textbooks: The Current State of Institutionalization and the Future of Learning” Koichi
Kurokawa, Education Design Department, Digital Ad Service Co., Ltd.
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July 2026, Vol. 50
Publisher: Nanako Ishido
Editor: Chika Masuda
Address: 1-18-13 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
         info@blaboratory.org

　

Profile


  • Digital Picture Book Author

    Professor, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)
    Director, B Lab
    Chairperson, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
    Chairperson, CANVAS

    After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he served as a visiting researcher at the MIT Media Lab before founding the NPO CANVAS and the Learning of Tomorrow Association, a General Incorporated Association, and assuming the role of representative. He serves as an outside director for Matsuya Co., Ltd., Fuji Media Holdings, Inc., and Digital Garage, Inc.
    He has served on various government committees, including the Information and Communications Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council. He also serves as a director of the Digital Signage Consortium, among other roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Policy and Media.
    His publications include *Turning On Children’s Creativity!*, *What Are Smart Kids Doing on Their Smartphones?*, *The Forefront of Online Education in Japan: Considering Learning in the Post-COVID Era*,“What Is Programming Education? 45 Questions Parents Want to Know,” and “Declaration on Digital Education.” He has also provided supervision for numerous works, including “Ah, I See! Programming Education for Parents and Children Through Manga.”