CREATIVE KIDS TOP Newsletter B Lab Newsletter Vol. 43

Newsletter

2025.12.17
B Lab Newsletter Vol. 43

EMAIL NEWSLETTER Vol. 43 (December 2025 Issue)

◆ Featured Project: 

Global Entertainment Producer Program (GPP)
The second session of the “Global Entertainment Producer Program (GPP),” developed in collaboration with Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management, was held on November 22 and 23.Participants from a wide range of industries—including content and entertainment companies, as well as trading firms, telecommunications, IT, and finance—gathered for lively discussions and negotiation workshops. Click here for details.
◆ Announcement from the B Lab Secretariat 

B Lab Marche 2026 (Networking Event) Coming Soon!
We are hosting “B Lab Marche 2026,” an event designed to foster casual networking—much like a market—and create a space for co-creation among all participants. Anyone is welcome to attend. Click here to register.
■ Date & Time: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30
PM ■ Location: iU Sumida Campus, 3rd Floor, iU Hall ■ Participation Fee
: 2,000 yen for working professionals / 500 yen for students
◆ What’s New! for Each Project:

Neurodiversity Project Interview Series, Episode 22
For the 22nd installment of our interview series, we welcomed Mr. Kenta Ato, President and CEO of JGC Parallel Technologies Co., Ltd., who spoke about “IT Engineers with Disabilities Thriving in a Fully Remote, Fully Flexible Work Environment.” Click here for details.

Neurodiversity Project Interview Series, Episode 23
For the 23rd installment of our interview series, we welcomed Ms. Shie Nagai, Specially Appointed Professor at the International Research Institute for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo, to discuss “Recreating the World as Seen by People with Developmental Disabilities Using Simulators: Exploring Optimal Support Pathways for Each Individual.” Click here for details.

Neurodiversity Project Interview Series, Episode 24
For the 24th installment of our interview series, we welcomed Mikito Omori, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University, who spoke on the topic: “Do the Eyes Reveal the Mind as Much as Words? Exploring Optimal Support Methods for Children Through Eye Movements and Body Language.” Click here for details.

Neurodiversity Project Interview Series, Episode 25
For the 25th installment of our interview series, we welcomed Dr. Ginga Sasaki, Associate Professor in the Division of Human Disability Sciences at the University of Tsukuba, who spoke on the topic, “Promoting the Dabot Project, which aims to realize a ‘Successability’ society where everyone—regardless of disability—can achieve self-actualization.” Click here for details.

Neurodiversity Project Interview Series, Episode 26
For the 26th installment of our interview series, we welcomed Professor Tetsuya Watanabe from the Faculty of Engineering at Niigata University, who spoke about “The World of Neurodiversity Opened Up by ‘Tactile Maps’ for People with Visual Impairments.” Click here for details.

CEO Project
The “CEO Project” is an educational program in which middle school students handle the entire process—from ideation to manufacturing using digital fabrication equipment such as 3D printers, and finally to sales. This year, two products—“Sand Art Clock” and “GeoPla”—were sold at iUtopia on November 3, and approximately 80% of the items produced were sold. Click here for details.

“Sumida STEAM Fes” to Be Held at iU on January 11, 2026
iU HubLab, in collaboration with the NPO Sakura Tempesta, will host “Sumida STEAM Fes 2025” at the iU Sumida Campus.Middle and high school teams from Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. participating in the global robotics competition “FIRST Tech Challenge” will gather to compete in intense matches. (The iU team will be competing too!) STEAM-related exhibits are also planned. Admission is free. We hope to see you there. Click here for details.


◆ Announcements
from Partner Organizations and Researchers
● Launched by High School Students! Support for Students Who Have Stopped Attending School and Those Who Have Left Their Jobs: “Soba-Sapo Akihiro”
(Harajuku AIA High School)
When a child stops attending school, parents often have to quit their jobs to provide support—this is known as the “school refusal-related job loss” issue. To solve this problem, a student at Harajuku AIA High School—who once struggled with school refusal themselves—has taken the initiative!
We are seeking individuals and organizations willing to make donations or join us in this effort!
⇒ For details, click here

●The 38th Soyokaze Tsunagaru Festival: Showa 100th Anniversary Event “Christmas in the 100th Year of Showa”
(Organized by: Soyokaze Tsunagaru Festival Executive Committee; Planned by: Tag-A LLC)
[Event Overview]
◼ Date & Time: Saturday, December 20, 11:00 AM – 6:00
PM ◼ Location: Soyokaze Hiroba, Sumida Park, Sumida City ◼
Details:The year 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Showa era, counting from Showa Year 1 (1926). This year, to celebrate “Showa 100,” we’re updating the “Christmas” theme of Sumida Park’s seasonal event to reflect the “Showa” era.
⇒ For details, click here

●Published by Amazon: “Seriously Supporting the Seriousness of Business Leaders: The Subscription CFO’s Beliefs Give Rise to a Partnering Approach and Challenges to Create the Future”
(Hideaki Kino, CEO of GU Management Consulting LLC and Visiting Professor at iU)
I have published my book, *Seriously Supporting the Sincere Commitment of Business Leaders*. Kindle edition: 99 yen (tax included). In this book, Hideaki Kino—an active financial consultant who has been involved in the IPOs of three companies—draws on his real-world experiences to thoroughly explore the “essence of supporting business leaders.”
⇒ For details, click here

● iTouch Platform Provides Official Original Stamp Cards for SHIBUYA Tech FESTIVAL
(iU MID Lab. (Taro Matsumura) · Imagination Studio, an iU student startup)
At the “SHIBUYA Tech FESTIVAL” to be held on December 6 and 7 at Shibuya Sakura Stage, “iTouch Platform”—which also exhibited at iUtopia—has been selected to provide a stamp rally system that utilizes smartphone wallets.Similar to an attendance ticket for a recurring event, participants will collect stamps to archive the events they attend, and the platform proposes the smartphone wallet as a new medium that connects events with fans.
⇒ For details, click here

● Japan’s first prediction market service, “Gesutchi,” releases a demo version!
(Steins Co., Ltd. / Taisho Saito)
We have released a demo version of the prediction market service “Gesutchi.” Let’s predict the winning duo of the M-1 Grand Prix 2025!
⇒For details, click here
◆Handling of Personal Information
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December 2025, Vol. 43
Publisher: Nanako Ishido
Editor: Mikiko Kobayashi
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.”