Blab

2025.08.18
B Lab Newsletter, Vol. 39

EMAIL NEWSLETTER Vol. 39 (August 2025 Issue)


◆ Featured Project:

Interview with Professor Takahara of iU
Solving Regional Challenges Through Mobility: Moving Toward Implementation
We interviewed Koichiro Takahara, President and CEO of NearMe, Inc., who joined the iU faculty in April 2025. The “Mobility Social Design” initiative he is promoting focuses on transportation as a means to highlight regional challenges and implement solutions in society. What specific projects are currently underway? Click here for details.

◆ What’s New! for Each Project:

Neurodiversity Project Interview Series, Episode 17
For the 17th installment of our interview series, we welcomed Yusuke Sasaki and Yasuo Akazawa, who are in charge of promoting the Para Movement at the Kawasaki City Bureau of Civic Culture, to discuss “Realizing a society where everyone can thrive regardless of disability, age, gender, or race—Kawasaki City’s‘Kawasaki Para-Movement’—” We’ve published the report, so please be sure to check it out!

"Tomodachi Robot" to Participate in "Aichi Robo Fest"
Tomodachi Robot will participate in the “Aichi Robo Fest,” to be held in Aichi Prefecture from Friday, December 12, to Sunday, December 14, 2025. It is scheduled to appear in the “Robot Demo ~Robot Town~” section.These three days will be packed with a variety of programs where you can see, touch, and experience the robots firsthand. Please come to the venue and experience the charm of these robots for yourself. Click here for details.

Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu and Entrepreneur Takafumi Horie Appear as Guest Speakers
On Tuesday, July 22, iU hosted a special lecture featuring Fuji TV President Kenji Shimizu and entrepreneur Takafumi Horie. Under the theme “The Future of Media and Co-creation with Society,” they engaged in a discussion about the future relationship between media and society from diverse perspectives, including television, social media, and generative AI. Click here for details.

iU and QQEnglish Form Comprehensive Business Partnership
iU has signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with QQEnglish—which offers online English conversation lessons and study abroad programs in Cebu—with the aim of fostering innovators who can thrive on the global stage. Through high-quality English education and the acquisition of practical business skills, the partnership aims to cultivate the next generation of talent equipped with a global perspective. Click here for details.

"Tomodachi Robots" Gather at Chomorrow 2025!
Tomodachi robots will gather in large numbers at “Chomorrow 2025,” taking place on Sunday, November 2, and Monday, November 3, 2025 (a national holiday). We have prepared a variety of events, including a robot parade, photo studio, and Robot Park. Please enjoy this futuristic community space where both tomodachi robot owners and visitors can have fun together.We are also seeking sponsors. Click here for details.



◆ Announcements
from Participating Organizations and Researchers
● The official website for “Study Abroad in Cebu for Free” has been redesigned!
(Cebu Business English Academy)
・The official website for “Study Abroad in Cebu for Free” has undergone a major redesign. We’re now accepting applications for the October 2025 intake!

● Learn How to Get Started with “Global Job Hunting” on YouTube!
(Study Abroad Sommelier Co., Ltd. / Shoichi Okawa)
For students who want to “take on a global career,” we’ve compiled practical advice you’ll want to know before starting your job search.

● Technical Program Committee Member
(European Conference on Antennas and Propagation)
Technical Program Committee of the 20th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EUCAP 2026), April 19–24, 2026, Dublin, Ireland.

●Chord Hero’s Ukulele Summer Vacation Independent Research Workshop at Polcanon Music School
(Chord Hero)
We’re hosting a summer vacation DIY challenge workshop for parents and children at Hachibanyama Mihata Hall! Why not join us for a fun time creating memories as music teachers guide you through both playing and building ukuleles?

● “Honmaru Radio” Launches and Tops the Weekly Rankings!
(Hideaki Kino, Subscription CFO)
“I want to seriously support serious entrepreneurs.”
The radio program “Saku-Talk!!” featuring iU Visiting Professor and Financial Consultant Hideaki Kino as a guest—which focuses on quick cost-cutting—ranked No. 1 out of 600 programs on Honmaru Radio’s weekly access rankings!

● We’re hosting an online symposium
(Learning of Tomorrow)        
We’re hosting online symposia during lunch hours (12:00 PM – 12:55 PM). We look forward to your participation.
・Wednesday, August 20: “Digital Education with Generative AI: What Does Learning Look Like in the Future?” Takuya
Honma, CEO of Manabie International Pte. Ltd. (Manabie)

◆Handling of Personal Information
We will handle the personal information we have collected from you (such as your name and contact information) appropriately in accordance with our Privacy Policy. This information will be used to deliver this Newsletter and to communicate with you. We appreciate your understanding regarding our handling of personal information.

◆ If you wish to unsubscribe from the Newsletter, please click here. Alternatively, please contact us at admin@blaboratory.org with “Unsubscribe” clearly stated in the subject line of your email.

August 2025, Vol. 39
Publisher: Nanako Ishido
Editor: Mikiko Kobayashi
Address: 1-18-13 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
         info@blaboratory.org