EMAIL NEWSLETTER Vol. 38 (July 2025 Issue) |
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Dean Hisahiro Abegawa Discusses the Full Scope and Future of “BAT Lab” We’ve launched a new interview series introducing a variety of faculty-led projects. The first installment features the “BAT Lab,” led by Dean Abekawa. He spoke with us about the lab’s cutting-edge initiatives that span business, art, and technology, as well as its vision for the future.
Click here for
details.
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◆ Announcement from the B Lab Secretariat:
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B Lab Taiwan Established; MOU Signed with ICID We have signed an MOU with the ICID at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan and established B Lab Taiwan. Aiming to build a new educational model where the university and the local community learn together, we will provide creative and hands-on learning opportunities through joint workshops and research activities.
Click here for details.
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◆ What’s New! for Each Project: |
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Neurodiversity Project Interview Series, Episode 15 For the 15th installment of our interview series, we welcomed Shunsuke Ozone of ZIZO Co., Ltd. to discuss “Making Parenting Children with Developmental Differences More Relaxed and Normal: The Society Aimed for by the Social Media Platform ‘Tetetoko.’” We’ve published the report, so
please be sure to check it out! |
Neurodiversity Project Interview Series, Episode 16 For the 16th installment of our interview series, we welcomed Mr. Shunji Horiuchi from KDDI Research, Inc. and Mr. Taku Yachi from KDDI Corporation to discuss “Sound Technology That Delivers an Immersive Communication Experience as If You Were Actually There: KDDI Research’s ‘360-Degree Video Playback App for Mobile Devices.’”We’ve published the report, so
please be sure to check it out! |
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Reiwa 6: Ranked No. 1 Nationwide in University-Spun-Off Startup Rate Number of Startups Ranks 8th Nationwide In the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s “Reiwa 6 University-Spun-Off Venture Survey,” iU ranked first in startup rate (for the second consecutive year) and eighth nationwide in the number of startups. The startup rate was 5.59, significantly outperforming other universities. Click here for details.
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iU and Kinki University Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement iU and Kinki University will collaborate in the areas of startup support, esports, and joint public relations. By mutually leveraging human capital and management resources, they aim to foster student growth, contribute to the local community and industry, and realize practical and cutting-edge education. Click here for details. |
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iU Startup Seminar to Be Held The “iU Startup Seminar,” organized by iU, will be held (Supported by Sumida Ward and the Specified Startup Support Program). Participants will learn about management, finance, and other topics, and those who complete all lectures may be eligible for preferential treatment, such as reduced registration fees. Click here for details.
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◆ B Lab Hub News: B Lab hubs are spreading across the globe, both virtually and in person. This month, we bring you news from
B Lab Nagasaki♪
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We held a “Digital Creation” workshop at the community center.
B Lab Nagasaki offers a Digital Creation workshop twice a year—in spring and fall—at the Sanwa Community Center in Nagasaki City.
In the spring workshop, participants—primarily seniors—took on the challenge of creating “four-panel animations” using CANVA on the community center’s iPads. In about three hours, they created original works and held a screening at the end. Everyone worked hard, using both their minds and hands, and thoroughly enjoyed making the videos.
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◆ Announcements
from Participating Organizations and Researchers |
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● A special program will air on Monday, July 21 (TV Tokyo, Hitoshi Oka) ・On Monday, July 21, from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM
, TV Tokyo will air “The Front Lines of Corporate Transformation X,” a program I produce.
This is the third installment in the special series. The theme is GX. Commentary will be provided by Professor Akihide Iriyama of Waseda University. Please be sure to tune in.
● “Prayer Coins” Now Available at Four Temples in Shikoku! (MOGITATe Co., Ltd. · Hiroyasu Kitagawa) We have developed a scheme in which pilgrims (Ohenro-san) receive two unique coins at each temple: one is offered as an “offering” (a coin toss), and the other is taken home and kept as a “good luck charm.” This scheme is currently being implemented at four temples in Shikoku.We also discussed this scheme with iU students during a lecture. ⇒ For details,
click here
● Takamori High School Metaverse Inquiry Class: First Semester Complete! (B lab Researcher, Taisho Saito) The first semester of the Metaverse Inquiry Class, which began this school year at Takamori High School in Kumamoto Prefecture, has concluded, and the third-year students presented their findings. ⇒ For details,
click here
●Published by Amazon: “An Introduction to Business for Teens: What I Want to Tell High School Students—Things You Can Do Right Now” (Hideaki Kino, CEO, GU Management Consulting LLC) My book, *An Introduction to Business Management for Teens*, has been published. This book is a direct transcription of the content I presented during high school classes organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education.The author is a rare CFO with a track record of being involved in the IPOs (initial public offerings) of three companies. Drawing on his practical experience as a “CEO’s right-hand man,” this book—a general education guide to business for teenagers—answers simple questions such as “What does a CEO actually do?” and “What kind of work does a right-hand man do?” ⇒ For details,
click here
● [Free of Charge] Announcement
: “Reiwa 7 Saitama Prefecture No-Code Tool Utilization Program” (Japan Industrial Co., Ltd.) In this program, experts will provide careful, hands-on support, guiding participants from the basics of no-code tools to practical applications.
● New Radio Show “#Let’s Have AI Host a Radio Show” Starts Wednesday, July 9, on Kawasaki FM!
(Rikiya Yamamoto) How will the evolution of AI change our work and society? AI itself will provide the answer. At the Business AI Promotion Organization (BAAO), a general incorporated association led by Representative Director Rikiya Yamamoto, 95% of the script, voiceovers, and music are generated by AI! We are launching a new-style radio show where AI explains how to use AI.This program is an experimental talk variety show in which 95% of everything—from the script to the performers’ voices and background music—is handled by generative AI. On the same day as the radio broadcast, July 9, 2025, BAAO will release a book.Book Title: “Failure-Proof Generative AI Implementation for Beginners: A Truly Practical Guide for the Workplace”
● Get the full picture of Web3 and NFT business use cases on YouTube!
(NFTMedia Co., Ltd.) By watching the YouTube channel of “NFTMedia,” one of Japan’s largest NFT-specialized media outlets, you can efficiently grasp business use cases related to Web3 and NFTs. Please use this as a resource for building your own business! ⇒ For details,
click here
● Exhibiting at the “Hyogo Assistive Devices & Care Robotics Festival 2025”
(Wheelchair Musical Instrument Project / Han Xu) The Wheelchair Musical Instrument Project aims to raise awareness of wheelchairs and wheelchair sports, and by adding the ability to play music for fun, it seeks to boost motivation for training and increase physical activity levels.
● Video Now Streaming on “Japan’s HR Department”!
(MCSquare LLC) [Limited release until July 17] Learn the “mechanisms and tips” that get employees seriously committed during new business development training!
We’re offering free access to the “mechanisms and tips” that get employees seriously engaged while learning the basic steps of business development. Experience the full scope of our hands-on new business development training in a limited-time, 60-minute session.
● “Connecting Through Ideas” Networking Event in Yaesu, Tokyo!
(MCSquare LLC) On July 31, we’re hosting “Idea Intersection: Furapen Night—Where Inspiration and Connections Spark” in Yaesu!
This networking event brings together people who happen to be in the same place to tackle a specific challenge together! We’ll use tools to brainstorm ideas and, in the process, gain a deeper understanding of one another.
● [July 31 Event!] 60-Minute Workshop: How to Find and Develop Business-Worthy Ideas
(MCSquare LLC) Why not experience a “reproducible ideation method” that you can put into practice in a team or meeting room—without relying solely on flashes of inspiration or intuition? Participants will work together to experience the “how to ask the right questions,” “how to shift perspectives,” and “how to organize ideas” necessary to turn a single spark of inspiration into a valuable proposal. ⇒ For details,
click here
● 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, July 23: “The Current State of AI Education in China and the Application of AI × Metaverse in Education” – Mr. Jianming Lu
, CEO of MetaTech Co., Ltd. ・Wednesday, August 6: “The Potential of Japan’s First ‘AI University Lecturer’ in Educational Settings” — Mr. Tatsuya Ishibe
, Representative Director, DOU Co., Ltd. ⇒ For details,
click here |
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July 2025, Vol. 38
Publisher: Nanako Ishido Editor: Mikiko KobayashiAddress: 1-18-13 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo info@blaboratory.org
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