CREATIVE KIDS TOP Blab B Lab Newsletter, Vol. 27

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2024.08.20
B Lab Newsletter, Vol. 27

EMAIL NEWSLETTER Vol. 27 (August 2024 Issue)

◆ Featured Project: 

Touch Test Project Launches! Now Recruiting Participants for Monday, September 9!
As part of the Neurodiversity Project, we are launching the touch test project. The goal of this project is to measure tactile sensitivity and gain an understanding of individual tactile characteristics. We are currently recruiting participants to help create a touch test chart!The event will take place on Monday, September 9, 2024, starting at 6:00 PM. If you’re interested, please join us!
◆ Announcement
from the B Lab Secretariat

The 3rd B Lab Online Salon is Coming Up! 
On Friday, August 23, during lunchtime, we’ll welcome Mr. Noritaka Okabe to speak on “New Regional Revitalization Achieved Through DAOs.”Mr. Okabe moved to Aogashima, Tokyo, and launched the “DAO-gashima” project, which aims to operate the entire village as a DAO as part of regional revitalization efforts. Mr. Okabe, who is exploring a new and unprecedented form of regional revitalization, will give a wide-ranging talk about his initiatives on Aogashima. We hope you’ll join us!
◆ What’s New! for Each Project

Project to Bridge the Digital Divide for the Elderly
A joint project with Sumida Ward to plan and implement various initiatives addressing the digital divide among the elderly. Six iU students are participating again this year, and the project has kicked off! Last year, Sumida Ward’s initiative to bridge the digital divide among the elderly won the Excellence Award in the Public Administration Services category of the “Tokyo Ward and Municipal DX Award” organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

UDC Sumida
[Summer Festival Coming Up!] On Sunday, August 25, we’ll be holding the “Summer Festival in a Town with a University: Prepare, Think, Everyone’s Summer Festival”! This year, in addition to the festival activities, we’ll be offering plenty of fun ways to learn about “Outdoor Activities × Disaster Preparedness”! Please be sure to join us.

Neurodiversity Training
On Friday, August 9, we held the second Neurodiversity Training session, titled “Creating a Comfortable City.” Participants walked through Hamamatsucho in small groups, recording places that were highly stimulating as well as those that were calming. Then, based on the information gathered during the walk and using the potential challenges at those locations as a starting point, they brainstormed ideas for creating a comfortable urban environment.

AI.Lab
[AI Workshop on Saturday, August 24!] We’re hosting an AI workshop for children. The theme this time is “The Magic of the Senses.” Using AI, you’ll create your very own scent. The AI will transform your sensory ideas into a wonderful scent recipe. Using that recipe, you can make your own special perfume. Sign up here!

iU Organizational Research Institute
We established the iU Organizational Research Institute with the aim of providing support and disseminating information on cutting-edge employment fields, such as human capital management.Our primary focus is to apply cutting-edge employment trends—such as human capital management, business and human rights, and new employment systems—to practical business operations; to generate new insights into organizations and employment; and to contribute to the sustainable rapid growth of startups and the management development of medium- to large-sized companies.


◆ B Lab Chapter News: B Lab chapters are spreading across the globe, both virtually and in person. This month, we bring you news from B Lab Pune♪
◎ B Lab Pune
Pune, the capital of Maharashtra State in southwestern India, has achieved remarkable growth as an academic hub centered on the IT industry and has recently been dubbed the “Silicon Valley of the East.” It is also known as a center for education and research, producing many outstanding IT engineers who go on to work around the world each year.This month, we’ll share the latest business news from this vibrant city of Pune.
For more details, click here

◆ Announcements
from Participating Organizations and Researchers
● Launch of a large-scale field trial of speech recognition devices from the perspective of people with hearing impairments.
(4Hearts General Incorporated Association · Kaori Nasu, Representative Director)
In collaboration with Kanagawa Prefecture, we are carrying out the “Information Accessibility Social Model Project,” a Reiwa 6 fiscal year initiative funded by the Kanagawa Voluntary Activities Promotion Fund 21. From August 1 to September 30, we will conduct a large-scale field trial of speech recognition devices in the shopping district near the North Exit of Fujisawa Station. Please come experience it for yourself and help us by filling out the survey.
⇒ For details, click

here ● “Weird Summer School in Aichi”
(Kasugai Confectionery’s Weird Lab)
This year, 2024, we have 29 participating companies! Though their industries and corporate cultures vary widely, they all share a desire to make work more fun! You’ll even have the chance to meet representatives from major corporations!This year, we’re once again hosting the “2nd Wacky Summer School in Aichi,” where companies will share their best products, people, places, and ideas—learning and laughing together! We hope you’ll join us!
⇒ For details, click here

● [Internship Openings] Students are taking on challenges right at the heart of business
(Lifexia Co., Ltd., GrowSpiral Division)
At our company, we’re directly involved in solving challenges for local businesses—from designing page layouts for e-commerce sites and supporting social media outreach to developing menus for restaurants. We also offer comprehensive training to prepare you for your career. If you’re looking to gain hands-on business experience, please contact us!
⇒ Click here

for details ● Atsushi Nakashima Takes on the Challenge of Breaking Down Silos in Government!
(CAQNAL Co., Ltd.)
Atsushi Nakashima, CEO of CAQNAL Co., Ltd.—which specializes in organizational and HR consulting and regional revitalization—presented a report on his achievements upon the completion of his term as an organizational development advisor for Kunisaki City, Oita Prefecture.
⇒ Click here for details

● Online Symposium to Be Held
(Learning of Tomorrow)
We will hold an online symposium during lunch hour (12:00 PM – 12:55 PM). We look forward to your participation.
・August 28 (Wed): “Generative AI Education Using the Humanoid Robot ‘Pepper’—Providing Children with Cutting-Edge Learning Through Generative AI” by Tetsuma
Nagasaki, Education Business Promotion Office
, SoftBank Robotics Corp.・September 4(Wed): “‘LOGIQ LABO’—A Learning App That Cultivates a Math and Science Mindset to Master Technology” by Mr. Yoshihiko
Ikenaga, Product Manager
, Sony Global Education Inc.
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August 2024, Vol. 27
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.”