Blab Work in Kaiyo Town, Part 2: Regional Revitalization Through Esports—The “e-Place” Project Work in Kaiyo Town, Part 2.
I served as the moderator at a talk event for the “e-Place Project,” which aims to revitalize local communities and promote cross-regional exchange through esports.
Mayor Miura, Superintendent Miura, and the temple priest—along with elementary school students, parents, teachers, and senior citizens—all gathered around a large hearth-style table to discuss new ways of learning, new forms of communication, and new approaches to community revitalization through esports.
This project was made possible when Mayor Miura and the members of the Board of Education took up the “e-Place Project” proposed by children in Kaiyo Town. I’m amazed by their warmth and the speed with which they acted.
I ended up taking the stage after being asked to assist a little with the planning.
Apparently, they initially considered holding the event in a hall, but the organizer expressed a desire to “create a space for everyone to gather in a circle and engage in dialogue, rather than a one-way talk event,” which is why they chose the location shown in the photo, where everyone gathers around the hearth. I think that was the perfect choice.
While neighboring Kagawa Prefecture is keen on regulating video games, it seems there are, of course, a certain number of people in Kaiyo Town who don’t have a favorable view of esports. On the other hand, at this event, we saw adults—rather than the children—becoming engrossed in “superhuman sports,” a form of physical esports.
A showdown between the mayor and the superintendent of education (pictured) was quite a rare sight.
I hear that a dedicated esports facility is set to begin full-scale operations in Kaiyo Town soon.
I would be happy if this project serves as a good starting point for future developments.
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.”
