Blab

2023.07.18
B Lab Newsletter, Vol. 13

EMAIL NEWSLETTER Vol. 13 (July Issue)


◆ Featured Project: 

We are establishing Africa’s first hub dedicated to raising global awareness of social issues and the current situation in Ghana through the integration of art, sustainability, technology, and media, and working toward solutions for social challenges such as education and employment.We aim to further develop our ability to create social impact by partnering with artist Shingo Nagasaka and MAGO CREATION Co., Ltd., who create art from waste accumulated in Ghana’s slums—originally discarded by developed nations—and use the proceeds from sales to address social issues.

◆ Introducing
the B Lab Researcher

Hajime Ishifuji / B Lab Ghana Organizer, MAGO CREATION
A series introducing “B Lab Fellows” active at the forefront of various industries. This month, we spoke with So Ishifuji, B Lab Ghana Organizer and representative of MAGO CREATION Co., Ltd., who is promoting initiatives to create art from trash in Ghana’s slums and return the proceeds to the local community.

◆ What’s New! for Each Project

We are hosting the photography exhibition “iU Jobs Innovation Gallery 23” by photographer Naonori Kodaira (through October 12).The exhibition features photographs of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and other figures who drove technological innovation during that era, conveying the spirit of innovative thinking among young people to iU students, campus users, and visitors.

Footage from the public recording session and idea presentation contest for “How to Use ChatGPT in the Workplace”—a collaboration with Fuji TV’s official YouTube program “#Shigotozuki”—has been released. Check out the outstanding ideas from the three finalists, carefully selected from 18 entries.

Sumida Town Meeting Project
The “Sumida Town Meeting” is a series where the Sumida Ward Mayor visits different neighborhoods to exchange views with residents on various themes each time. In preparation for this year’s event, scheduled for Wednesday, August 3, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, student project members are spearheading the planning as part of the Planning and Operations Committee!

DX Strategy Development and RFP Preparation
In collaboration with Footmark Co., Ltd., we are working on formulating a digital transformation (DX) strategy and drafting a request for proposal (RFP) to improve the company’s operational efficiency. We will review business processes from the perspectives of efficiency and streamlining, introduce supporting IT systems, and aim to improve operational efficiency (labor savings) through business process reengineering (BPR).

On Saturday, August 12, we will host “ICP Meetup Japan: The Future of Decentralized Cloud Web3—Interoperable Web3.0 Development Realized Through Next-Generation Decentralized Cloud” for developers and business executives. If you’re interested, we’d love for you to join us or just stop by!



◆ B Lab Chapter News: B Lab chapters are spreading across the globe, both virtually and in person. This month, we’re sharing updates from three chapters: B Lab Nagasaki, Dhaka, and Adelaide♪
On August 19 and 20, we will host a workshop event for students in collaboration with the Super SDGs Lab, B CREATOR LAB. The workshop, sponsored by the Nagasaki City Board of Education, will utilize iPads at community centers. We also plan to hold a lecture by Nanako Ishido for parents.

◎ B Lab Dhaka B Lab Dhaka collaborated on the Way Housing Entrepreneurs Summit held in Chittagong on July 3
. With over 600 entrepreneurs in attendance, the summit addressed the latest market trends and challenges through keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions.

◎ B Lab Adelaide
Based at Makerspace Adelaide
, B Lab Adelaide has been pursuing “making,” “learning,” and “exploring” through the use of technology and various machines. Our e-textile workshop series has successfully concluded, and we are now looking to launch a new project related to AI. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.


◆ Announcements
from Participating Organizations and Researchers
● Contributed an Article to Toyo Keizai Online
(Shoichi Okawa, Ryugaku Sommelier Co., Ltd.)
As a related article to my new book, *Global Job Hunting and Career Change Strategies*, I contributed an article titled “What Japanese College Students Don’t Know About ‘Global Job Hunting’” to Toyo Keizai Online.
⇒ For details, click here

● Things Companies Should Consider When Developing Projects or Businesses in the Metaverse
(Taisho Saito, Steins Co., Ltd.)
In a series for CNET, I wrote about “Things Companies Should Consider When Developing Projects or Businesses in the Metaverse” based on my own insights.
⇒ For details, click here

● I was featured in an 8-page spread in the specialized magazine “Companies and Human Resources”!
(Taisho Saito, Steins Co., Ltd.)
The think tank Sanro Comprehensive Research Institute published an 8-page feature on me in its specialized magazine “Companies and Human Resources,” focusing on the theme “The Potential Applications of the Metaverse and VR in Education.”
⇒ Click here for details

● August 17 (Thu) – 19 (Sat): Co-Creation Camp 2023 Summer (for high school students)
(iU)
We will be holding Co-Creation Camp 2023 Summer from Thursday, August 17, to Saturday, August 19. Over the course of three days, participants will learn about entrepreneurship and solving local community issues. Please spread the word to high school students you know—this is a great opportunity for them to start thinking about their future!
⇒ For details, click here

● Announcement: iU Summer Open Campus
(iU)
We’re holding a Summer Open Campus! We look forward to welcoming high school students and parents who want to learn about iU or use this as a reference for choosing their future path. We also welcome any B Lab members who wish to participate!
⇒ For details, click here

●The World’s Most Troublesome Cherry Blossom Project: ~Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom All Year Round~
(Sora no Eki)
We aim to have cherry blossoms in full bloom year-round in Tohoku in time for March 11, creating a site that honors the lives of those who died or went missing in the Great East Japan Earthquake.
⇒ For details, click here

● “Chiemi-chan Festival 2023” 14.1-channel High-Immersion Audio Live Viewing
(Shochiku Music Publishing Co., Ltd. / iU Visiting Professor Shin-woo Lee)
A live viewing broadcast utilizing immersive audio solutions. We presented new possibilities for enjoying live streams with a rich sense of immersion.

⇒ Click here for details

● [actcoin × Ethical Job Hunting] MeetUp Event: “Purpose-Driven Careers: How to Find Jobs and Companies That Build a Better Society”
(Social Action Company, Inc.)
We’ll delve into the theme of “Careers × SDGs” with three guests to explore how society will change as college students increasingly choose companies based on their “approach to social issues.” Registration via Ethical Job Hunting allows students to participate for free (including a networking session with drinks and light refreshments in the second half), so please feel free to join us.
⇒ For details, click here

● Online Symposium
(Learning of Tomorrow)

We will hold an online symposium during lunch hour (12:00 PM – 12:55 PM). We look forward to your participation.
・July 26 (Wed) “ The Use of AI in Education”
Koichi Hashida, Professor, Social ICT Research Center, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo
・August 2 (Wed) “ Education and AI in the Society 5.0 Era”
Hideyuki Nakajima, Chairman and President, Sapporo City University

● Launch of the Gen Z Marketing Study Group (targeted at those born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s)
(Gen Z Marketing Study Group)
The Gen Z Marketing Research Group (for those born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s) is an organization dedicated to researching marketing strategies for Gen Z, learning together, and developing new business ventures. We look forward to collaborating with you all.
⇒ For details, click here

◆ Handling of Personal Information
We will handle the personal information we collect (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.

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July 2023, Vol. 13
Publisher: Nanako Ishido
Editor: Chika Masuda
Address: 1-18-13 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
         info@blaboratory.org