Blab

2022.09.15
B Lab Newsletter, Vol. 3

EMAIL NEWSLETTER Vol. 3 (September Issue)


◆ Featured Project: 

Establishing “Lab In Lab: The Entrepreneur Mental Health Research Institute” to Support Entrepreneurs’ Mental Well-being!
Entrepreneurs are constantly under high stress and are said to have a higher risk of developing mental or neurological disorders and impairments. In the West, research on entrepreneurs’ mental health is advancing in light of this situation, but in Japan, it is still in its early stages. As a pioneer in this field in Japan, our institute will continue to advance research.

◆ Introducing
a B Lab Researcher

Tetsuma Nagasaki / SoftBank Robotics Corp.
B Lab researchers are active on the front lines of various industries. This month, we spoke with Tetsuma Nagasaki of SoftBank Robotics Corp., who, starting this fiscal year, is promoting the “STREAM Challenge” through a new framework with B Lab called the “Super SDGs Lab.” This initiative recognizes ideas for solving problems that contribute to achieving the SDGs through the use of technology.

◆ What’s New! for Each Project
◎ Inter-academic Entrepreneur School: IESSP Final Pitch Event on Saturday, October 1 IESSP, an entrepreneurship education program launched
in April and available to educational institutions nationwide, will hold a final pitch event for participating students and a presentation of the program’s results on Saturday, October 1. If you’d like to watch online, please register via the link below.
⇒ Click here for details

◎ Resident-Participatory Park Management Project: The project has launched!
We have launched a public-private-academic partnership project with Sumida Ward, Chiba University, and iU. This project aims to have “residents and Sumida Ward” jointly manage the landscaping in parks within Sumida Ward, while also creating new ways to use these parks. We plan to build a platform that utilizes AI technology for landscaping management and related tasks.

◎ iU Z Fund: Invitation to the iU Accelerator Graduation Pitch! 
On Thursday, September 22, starting at 3:00 PM, we will host a “Graduation Pitch” by graduates of the iU special program “iU Accela.”“iU Accela” is a program designed to help iU students aiming to start a business develop their ideas to the point where they can be commercialized. This event will feature four teams delivering “serious” pitches to angel investors and seed VCs. We hope you’ll consider joining us on the day of the event! 
⇒ For details, click here

◎ We held a workshop with Living Lab: Founder Institute x Openfor.co.
On September 12, we held a workshop for students featuring the Representative of the Founder Institute in Japan as the instructor. The session focused on the importance of networking within the startup ecosystem and how to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors. We will continue to host workshops aimed at fostering innovation.
⇒ For details, click
here

◎ iU MX: Try LUUP at the iU Market!
LUUP, the popular electric micromobility sharing service, is making an appearance at the market. The campus will quickly transform into a test track. With just one app, you can rent a scooter from any location and return it wherever you like. Don’t miss this chance to try out an electric kick scooter! (Please bring your driver’s license.)


◆ News from B Lab Chapters
B Lab’s chapters span the globe, both virtually and in person. This month, we’re featuring a message from Takahiko Ito of CO&CO, Inc., who leads B Lab Singapore—B Lab’s first overseas chapter.

B Lab Singapore
One&Co, the coworking space in Singapore where I currently work, has celebrated its third anniversary.Starting as a platform connecting Japan and Singapore, we also opened a One&Co location in Taiwan this year. During my three years in Singapore—including the COVID-19 pandemic—I’ve seen and heard numerous instances of complacency stemming from the “Japan as No. 1” mindset and overconfidence in “Made in Japan.”

◆ Announcements from Participating Organizations and Researchers
● The 3rd NFT Tokyo 2022 Winter Event is Confirmed! / NFT Tokyo Secretariat (Pivot Tokyo)
NFT Tokyo, a domestic Web3 promotion community launched at the end of last year, has confirmed its third event following two previous sessions in March and July. You’ll have the opportunity to hear from the world’s top Web3 players, who are in high demand not only in Japan but also at international conferences.
⇒ Click here for details

● iU’s First Cohort Takes Their First Step Toward Becoming Innovators! “iU careerpunks 2022” on September 29 / iU University of Professional Studies in Information Management and Innovation
iU, which was established in 2020 amid high expectations from numerous companies and organizations, will see its first cohort graduate and enter the workforce in March 2024! We have decided to host a career event to help more people understand iU’s “students” and “curriculum”!
⇒ For details, click here

● Yoshiaki Sawabe, CEO of One2Ten, Publishes His First Autobiography / One2Ten Co., Ltd.
“Positive Switch: A Revolution in Thinking from Despair” by Yoshiaki Sawabe (Shogakukan)
The author, who uses a wheelchair and is at the forefront of digital technology, presents his first autobiography.
⇒ Click here for details

● [Now Accepting Applications from Schools and Companies!] A service where junior high and high school students and working adults can share cross-generational experiences / Sumika Co., Ltd. · Kaito Tsukidate
This service allows high school students to consult with working adults about their future career paths as part of their school assignments. Not only does it give junior and senior high school students insight into how adults work and build their careers, but it also boosts the motivation of the working adults involved. If you have employees you’d like to help grow or if you’re looking to grow yourself, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
⇒ For more details, click here

● Digital Policy Forum Open Conference: “Envisioning Japan’s Future as a Digital Nation” / Digital Policy Forum
The “Digital Policy Forum,” which entered its second term this past September, will announce a more forward-looking agenda. At the same time, we will welcome experts involved with the Digital Agency—including Takuya Hirai, Member of the House of Representatives and the first Minister of the Digital Agency—to discuss an assessment of the agency’s first year since its establishment, as well as future prospects.
⇒ For details, click here

● Social Contribution App “actcoin” | Signs “Cooperation Agreement on Social Action (SDGs) for Regional Revitalization” with Takahama Town, Fukui / Social Action Company, Inc., Daichi Usui
Social Action Company, Inc., which operates the “actcoin” app—designed to visualize and monetize social contribution activities—has signed a partnership agreement with Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture, with the aim of promoting creative regional revitalization initiatives. The company will work to more vigorously promote SDG actions in rural areas.
⇒ For details, click here

● We’re hosting an online symposium! / Learning
of Tomorrow will hold an online symposium during lunch hour (12:00 PM – 12:55 PM). We look forward to your participation.
・September 22 (Thu) “ The Future of Higher Education—What Will Microcredentials, as ‘Black Ships,’ Bring?”—Toru Iiyoshi
, Director and Professor
, Center for Research and Development of Higher Education, Kyoto University ・October 5 (Wed) “ “Supporting Students Who Refuse to Attend School Through ‘Dream Classroom’: Nurturing Self-Esteem from What You Love via Online One-on-One Sessions” by Hiroaki Tsujita
, President and CEO, Waoful Co., Ltd.

● Appearance on “Earthshot: Technology That Changes the World” / Nanako Ishido
Nanaiko Ishido, Director of B Lab, appeared on BS TV Tokyo’s “Earthshot: Technology That Changes the World,” hosted by Mayu Yamaguchi and Joichi Ito.
⇒ Click here for details

● Launch of the “Future Project Database Initiative” to Collect “Social Issues, Business Challenges, Personal Challenges, and Deep-Seated Issues” / Media Incubate Co., Ltd.
Launching the “Future Project Database Initiative” to collect “Social Issues / Business Issues / Personal Issues / Deep-Seated Issues.”This initiative, led by “Future Project”—a collective of entrepreneurs connected by shared passion—aims to accumulate human capital and management resources.
⇒ Click here for details

● Call for Papers / Hungarian Journal of English and American Studies
We welcome submissions to “CFP: The Digital Environmental Humanities: Towards Theory and Praxis” (Submissions are welcome).
⇒ For more details 

● Featured in the international media outlet Tech Bullion / DICT CUBE TOKYO
An interview article about DICT CUBE TOKYO and DAOs titled “How to Innovate with the Power of Decentralized Systems – Spotlight on Effective Innovation with Shinya Yamamoto, PhD” was published in the international media outlet Tech Bullion.
⇒ Click here
for details


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September 2022, Vol. 3
Publisher: Nanako Ishido
Editor: Chika
Address: 1-18-13 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
         info@blaboratory.org
Masuda