Profile
石戸奈々子 Nanako ishido
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.”
● Overview of Public Service, etc.
I have served as a committee member and advisor for government agencies, local governments, and academic institutions, working across the fields of education, technology, and media on the societal implementation of AI and digital technologies, as well as the associated governance and institutional design.
In advisory councils and study groups at central government ministries, I have served as a committee member involved in policy formulation and institutional design, taking into account the impacts and risks that digital technologies and media pose to society and organizations.
Furthermore, in the local government and public sectors, I have played a role in bridging the gap between on-the-ground realities and policies and systems by collaborating with stakeholders from diverse fields and perspectives on issues such as human resource development, digital transformation (DX), and the social implementation of these technologies at the community level.
At publicly traded companies, as a committee member and outside director, I have been involved in governance and the enhancement of medium- to long-term corporate value from the perspectives of sustainability, human capital, and AI and digital governance.
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1. Corporations
Involved in governance and the enhancement of medium- to long-term corporate value at publicly traded and high-growth companies
・Fuji Media Holdings, Inc.: Outside Director (June 2025–)
・Digital Garage, Inc.: Outside Director (June 2025–)
・Matsuya Co., Ltd.: Outside Director (May 2022–)
In addition, he serves in numerous other roles as a director and management advisor for various companies.
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2. Government
Involvement in policy and institutional design in the fields of digital technology, media, and education
・Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: Study Group on Addressing Various Issues Related to Information Flow in the Digital Space
(Working Group on Youth Protection) Member (Oct. 2025–)
・Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: Study Group on Improving Literacy for ICT Utilization—Member (Nov. 2022–)
・Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: Study Group on Digital Skills Standards—Member (Chair) (Dec. 2021–Mar. 2022)
・Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT): Member, Expert Committee on the Informatization of School Education (September 2021–December 2022)
・MEXT: Temporary Member, Central Council for Education (July 2021–March 2023)
・Expert Member, Council for the Promotion of Regulatory Reform, Cabinet Office (December 2019–July 2021)
・Member, Expert Survey Committee, Education Revitalization Implementation Council, Cabinet Secretariat (November 2016–May 2017)
・Member, New Industrial Structure Subcommittee, Industrial Structure Council, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (September 2015–June 2017)
・Member, Council for Promoting the Use of IT for Regional Revitalization, Cabinet Secretariat (February–June 2015)
・Member, Information and Communications Council, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (2013–January 2021)
In addition, served as a member on numerous advisory councils, study groups, and committees for the national government and central government ministries.
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https://creativekids.jp/profiledetails/#government
3. Local Governments
Advice on human resource development, digital transformation (DX), and social implementation in regional and public sectors
・Member, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Roundtable on Enhancing the Appeal of Metropolitan High Schools (Nov. 2025–)
・Member of the Kanazawa City Digital Transformation Council (April 2022–March 2024)
・Yamaguchi Prefecture: Advisor on “Fostering Talent for a New Era” (August 2021–)
・Member of the Dazaifu City Comprehensive Strategy Promotion Committee (April 2021–March 2023)
・Member, Kyoto Prefecture Council for the Promotion of Traditional and Cultural Manufacturing Industries (Sept. 2016–)
In addition, has served on numerous committees and as an advisor regarding education and digital technology utilization for local governments.
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https://creativekids.jp/profiledetails/#local-government
4. Public Interest Organizations
Involvement as a cross-disciplinary external committee member and expert without specific disciplinary limitations
・Executive Director, CiP Council (General Incorporated Association) (March 2025–)
・Member, Advisory Board, Information Processing Society of Japan (July 2023–)
・Specially Appointed Professor, University of Professional Studies for Information Management and Innovation (June 2021–)
・Vice Chair, NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council (June 2020–February 2022)
・Member/Director, Preparatory Committee for the Japan Society for STEM Education (September 2017–)
・Member, Urban Development and Sustainability Committee, Tokyo Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (June 2015–September 2021)
・Member, Advisory Board, Creative City Council (2015–)
・Director, Digital Signage Consortium (2008–)
In addition, has served on numerous external committees and as an expert consultant.
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5. Judge
・SoftBank Industry-Academia Collaboration AWARD Judge (2024, 2025)
・U-22 Programming Contest Judge (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
・Judge for the Maejima Hisoka Prize, Communications Culture Association (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
・MM Research Institute Grand Prize Judge (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
・Platinum Grand Prize Judge (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
・Selection Committee Member for the National Personnel Authority President’s Award (2022, 2023, 2024)
・Selection Committee Member for the Official Mascot Character of GREEN×EXPO2027 (International Horticultural Exposition) (2023)
・Good Design Award: Judge and Focus Issue Director (2015, 2016, 2017)
In addition, has served on numerous judging panels for various awards and contests.
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https://creativekids.jp/profiledetails/#judge
6. Publications
・“Storytime That Sparks Conversation: 15 Stories to Nurture the Ability to Feel, Think, and Communicate” (Supervision) (June 2026)
・“Nikkei Premier: What Are Smart Kids Doing on Their Smartphones?” (Nikkei Publishing) (July 2021)
・“The Cutting Edge of Online Education in Japan: Thinking About Learning in the Post-COVID Era” (Author and Editor) (Akashi Shoten) (September 2020)
・“Ah, I See! Programming Education for Parents and Children Through Manga” (Supervision) (Impress) (February 2020)
・“What Is Programming Education? 45 Questions Parents Want to Know” (Jam House) (October 2018)
・“Flipping the Switch on Children’s Creativity! CANVAS: A Secret Base for Play and Learning” (Film Art Co., Ltd.) (February 2014)
・“Declaration on Digital Education: The Future of Children Who Play and Learn on Smartphones” (KADOKAWA/Chukei Publishing) (December 2014)
In addition, he has authored and provided supervision for numerous other books.
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https://creativekids.jp/profiledetails/#book
7. Awards
・2016: Bungeishunju’s “New Qualities of a Leader”: “125 Talented Individuals Revitalizing Japan”
・2013: Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Award—Commendation for Individuals Contributing to the Promotion of Information Technology (CANVAS)
・2013: Good Design Award—Best 100(Workshop Collection)
・2011: Selected as one of “AERA’s 100 People to Rebuild Japan” (AERA)
・2002: Received the Hatakeyama Award from the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (graduated at the top of his class)
Numerous other awards.
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8. Media
・“Parents Should Try Programming Too: ‘The Sight of Learning’ Inspires Children,” Nihon Keizai Shimbun “Ikumu” (May 20, 2024)
・“I Hope They’ll Take on Challenges They Enjoy While Embracing Change in This Era of Fluidity,” The Nikkei Morning Edition, “The Nikkei Magazine” (October 20, 2023)
・“Generative AI: Let’s Learn How to Use It Wisely,” Mainichi Shimbun Morning Edition (July 25, 2023)
• “Parents Should Let Go of Outdated Values: An Interview with Nanako Ishido, Chairperson of the NPO CANVAS, on How to Engage with ICT,” Asahi Shimbun Morning Edition “EduA July Issue” (July 11, 2021)
• “Cultivating Logic, Creativity, and Programming Skills: Nanako Ishido,” Nihon Keizai Shimbun Morning Edition, “Personal Views and Insights” (July 25, 2018)
• “Smartphones and Infants: Is It Okay?”, Asahi Shimbun Morning Edition, “Debate” (July 12, 2018)
・Asahi Shimbun GLOBE “The Power to Break Through” (January 7, 2018)
・Asahi Shimbun Morning Edition “People” (January 6, 2015)
Numerous other Media appearances.
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