Creative Industry

Creative Industry Project

Designing New Industries for an Era of Change

We are dedicated to creating innovations that respond to change both domestically and internationally by applying the latest design, technology, and marketing strategies to existing industries.
Recently, our focus has been on sustainable regional revitalization themes such as GX and DX. We aim to solve problems and implement practical solutions in society by collaborating with local governments, companies, and organizations across the country through on-site activities.

Project Director

Hiroyuki Kishi

Initiatives

1. Saga Project (Saga Prefecture, Saga City)

Aiming to implement a sustainable society where the environment, society, and industry are interconnected, this project is a social implementation model in collaboration with Saga Prefecture, local industries, and companies from outside the region.

Working together with Daiwa Living Co., Ltd., JAPAN POST HOLDINGS Co., Ltd., Hiramatsu Inc., KDDI Corporation, and others, the project is currently demonstrating initiatives for promoting ethical behavior changes both indoors and outdoors among the residents and revitalizing local industries.

Through scenario analysis for encouraging ethical activities, such as energy-saving measures using storage batteries, IoT homes, and point services, the project supports the efforts of local industries aiming for zero carbon emissions with initiatives like “SAGA COLLECTIVE” that utilize services such as “Furusato Package.”

The project conducts demonstration experiments towards realizing sustainable living throughout Saga Prefecture by integrating each company’s services.

2. Kumamoto Akaushi Project (Kumamoto Prefecture, Kumamoto City, Minamiaso Village)

Established as a support project for livestock farmers raising “Akaushi,” a breed of Japanese Wagyu produced in Kumamoto Prefecture, in collaboration with the Kumamoto Prefecture Livestock Agriculture Cooperative Association and Higo Bank, with the backing of Kumamoto Prefecture.
In recent years, a mutual collaboration agreement has been signed with Minamiaso Village, and efforts have been made to reduce methane gas and raise ethical Wagyu using Idemitsu Kosan Co.’s feed “Ruminappu,” as well as working on grassland restoration in Aso.
Initiatives such as the establishment of a Wagyu breeding support fund in collaboration with Glocal Crowdfunding Co., a subsidiary of Higo Bank, have been launched to revitalize the livestock and tourism industries.
Furthermore, the project aims to transform the industry to accommodate diverse food preferences by leveraging flash-freezing technology to reduce food waste and utilizing individual identification numbers for Wagyu traceability.

3. Yanbaru Pineapple-no-Oka Aha Roadside Station Project (Okinawa Prefecture, Kunigami Village)

Through a mutual collaboration agreement with Kunigami Village in Okinawa Prefecture, the project supports the sixth industrialization of industries in the Yanbaru area, located at the northernmost tip of Okinawa’s main island.
Since its opening in March 2022 as the 10th roadside station in Okinawa, the project has been working on product development aimed at adding value to agriculture (such as pineapples and sugarcane), local fisheries, and forestry, through the operation support of coworking spaces, food workshops, and woodworking workshops at the Yanbaru Pineapple-no-Oka Aha Roadside Station.
In addition, the project is also working on demonstration experiments in collaboration with related organizations and industries to promote sustainable tourism that utilizes the natural and cultural resources of the Yanbaru area, which is a World Natural Heritage site.

4. Kyushu Design Management Seminar (Kyushu Area)

In collaboration with the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade, and Industry, we support the operation of the Kyushu Design Management Seminar (2021-2023).
We have provided individual support to 15 manufacturing and service-related companies and held seminars on the practical application of design management.
Through workshops on methodologies such as design thinking, evolutionary thinking, service design, and open innovation (collaboration with external partners), as well as sharing practical case studies through supported companies, we aim to help businesses transition from “wanting to do” to “being able to do” innovative activities.

5. Naraha Junior High School Integrated Learning Entrepreneurship Education Project (Naraha Town, Fukushima Prefecture)

Aiming for reconstruction following the lifting of evacuation orders due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear disaster, we support the operation of a simulated company, “Nalys,” in integrated learning classes at a junior high school in Naraha Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
Utilizing local specialties such as yuzu and sweet potatoes, the students engage in product development, sales, and marketing activities in collaboration with companies both within and outside the town.
By operating their own company organization and setting a goal of hands-on sales training at an antenna shop in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi area, the students not only learn about entrepreneurship but also gain practical knowledge of sustainable business and social relationships by passing the business on to the next generation of students.

6. Sabae Project (Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture)

Aiming to revitalize traditional crafts such as Echizen lacquerware in the region, the project began its activities at “COTOBA,” a renovated old house turned into a project base.
We provide support and seminars for local industries adapting to societal changes, such as design management and GX initiatives.
We also assist in addressing regional challenges through collaboration with companies, product development, branding, and other efforts.

Recent Achievements

MEDIA & PRESS RELEASE

Saga Prefecture

SAGA Sustainable Innovation Project

(Page 2・SAGA Sustainable Innovation Project)

Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture

Kumamoto Prefecture Livestock Agriculture Cooperative Association
Signing of Industry-Government-Academia-Currency Agreement and Launch of Crowdfunding
https://akaushi.jp/publics/index/1/detail=1/b_id=1/r_id=60/

Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture

Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration Agreement Signed to Create “Ethical Livestock Industry” Utilizing Aso Grasslands
– Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture, Keio University Graduate School of Media Design, and Kumamoto Prefecture Livestock Agriculture Cooperative Association start initiative aiming for the production of “Kumamoto Akaushi” that meets ethical consumption and grassland environmental conservation –
https://www.keio.ac.jp/ja/press-releases/2022/7/13/28-125684/
https://www.vill.minamiaso.lg.jp/kiji0031985/index.html

“Minamiaso Village Grassland Regeneration & Akaushi Revival Project” Launched to Achieve Sustainable Regional Development through Ethical Livestock
– Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., supporting the purpose of the project, implements corporate version of hometown tax donations –
https://www.keio.ac.jp/ja/press-releases/2023/1/17/28-134717/

“Minamiaso Village Grassland Regeneration & Akaushi Revival Project” Launched
https://www.vill.minamiaso.lg.jp/kiji0032294/index.html

Okinawa Prefecture, Kunigami Village

Okinawa Prefecture Kunigami Village, Kunigami Village Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Keio University Graduate School of Media Design sign a mutual collaboration agreement for supporting the 6th Industrialization in the World Natural Heritage Yanbaru area
– Initiatives to promote and create sustainable local industries based on the newly established Eastern Touring Base Facility (Roadside Station) in FY 2021 have begun –
https://www.keio.ac.jp/ja/press-releases/2021/8/27/28-81914/

Opening a roadside station in Kunigami Village, Okinawa Prefecture, to support the 6th industrialization of the industry through industry-academia-government collaboration
– Regional revitalization support starts at the Roadside Station “Yanbaru Pineapple Hill Aha”! –
https://www.keio.ac.jp/ja/press-releases/2022/3/29/28-122652/

Kyushu Area

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry
Kyushu Design Management Seminar
https://www.kyushu.meti.go.jp/event/2208/220802_1.html

Naraha Town, Fukushima Prefecture

Career Education Excellent School, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award, Winner
https://blog.goo.ne.jp/narahachu/e/e3ea1de3b999c3609414d7e28e38f3ee

Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture

Fukui Prefecture Sabae City, Sabae Chamber of Commerce and Industry, KMD Mutual Collaboration Agreement
https://www.kmd.keio.ac.jp/ja/press/2017/08/kmd_201765.html
https://www.city.sabae.fukui.jp/about_city/gakuseirenkei/renkeikyotei/keio01.html