The Keio University Graduate School of Media Design (KMD) is pleased to announce the final lecture by Professor Masa Inakage, Dean of KMD, who will be retiring at the end of this academic year. The event will be held on February 28, 2026 (Saturday) in a hybrid format, combining an in-person session at the North Building Hall on Keio University’s Mita Campus with a live online broadcast.
The lecture is titled “The First Penguin and the Curious Ducks” Professor Inakage began his career as a media artist in the 1980s. After a successful journey as a content producer in Hollywood and a tech entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, he joined Keio University SFC and later KMD. Throughout his tenure, he has continuously crossed the boundaries of media, technology, art, design, business, and education.
This lecture is not merely a retrospective of his career as a “First Penguin”—one who always dared to dive into uncharted waters. Instead, it is a message for “Future Implementation” dedicated to all creative challengers, innovators, and inquisitive “Radical Collaborators” living in these uncertain times. Professor Inakage will share the trajectory of his challenges, the vital value of “Curiosity” in carving out the future, and practical case studies of “Radical Collaboration” with diverse experts.
■ Event Overview
Date & Time: Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 14:30 – 16:30 JST (Doors open at 14:00)
Venue: North Building Hall, Mita Campus, Keio University
Format: Hybrid (In-person and Online)
Admission: Free for the lecture (Advance registration required)
Details & Registration: https://lu.ma/masa-nexus
■ Speaker Profile
Masa Inakage: Dean and Professor, Keio University Graduate School of Media Design (KMD)
Starting his career as a media artist, Masa Inakage worked as a content producer in Hollywood and Silicon Valley before exploring the fusion of expression and technology at Keio University SFC. He subsequently spearheaded the establishment of KMD as a platform for “Media Design,” a field that integrates academic research with social implementation.
Serving as the founding Dean for 17 years and as a research project leader, he has nurtured a generation of creative leaders. He has led numerous collaborative projects with global corporations, municipalities, and academic institutions, continuing to radical co-creation that transcends traditional academic boundaries.
■ Contact
KMD PLAY Project: Office of Dean Masa Inakage’s Final Lecture, Keio University Graduate School of Media Design (Email: kmdplayproject@gmail.com)
