About

Hisashi Haraguchi

President

Shibuya Startups Inc. Senior Advisor
Representative Director, Dot Five Tokyo General Incorporated Association

Profile

Through experience in corporate planning and proposals, civic activities, supporting local government planning, and serving as secretariat for national review committees, I became keenly aware of the need for entities (intermediary support organizations) that transcend sectoral and domain-based silos. In 2019, I launched the Omuta Future Co-creation Center (poniponi) in Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture. We began initiatives such as supporting the city government's policy formation, undertaking projects addressing themes falling between institutional and sectoral gaps, and collaborating with businesses. I sincerely want to change the situation where societal systems that don't fit reality are causing people suffering.

Life Journey

10s: Internship at an international cooperation NGO

20s: Civic sector activities (medical/welfare support for homeless individuals, cancer patient support groups, etc.)

→ Insights: "The staggering disconnect between corporate activities and civic engagement"

30s: Founded NPO Dot Five Tokyo and implemented cross-sector projects

• Project bridging social welfare organizations and IT ventures
• Project integrating forestry and welfare under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) project (Chizu Town, Shimane Prefecture)
• Established a cross-sector intermediary support organization in Nara City, Nara Prefecture

→ Insights: "The importance of transforming social systems and the necessity of regional management organizations to pilot this transformation"

40s: Established poniponi in Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Implemented numerous projects in cultural cultivation (citizen participation), policy formation, and industrial development

Appointed Senior Advisor at Shibuya Startups Inc. in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.

Member of the National Expert Committee on Labor Supply Constraint Society

Yutaka Yamauchi Ph.D

Art Director

Representative Director of NPO donner le mot
Director of Fukushigoto Co., Ltd.
Adjunct Researcher, Social Inclusion Systems Field, Center for Advanced Science and Technology Research, University of Tokyo

Profile

Ph.D. (Art Engineering, specializing in Aesthetics). Based in Fukuoka City and Omuta City, among other locations, he engages in collaborative work with government and businesses to redefine modern values that generate societal issues and co-create regional communities aligned with future perspectives on humanity and society. Also involved in creating various dialogue spaces. Facilitator for the "Efficacy of Dialogue" series (Setagaya Cultural Life Information Center, Seikatsukobo). Major magazine publications include "Amazing Senility! The Humorous Reality of Each Individual" (Seishin Kango [Psychiatric Nursing], Vol. 23, No. 5, Igaku-Shoin).

Atsunobu Kimura Ph.D

Program Manager: Living Lab Academic Experts

President; Japanese Network of Living Labs (JNoLL)
Polyphonic Partner; Co-Designing Institute for Polyphonic Society Inc.
Visiting Associate Professor; Tokyo University of Science
Part-time Lecturer; Tokyo Denki University
Part-time Lecturer; Tokyo City University
Domain Advisor; Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) JST RISTEX "Care-Rooted Social Systems"
Certified Well-being Facilitator; Digital Agency
Advisor; Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Management and Financial Management Strengthening Project
Expert (Living Lab); Ikoma City "Green Basic Plan Revision Discussion Group"
Secretary; Japan Design Society Information Design Research Group
Fellow; Kyoto University Design Innovation Consortium
Fellow; Social Business Network

Profile

Ph.D. (Engineering). At NTT Laboratories, engaged in research on methodologies for UX design, design thinking, and service design within corporations, as well as talent development and consulting. Recognizing the limitations of design research and practice confined within companies, began researching methodologies (Living Labs) for co-creation across industry, government, academia, and citizens, transcending roles to build cities/regions as a shared endeavor. Aiming to realize a society where anyone can realize their potential, he engages in co-creation with stakeholders in local communities, supports municipal well-being policies, and works on co-creation projects between regions and companies. His major publications include "The Future Vision of ICT Users in 2030" and "Living Labs for Beginners: How to Create Spaces that Foster Co-Creation."

Katsuta Matsuura

Business Designer

Polyphonic Partner; Co-Designing Institute for Polyphonic Society Inc.
Certified Well-being Facilitator; Digital Agency
Advisor; Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Management and Financial Management Strengthening Project

Profile

After graduating from university, worked at NTT West Japan on municipal system development and new business development. Involved in planning and operating open innovation programs aimed at creating joint ventures with startups, as well as launching and regionally expanding a programming education business for children.
In 2021, he was involved in establishing the Regional Revitalization Co-Design Institute and joined its team. He works across Japan to build mechanisms for solving challenges and creating value, while also implementing projects. He is constantly exploring ways to realize a society where local residents, governments, and businesses engage more effectively, maximizing human potential.

Masataka Umemoto

Community Coordinator: Social Worker

Polyphonic Partner; Co-Designing Institute for Polyphonic Society Inc.
Certified Well-being Facilitator; Digital Agency
Advisor; Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Management and Financial Management Strengthening Project

Profile

Certified Social Worker. After graduating from university, worked for 12 years in elderly care, consultation support at community-based integrated support centers, and community welfare initiatives. Became an employee of Omuta City (Fukuoka Prefecture) in fiscal year 2012, responsible for building community-based integrated care systems and community development across fields including health and welfare, long-term care insurance, housing support, and local public transportation. From 2017 to 2018, while seconded to the Regional Welfare Division, Social and Welfare Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, worked on policies for a regionally inclusive society.
Joined NTT West in 2022 and was seconded to the Regional Revitalization Co-Design Institute. Supports regional revitalization efforts in municipalities, leveraging practical experience from regional comprehensive support centers and local government. Author of "Let's Become a Social Worker!" (Seikyusha).