Shizuoka University, Minna no Care Joho Gakkai, and Matsuzaki Town Sign Tripartite Collaboration Agreement

To commemorate the signing of a tripartite collaboration agreement between Shizuoka University, Minna no Care Joho Gakkai, and Matsuzaki Town, the General Incorporated Association Minna no Care Joho Gakkai (Director: Yoichi Takebayashi) will hold a special symposium titled "Regional Innovation Connecting Matsuzaki Town's Strengths to the Future" on July 12, 2026 (Sun.) starting at 1:00 PM. The event will take place at the Matsuzaki Town Environmental Improvement Center Culture Hall (Kamo District, Matsuzaki Town, Shizuoka Prefecture) and will also be streamed online. Participation is free.

Based on a keynote speech by Yuichiro Anzai, former President of Keio University, and Shizuoka University President Kazuyuki Hizuume's vision for Shizuoka University's future creation, we will consider regional co-creation connecting mushroom science, strawberry tourism, mushroom experience agriculture, learning, care, and AI/XR.

Organizer: General Incorporated Association Minna no Care Joho Gakkai https://cihcd.jp/

Overview Diagram of the Special Symposium

Background of the Event

Amidst the global AI revolution significantly changing work and life, a new flow of people from urban to rural areas is emerging. Matsuzaki Town possesses rich nature and historical culture, close-knit human relationships, regional resources around the roadside station "Hana no Sanseien Izu Matsuzaki," the potential for strawberry tourism and mushroom experience agriculture, and wisdom rooted in daily life. On the other hand, it also faces challenges common to small municipalities in Japan, such as population decline, aging population, labor shortages, succession of regional industries, and the creation of related populations.

This symposium is held as a starting point for regional co-creation that connects Matsuzaki Town's existing strengths to the future, while addressing these challenges, based on the tripartite collaboration agreement between Shizuoka University, Minna no Care Joho Gakkai, and Matsuzaki Town.

From Matsuzaki Town to the entire Shizuoka Prefecture: Innovation based on Shizuoka University's Future Creation Vision and Anzai's Philosophy

Program

1:00 PM–1:10 PM Opening Remarks and Purpose Explanation

"Regional Innovation Connecting Matsuzaki Town's Strengths to the Future" Yoichi Takebayashi (Director, Minna no Care Joho Gakkai)

Part 1: Vision Session

1:10 PM–1:50 PM Keynote Speech

"The Future of Local Communities Opened by a Sense of Belonging and Learning" Yuichiro Anzai (Former President of Keio University)

1:50 PM–2:05 PM Message from Matsuzaki Town

"Creating a Region that Leverages Matsuzaki Town's Resources and Connects to the Future" Junya Fukasawa (Mayor of Matsuzaki Town)

2:05 PM–2:20 PM Message from Shizuoka University

"Shizuoka University's Future Creation Vision and the Potential for Regional Co-creation" Kazuyuki Hizuume (President, Shizuoka University / Remote Participation)

2:20 PM–2:35 PM Perspectives on Research, Education, and Social Collaboration

"Regional Innovation and Learning Spaces Opened by Mushroom Science and Eco-Agriculture" Hirofumi Hirai (Director, Shizuoka University Mushroom Science Research Institute)

Part 2: Implementation and Field Session

2:45 PM–3:10 PM Potential of Strawberry Tourism and Mushroom Experience Agriculture, and Perspectives of Young Field Leaders

"Integrated Challenges of Business Conception and Field Implementation" Koichi Yanagisawa (CEO, Einoujin) Himawari Hino (Designated Board Member, New Company)

3:10 PM–3:25 PM Visualizing Matsuzaki Town's Charms and Expanding Experiences with Technology

"Regional Experiences and Charm Dissemination through XR and Digital Technologies" Masayasu Ando (CEO, NeoRealX / Remote Participation)

3:25 PM–3:50 PM Matsuzaki Town's Field and the Perspectives of Students and Young People

"Connecting the Townspeople's Perspective with Student and Youth Learning to Nurture Future Leaders" Shigetaka Suzuki (Izu Matsuzaki Tonbi Farm) Aozora Shimao (Graduate Student, Shizuoka University)

Part 3: Panel Discussion

4:00 PM–4:35 PM Panel Discussion

"What to Value as We Begin the Next Step in Matsuzaki Town" All Speakers

4:35 PM–4:40 PM Summary and Joint Message

"Confirmation of Today and the Next Step" Yoichi Takebayashi, Mayor Fukasawa, Shizuoka University Representative, etc.

Speakers and Collaborating Organizations

Keynote Speech: Yuichiro Anzai (Former President of Keio University)

A leading figure in cognitive science and information science. He has served as Chairman of the Central Council for Education and Chairman of the AI Strategy Executive Committee of the Cabinet Office. He has received the Medal with Purple Ribbon and is recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit. In "Monthly Budo" published by Nippon Budokan, he serialized "For the Bright Future of Japanese Society" 24 times, discussing human emotions, proactive learning, and the self-reliance of regions and countries amidst the ongoing AI revolution. At this symposium, he will present a perspective for considering the future of Matsuzaki Town, centered on "sense of belonging" and learning.

Monthly Budo (Nippon Budokan): https://www.nipponbudokan.or.jp/shupan/back

Shizuoka University Future Creation Vision (President Kazuyuki Hizuume)

Shizuoka University's future vision formulated by President Hizuume in 2023. With the philosophy of "Free Enlightenment, Future Creation," it positions the university as a "hub of knowledge and human resources" connecting local communities and the world. At the symposium, the potential for regional co-creation will be presented from the perspective of this vision.

Shizuoka University: https://www.shizuoka.ac.jp/

Shizuoka University Mushroom Science Research Institute (Director Hirofumi Hirai)

Hirofumi Hirai is a Professor at Shizuoka University and Vice Director of the Innovation and Social Collaboration Organization. Aiming to be a world-class research center, he comprehensively studies the functions of mushrooms (basidiomycetes and ascomycetes). He explores the potential of mushrooms beyond biorefineries using white-rot fungi, environmental purification, and food applications. He will introduce mushroom science, eco-agriculture, the circular utilization of regional resources, and the educational significance of students learning in the region.

Mushroom Science Research Institute: https://mushroom-science.jp/

Einoujin (CEO Koichi Yanagisawa)

An agricultural venture headquartered in Fujimi Town, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. With a total cultivation area of approximately 100 hectares and an average age of 26, it is a young organization that holds the top domestic share in shiitake mushroom cultivation using substrate. They offer year-round strawberry and mushroom picking experiences (Yatsugatake Energy Farm). They will discuss the potential for year-round experiential tourism agriculture led by Matsuzaki Town, 6th-sector industrialization, job creation, and collaboration with roadside stations.

Einoujin: https://www.kingofkinoko.com/

NeoRealX (CEO Masayasu Ando)

A XR creative tech company established in 2023. They have produced numerous contents in tourism, regional revitalization, disaster prevention, and education fields using high-quality video, including 8K VR, and XR technologies. Mr. Ando is a visiting professor at the Faculty of Information, Shizuoka University. He will demonstrate the potential of XR utilization to convey Matsuzaki Town's nature, history, agriculture, and tourist experiences both within and outside the town.

NeoRealX: https://neorealx.com/

Venue: Matsuzaki Town (Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture)

Located in Nishi-Izu, this town is blessed with a townscape featuring namako-kabe (sea cucumber wall) architecture, flower fields, hot springs, and the natural beauty of the sea and mountains. It is the setting for this project.

Matsuzaki Town: https://www.town.matsuzaki.shizuoka.jp/

Event Overview

Name: Special Symposium Commemorating the Tripartite Collaboration Agreement Signing

Title: Regional Innovation Connecting Matsuzaki Town's Strengths to the Future

Subtitle: - New Co-creation Connecting Strawberry Tourism, Mushroom Experience Agriculture, Learning, and Care -

Date and Time: July 12, 2026 (Sun.) 1:00 PM - 4:40 PM (Doors open 12:30 PM)

Venue: Matsuzaki Town Environmental Improvement Center Culture Hall (303-6 Miyauchi, Matsuzaki Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture)

+ Online Streaming (Zoom URL will be provided to registered participants)

Participation Fee: Free (Advance registration required, open to all)

Registration: https://forms.gle/XJQTZe7MoLUtCVWD9

Organizer: General Incorporated Association Minna no Care Joho Gakkai

Co-organizers/Cooperation: Matsuzaki Town, Shizuoka University, Participating Companies and Organizations

Event Flyer: https://cihcd.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/matsuzakilesf.png

Event Flyer for the Special Symposium

Overall Message

Population decline and aging are not just challenges for Matsuzaki Town, but for Japanese society as a whole. Therefore, each practice in Matsuzaki Town holds significance for other regions facing similar issues. What's important is not just presenting grand visions. It's about townspeople, the municipal office, universities, companies, and younger generations starting with what they can do, while respecting each other. July 12th is the first shared platform for this purpose.

About the Organizer

General Incorporated Association Minna no Care Joho Gakkai

An academic organization that connects the fields of care, including dementia care, with the knowledge of AI and information science to promote social implementation based on human understanding. Upholding the principle of "field-oriented," it conducts research and practice across healthcare, nursing care, regional revitalization, and education. The director is Yoichi Takebayashi (Professor Emeritus, Shizuoka University).

Official Website: https://cihcd.jp/

Inquiries Regarding This Matter

General Incorporated Association Minna no Care Joho Gakkai Secretariat

Academy Center, 358-5 Yamabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0801

E-mail: contact@cihcd.jp

Official Website: https://cihcd.jp/

Participation Registration Form: https://forms.gle/XJQTZe7MoLUtCVWD9

Reference Materials

Common Points and Synergistic Effects between Shizuoka University's Future Creation Vision and Anzai's Philosophy