Masaki Aikawa, President of I'm Universe Co., Ltd. (located in Suginami-ku, Tokyo), which sells detached houses with rooftops mainly in 1 metropolitan area and 3 prefectures (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba) and Okinawa, was selected for "WSJ×Next Era Leaders," a special feature by the US economic newspaper "The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)" honoring next-generation leaders, and attended "THE FUTURE OF EVERYTHING FESTIVAL" in New York on May 4th.
**Overview of "WSJ×Next Era Leaders" and Background of Selection** This project selects leaders from various countries who possess unique visions and challenge to realize a sustainable society and transform industries. I'm Universe was highly evaluated as a next-generation living environment model that enhances people's resilience. This was due to their unique initiatives to constantly upgrade functionality and durability, going beyond merely creating resort-like living environments, and their continuous efforts to enhance housing performance centered on safety and security, including crime prevention and disaster countermeasures. They were selected as one of the leaders pioneering the next generation.
**Speech by CEO Aikawa** "Housing is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, and above all, it must be 'a vessel that protects lives and assets.' We standardly adopt seismic control technology that reduces magnitude 7 tremors by 70%, and V2H systems (※1) that can sustain life for 5 days even during power outages, solving social issues with Japan's high technological capabilities. Being recognized in New York, a place where diverse values gather, is a fusion of Japan's meticulous technology and the philosophy of 'protecting lives.' Going forward, we will disseminate Japanese values to the world and challenge new value creation by combining it with the dynamism of the US." (※1) Standard adoption only for "Woodia" series resilience homes.
**What is "THE FUTURE OF EVERYTHING FESTIVAL"?** This is an international conference hosted by WSJ. Leaders active on the front lines of all fields, including technology, business, culture, and science, gather to discuss innovations and trends shaping the future.
**Award Ceremony Outline** Event Name: THE FUTURE OF EVERYTHING FESTIVAL Award: WSJ×Next Era Leaders Date: May 4, 2026 (Monday) 15:00~ (local time) Venue: The Glasshouse, New York, USA Host: The Wall Street Journal
**About Resort Residence "&RESORT HOUSE"** The resort residence brand "&RESORT HOUSE" has been developing the "&RESORT HOUSE" series of detached houses in 1 metropolitan area and 3 prefectures and Okinawa. This is based on the concept of transforming homes where people spend busy daily lives (work, childcare, housework) into places for "resort time" – supreme moments in a resort area. Their mission as a house builder is to provide homes that protect family smiles and assets, proposing residences with excellent design and performance. They have continuously introduced seismic control systems since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, achieving installation in all new homes since 2016. In September 2025, they partnered with Hyundai Mobility Japan Inc., a global automobile manufacturer, to offer package sales including electric vehicles with solar power generation and storage batteries as standard equipment, challenging innovative initiatives.
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: Event