Redefining the Value of Todai Students: Todai-Born Garage Lab Officially Launches Podcast & Web Initiative to Deliver Students' Authentic Voices to Society!

AKIYO.STAR LLC (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Member: Akiyo Inui) has officially launched the activities of "Todai-Born Garage Lab," a student community that aims to redefine students' self-worth and convey their authentic selves to society, targeting University of Tokyo students.

Background for the Lab's Establishment

The catalyst for establishing this lab came from the words of Representative Inui's friends. From Inui's perspective, her friends were working hard on various things like academics, club activities, part-time jobs, and study abroad programs. Yet, they would say things like, "People who take a leave of absence to start a business or go abroad have found what they want to do, and they even have the courage to take a leave of absence, which is amazing. I'm anxious if I'm really okay like this," or "I feel like I should be doing something, but in the end, I haven't done anything." Furthermore, their conversations among friends covered a wide range of topics and were intellectually interesting, but the individuals themselves didn't see value in them. Overall, there's a current situation where they cannot find value in themselves.

At the same time, externally, they are often evaluated as a large group called "Todai students," and they frequently feel a disconnect between their own lives and the "general image of Todai students." It has become difficult to feel accepted for who they truly are.

Philosophy

To resolve these difficulties in living, we decided to establish Todai-Born Garage Lab, a student community for redefining one's value both internally and externally. Thoughts that are nothing special to oneself can be surprisingly fresh to someone else, or they can be something that makes one feel their life is affirmed. Through this realization, our lab's objective is to acknowledge the significance of authentic "words" rooted in everyday life, redefine the value of one's life through these activities, and achieve a better life.

We believe that giving form to "words" that are ordinary to the lab members themselves is not only important for the lab members but also meaningful for the people around them, and ultimately for society. Many words that would normally end as mere "mutterings" may hold the seeds of innovation or significant social change. With such possibilities in mind, our organization will disseminate the words spoken to society at large.

Activities

Our activities include: 1) Lab members discussing what they like, what they've recently studied, and what they're thinking about; and 2) conveying their authentic selves through podcasts and activity records on the lab's website (currently under preparation) to increase understanding of the lab members.

It has not been long since our launch, and the lab members themselves are in the process of trial and error to figure out what kind of community they would enjoy being a part of. We hope you will also enjoy seeing how the lab members' thinking evolves through the lab's initiatives.

Seeking Partner Companies!

Based on the belief that the words of our lab members may hold the seeds of innovation or significant social change, we wish to disseminate these words to society and are seeking projects from companies. Please feel free to inquire through the form below.

Inquiry Form: https://www.akiyostar.com/contact

Below is a brochure for students of this lab.

The brochure can be downloaded in PDF format here.

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