Cabinet Office Moonshot R&D Program Goal 1: Internet of Brains (IoB) Science Communication Project 'Neu World' Releases New Sci-Fi Story

'Expression App' cover illustration (Illustration: Yasuhisa Kubo / Design: Kusano Design Office)

The Cabinet Office Moonshot R&D Program Goal 1, Kanai Project Internet of Brains (IoB), has released a new science fiction story titled 'Expression App' on its official website on March 28, 2026. This latest work for the science communication project 'Neu World', where science fiction writers and researchers collaborate to imagine the future, was written by screenwriter and BMI pilot Satofuji.

URL: https://neu-world.link/posts/hyoujo_app

A future where apps handle your walking, work, and expressions. Whose life is it really? The sci-fi story 'Expression App' by Satofuji

Synopsis

In the near future, Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) terminals have become commonplace. The protagonist, a college student, uses a BMI terminal on the train to commute, "full-diving" into a VR avatar to get lost in the live performance of virtual idol "Luna Maruma."

However, upon returning from the VR world, the students sitting across from him are whispering and laughing. The BMI terminal lacks a feature to prevent "expression leakage," meaning his facial expressions while immersed were on full display in the train car.

The protagonist had given up on "full-diving" in public, but his life changes with the arrival of an "Expression App" that manages his facial expressions for him. This comfortable "full-diving" lifestyle soon evolves into a social phenomenon as apps begin to automate walking, commuting, and even work. What awaits at the end of this path?

'Expression App' thumbnail (Illustration: Yasuhisa Kubo / Design: Kusano Design Office)

The latest 'Neu World' work is written by screenwriter and BMI pilot Satofuji!