"UNIFORM2030: Thinking About Life Through Uniforms" to be Held in Osaka

Chikuma Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka; President: Akira Hayata), which advocates "Fukuiku®" (clothing education) to foster rich hearts through clothing, will hold "UNIFORM2030: Thinking About Life Through Uniforms" in collaboration with the Life Conference and the Social Solutions Initiative (Osaka University) at the Osaka University Nakanoshima Center (Osaka City).

This workshop, held as a kickoff event for the "Uniform Project" launched as a new action panel of the "Life Conference" which conveyed the "Declaration of Life" domestically and internationally at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo through co-creation by diverse stakeholders from industry, government, academia, and citizens, will feature two workshops: one for parents and children (elementary school students and their parents) and one for adults (university students and above).

Uniforms are not just "work clothes"; they protect the wearer, convey their role, and support society. Through "experience" for children and "dialogue" for adults, we will reframe uniforms as "beings that wear the traces of life," considering the safety of firefighters, nurses, factory workers, their families and communities, and the connections of many "lives" on Earth, making it a day to think together about the future of clothing, work styles, and society.

[UNIFORM2030: Thinking About Life Through Uniforms]

Date and Time: August 5, 2026 (Wed)

Parent-Child Workshop: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM; Adult Workshop: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location: Osaka University Nakanoshima Center, 5F, Life Empathy Plaza

Participation Fee: Free

Co-organizers: Life Conference, Social Solutions Initiative (Osaka University), Chikuma Co., Ltd.

Sponsor: Kansai SDGs Platform University Subcommittee

Details and Registration:

https://www.fukuiku.net/report/event/e-others/inochiforum_uniformproject.html

Parent-Child Workshop: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

"Let's Think About Life Through Uniforms by Wearing, Seeing, and Making!"

This is an experiential workshop where participants learn about life through the uniforms around them. They will learn about the role of clothing in a fun way by actually wearing them and touching special fabrics.

Additionally, participants will make accessories using uniform fabric that protects life, and this can also be used as a summer vacation research project.

Target Audience: 10 pairs of elementary school students and their parents; students in 5th grade and above can participate individually.

Adult Workshop: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

"Wearing Life: Working, Circulating, and the Future Society"

This is a dialogue-based event where participants from diverse fields such as fashion, textiles, trade, and education will think about the future of society and life, starting with "uniforms." Facilitated by Yusuke Tani, a model and fashion planner, in collaboration with Chikuma Co., Ltd., we will redefine uniforms as "beings that wear the traces of life" as "clothes for working." The aim is not only to foster discussion but also to serve as a "starting point" for future education, experiences, and industry collaboration.

Target Audience: University students and above (those interested in fashion, textiles, education, corporate activities, SDGs, sustainability); capacity: 30 people.

Yusuke Tani Profile

Born in Ishikawa Prefecture in 1993, raised in Tokyo. Actor, model, fashion planner.

Based on "Fashion Principles," he develops social, environmental, and educational projects through clothing both domestically and internationally. He engages in activities that convey the production, consumption, and human relationships behind fashion in collaboration with governments and corporations. In 2024, he designed agricultural and medical uniforms for the Dominican Republic as part of a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project. He also organizes photo exhibitions and produces works as a director.

On the day of the event, there will be an exhibition of uniforms from various professions and school uniforms, and participants will have the opportunity to try on Expo uniforms.

[Contact Information for Inquiries]

Chikuma Co., Ltd., Campus Business Division, Fukuiku Net Research Institute

email: fukuiku@fukuiku.net

tel. 06-6222-3511 fax. 06-6222-3614

[Supplementary Information]

◆ What is the "Life Conference"?

The "Life Conference" is a forum where individuals connect based on the awareness that they are "lives" sustained on Earth, raise their voices, listen to each other, think, dialogue, weave these into a single flow, and lead to social change.

What is "life"? What does it mean to "shine"? What must be done to "leave no one behind"?

These questions are shared across all boundaries, and each person takes action.

・"Life Conference" website: https://inochi-forum.org/

◆ What is the "Action Panel" of the Life Conference?

In collaboration with members from industry, government, academia, and citizens, as well as young people and children including university, high school, junior high, and elementary school students, we are developing activities for SDGs-related themes such as disaster prevention, energy, gender, and poverty, as well as SDGs+Beyond themes like science and technology, arts, and sports. For each theme, we are promoting initiatives to solve and achieve challenges, and also identifying new challenges.

◆ What is the "Social Solutions Initiative (Osaka University)"?

The Social Solutions Initiative (SSI) is a think tank at Osaka University that, centered around the humanities and social sciences departments, collaborates with researchers in natural sciences such as engineering, science, medicine, and dentistry, as well as with various social stakeholders including the public and private sectors, to identify and solve social issues and envision a sustainable symbiotic society. In its collaboration with society, it aims to foster human resources who will lead the future society by cooperating with the "Co-Creation Organization" and collaborating with centers like the "CO Design Center."

The "Social Solutions Initiative" is an organization that leads society towards realizing a sustainable symbiotic society, and an organization that leads various activities of Osaka University towards this goal.

・"Social Solutions Initiative" website: https://www.ssi.osaka-u.ac.jp/

◆ Chikuma Co., Ltd. ◆

A textile trading company founded in 1903.

Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka; President: Akira Hayata

Main products include business uniforms, school uniforms, women's clothing, and their fabrics and materials.

1995: Environmental Promotion Office established

2004: Certified as the first company nationwide under the Extended Producer Responsibility system

Advocates the philosophy of "Fukuiku" (clothing education)

2007: Received the "Minister of the Environment Award" for contributions to the formation of a circular society.

2009: Received the "Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award" at the 11th Green Purchasing Awards.

2014: Established "NCS Co., Ltd.," a public-private integrated recycling company, with Kitakyushu City.

2017: "Seifuku no Issho Sugoroku" (Uniform's Life Sugoroku), a Fukuiku learning tool, received the Award for Excellence in Consumer Education Teaching Materials.

2018: Declared commitment to achieving SDGs.

▪ Chikuma Website: https://www.chikuma.co.jp

◆ Chikuma's "Environmental Promotion Office" ◆

Chikuma, a textile trading company, established its "Environmental Promotion Office" in 1995 and has been working to promote environmentally friendly uniforms. Starting with the introduction of uniforms made from recycled PET bottles, the company obtained the first nationwide certification under the "Extended Producer Responsibility System" recognized by the Minister of the Environment in 2004. The cumulative number of recycled garments through the "Used Clothing Collection and Recycling Business" with Kitakyushu City, which began in 2014 as the first public-private joint venture in Japan, has exceeded 27 million items. Under the slogan "Don't make uniforms trash," we strive to promote uniform recycling.

▪ Chikuma Recycle System Website: https://www.recycle-system.com/

◆ "Fukuiku" (Clothing Education) to Foster Rich Hearts Through Clothing ◆

This initiative aims to foster "the ability to live" and "rich hearts" by deepening understanding of social skills such as communication and manners, environmental issues, health and safety, internationalism, and diversity through clothing. Advocated by Chikuma in 2004, it has spread to the fashion and environmental industries, as well as educational institutions.

▪ "Fukuiku" Website: https://www.fukuiku.net/