[Kei University] Event Report: "Social Design in the Post-Urban Era - Hiroshima as a City of Social Implementation" Publication Commemorative Event

The Social Design Center (SDC) at Kei University (President: Mutsuhiro Arinobu, Naka-ku, Hiroshima) held a publication commemorative event for "Social Design in the Post-Urban Era - Hiroshima as a City of Social Implementation" on June 26, 2026 (Fri) at Kei University. This event celebrated the special edited mook book published on May 29 (Fri). Approximately 100 people, including speakers, invited guests, and media representatives, gathered at Kei-kei Top, the highest floor of the university campus.

A Major Transition in Social Systems is Coming; the Location Where Value is Created Will Change

Why was such a book published now? At the beginning of the event, Yoshinobu Hayata, Director (Professor) of the Social Design Center (SDC) at Kei University, spoke about the background of the book's publication and his aspirations for the future.

"We are at a major turning point in social systems. In the age of AI, the process of creating value will change, and the place where value is created will change. Hiroshima, with its diversity as a microcosm of Japan, has the potential to become the center of that value. We want to foster new human resources from Hiroshima to the world, together with various stakeholders, and make Hiroshima a city of social implementation where people who take on challenges can grow," he said with passion.

Next, Mr. Hironobu Inoue from Kadokawa ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc., who served as the editor-in-chief of the mook book, took the stage. He stated that what he realized through the production of the book was the diversity of Hiroshima. "Sea, islands, mountains, rivers, cities, mountainous and rural areas... Hiroshima is simply diverse. The challenges are also diverse. Since these cannot be solved by a single organization, a collaborative spirit of cooperation is essential. I felt that Kei University could serve as a hub and a model case for this."

Panel Discussion Part 1

Why Will the Future Be Born from Hiroshima? - Challenges of Next-Generation Changemakers -

The main part of the event was a panel discussion with speakers active in Hiroshima. Divided into Part 1 and Part 2, Part 1 focused on the changemakers who will carry the next generation.

Many of the speakers are from Hiroshima. While some leave Hiroshima for further education or other reasons, they return to start businesses or take over family businesses.

Chiharu Taniguchi, President of DoTS Inc., which works on promoting the charm of the Seto Inland Sea and solving its challenges, spoke about why she challenges herself in Hiroshima: "The appeal of Hiroshima is the close proximity between people, and there is a culture of support."

"When I was young, I wanted to leave Hiroshima as soon as possible, but when I returned, I realized it was an important place," said Kosuke Kubo, Vice President of Sunatani Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of milk and dairy products. He smiled as he spoke of how leaving the prefecture deepened his affection for his hometown.

Chiharu Taniguchi, President of DoTS Inc. Kosuke Kubo, Vice President of Sunatani Co., Ltd.

Kenta Sumioka, Senior Managing Director of PEACE CULTURE VILLAGE NPO, who has traveled the world, said with sparkling eyes, "I have never met anyone who doesn't know Hiroshima's name. I believe there are things that can only be done in Hiroshima, a city visited by many people from all over the world."

"Hiroshima, where Motonari Mori laid the foundation, has always been full of energy in every era," said Toshiyuki Hatama, CEO of B-RISE Inc., which handles XR (Cross Reality) business, revealing his interest in history.

Kenta Sumioka, Senior Managing Director of PEACE CULTURE VILLAGE NPO Toshiyuki Hatama, CEO of B-RISE Inc.

Hiroshima, where the delta region was developed into a castle town by Terumoto, Motonari's grandson, is still a city of water with beautiful waterfront spaces. Hiroto Kimura, CEO of EIGHT KNOT Inc., which focuses on developing water transportation infrastructure, stated, "Hiroshima has many inhabited remote islands nationwide, providing ideal conditions for technological development and social implementation."

Hiroto Kimura, CEO of EIGHT KNOT Inc.

Although their business contents differ, everyone agreed that Hiroshima is a city worth challenging. When asked what kind of future they want to create, they gave diverse answers: "I want to create a city where people who create the future can thrive while cherishing the past" (Mr. Taniguchi); "A prosperous city needs a prosperous periphery. I want to contribute to that" (Mr. Kubo); "I want to convey the message of a city of hope that inspires courage" (Mr. Sumioka); "I want to revitalize manufacturing industries, like 'Manufacturing 2.0'" (Mr. Hatama); "We want to eventually take the autonomous watercraft technology, which we have implemented in Hiroshima, to the world" (Mr. Kimura).

The challenges of these changemakers continue.

Panel Discussion Part 2

Why Will the Future Be Nurtured in Hiroshima? - The Power of Communities Nurtured by Co-creation -

The members changed here, and the panel discussion moved to Part 2, focusing on the theme of co-creation and considering the power of communities.

"The vitality of industries, represented by manufacturing, is an important factor. That's what attracts interesting people," said Kiyoshi Tamia, President of Molten Corporation, which operates in the sports, automotive, and medical/welfare fields. He expressed his business perspective that a solid living foundation is essential first.

"In that sense, Hiroshima is a city with a lot of passion, with many people trying various things. Creating connections and touchpoints between them, and establishing systems for that, is crucial," said Masayoshi Kubo, President of Sanfrecce Hiroshima Co., Ltd. This is a realization gained from his frequent interactions with young people through the operation of professional soccer.

Kiyoshi Tamia, President of Molten Corporation Masayoshi Kubo, President of Sanfrecce Hiroshima Co., Ltd.

"Hiroshima is a city with great potential in industry, sports, tourism, and more. To leverage these, we must combine individual strengths and collaborate to create new value," said Toshio Bunya, Chairman of Hirogin Holdings, Inc., emphasizing the importance of supporting the dreams of the next generation.

Nodding greatly to these statements, Mika Yokota, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture, stated with conviction, "Isn't it also necessary to create a mindset or soil where people around are amused by those who challenge? Hiroshima has that soil. And it's important to make that visible."

Toshio Bunya, Chairman of Hirogin Holdings, Inc. Mika Yokota, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture

When asked what they envision for Hiroshima and Japan in 10 years, these leaders looking to the future replied: "I have a desire to make Japan a hardware powerhouse again. The hardware industry can encompass various things like software and AI" (President Tamia); "While interacting well with AI, what ultimately matters is people. Nurturing people is indispensable for Hiroshima's development" (President Kubo); "Risks have been minimized as much as possible until now, but the key going forward will be how to foster new industries while mitigating risks. Existing organizations will also need to change" (Chairman Bunya); "Large cities cannot exist on their own. The role of regional areas will become increasingly important. Regional areas are cutting-edge communities where different things gather and creativity is exercised, giving birth to new things. I hope for that kind of national structure, and let's all make Hiroshima a cutting-edge city together" (Governor Yokota).

Kei University's Social Design Center Functions as a Platform Connecting People

After the panel discussion, a networking reception was held following a closing photo session. In a relaxed atmosphere, participants were seen exchanging business cards and chatting amicably in various places.

As these encounters suggest, Kei University's Social Design Center functions as a platform connecting people.

We hope that those who are interested will read the mook book published this time. Also, companies and organizations interested in Kei University's activities or wishing to collaborate with students and faculty on projects are welcome to contact us.

[Event Report] "Social Design in the Post-Urban Era - Hiroshima as a City of Social Implementation" Publication Commemorative Event - [Official Website] Hiroshima Prefectural Public University Corporation Kei University

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