Further Development of 'Higashikawa Town Living Lab', Co-Created Through Collaboration Between Higashikawa Town, Japan Post, and Keio University SFC Research Institute
Higashikawa Town, Japan Post, and Keio SFC Research Institute will expand the 'Higashikawa Town Living Lab'. For fiscal 2026, they have appointed 7 participating companies and 2 side-job talents as researchers.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 01:33 (327h 1m after Collected)
Higashikawa Town (Hokkaido, Mayor: Shin Kikuchi), in collaboration with Japan Post Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President & CEO: Shinya Koike / hereinafter "Japan Post") and Keio University SFC Research Institute (Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Director: Yuji Ohgi, Department in charge: Social Innovation Lab / hereinafter "SFC Research Institute"), has been working on the trial implementation of the "Higashikawa Town Living Lab" for two years since fiscal 2024, based at the Higashikawa Post Office and with the cooperation of Higashikawa Town official partner companies.
Building on this track record, from fiscal 2026 onwards, the Higashikawa Town Living Lab will be deployed as a place for industry, government, academia, and citizens to work together on "promoting community development" and "developing businesses and services" to foster a richer future society through co-creation.
On April 6, 2026, Higashikawa Town commissioned the companies (7 companies) and side-job talents (2 people) participating in the Higashikawa Town Living Lab as "Higashikawa Town Living Lab Researchers".
## 1. Background of the "Higashikawa Town Living Lab"
Higashikawa Town and SFC Research Institute signed a memorandum of understanding on research and development on June 21, 2018, and have been engaged in community-based research and business development. On June 30, 2022, Japan Post and SFC Research Institute signed a partnership agreement aimed at solving social issues by utilizing Japan Post's functions and resources and developing human resources to create the future. Furthermore, on March 1, 2023, Japan Post and Higashikawa Town signed an official partner agreement to promote initiatives for regional revitalization and solving social issues.
Based on these collaborations, the three parties cooperated to launch the Higashikawa Town Living Lab in April 2024 and have been working on its trial implementation.
A "Living Lab" is a place or method where corporate personnel, local government officials, researchers, and local businesses collaborate to co-create various mechanisms, products, services, systems, and businesses, viewing "everyday living spaces and styles (Living)" as a "place to co-create the future together (Lab)".
At the Higashikawa Town Living Lab, with the advice and support of the SFC Research Institute, corporate members, business operators, town office staff, university students, and graduate students who are active and living in Higashikawa Town have been challenging themselves to develop businesses/services and design systems to co-create a rich future society through dialogue.
## 2. Companies and Side-Job Talents Participating in the Higashikawa Town Living Lab (Fiscal 2026)
Based on the achievements so far, Higashikawa Town has decided to continue deploying the Higashikawa Town Living Lab under the three-party collaboration from fiscal 2026 onwards. Higashikawa Town has commissioned the following personnel from participating companies (7 companies) and side-job talents with specialized expertise (2 people) as "Higashikawa Town Living Lab Researchers".
Companies: R-body Inc., Iwatsuka Confectionery Co., Ltd., NTT Data Hokkaido Corporation, SOLIZE Holdings Corporation, Japan Post Co., Ltd., Horipro Inc., LAC Co., Ltd.
Side-job talents: Mr. Takayoshi Abe, Mr. Tadahiro Motoyama (As of April 1, 2026, in Japanese alphabetical order)
Building on this track record, from fiscal 2026 onwards, the Higashikawa Town Living Lab will be deployed as a place for industry, government, academia, and citizens to work together on "promoting community development" and "developing businesses and services" to foster a richer future society through co-creation.
On April 6, 2026, Higashikawa Town commissioned the companies (7 companies) and side-job talents (2 people) participating in the Higashikawa Town Living Lab as "Higashikawa Town Living Lab Researchers".
## 1. Background of the "Higashikawa Town Living Lab"
Higashikawa Town and SFC Research Institute signed a memorandum of understanding on research and development on June 21, 2018, and have been engaged in community-based research and business development. On June 30, 2022, Japan Post and SFC Research Institute signed a partnership agreement aimed at solving social issues by utilizing Japan Post's functions and resources and developing human resources to create the future. Furthermore, on March 1, 2023, Japan Post and Higashikawa Town signed an official partner agreement to promote initiatives for regional revitalization and solving social issues.
Based on these collaborations, the three parties cooperated to launch the Higashikawa Town Living Lab in April 2024 and have been working on its trial implementation.
A "Living Lab" is a place or method where corporate personnel, local government officials, researchers, and local businesses collaborate to co-create various mechanisms, products, services, systems, and businesses, viewing "everyday living spaces and styles (Living)" as a "place to co-create the future together (Lab)".
At the Higashikawa Town Living Lab, with the advice and support of the SFC Research Institute, corporate members, business operators, town office staff, university students, and graduate students who are active and living in Higashikawa Town have been challenging themselves to develop businesses/services and design systems to co-create a rich future society through dialogue.
## 2. Companies and Side-Job Talents Participating in the Higashikawa Town Living Lab (Fiscal 2026)
Based on the achievements so far, Higashikawa Town has decided to continue deploying the Higashikawa Town Living Lab under the three-party collaboration from fiscal 2026 onwards. Higashikawa Town has commissioned the following personnel from participating companies (7 companies) and side-job talents with specialized expertise (2 people) as "Higashikawa Town Living Lab Researchers".
Companies: R-body Inc., Iwatsuka Confectionery Co., Ltd., NTT Data Hokkaido Corporation, SOLIZE Holdings Corporation, Japan Post Co., Ltd., Horipro Inc., LAC Co., Ltd.
Side-job talents: Mr. Takayoshi Abe, Mr. Tadahiro Motoyama (As of April 1, 2026, in Japanese alphabetical order)
FAQ
What is the Tokorocho Living Lab?
It is a place where businesses, local governments, researchers, and residents collaborate to co-create businesses and services, viewing daily living spaces as 'places to create the future'.
Which organizations are involved in the Tokorocho Living Lab?
The collaboration involves Tokorocho, Japan Post, and Keio University SFC Research Institute. Starting in 2026, NTT Data Hokkaido and six other companies, along with part-time professionals, will also participate.
What is the purpose of this initiative?
The purpose is to develop businesses and services, design systems, and work on regional revitalization through dialogue among industry, government, academia, and citizens to co-create a prosperous future society.