Toyota Coniq Corporation and Ars Electronica Futurelab to Host "SHIGA FUTUREs THINKING WEEK" Event to Envision Shiga's Future with Data Art Science
Toyota Coniq and Ars Electronica Futurelab are holding "SHIGA FUTUREs THINKING WEEK" in Shiga, an event to envision Shiga's future using data art science. Through project exhibitions, talks, and workshops, it aims to foster dialogue and build a sustainable community.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 9, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 9, 2026 at 10:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 11:25 (264h 54m after Collected)
■ Event Overview
"Let's talk about the future we want, together."
Toyota Coniq Corporation and Ars Electronica Futurelab will hold "SHIGA FUTUREs THINKING WEEK," a comprehensive event to consider Shiga's future from multiple perspectives by adding an artistic viewpoint to data science.
This event will feature exhibitions of projects that DAS LAB and Ars Electronica Futurelab have undertaken in Shiga, as well as introductions to co-creation projects with companies, high schools, and universities, exhibitions of invited media art works from Japan and abroad, talk sessions on desired futures, and AI experience and robot programming classes for children.
By making data "tangible," we aim to generate new discoveries and insights, fostering dialogue beyond the boundaries of companies, universities, residents, and artists to jointly think about and nurture Shiga's future over nine days.
・Dates: Saturday, April 18, 2026 – Sunday, April 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
・Location: Former Shiga Bank Hikone Branch (3-3 Ginza-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture)
・Participation Fee: Free
・Details: https://daslab.jp/sftw/2026
*What is Data Art & Science (DAS)? It's not just about doing science with data, but also about doing art with data.
It is a new interdisciplinary field that aims to achieve both a deep understanding of the region and problem-solving by conceptualizing desired futures "from attractiveness and possibilities, rather than from challenges," and then collecting and analyzing the data necessary for its realization.
Currently, Toyota Coniq Corporation and Ars Electronica Futurelab are promoting this field in collaboration with multiple universities and have been accumulating practical experience in various locations within Shiga Prefecture.
■ Exhibitions and Talk Sessions
"What do we want to cherish for Shiga's future, even more than money?"
"What if high school students thought about the future of Lake Biwa?"
"Can depopulating municipalities become experimental grounds for water-centric thinking?"
"How can we find a future suitable for a region, rather than importing success stories from elsewhere?"
"What can data and technology do to connect Japanese rice farming to the future?"
"What kind of world will unfold in a future co-created with AI and robots?"
Starting from these questions, we will capture Shiga's future from multiple perspectives through the power of data science and art. We aim to create a space where we can jointly take a step towards "our own unique future" through ongoing dialogue with visitors.
■ Future Prospects
This event, now in its second year since its inception last year, is planned to be held continuously in the future.
By repeating this event, we aim to foster literacy in thinking about the future and contribute to the realization of a sustainable regional society.
Furthermore, we position this venue as a hub for generating human flow to various parts of Shiga, developing it as a place to foster future-oriented thinking. We aim for it to become a "gateway" connecting to the world, inspiring visitors to Hikone to experience the charm of various regions in Shiga and prompting them to visit those areas. We will continue to nurture projects together with the people, companies, and universities of Shiga.
Organizers: DAS LAB / Toyota Coniq Corporation
Cooperation: Ars Electronica Futurelab
Special Cooperation: Yamajin Kensetsu Co., Ltd.
Sponsorship: Shiga Prefecture / Hikone City / Hikone City Board of Education / Hikone Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Contact:
DAS LAB Public Relations (Kanno/Tateishi)
daslab@toyotaconiq.co.jp
Tel: 03-6757-8205
"Let's talk about the future we want, together."
Toyota Coniq Corporation and Ars Electronica Futurelab will hold "SHIGA FUTUREs THINKING WEEK," a comprehensive event to consider Shiga's future from multiple perspectives by adding an artistic viewpoint to data science.
This event will feature exhibitions of projects that DAS LAB and Ars Electronica Futurelab have undertaken in Shiga, as well as introductions to co-creation projects with companies, high schools, and universities, exhibitions of invited media art works from Japan and abroad, talk sessions on desired futures, and AI experience and robot programming classes for children.
By making data "tangible," we aim to generate new discoveries and insights, fostering dialogue beyond the boundaries of companies, universities, residents, and artists to jointly think about and nurture Shiga's future over nine days.
・Dates: Saturday, April 18, 2026 – Sunday, April 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
・Location: Former Shiga Bank Hikone Branch (3-3 Ginza-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture)
・Participation Fee: Free
・Details: https://daslab.jp/sftw/2026
*What is Data Art & Science (DAS)? It's not just about doing science with data, but also about doing art with data.
It is a new interdisciplinary field that aims to achieve both a deep understanding of the region and problem-solving by conceptualizing desired futures "from attractiveness and possibilities, rather than from challenges," and then collecting and analyzing the data necessary for its realization.
Currently, Toyota Coniq Corporation and Ars Electronica Futurelab are promoting this field in collaboration with multiple universities and have been accumulating practical experience in various locations within Shiga Prefecture.
■ Exhibitions and Talk Sessions
"What do we want to cherish for Shiga's future, even more than money?"
"What if high school students thought about the future of Lake Biwa?"
"Can depopulating municipalities become experimental grounds for water-centric thinking?"
"How can we find a future suitable for a region, rather than importing success stories from elsewhere?"
"What can data and technology do to connect Japanese rice farming to the future?"
"What kind of world will unfold in a future co-created with AI and robots?"
Starting from these questions, we will capture Shiga's future from multiple perspectives through the power of data science and art. We aim to create a space where we can jointly take a step towards "our own unique future" through ongoing dialogue with visitors.
■ Future Prospects
This event, now in its second year since its inception last year, is planned to be held continuously in the future.
By repeating this event, we aim to foster literacy in thinking about the future and contribute to the realization of a sustainable regional society.
Furthermore, we position this venue as a hub for generating human flow to various parts of Shiga, developing it as a place to foster future-oriented thinking. We aim for it to become a "gateway" connecting to the world, inspiring visitors to Hikone to experience the charm of various regions in Shiga and prompting them to visit those areas. We will continue to nurture projects together with the people, companies, and universities of Shiga.
Organizers: DAS LAB / Toyota Coniq Corporation
Cooperation: Ars Electronica Futurelab
Special Cooperation: Yamajin Kensetsu Co., Ltd.
Sponsorship: Shiga Prefecture / Hikone City / Hikone City Board of Education / Hikone Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Contact:
DAS LAB Public Relations (Kanno/Tateishi)
daslab@toyotaconiq.co.jp
Tel: 03-6757-8205
FAQ
What is 'SHIGA FUTUREs THINKING WEEK'?
It is a comprehensive event that considers Shiga's future from the perspectives of data science and art. Participants include companies, universities, residents, and artists, who engage in dialogue to envision the future.
What is the purpose of the event?
The purpose is to create discoveries and insights about Shiga's future through the power of data and art, enhance the sustainability of the local community, and collectively envision a desirable future.
Who can participate?
Anyone with an interest can participate for free, including companies, high school and university representatives, local residents, artists, and children.