AI-Era Story 'Sora Who Arranges Stars' Officially Selected for Kyoto City's IVS2026 Side Event; Author YO&ASO (Yoichi Aso) to Speak

IVS2026 Side Event Culturepreneur Meetup @KYOTO 'Picture Book Musical Concert - Sora Who Arranges Stars'

Story IP 'Sora Who Arranges Stars' Takes the Stage at Kyoto City x IVS2026

The story IP 'Sora Who Arranges Stars' by entrepreneur Yoichi Aso, who works as music producer yoasoP and also as author/artist YO&ASO, has been officially selected to be featured at the IVS2026 side event 'Culturepreneur Meetup @KYOTO ~ Demonstration Project Report Utilizing Cultural IP 'Sora Who Arranges Stars' and More ~' (July 2, 2026 / Kyoto, Shijo Karasuma). On the day, author YO&ASO (Yoichi Aso) himself will take the stage.

'Sora Who Arranges Stars' is an AI-era story project that starts with a picture book and short story (both available for free online) and expands into musical concerts, reading groups, and education. At one of Japan's largest startup conferences, a single story will be featured—the significance of this will be conveyed on the day.

Key Points

The story IP 'Sora Who Arranges Stars' by author YO&ASO (Yoichi Aso) has been officially selected for the IVS2026 side event hosted by Kyoto City.

On the day, YO&ASO himself will take the stage for a picture book musical concert, participatory workshop, and talk session.

An experiential IP based on a free picture book and short story (approx. 20,000 characters, 15 chapters + conclusion) will be presented at a gathering of startups.

Free admission; applications are now being accepted (via the IVS2026 side event tool '4S Platform').

Continued recruitment of companies and individuals to advance this story through production committee participation, IP utilization, and reading group organization.

Event Overview

Event Name

Culturepreneur Meetup @KYOTO ~ Demonstration Project Report Utilizing Cultural IP 'Sora Who Arranges Stars' and More ~

Date and Time

July 2, 2026 (Thursday) 18:00 – 20:45

Venue

WAKASA&CO. KYOTO Wakasa no Butai (22 Naginatahoko-cho, Shijo Karasuma, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City)

Admission Fee

Free

Application

Via this link (IVS2026 Side Event '4S Platform')

Organizer

Kyoto City

Planning and Operation

Japan Culturepreneur Association (General Incorporated Association), Yoine Inc.

Program for the Day (Tentative)

Picture Book Musical Concert

Participatory Workshop/Concert

Talk Session 'Sora Who Arranges Stars Project'

Panelists (Tentative): Yoichi Aso (Author YO&ASO) / Taiga Kajimoto (Representative, Otogibox Inc.) / Ichi Kuniyoshi (FROGS Inc.) / Takeshi Adachi (Representative Director, Japan Culturepreneur Association)

Introduction to 'WAKASA&CO. KYOTO Wakasa no Butai'

Short Pitches by Several Culturepreneurs

Networking Reception

What is 'Sora Who Arranges Stars'?

A story for us to remain ourselves in a wavering world, beyond what is right.

Sora, who alone continues to protect the night sky, creates small stars to fill his loneliness. The stars quickly learn Sora's teachings and eventually arrange the night sky before Sora does. One night, Sora realizes—'There is no place left for me to touch.' What does Sora, having lost his role, find when he steps 'outside' the night sky?

This story does not question the conflict between AI and humans. It asks: when surpassed by what you have created, who can you be? Is there value in yourself after losing your role? It neither praises nor denies AI, and judges no one. Rather than providing answers, its wish is to hand over a 'bundle of questions' that make readers want to talk to someone after finishing it.

The picture book version and short story version (approx. 20,000 characters, 15 chapters + conclusion) are available for free in full on the official website. The theme song 'Kimi o Koete Iku Kimi to' (yoasoP) is scheduled for release on various streaming platforms.

▶ Official website: https://sora-and-star.com

Why a Story at a Startup Event?

Author YO&ASO, as entrepreneur Yoichi Aso, has been involved in developing new businesses and has also been creating music with generative AI. A person who has faced AI daily has written a 'story that does not provide answers.'

What does it mean to 'remain oneself' in an era of rapid change? This question lies with equal weight in the management office and in the life of an individual. There are questions that only a story can reach, where the language of business cannot. In Kyoto, which has nurtured culture and livelihoods for over a thousand years, and at IVS where startups gather, we want to confirm this.

Comment from Author YO&ASO (Yoichi Aso)

I think a story quickly withers if it tries to remain solely the property of its writer. It survives when it becomes someone's music, is told in someone's classroom, and is reinterpreted in someone's words—when it leaves your hands.

'Sora Who Arranges Stars' is not a story that provides answers. I wrote it hoping to hand over only the questions that make readers want to talk to someone after finishing it. I look forward to witnessing the beginning of how this story will pass into someone's hands at a gathering of startups in Kyoto.

Recruiting Partners for the Project

'Sora Who Arranges Stars' is both a single work and an open project that travels further as more people get involved. There is more than one way to get involved.

For Companies and Organizations

Participation in the production committee, sponsorships, introduction into human resource development and training programs, IP utilization, etc. We are happy to consider the optimal form together, including CSR and branding contexts.

For Schools and Educational Institutions

As material for moral education, inquiry-based learning, and career education; as a subject for reading groups and viewing sessions. The picture book version can be read in a short time, and the novel version serves as a starting point for group discussions.

For Artists and the Entertainment Industry

This is a story that can connect with music, readings, video, and stage performances. We welcome consultations from those who want to create something with this story.

For Publishers and Editors

Publication in book form is undecided. We would like to think together with interested parties about the context in which it could be delivered as a physical book.

For Individuals and Creators

Organizing reading groups, sharing impressions, creating derivative works, cooperating with translation and overseas expansion, etc. We would be happy if you could use your expertise to spread this story.

For Media and Journalists

We accept inquiries for interviews and coverage. We can also arrange interviews with author YO&ASO (Yoichi Aso).

▶ Inquiries and participation consultations: https://sora-and-star.com

About YO&ASO / yoasoP

yoasoP is a music production project with the concept of 'turning emotions in the middle of life into music.' Led by Yoichi Aso, who writes the lyrics, it creates co-creative music with generative AI as a partner. The YouTube channel has 110,000 subscribers (October 2025, Silver Play Button award). Music is distributed on major platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

Leader Yoichi Aso is an entrepreneur involved in developing new businesses and is the author of 'Practical Theory of New Business Development,' 'Management Theory of New Business Development,' and 'AI Revenue Evolution