Societal Issues Research
The First Societal Issues Workshop (June 3rd)
More than 65 people participated in the first online societal issues workshop. To start, Shinichi Kamei, a Research Director at Mitsubishi Research Institute, gave a lecture entitled “Trends and Megatrends in Societal Issues.” Following the lecture, the ICF Secretariat provided an overview of the 2021 Edition of the Listings of Societal Issues that was published at the end of March, and introduced 31 themes in the six areas of the Listings. Responses to the post-workshop questionnaire brought positive comments complimenting aspects of the workshop like the extent to which the explanation was accentuated with examples and the efficient organization of the limited amount of time. The archive video and presentation materials in Japanese are available only to members.
The Second and Third Societal Issues Workshops(June 29th and July 8th, respectively)
While the first societal issues workshop was held online with a focus on input from the Secretariat, the second and third workshops will put emphasis on societal problems on specific themes and will be held face-to-face, with a focus on discussions with the participants (online participation will be open to limited numbers).
Each workshop will cover two themes, for a total of four themes. They will start with an expert on the theme at hand providing an overview of the related issues and technologies, followed by opportunity for discussion among participants themselves.
With the cooperation of the Japan Science and Technology Agency, a Supporting Member, experts from companies other than MRI will also take to the stage.
■ Date and Time
Second workshop (Wednesday, June 29)
•Theme #1: New types of community (13:30 – 15:10)
•Theme #2: Prevention of presymptomatic disease and the need for nursing care (15:30 – 17:10)
Third workshop (Friday, July 8)
•Theme #1: Food and health (13:00 – 14:40)
•Theme #2: Climate change measures (15:00 – 16:40)
* A networking event is scheduled after each workshop
■ Venue: Large conference room at Mitsubishi Research Institute (Nagatacho) and online (Zoom)
* Capacity: 30 people
■ Program Outline for Each Theme
•Introduction of the session and brief description of the focus theme (5 minutes)
•Expert presentation on theme including related issues and technologies (30 to 40 minutes)
•Team discussion about issues, difficulty of solutions, etc. (50 minutes) * Assumed number of teams: 5 to 6
•Sharing among all participants (15 minutes)
■ Theme experts (planned) *Theme experts are subject to change.
| 1. New Community (June 29) (Solving the loneliness of the elderly living alone) | Japan Science and Technology Agency Prof. Michio Okada, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology |
| 2. Prevention of Presymptomatic Disease and the Need for Nursing Care (June 29) (Prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, mental health, and a reduction of the need for nursing care) | Associate Prof. Seiji Kumagai, Institute for the Future of Human Society, Kyoto University Japan Science and Technology Agency Mitsubishi Research Institute |
| 3. Food and Health (July 8) | Mitsubishi Research Institute |
| 4. Global Environmental Change (July 8) | Japan Science and Technology Agency Mitsubishi Research Institute |
Release of the English version of the 2021 Edition of the Listings of Societal Issues – Toward the Realization of a Sustainable Society Where 10 Billion People Can Live in Affluence to the Age of 100
The English version of the 2021 edition of Resolving Societal Issues Through Innovation – Listings of Societal Issues was released to the public on June 6. Everyone can now download it. If there are people around you who might be interested, please recommend the Listings.
https://www.mri.co.jp/en/news/20220606.html
Activity Report
Seminar on Impact Investing and IPO (May 26th)
This seminar focused on impact investing. Impact investing refers to a new style of investment aimed at achieving both economic and social returns and is gaining momentum for social ventures in Japan.
More than 50 people from companies ranging from major corporations to startups attended the seminar. The speakers included representatives from Shinsei Corporate Investment and General Incorporated Foundation KIBOW, which are investors practicing impact investing and impact measurement and management (IMM), as well as a representative from congrant inc., a startup that is currently a recipient of the investment. They provided practical and multifaceted perspectives by talking about the concept of impact IPO, which aims to create an environment where significant impact can continue to be pursued even after listing, the possibilities of new capitalism, and other helpful topics.
Release of Entrepreneurial Stories of Impactful ICF Members
In order to tackle societal issues through business, entrepreneurs must have excellent interpersonal skills and strong organizational capabilities. What do they think and how are they trying to achieve the world they want? The ICF has published a series of articles that sheds light on the personalities of entrepreneurs who are struggling to resolve societal issues. The goal of these articles is to share with readers the philosophies of and issues being tackled by these business founders, which in turn should lead to accelerated social breakthroughs in the future. -> The list of articles is here.
In May, new articles in Japanese on iSurgery Co.,Ltd., CHANGE THE WORLD Inc., ESCARE, Inc., Public dots & Company Co., Ltd., and Tokyo Factory, Inc were released. In English, CHANGE THE WORLD Inc. and ESCARE Inc. were released. Please take a look!
The Second Meeting of the Study Group on Municipal Crowdfunding (June 7th)
The Study Group on Municipal Crowdfunding held its second meeting on June 7, following the first meeting in September last year. Approximately 50 people, mainly ICF member companies and local governments, participated in the meeting. Mitsubishi Research Institute has prepared a handbook that describes the basics of crowdfunding, keys to success, and examples of solutions to regional issues. The author introduced the handbook at the beginning of the meeting. Following this, Mr. Terui from CAMPFIRE, Inc. took the stage to explain the core tenets of crowdfunding through local governments and by forecasting future possibilities. In the second half, the participants were divided into teams and were encouraged, through a hands-on program, to create and present a crowdfunding proposal in accordance with the handbook. Although it was only a short period of time, the teams had a lively discussion and proposed crowdfunding plans to resolve urgent regional issues, such as restoration of abandoned farmland and development of technologies to combat animal damage.
While this is the final event, Mitsubishi Research Institute will continue to engage in activities in order to continue, deepen, and spread municipal crowdfunding.
Activities Scheduled for June and July
BAP2022 Application Opens (from July 1st to August 26th)
In July, the ICF’s eighth business acceleration program, BAP 2022, will start by accepting applications for business ideas that can resolve societal issues. The secretariat is considering new plans this year again in order to create businesses that resolve societal issues and to implement solutions in society through co-creation with startups.
ICF members who are considering collaborating with startups will also have the opportunity to watch the pitches at the contest and to discuss the possibility of co-creation with the finalists.
[Schedule]
・ The application will open on July 1. After a period for review and mentoring, a pitch contest will be held on December 9. The results of the program will be presented in early March 2023.