The fifth-generation communication standard, "5G," which will form the foundation of next-generation communication infrastructure, is set to launch in Japan this March. With significant advancements in "high speed, large capacity," "low latency," and "massive device connectivity" compared to the current "4G," it is expected to foster innovative services in various fields such as autonomous driving, remote healthcare, and IoT. Against this backdrop, the "Shibuya 5G Entertainment Project" has been launched to leverage "au 5G" in the entertainment sector, based in Shibuya.

On January 24, 2020, the newly renovated "CG Shibuya Mobile esports cafe & bar" on the 6th floor of Shibuya Parco buzzed with media and industry professionals.

The press conference featured Shibuya Ward Mayor Ken Hasebe, KDDI Senior Managing Executive Officer Kei Morita, Shibuya Mirai Design Future Designer Chinatsu Wakatsuki, KDDI Business Aggregation Promotion Department General Manager Kohei Shigetada, Shibuya Mirai Design Director and Shibuya Tourism Association Representative Director Junko Kanayama, and Shibuya Dogenzaka Shopping Street Association Chairman Kenji Onishi.

Shibuya Ward Mayor Hasebe stated, "2020 is a pivotal year for Shibuya Ward, with the Olympics, Paralympics, and the 100th anniversary of Meiji Jingu. As we attract attention from many, including tourists, we are promoting the creation of a city that can transmit new values and culture by transcending nationality, gender, and other differences. In this context, we have created an opportunity for open innovation with KDDI, Shibuya Mirai Design, and the Tourism Association. Furthermore, with the support of many companies, we will transmit new cultural values to the world within the diversity that Shibuya Ward aims for. I am excited that such concrete initiatives are beginning."

Chinatsu Wakatsuki, a Future Designer at Shibuya Mirai Design and an ambassador for Shibuya Ward's childcare support initiative, enthused, "I hope Shibuya, which champions diversity, will become an entertaining city not just for young people, but also for mothers and children. As I learn more about 5G, I am amazed by its capabilities. It seems like it will become a city where many people will want to visit in the future."

Additionally, all speakers expressed optimistic visions for the future, with KDDI's Morita stating, "We want to actively deploy au 5G in Shibuya Ward," and KDDI's Shigetada adding, "We want to create new culture through various trials and errors."

What makes the "Shibuya 5G Entertainment Project" unique is not just the collaboration between government and a telecommunications company, but its involvement of the entire community, including the Shibuya Tourism Association and shopping street associations. For them, the project offers benefits such as revitalizing business, enhancing the local community, and promoting safety and security through technology and entertainment.

The same applies to companies based in Shibuya Ward, and indeed, 32 prominent companies are participating in this project. This signifies that a continuous stream of ideas from various perspectives will emerge moving forward.

On January 24th and 25th, the "5G Experience Event ~ Shibuya 1964 to 2020" was held in the Hachiko area. In a special zone equipped with a 5G base station, participants could instantly download approximately 250MB of data via QR code using provided 5G-compatible smartphones.

By pointing a smartphone at the cityscape, a scene from Shibuya in 1964 was superimposed in the same location, allowing users to seamlessly blend the present and past by manipulating a barcode. Touching points that appeared on the screen revealed textual explanations of those locations, offering a tangible experience of a new future that connects past and present.

On the evening of the press conference, a kick-off party was held at "CE LA VI," a new, talked-about spot in Tokyu Plaza Shibuya. The event featured sets by Darren Emerson, former member of Underworld; Japan's globally renowned techno artist KEN ISHII; and popular new-generation DJ Licaxxx.

The sophisticated, open-air rooftop space buzzed with attendees symbolizing Shibuya's diversity, including fashion models, celebrities, and key figures from various industries.

The following day, an invitation-only live experience event, "uP!!!NEXT Suiren ~Bansui~ powered by au 5G," featuring Suiren, also known as the Vocaloid producer "Balloon," was held at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA.

This event connected the live venue with "au SHIBUYA MODI" in Shibuya MODI via "au 5G." Participants operated au 5G devices in sync with the live performance displayed on the screen at "au SHIBUYA MODI," which in turn altered the stage演出. This interactive experience, allowing a sense of unity with the venue despite physical distance, can be seen as a new form of live entertainment leveraging 5G's "low latency" communication.

The future, powered by "5G," is said to bring about drastic changes across all industries. While its full implementation is anticipated around 2022, the "Shibuya 5G Entertainment Project" has already begun its efforts to explore what is possible. Shibuya, a city that has consistently fostered new culture, is also being revitalized through redevelopment. The possibilities for entertainment that bridge the real and virtual worlds remain unknown. As such, this is a world where opportunities are open to anyone with an idea. It may have been a while since we've encountered such an inspiring prospect.