The "SOCIAL INNOVATION WEEK 2020," Japan's largest urban festival themed around social design, is currently underway. At the opening session, Shibuya Mayor Hasebe, Jun'go Kanayama of the Shibuya Tourism Association, and Akiko Nagata of Shibuya Mirai Design took the stage. They discussed the future of Shibuya's urban development amidst the ongoing changes in people's lifestyles due to the pandemic.

“I feel that creativity is becoming democratized.
While government bodies might have an image of being rigid, a little creativity can bring warmth and effectiveness, and I sense that the demand for people who can create and implement things, including creators, will only grow stronger. As a ward, we want to share the resources of this town with those who bring them here and give them form. New creativity is important, and I believe this town is defined by its presence.”

“We are consciously working on digitalization and will continue to do so. While the cityscape itself may not change dramatically, digital technology strengthens communities, makes interactions with the ward more convenient, and enriches our lives. Within this context, I feel it's crucial how we, as a ward, offer our support.

For example, we are distributing tablets to elementary schools, and if the data from these can be utilized by educational startups, perhaps staff specializing in education from all over Japan might be drawn here. By making efforts as a municipality, we can become a magnet for talented individuals. I believe this is what we, as a ward, can do.”

When we hear the word "digital," many people assume one cannot think without literacy or technical skills. However, digital technology is about realizing the diverse needs that arise in people's daily lives.

"SOCIAL INNOVATION WEEK SHIBUYA 2020," which considers the future of Shibuya's urban development from a digital perspective, is running until Sunday, November 15th. We encourage you to visit during this opportunity.

SOCIAL INNOVATION WEEK SHIBUYA 2020
Dates | Until Sunday, November 15, 2020
Venue | Miyashita Park (SOCIAL INNOVATION PARK)
1-26-5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo