In recent years, the benefits of online connectivity have led to an increasing number of people leaving cities to relocate or adopt a dual-residence lifestyle. Living and working, or sometimes studying, in a place of one's choosing is an ideal. Hearing that this new society could be experienced digitally, I visited the IPA booth at "CEATEC 2024," held at Makuhari Messe from October 15-18, 2024.

When IPA is mentioned, many might mistakenly think of craft beer. To clarify, IPA stands for the Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan. It is an independent administrative agency that aims for a society where everyone can enjoy the benefits of IT, promoting the creation of an ecosystem where data and human resources connect and circulate, bridging industry, academia, and government.

IPA's mission is to deliver the benefits of digital technology to all people, maximize each individual's potential in their chosen location, and enrich people's lives.

This installation allows visitors to experience a glimpse of the future society IPA envisions—one where anyone can live and work where they desire—through music, space, and visuals.

Donning a somewhat heavy VR headset, the OPENERS editorial team headed to the experience booth.

Beyond the corridor, an empty room of about 13 square meters awaited. After removing my shoes and entering, a message arrived: a zucchini, a gift from a neighbor's home garden, had been delivered.

Understanding that homes themselves would function like concierges in 2050, I turned around and was startled by a sudden appearance—four musicians began to play in a circle...!

Upon closer inspection, the lineup was incredibly impressive: U-zhaan on the tabla, Masakatsu Takagi on the piano, Kaori Takeda on vocals, and Gensuke Kanki on guitar.

Bewildered by the unbelievable situation before me, I tentatively reached out to touch the piano keys and tabla, but my hand passed through empty air.

"So, I can't touch them," I realized. Despite the impropriety, I boldly reached out to touch U-zhaan's hair (I had always wanted to touch that afro), but of course, I felt nothing.

Although the musicians were not physically present, the scene was incredibly realistic! Just being within the circle of four musicians created an almost palpable tension.

The sight of a child calmly drawing with toys and crayons at the feet of these top musicians playing before me added a touch of delightful chaos (laughs).

It became increasingly enjoyable, and I found myself intently observing the scene from every angle. The musicians appeared three-dimensional, as if they were truly there, no matter which direction I viewed them from.

The music itself was also of high quality, sounding as if I were at a live concert, likely due to the sophisticated speaker system.

As this unfolded, the door on the right, the ceiling, and then the shoji screen at the back opened, revealing a breathtaking panorama of the ocean.

While I was captivated by the view from the veranda, a colossal whale, like a warship, leaped out of the water with a splash, reaching the peak of my surprise.

Returning to my room (the assumed setting), the musicians led by U-zhaan began to play, the shoji screen opened to an endless ocean view, and a giant whale appeared right outside my home—a series of unexpected events unfolded, leaving me struggling to comprehend it all (laughs).

Sitting on the veranda, my feet got wet as I walked into the shallow sea. The child who had been playing in the room earlier had now entered the water and was splashing around nearby. In the distance, a vast sky resembling a sunset stretched out, with sunlight gently rippling on the water's surface.

Perhaps due to the receding tide, the sea was shallow. I stepped off the veranda and walked a little further, only to be stopped by a voice saying, "This is the end." I was abruptly pulled back to reality.

This concludes a glimpse into the future vision experienced by OPENERS.

It was an experience that reaffirmed the belief that in the not-too-distant future, through digital transformation, all sorts of experiences, emotions, learning, and joys await us, unbound by location.

To witness the vision of cutting-edge digital utilization, we must continue to keep an eye on IPA's activities.