On 25 May, Keio University’s 150th anniversary event entitled “Globalization and Innovation -Revitalization of Industries” was held at the Mita Campus. The event, co-hosted by Tokyo American Center, focused on Keio University’s local revitalization project utilizing IT with Toho Village of Fukuoka Prefecture. The main objective of the event was to share the progress of the project, and to discuss the concept of globalization of traditional industries.

The event started with opening speeches by Mr. Jeffrey Jamison, Director of the Tokyo American Center and Vice President Tatsuya Sakamoto of Keio University. The discussions were held remotely by connecting 4 sites (Mita Campus, Toho Village, Fukuoka prefectural office and Keio University Shonan Fujisawa Campus) using DVTS (Digital Video Transport System), presided over by Akiko Takahashi, Senior Researcher of Keio Research Institute at SFC.

The Symposium consisted of two sessions, and in the first session, Prof. Suzanne Berger from Massachusetts Institute of Technology delivered a keynote lecture on globalization and innovation. Following the lecture, Prof. Jiro Kokuryo of Keio University made some comments, and exchange of views was held with attendees of the three other sites.

In the second session, the outline of the local revitalization project with Toho village utilizing IT was introduced by Assistant Professor Yoshinori Isagai at the Mita Campus site and Akiko Takahashi and students of Isagai at the Toho village site. Residents of Toho village joined in to explain how the activities are actually carried out and how village life has changed.

Prefectural Governor Wataru Aso, who provided opportunity for this project and continues to give strong support, gave a passionate speech.

Furthermore, a discussion on “Revitalization of Traditional Industries through Information Technology” was held among the 4 sites.

No clear answers were given on how information technology can change a person, transform it into an industry, and to globalize local traditional industries. The event closed with Prof. Kokuryo’s question “Is economic revitalization the true goal?” and Dr. Berger’s “Is IT a gadget?”, and all agreed in figuring them out through future activities.