On February 16, 2026, our CEO, Tomokazu Iwabuchi, spoke at a seminar titled "The Potential of 'Kitakyushu, an Innovation-Generating City' — Advanced Case Studies from the UK and the City's Early Initiatives," hosted by the SDGs Promotion Division of the Regional Strategy Research Institute at The University of Kitakyushu.
Purpose and Background
Cities today are evolving from mere places to live into "platforms that generate innovation." This seminar dug into the strategy for realizing Japan's first "innovation city," looking in particular from three angles.
- A global perspective: successful innovation districts in regional UK cities
- The role of education and research: the new Faculty of Information Innovation at The University of Kitakyushu and its ties to the region
- Government strategy: the full picture of the new "Kitakyushu Academic and Research City Strategy"
- Date/time: Monday, February 16, 2026, 14:00–17:00
- Venue: Kitakyushu Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Trade Hall, plus live stream
- Organizer: SDGs Promotion Division, Regional Strategy Research Institute, The University of Kitakyushu
What Was Discussed
Iwabuchi gave a topic presentation, "How Regional UK Cities Build Mechanisms for Generating Innovation," together with Haruka Kurata, General Manager of the Planning & Development Department, Urban Development Group, Urban and Social Infrastructure Division at Nikken Sekkei Ltd.
He also moderated the second-half discussion, "What Kitakyushu Needs to Become Japan's First 'Innovation City,'" exchanging views with attendees both in the hall at the Kitakyushu Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Trade Hall and joining online.
Our collaboration with the UK's Connected Places Catapult is described in more detail on the International City-to-City Collaboration page.
Looking Ahead
This seminar left us with a strong sense that Kitakyushu has both the potential to achieve a national first and a community able to support it. We intend to carry the insight gained here into our future work, and to contribute to city-building in Kitakyushu — and in Japan more broadly.