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<\/p>\nFrom global-local collaboration to open innovation and the future of music-driven cities, this week\u2019s Thursday Gathering delivers ideas that span development, energy, and culture. Join changemakers, industry leaders, and creative thinkers for an evening of insights and connection.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Date and Time:<\/strong> Thursday, July 24, 2025, 15:30 to 20:00 15:30 \u2013 16:20 Speakers: 16:30 \u2013 17:20 Panelists: Moderator: Miwa Gen, CEO, SPRINK Inc.<\/p>\n 17:30 \u2013 18:20 18:30 \u2013 20:30 Speakers: Organized by Venture Caf\u00e9 Fukuoka<\/strong> From global-local collaboration to open innovation and the future of music-driven cities, this week\u2019s Thursday Gathering delivers…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29305,"featured_media":172257,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[],"class_list":["post-172256","event","type-event","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","location-tenjin","event-type-community","event-type-seminar","en-US"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event\/172256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/event"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29305"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=172256"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=172256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nLocation:<\/strong> ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F SKYLOBBY<\/a>
\nAdmission:<\/strong> Free (registration required)
\nRegistration & details are here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nEvent Highlights (In-person only):<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nGlobal \u00d7 Local: Co-Creating Innovation (Part 1)<\/strong>
\nInnovation is key to building a sustainable future, and collaboration between global and local players is driving major progress. In this first session, two distinguished speakers share insights into new trends, historical context, and real-world initiatives shaping the future of innovation in Japan and beyond.
\nMore info<\/a>
\nIn Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Masashi Tomita, Executive Director, Fukuoka City Economy, Tourism & Culture Bureau
\n\u2022 Shinichi Tanaka, Senior Director, JICA Planning Department<\/p>\n
\nGlobal \u00d7 Local: Co-Creating Innovation (Part 2)<\/strong>
\nWhat does it take to create social innovation through business\u2014spanning education, welfare, and green technology? Hear from three Kyushu-based entrepreneurs as they discuss the realities of scaling impact-driven ventures from local roots to global reach.
\nMore info<\/a>
\nIn Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Sayuri Ogino, CEO, Kyoiku Joho Service
\n\u2022 Kosei Kawazoe, CEO, Liaison Design
\n\u2022 Ryoji Miyawaki, CEO, Aakel Technologies<\/p>\n
\nKyuden Reverse Pitch: Open Innovation Opportunities<\/strong>
\nKyuden Group is taking open innovation to the next level with its program \u201cHirameki & Co-Creation.\u201d This info session includes a rare reverse pitch\u2014where Kyuden\u2019s business leaders present their innovation needs and partnership opportunities across 11 sectors, from renewable energy to ICT and community co-creation. Don\u2019t miss this chance to explore collaboration possibilities with one of Kyushu\u2019s leading enterprises.
\nMore info<\/a>
\nIn Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMusic as Urban Infrastructure: Building a Music City in Fukuoka<\/strong>
\nHow can music shape the future of cities? Shain Shapiro, founder of global consultancy Sound Diplomacy and author of Music Cities: Creating Music Ecosystems and Urban Policies, joins local experts for a conversation on integrating music into urban policy and economic development. From young musicians to venue owners and cultural leaders, this session invites all who care about Fukuoka\u2019s creative future.
\nMore info<\/a>
\nIn Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Shain Shapiro (Sound Diplomacy)
\n\u2022 Kei Wakabayashi (Kokucho-sha)
\n\u2022 Takahiro Saito (Attorney, Japan Nighttime Economy Association)
\n\u2022 Kenjiro Fukamachi (Fukuoka Music City Council)<\/p>\n
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\nLanguages: Japanese and\/or English (varies by session)
\nAll sessions are in-person only. Pre-registration required via the event website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"