Held on June 1 (Mon)! "The 1st Forum: Bringing Japan's Charms to the World! Co-Creation Forum"

The 1st Bringing Japan's Charms to the World! Co-Creation Forum

The Japan Mayors Association, an all-Japan alliance of approximately 670 municipal leaders, serves as a hub for inter-municipal, industry-academia-government, and international cooperation aimed at the development of Japan as a whole. During its era as the Expo Mayors Association, it hosted the "LOCAL JAPAN Exhibition" at the Expo venue, showcasing the traditions, food, music, health, and nature of various regions in Japan to both domestic and international audiences.

Globally, urban policies that use cultural and creative industries as engines for urban growth are becoming mainstream. The representative framework for this is the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). With 408 cities in 100 countries participating and collaborating, they promote the creative industry, international joint projects, attraction of young talent and entrepreneurs, and cultural tourism strategies, with 12 municipalities from Japan currently participating.

Accordingly, the first "Bringing Japan's Charms to the World! Co-Creation Forum," co-hosted with the Dream Island New Industry and City Creation Organization, will be held under the theme of "UCCN: A New Model of Creative Cities and International Urban Collaboration for '21st Century Creative Economy Strategies'."

### Overview - **Theme**: UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) and "21st Century Creative Economy Strategies" - **Date**: June 1, 2026 (Mon), 10:00–12:00 (Networking time: 12:00–12:20) - **Organizers**: Dream Island New Industry and City Creation Organization / Japan Mayors Association - **Supporters**: METI Kansai Bureau / Kansai Association of Corporate Executives / Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry - **Format**: Real and Online Hybrid Format - **Venue**: Osaka University Nakanoshima Center 7F 7C+D (4-3-53 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka) - **Online Participation**: Zoom Webinar - **Fee**: Free

### Program **Opening Remarks** - Hirofumi Sawai (Chairman, Japan Mayors Association / Mayor of Matsubara)

**Part 1: Presentations** - **Keynote**: Masayuki Sasaki (Chairperson & President, Shizuoka University of Art and Culture) - **Presentation**: Hirofumi Sawai (Chairman, Japan Mayors Association / Mayor of Matsubara) - **Presentation**: Takaaki Sakai (Mayor of Tanbasasayama) - **Presentation**: Takami Nakahara (Deputy Mayor of Okayama)

**Part 2: Panel Discussion** - Panel discussion by Part 1 speakers

**Closing Remarks** - Takako Igaki (Representative Director, Dream Island New Industry and City Creation Organization)

**Networking Time** - Exchange of business cards and networking with speakers

### Inquiries Dream Island New Industry and City Creation Organization Secretariat - Website: [https://yumeshimakikou.org](https://yumeshimakikou.org) - Phone: 06-6136-8803 - Email: [email protected]