Makers of the World, Come! Shimokita Robo Fes. "Maker Residency Program" Kicks Off in Shimokitazawa to Create, Connect, and Enjoy Together

Our organization endorses April Dream, which aims to make April 1st a day to express dreams. This press release is a dream of CO-SAKU Valley Shimokita FAB KOSAKU Room.

In 2025, we participated in the German maker event "Makers United." The Shimokita FAB KOSAKU Room's original fishing robot captivated both children and adults there. Overseas makers embody the spirit of "engaging with technology as if playing."

### What is the CO-SAKU Maker Residency Program? "CO-SAKU Maker Residency Program" is a program where international makers, Shimokita FAB KOSAKU Room, and the local community "CO-SAKU" (co-create, cross-interact, collaborate) to foster a maker culture of "engaging with technology as if playing."

We will invite makers from overseas to stay in Shimokitazawa. During their stay, they will interact with local makers and the community while creating original robots at Shimokita FAB KOSAKU Room. The venue for showcasing their works will be the "Shimokita Robo Fes" (scheduled for November 2026), a maker event held in the town. We welcome diverse forms of participation, such as challenging robot competitions alongside local children or holding workshops.

For fiscal year 2026, as a trial period before the full-scale launch, we aim to invite two groups of international makers.

CO-SAKU (KOSAKU) encompasses three meanings: - KOSAKU (Make) - KOSAKU (Cross) - KOSAKU (Co-Creation/Collaboration)

*CO-SAKU is a registered trademark of CO-SAKU Valley General Incorporated Association.

At Shimokita FAB KOSAKU Room, scenes of interaction with international makers were often seen.

### Background of the Dream Shimokita FAB KOSAKU Room is a maker space located in Shimokitazawa. A maker space is a shared workshop equipped with manufacturing facilities such as machinery and tools. Our facility also has equipment like laser cutters, 3D printers, and sewing machines, which are used by various people.

Through facility operation, we've observed that manufacturing often involves psychological hurdles like: "I don't really understand it, it seems difficult," or "I don't have anything specific I want to make."

And also, "There's no one to teach me," "I need materials and tools," or "I don't have time."