MIT Technology Review [Japan Edition] Special Edition 'Post-Urban Era Social Design: Social Implementation City Hiroshima' Released

KADOKAWA ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Masakazu Kakikan) published 'MIT Technology Review [Japan Edition] Special Edition: Post-Urban Era Social Design - Social Implementation City Hiroshima' on Friday, May 29, 2026.

In Japan, where social issues such as the declining birthrate, aging population, and shrinking workforce are becoming more serious, solving problems through innovation is an urgent theme. While technologies like AI and robotics that support problem-solving are evolving, a lack of testing fields to trial them in real society and build operational models remains a challenge.

This magazine selects central Hiroshima City as its stage, which can be described as a microcosm of Japan (compact city), where urban functions, manufacturing clusters, and diverse terrain like the sea and mountains are condensed within a 5-kilometer radius. It redefines the area as a testbed suitable for the social implementation of innovation and reports on the ecosystem that supports challenges across the region and the changemakers with unique on-the-ground perspectives.

Furthermore, it was produced and published with the cooperation of Hiroshima Prefecture and Eikei University, which serve as a hub connecting regional resources with companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It presents the potential for co-creation and social implementation in regional areas to new business and R&D personnel, as well as management and executive levels, primarily in the Tokyo metropolitan area and nationwide.

The magazine is available at major bookstores in major cities nationwide and online bookstores such as Amazon.

Main Contents of the Magazine:

Why LOCAL Now? Prototyping in the Post-Urban Era An exclusive interview with Kazuhiko Toyama, Chairman of the Board of Japan Kyoso Platform Co., Ltd., who has deep insight into regional economies and industrial structural reform. It delves into new growth strategies for redirecting surplus highly skilled personnel to the new frontier of regional areas, as AI advances replace white-collar work, and explores the potential of local areas during this transition.

[Opening Dialogue] The Winning Strategy of Social Implementation City Hiroshima A special dialogue between Katsuhiro Moro (President and CEO, Mazda Motor Corporation) and Yoshinobu Soda (Professor, Eikei University). From the perspectives of a global company and academia/regional ecosystem, they explore Hiroshima's geopolitical and cultural advantages, examples of production system innovation, and the mindset required for the social implementation of innovation.

11 Changemakers from Hiroshima Moving Japan Introduces the challenges and solutions of key individuals undertaking advanced initiatives in Hiroshima. It features 11 changemakers driving regional business and culture, including Toshio Betani (President and Representative Director, Hiroshima Bank Holdings, Inc.), Hitoshi Kono (Chairman and Group CEO, Tsuneishi Group Co., Ltd.), and Masayoshi Kubo (President and Representative Director, Sanfrecce Hiroshima Co., Ltd.).

The 11 individuals introduced (in no particular order): Toshio Betani (President and Representative Director, Hiroshima Bank Holdings, Inc.) Hitoshi Kono (Chairman and Group CEO, Tsuneishi Group Co., Ltd.) Masayoshi Kubo (President and Representative Director, Sanfrecce Hiroshima Co., Ltd.) Hiroto Kimura (CEO, Eight Knot Inc.) Toshiyuki Hatama (CEO, Be Rise Inc.) Chiharu Taniguchi (President, DoTS Inc.) Kosuke Kubo (Vice President, Sunadani Co., Ltd.) Kenta Sumioka (Executive Director, NPO PEACE CULTURE VILLAGE) Kiyoshi Tamaki (President and CEO, Molten Corporation) Takumi Tange (Director, MSERRNT Inc.) / Dai Tange (President, MSERRNT Inc.)

Local x Innovation: The Reality of Solving Social Issues Reports on 16 pioneering cases in real economy sectors such as agriculture, nursing care, tourism, and manufacturing, where introducing advanced technology has been difficult. It covers challenges and prospects arising from the front lines of social implementation, including the digitalization of oyster farming, redefining sake, and logistics support in depopulated areas using autonomous mobile robots. Furthermore, it introduces diverse challenges originating from Hiroshima, ranging from primary industries to cutting-edge technology and education.

World-Renowned Advanced Technology (Deep Tech) from Hiroshima From the unique scientific and technological perspective of MIT Technology Review, introduces deep tech companies from Hiroshima. It features Platinum Bio Inc., aiming to become the 'second seed company' with genome analysis and editing technology, and Material Gate Inc., developing next-generation memory technology to tackle power challenges in the AI era. It explores the technological advantages of each company and their impact on industry.

[Special Interview] Hiroshima Governor Mika Yokota: 'Challenge to Become an Innovation Prefecture' Mika Yokota, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture, appears as the top administrative official. She discusses the prefecture-wide promotion of advanced social implementation initiatives as an 'Innovation Prefecture,' including the development of unique acceleration programs and attracting demonstration experiments involving regulatory relaxation, along with her vision for the future.

Hub and Platform for Social Implementation: The 'Practice' of Eikei University Introduces Eikei University of Hiroshima, which cooperated in producing this magazine, focusing on its role as a 'platform for new businesses' connecting regional resources, companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and various key players. It delves into the practical initiatives of Eikei University, including the specific activities of the 'Social Design Center (Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration and Research Promotion Center)' leading industry-academia-government collaboration, and educational content aimed at creating social issue-solving businesses, along with glimpses of the campus.

▼ Special Website Launched on MIT Technology Review [Japan Edition] Official Site Concurrent with the magazine's publication, a special website has been launched within MIT Technology Review [Japan Edition]. It features video content related to the magazine's feature articles, providing a deeper understanding of the background behind the birth of innovation from Hiroshima from business, government, and academic perspectives.

▼ Publication Commemorative Event to be Held A publication commemorative event will be held to mark the magazine's release. Under the theme 'Social Implementation City Hiroshima,' it will communicate the potential for new value creation and co-creation in regional areas. Date and Time: Friday, June 26, 2026, 13:30-15:00 (planned) *Details such as the venue and speakers will be announced later by Eikei University.

Overview 'MIT Technology Review [Japan Edition] Special Edition Post-Urban Era Social Design: Social Implementation City Hiroshima' ASCII Mook Price: 1,650 yen (1,500 yen + tax) Release Date: Friday, May 29, 2026 ISBN: 9784049113075 Magazine Code: 63693-70 Format: A4 size, 100 pages Published by: KADOKAWA CORPORATION Issued by: KADOKAWA ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc.