Overseas Study Program 'INNOVATOR’S PASSPORT LONDON&BARCELONA' Announced

SIGNING Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Takahiro Maki, hereinafter 'SIGNING') has announced the launch of an overseas study and training program titled 'INNOVATOR’S PASSPORT LONDON&BARCELONA,' in collaboration with Yomiko Advertising, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Hideyuki Kikuchi, hereinafter 'YOMIKO'), a consulting firm active in digital, distribution, and sales domains. This program offers experiential learning on the frontlines of global social innovation.

Official website: https://innovators-passport.jp/LONBCN2026

About INNOVATOR’S PASSPORT

Cities around the world are currently witnessing the emergence of new initiatives aimed at nurturing urban vitality and enhancing area value.

SIGNING and YOMIKO have been researching the forefront of 'urban innovation' worldwide, including creative city-making powered by digital technology, work and lifestyle models that realize well-being, sustainable economies shaping the future, next-generation cultural movements, and social innovations that encourage citizen co-creation.

This program is a tour initiative that allows participants to experience, on-site, the 'early signals' of urban futures we have been exploring.

Official website: https://innovators-passport.jp/

About This Program

This program offers experiential learning on the latest trends in 'urban innovation' to co-create future societies, through on-the-ground fieldwork and expert sessions focused on:

- Area activation strategies that foster urban vitality in London and Barcelona - On-site observation of 'Smart City Expo World Congress 2026,' the world’s largest international event themed around urban innovation

Building on last year’s success, this program is jointly planned and operated with YOMIKO’s Urban Lifestyle Research Institute, which focuses on Civic Pride® research and value creation through Community Creation®. The program emphasizes solving challenges for citizens, businesses, and society through co-creation among public, private, and civic sectors, delivering an even more enriched experience.

* 'Civic Pride / Civic Pride,' 'CIVIC PRIDE,' and 'Community Creation' are registered trademarks of Yomiko Advertising, Inc.

Program Objectives

- Experience area activation strategies that foster innovation in leading global cities

Learn, through dialogue with local key figures and experts, the methods and realities of co-creation driven by diverse players such as citizens, government, private enterprises, research institutions, and startups.

- Gain insights into the latest global smart city trends from 'Smart City Expo World Congress 2026'

In addition to guided tours of the event venue, exclusive dialogues with the event organizing team will provide opportunities to understand the global future trends in urban innovation.

- Networking and exchange opportunities among program participants

Through this program, deepen conversations with key figures driving cutting-edge urban development worldwide and fellow participants. A post-program workshop is scheduled to help participants extract actionable insights for business innovation in their respective fields.

Program Overview

### Orientation and Pre-Seminar (Scheduled mid-October)

- Introduction to the study program and visiting locations

- Pre-orientation including interviews and discussions on topics participants wish to explore, countries for relationship-building, and ecosystem organizations

### On-Site Study Tour

Schedule: October 29 (Thu) – November 6 (Fri), 7 nights, 9 days

Locations: London (UK) and Barcelona (Spain)

#### Area Activation Strategies for Urban Vitality

Cities worldwide are now being challenged not only to operate sustainably but also to activate urban life by unlocking the creativity of people, culture, technology, and business.

Richer public spaces, urban OS and data utilization, new cultural creation, business ecosystems, and cross-sector co-creation models that turn diversity into strength—this program offers experiential learning on the latest urban innovation trends through real-world practices in London and Barcelona.

#### Smart City Expo World Congress

The 'Smart City Expo World Congress' is the world’s largest international event and platform that transforms urban challenges into new business opportunities. Held annually in November in Barcelona, Spain, it brings together the United Nations, European Commission, national and local governments, NGOs, and corporations. Under the vision of sustainability and circularity, cutting-edge technologies, strategies, and ideas for next-generation cities and living environments converge—covering digital infrastructure, mobility, and public services.

Cities are the breeding grounds for innovation.

For enterprises that grow alongside cities and their residents, the Smart City Expo World Congress offers a prime opportunity to directly connect with future customers, partners, and policymakers, accelerating business growth.

https://www.smartcityexpo.com/

### Wrap-up Meeting and Business Ideation Workshop (Scheduled end of December)

- Sharing of on-site study reports

- Reflection sessions among participants and discussions aimed at future business innovation

Other activities are also planned.

Program Directors

### SIGNING Chief Research Director

(Concurrently Creative Business Producer at Hakuhodo)

Kazuhiko Washio

After serving in Marketing, Creative, and the Institute for Comprehensive Living Research, he currently leads R&D at SIGNING. He conducts fieldwork domestically and internationally, researching the frontlines of 'social innovation.' Major publications include 'Empathy Branding' (Kodansha), 'The Challenge of Ars Electronica' (Gakugei Publishing), 'CITY BY ALL ~ Co-Creating Places to Live' (Hakuhodo), 'Cultural Competency' (co-authored, Bootleg), and 'Creative Japan Strategy' (co-authored, Hakutou Shobo).

### Yomiko Advertising, Inc. Community Creation Business Division

Urban Lifestyle Research Institute, Urban Development Production Room, Head of Department

Kenaki Nakamura

Graduated from Keio SFC, majoring in environmental design including architecture and urban planning. Joined Yomiko Advertising in 2007.

Engaged in mixed-use developments, commercial facilities, and hotel projects for various developers, while also leading municipal regional branding initiatives. He promotes business development centered on urban development, participating from strategic planning to implementation of space, experiences, and communications. In 2024, he was dispatched to Gehl Architects, a Copenhagen-based urban strategy and design consulting firm, contributing visibly to urban development in Japan.