Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week
In-between Life and IT
EXPO 2025 Thematic Project "Quest of Life" (Producer FUKUOKA Shin-Ichi)
A discussion on "Life" featuring FUKUOKA Shinichi, a biologist and the producer of the thematic project "Quest of Life" for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and SAWADA Jun, Chairman of NTT. This conversation will explore the philosophy of bridging life and IT—two seemingly opposing concepts—and consider the new culture that will emerge at the Expo.
Discussion
- Others
- Life-philosophy
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Not provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese |
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Signature Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.04.28[Mon]
15:00 ～ 16:00
(Venue Open 14:30)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
FUKUOKA Shinichi, the producer of the "Dynamic Equilibrium of Life" Pavilion, and SAWADA Jun, who oversees the NTT Pavilion will engage in a discussion on the new culture they aim to foster through their respective pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, they will explore how society can address current challenges, what's needed to build a better society and culture, and the keys to shaping a brighter future.*This program is expected to be conducted in Japanese only.
Reports
【Reflection】
I discussed topics such as “the new culture we wish to create at the Expo” with NTT Chairman Jun Sawada. NTT is also exhibiting a corporate pavilion.
This pavilion features spatial transmission technology based on the next-generation information and communications infrastructure “IOWN”, which is attracting significant attention.
Between the NTT Pavilion and the Pavilion of Dynamic Equilibrium of Life, an “Interactive Dialogue” installation utilising IOWN has been set up. We also had a lively discussion about the evolution of communication methods NTT has pioneered and the nature of AI, which is sweeping the world. Visitors showed particular interest in topics such as life, science and technology, and the relationship between IT and life. I felt the Theme Weeks Studio was a compact venue conducive to conversation. Audiences remarked, ‘The studio had such an immersive feel that we became completely absorbed.’
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
We shall utilise the content of this dialogue in future lectures and writing projects. Furthermore, we shall continue to disseminate our perspectives on the themes “What should the relationship between life and science and technology be?” and “The possibilities for future society demonstrated by each pavilion at this Expo” even after the Expo concludes.
Cast
Speakers
FUKUOKA Shin-Ichi
Thematic Project Producer
FUKUOKA Shin-Ichi was born in Tokyo in 1959. He is a biologist,a professor at Aoyama Gakuin University,and a visiting professor at Rockefeller University in the U.S.A.
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SAWADA Jun
Executive Chairman and member of the board of Nippon Telegraph and Telepone (NTT)
SAWADA Jun is the Chairman and Member of the Board, and former President and Chief Executive Officer of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation. During his presidency, he pursued drastic reforms, including the announcement of the next-generation information and communication infrastructure concept “IOWN,” the reorganization of the NTT group, and the promotion of partnerships both domestically and internationally. He is also known for his deep appreciation of philosophy. In his book Paraconsistent World, he proposes a vision of the future from the perspectives of philosophy, life sciences, and information sciences. He also serves as the Chairman of the Japan-U.S. Business Council, a Vice Chair of the Japan Business Federation and a Visiting Professor of Ritsumeikan University Business School. In June 2024, he was awarded Honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contributions to UK/Japan trade and investment and to UK/Japan relations. He graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering, Kyoto University.
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Co-organiser
NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION (NTT)
More Information
Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week
In-between Life and IT
A discussion on "Life" featuring FUKUOKA Shinichi, a biologist and the producer of the thematic project "Quest of Life" for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and SAWADA Jun, Chairman of NTT. This conversation will explore the philosophy of bridging life and IT—two seemingly opposing concepts—and consider the new culture that will emerge at the Expo.
-
2025.04.28[Mon]
15:00～16:00
(Venue Open 14:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week
