Necessities of Life: Food, Clothing and Shelter Week
Creating an economy based on empathy and a society of mutual assistance
- Let's all talk about the path to realizing this social economy.
Social Solution Initiative, The University of Osaka
This event, organized by the project "Creating an Economy Based on Empathy and a Society of Mutual Assistance," will discuss the realization of an empathetic economy by promoting stakeholder/ESG management, ethical consumption, and sustainable procurement.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Ethical consumption
- Sustainable fashion
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Not provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese |
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Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.06.08[Sun]
15:30 ～ 16:30
(Venue Open 15:15)
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- Venue
- Others (Inside Venue)
- "TEAM EXPO Pavilion"
Programme details
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*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
1. Empathy economy, mutual assistance society
・The state of society and economy from before the industrial revolution to the present day
・What future social economy should look like with the information revolution and social acceptance
2.Panel discussion
Issue 1: How can we achieve “Practice in which citizens choose good companies in terms of investment, donations, consumption, and labor”?
Issue 2: How to create a “sustainable economy with healthy inflation by passing social impact costs on to prices”
Isues 3: Creating a concrete path towards ``a society where everyone's lives are saved and shines through a cycle of helping and being helped.
Reports
【Reflection】
Initially, established the think tank “Social Solutions Initiative (SSI)” as an Assistant to the President of Osaka University. In 2023, Professor Takuo Domoto, Vice Chair of the Life Conference Project Executive Committee, presented a vision for society centered on “lives in need of support (people, living beings, the Earth).” He emphasized that implementing the session themes “An Economy Based on Empathy” and “A Mutual Aid Society” is essential to realize this vision.
As an overview of these actions, Professor Takeshi Ito of Osaka University SSI first positioned the essence of the economy as the creation of value to support “all” life. He stated this is realized through a virtuous societal cycle driven by consumers, workers, and investors empathizing with and choosing “good companies.” Individuals support companies through purchasing, investment, and employment, while companies return not only profits but also social impact to society. This economic cycle driven by the “power of choice” based on shared values was shown to be the key to building a sustainable society.
From the corporate side, Yohei Yamamoto of KOA Corporation, an electronic component manufacturer originating in the Ina Valley, Nagano, introduced their management approach. This involves borrowing trust (resources) from five stakeholders—customers, business partners, employees and their families, the local community, and shareholders—and circulating it as fruitful outcomes (wages, dividends, and social contributions). This approach demonstrates simultaneous creation of economic and social value, exemplified by domestic production of high-value-added products and regional value creation through foundation and forestry initiatives. From the investment perspective, Renji Hirase of Sustainable Lab Co., Ltd. explained their efforts to digitize non-financial information (human resources, society, environment), enabling corporate evaluation and linking this data to investment decisions. By introducing a “kindness” metric into markets often dominated by short-term profitability, they aim to broaden preference for strong yet compassionate companies. From the citizen perspective, Ms. Yuzuko Shimomura of the certified NPO Environmental Citizens highlighted the potential for ethical consumption—considering environment, human rights, peace, and future generations—to spread awareness among citizens, change purchasing behavior, and ultimately influence markets.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
As demonstrated in this session, the approach to realizing an empathy economy and mutual aid society by harnessing the power of choice among consumers, workers, investors, businesses, capital, and civil society is not merely idealistic. It is a practical endeavor that establishes market viability through evaluation metrics, lending guidelines, and concrete practices. Together with many like-minded partners, including the speakers of this session, we will actively pursue tangible actions. By creating an empathy-driven economy, we aim to sustainably and steadily generate both economic value and social impact, supporting all lives in need of assistance.
Cast
Moderator
Takeshi Ito
Professor, Social Solution Initiative, The University of Osaka
MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. Ph.D. from Graduate School of Management and Information Sciences.Joined Osaka University SSI in 2018 after working as a representative of a management consultant company. Member of the Resource Recycling Working Group of the Japan Expo Association. Supervised supplementary reader for Junior EXPO education program.
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Speakers
Takuo Dome
Professor, Advisor to the President Director. Director of Social Solution Initiative, The University of Osaka
Completed doctoral course at Kyoto University Graduate School of Economics. Professor at Osaka University since 2001. In 2018, the think tank "Social Solutions Initiative (SSI)" was established on campus. In 2023, Vice-chairman of the Inochi forum Executive Committee. Preparations are underway to issue the "Inochi Declaration" at the 2025 World Expo venue.
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Yohei Yamamoto
KOA CORPORATION
General Manager, Management Strategy Center in April 2024.
Joined the company in 1999, served in the Accounting and Finance Department and the Strategy Department.
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Renji Hirase
CEO of Sustainable Lab Inc. / Representative Director of Sustainability Data Standardization Consortium
Graduated from the Faculty of Science, Osaka University. While still a student, became involved in venture businesses within the sustainability domain serving as a management planner and environmental engineer. Currently serves as Representative Director of the Sustainability Data Standardization Consortium and as a lecturer for the Kyoto University ESG Research Group. Has authored numerous publications and delivered many lectures on non-financial big data.
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Shizuko Shimomura
Deputy Executive Director, The Citizens Environmental Foundation (CEF)
Involved in the activities of CEF since 1997 and became a board member in 2002. Actively engaged in initiatives such as the Eco-tourism Study Group and the Eco-city Study Group, as well as in promoting green consumerism, ethical consumption, and sustainability practices among small and medium-sized enterprises.
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Co-organiser
Inochi Forum
Necessities of Life: Food, Clothing and Shelter Week
Creating an economy based on empathy and a society of mutual assistance
- Let's all talk about the path to realizing this social economy.
This event, organized by the project "Creating an Economy Based on Empathy and a Society of Mutual Assistance," will discuss the realization of an empathetic economy by promoting stakeholder/ESG management, ethical consumption, and sustainable procurement.
-
2025.06.08[Sun]
15:30～16:30
(Venue Open 15:15)
- Others (Inside Venue)
- * 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.
OTHER PROGRAM
Necessities of Life: Food, Clothing and Shelter Week
