SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week
New Storytelling: Speculative Music That Shapes the Future
Agenda 2025 Co-created Programme
Shape New World Initiative
[Hypothesis of the Future in 2050] A future where, through the power of storytelling, people can proactively engage with and solve global challenges.
Young people are the generation responsible for shaping the future of 2050, as well as the generation entitled to enjoy that era. However, from the important perspective of choosing their own future, many young people are not yet proactively engaging with social issues or global challenges. Therefore, we turn our attention to entertainment — a powerful cultural force that deeply influences young people and plays a major role in shaping our values. Together with popular artists and Vocaloid producers who have participated in a new speculative design initiative through music, we explore the potential of storytelling.
Discussion
- life
- future society
- Society 5.0
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
Reservations are required for this programme.
Booking typically opens with the '2-month advance lottery.' Click below for details.
* Arrive early; latecomers may not be admitted.
For more information about making a reservation to watch a programme.
Please watch the Virtual Studio if you are outside the venue.
-
Agenda2025
Co-created Programme
- * 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.
- Time and
Date of
the event -
-
2025.10.11[Sat]
17:15 ～ 18:45
(Venue Open 17:00)
-
- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
In this program, we invite popular artists, Vocaloid producers, and writers who participated in the special exhibition “Speculative Music” at the Osaka Kansai International Art Festival to explore the power of new forms of storytelling that influence people. The discussion will include ideas that apply speculative design—an approach that vividly presents visions to inspire imagination about which social and global issues we should confront—to the field of music. By examining topics such as self-awareness in the age of artificial intelligence, validation by others, differences in values and interpretations between individuals and society, and the underlying concept of “we,” each creator’s insights will serve as a lens to consider how music and entertainment can drive social change.
Cast
Moderator
Hiroshi Sakuma
Specially Appointed Researcher at the Social Solutions Initiative, Osaka University, Head of the Shape New World Initiative
Born in 1996. Mr. Sakuma has been engaged in the research on the new form of communication using avatars and agents at Osaka University. At Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, he is in charge of the exhibition "Future Virtual Being" as a director of Osaka Pavilion. He is also a principal investigator of the research on the design of future societies, a joint research project between Osaka University and the Japan Science and Technology Agency. In addition to his current position as a chairperson of Shape New World Committee, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and he is also a member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan. In 2021, he was appointed as a team leader for a research study on the Moonshot Research and Development Program. He was selected as one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Japan 2023 and is a recipient of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award of the Japan Open Innovation Prize.
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Speakers
r-906
Musician
While primarily creating music using synthetic vocals, they have broadened their scope of activities according to their interests, encompassing illustration, animation, video production, DJing, and novel writing. Characterised by crisp rhythms and memorable melodies, their work contrasts catchy hooks with lyrical, introspective lyrics. Their musical output spans diverse genres, including official demo songs for synthetic voice software, contributions to other artists' projects and music games, and film theme songs.
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sekai
Artist
Primarily posts Vocaloid tracks alongside covers of J-POP and band songs, whilst also performing guitar and piano. Has released numerous original compositions, including ‘ספירות’ for which they wrote the lyrics and provided vocals. On 19 March 2023, held their first solo live concert at Shibuya CLUB QUATTRO, with tickets selling out immediately. Released their first physical package work, the 1st Mini AL ‘enigma’, in April 2023.
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x0o0x_
Musician, Vocaloid producer
Creates whatever he likes, however he likes, across all media. Produces numerous tracks themed around the unconscious and malice, whilst also posting covers, primarily of Vocaloid songs. Has also provided music for artists such as Wolpis Carter, sekai, and Sou. Served as the original creator for the serialised work “Kisaragi Ibun” in comic HOWL.
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Yu Utsubo
Artist
Expresses the anxiety, madness, and self-loathing lurking within everyday life in a comical and surreal manner. The beats generated by sampling scenes from daily life and repeatedly deconstructing and reconstructing them sound as though they might have arisen by chance within ordinary existence.
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Mirin Sheeno
Vocaloid Producer and Musician
Born in 2003. Vocaloid producer and musician. Working primarily within electronica, he crosses genres to construct speculative works. He has contributed extensively to major scenes including TV anime and games, alongside official collaborations with Hatsune Miku, Ado, Kafa, and Project Sekai. His activities extend beyond music, including spearheading ‘StudioGnu’ – an initiative gathering creators, engineers, and academics to explore interdisciplinary production from the online scene.
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Nirufruits
Lyricist, Composer, Arranger
Primarily active as a composer for VOCALOID tracks. Rooted in rock music, he traverses diverse genres with remarkable freedom. His work creates a unique worldview through the synergistic effect of highly addictive visuals laced with mystery. He actively participates in arranging and providing music for major artists such as Nanawa Akari, Sou, and Ado.
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SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week
New Storytelling: Speculative Music That Shapes the Future
Agenda 2025 Co-created Programme
[Hypothesis of the Future in 2050] A future where, through the power of storytelling, people can proactively engage with and solve global challenges.
Young people are the generation responsible for shaping the future of 2050, as well as the generation entitled to enjoy that era. However, from the important perspective of choosing their own future, many young people are not yet proactively engaging with social issues or global challenges. Therefore, we turn our attention to entertainment — a powerful cultural force that deeply influences young people and plays a major role in shaping our values. Together with popular artists and Vocaloid producers who have participated in a new speculative design initiative through music, we explore the potential of storytelling.
-
2025.10.11[Sat]
17:15～18:45
(Venue Open 17:00)
- 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.
Reservations are required for this programme.
Booking typically opens with the '2-month advance lottery.' Click below for details.
* Arrive early; latecomers may not be admitted.
For more information about making a reservation to watch a programme.
Please watch the Virtual Studio if you are outside the venue.
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