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.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Others
- Life-philosophy
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Not provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese |
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Signature Programme
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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
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear
icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping
audio.
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)
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
OTHER PROGRAM
Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week
