Design Lab for our Future Co–existence

The School of Designing our Future Society

[Theme3] Designing a Future Society for the Era of 100–year Life


Information

As Japan enters an era of unparalleled longevity while facing a declining birthrate, there is a growing need to redefine the way we live and work. Creating a society where everyone can actively participate and live with security has become a critical challenge. In “Designing a Future Society for the Era of 100–year Life,” we will explore how to ensure well–being while addressing issues such as ultra–low birthrates, aging populations, and demographic decline. Experts from various fields–including geriatric medicine, aging economics, sociology, and philosophy–will engage in discussions from multiple perspectives to collaboratively design a new future society.

FY2025

Can Connection Be Designed? — Housing and Community Development in the 100–Year Life Era

  • Information:
    In the era of the 100–year life, where and how will we remain connected? Amid growing loneliness in aging societies, this workshop critically examines the meaning of “connection” and the assumptions behind current initiatives. We explore what kinds of connections truly matter and what kinds of “places” can support them, considering space and architecture alongside management and social dynamics. Through cross–disciplinary dialogue, we aim to rethink connection not as a vague ideal, but as a set of examinable conditions. All those interested in aging societies, communities, and human relationships are welcome to join.
  • Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 13:00 – 15:30
  • Venue: TOKYO ELECTRON House of Creativity 1F, Lounge, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University
  • Speakers:
    Haruka Tsukuda (School of Engineering, Tohoku University)
    Kiyonari Kato (Kabushiki Kaisha Nokishita)
  • Link: Japanese

Visit to Open Village Nokishita: A Community Model for an Inclusive and Aging Society

  • Information:
    Participants will experience how Open Village Nokishita brings people together across generations and abilities – through a talk with village chief Kiyonari Kato, a lively flea market visit, and a tour of the unique community facilities.
  • Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025 10:00 – 12:10 (JST)
  • Venue: Open Village Nokishita
  • Speaker: Kiyonari Kato (Kabushiki Kaisha Nokishita)
  • Participants: Students of The School of Designing our Future Society

Third Organizational Meeting: Roles Division and Ice Breaking Activity

  • Information:
    Participants discussed and decided their respective roles for the workshop. In addition, participants presented and practiced their proposed ice breaking activity, one of them confirmed by all to be used in the workshop.
  • Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025 10:00 – 11:30 (JST)
  • Venue: Online
  • Participants: Students of Theme 3, The School of Designing our Future Society

Second Organizational Meeting: Substantializing the Workshop

  • Information:
    Participants shared ideas on their workshop design and agreed on attending to “connection” from the perspective of infrastructure in an aging society. A visit to OpenVillage NOKISHITA was planned.
  • Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 10:30 – 12:00 (JST)
  • Venue: TOKYO ELECTRON House of Creativity 2F, Public Space, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University
  • Participants: Students of Theme 3, The School of Designing our Future Society

First Organizational Meeting: Topic Presentations

  • Information:
    Participants introduced and discussed their proposed workshop topics, agreeing at the end on setting “connection” as this year’s topic.
  • Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 16:20 – 17:50 (JST)
  • Venue: Online
  • Participants: Students of Theme 3, The School of Designing our Future Society

Orientation for 2025 Activities

  • Information:
    Introduction to 2025 activities and participant proposals presented.
  • Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 8:50 – 10:20 (JST)
  • Venue: Online
  • Participants: Students of Theme 3, The School of Designing our Future Society

FY2024

Tohoku Forum for Creativity and Tokyo Electron Cooperation
｢School of Designing of Future Society｣ Special Lectures —Towards the Realization of a Well–being Society—

  • Date: Sunday, February 2, 2025 14:00 – 16:30
  • Venue: TOKYO ELECTRON House of Creativity 3F, Lecture Theater, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University / Online
  • Speakers:
    Chihiro Hosoda (Tohoku University)
    Takashi Maeno (Keio University / Musashino University)
    Kiyotaka Naoe (Tohoku University)
  • Link: English / Japanese

Open Workshop: The Future of a Super–Aging Society Solved Through Gender Equality

  • Date:
    Saturday, February 1, 2025 13:00 – 17:30 (JST)
    Sunday, February 2, 2025 10:00 – 12:00 (JST)
  • Venue: Seminar Room, Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Katahira Campus, Tohoku University
  • Speakers:
    Hiroshi Yoshida (The Graduate School of Economics, Tohoku University)
    Ayako Sonoda (Cre–en Inc.)
  • Link: Open Workshop: The Future of a Super–Aging Society Solved Through Gender Equality (in Japanese)