Event Detail

The Japanese government has announced plans to promote the development of environmental infrastructure in eleven cities nationwide, over half of which are located in the devastated areas of Tohoku, as part of its plan for Japanese revival. Six areas in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures have been designated as sites for "eco-cities" which will experiment with new ways to combine green technologies and the smart grid with the latest methods in urban planning and development. A strong emphasis will be placed on community-based development and resilience in the event of future threats. Professor Hideaki Miyata of Tokyo University and Mr. Kimikazu Uemura, CEO of Index Consulting K.K. are leading the project team which is designing the first project to receive approval in the Ofunato-Rikuzen-takata-Sumita area. You are invited to come to hear how these initiatives may change the face of Japan. Professor Hideaki Miyata: Professor in the Department of Systems Innovation and the Department of Environmental and Ocean Engineering at Tokyo University. Doctor of Engineering. Naval Architect, Simulation Software Architect, Social System Architect. Technical Director for Nippon Challenge America's Cup (1995-2000). Fellow, World Innovation Foundation (2002), Social Systems Innovation by Secondary Batteries, Administrative Director (2009). East Japan Future Smart City Project, Administrative Director (2011). Imperial Prize & Japan Academy Prize (2011). Kimikazu Uemura: Mr. Kimikazu Uemura is President and CEO of Index Consulting, Inc. He is a graduate of Meijo University, Department of Architecture and California Institute of the Arts, Department of Architecture. He began his career at SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP) in San Francisco, CA before returning to Japan to take part in his family business, Uemura Lumber and Uemura Sangyo Co., Ltd. In 1994, he established International Design Exchange, an all-around construction project management company, which became Index Consulting, Inc. in 2002. Mr. Uemura is also the co-founder (along with Prof. Hideaki Miyata of Tokyo University) and the head executive officer of "Forum for East Japan Smart City Project" (Est. June 17, 2011). This think tank was established to help reconstruct the devastated cities of Eastern Japan as smart cities, and to build cities that balance human needs with the natural environment. In cooperation with the Kesen Region in Iwate Prefecture (including Rikuzen-takata City, Ofunato City, and the Town of Sumita), the think tank has recently made its proposal to the "Future City Initiative" which is designed around a focus on the storage battery industry. Mr. Uemura has also recently been named one of three special advisors to the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, with responsibilities for a project entitled "Nation and Community Building with Durability and Vitality."