Source: Peatix

[SHIBUYA QWS original program "QWS ACADEMIA"]

This is a program in collaboration with universities that allows students to encounter "unknown questions." At universities, there are students and researchers who are facing a wide variety of "questions." "QWS ACADEMIA" is not just a class where knowledge is transmitted, but aims to stimulate each other in both directions and create a chemical reaction.

【Event Summary】
Date: 2025/12/01(Mon)
Time: 17:00 - 19:00
Location: CROSS PARK (inside SHIBUYA QWS)
Participation Fee: Free
Capacity: Approximately 70 people

[Objective of the event]

In recent years, it has been pointed out that "government crisis management" and "corporate disaster prevention measures" alone have their limits when it comes to responding to disasters, and that in order to face complex and unpredictable disasters, it is important to have relationships between people (= social capital) in peacetime. It has been empirically shown that deepening trust and relationships through the promotion of local events (festivals, Bon Odori dances, sports days, etc.), local activities in peacetime, and volunteer activities increases "mutual aid" behavior after a disaster.

<Reference>

Yasuo Kawawaki, "Does Local Social Capital Promote Mutual Aid in Disasters? - Empirical Analysis Based on Surveys in Areas Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake"

Masaaki Fuse, "Analysis of the impact of social capital on disaster prevention activities: Using a survey of residents of three cities affected by the earthquake"

However, in recent years, these local events themselves have been declining, and the reality is that there are fewer opportunities to foster community ties. Due to the declining birthrate and aging population, an increase in the number of people moving in, and diversifying working styles, there is a shortage of people to take on community-based events and neighborhood association activities, and the everyday relationships that form the foundation of "mutual assistance" are weakening.

Furthermore, there has been no systematic progress in developing "hub personnel" or "coordinators" who can connect people and organizations across government, business, and citizens. In many regions, these roles depend on a few enthusiastic individuals, and if they are transferred or retire, the network is severed, creating a vulnerability.

In other words, while the importance of social capital is beginning to be understood, the issue now being raised is how to sustainably nurture and pass it on in everyday life and in local management.

<Reference>

Taku Kanno "Networks as a way to solve 'difficult problems'"

Meanwhile, the public-private co-creation platform "Connecting 30 People" has been connecting government, businesses, NPOs, and citizens across borders across Japan over the past decade, naturally increasing the number of "public actors." Going forward, there is great potential to utilize this knowledge and network in the field of disaster prevention, from the perspective of developing "hub human resources."

In this session, we welcome Mr. Ito, representative of the General Incorporated Association Fourth Team, which began its activities at the site of the Great East Japan Earthquake and continues to work on citizen-led disaster prevention. Starting from the reality seen at the site of disaster recovery, we will explore what kind of power the "Connecting 30 People" can exert both in peacetime and in times of disaster, intersecting research knowledge and practical knowledge.

​
Toshiki Nishiyama

Professor, Tokyo City University, PhD (Government and Media)
Born on March 29, 1976 in Akabane, Kita-ku, Tokyo. Completed the Master's and Doctoral programs at the Keio University Faculty of Policy Management and the Graduate School of Media and Governance. Obtained his PhD in Media and Governance in March 2003. After serving as a special lecturer at the Keio University Graduate School of Media and Governance, a special associate professor at the Keio University School of Medicine, and a special associate professor at the Keio University Graduate School of System Design and Management, he became an associate professor at the Tokyo City University Faculty of Urban Life Studies on April 1, 2015, and will become a professor at the same university on April 1, 2025.

He has also served for many years as a visiting researcher at the Regional Development Research Institute, a general incorporated foundation under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, where he has practically researched and proposed ways to combine universal design and eco-design (design with low environmental impact) at both universities and think tanks. He is also one of the few researchers knowledgeable about public transport, particularly methods for revitalizing route buses. He also has extensive experience as an advisor to local government regional transport planning departments and bus companies. As a specialist in universal design, he is also well-versed in social survey methods for ascertaining people's needs.

He also holds important positions in academic societies, including as a director of the Japan Telework Society and a council member of the Human Interface Society. He is a member of the Japan Academy of Nursing Technology.

Publications: Introduction to Data Collection and Analysis: Techniques for Effectively Understanding Society (Keio University Press, 2013), Universal Design Handbook (translated, Maruzen, 2003), etc.

Kentaro Kao

Representative Director of ADDRIVE Inc., Representative Director of the General Incorporated Association Tsunagaru 30jin
Originally from Fukuoka Prefecture, he moved to Tokyo alone after high school. After graduating from the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies at Keio University, he worked in sales at a telecommunications company before going freelance in 2005, where he was involved in PR planning for NPOs. In 2013, he helped create a forum for dialogue between local governments (national, prefectural, and municipal) and citizens regarding the construction of a massive seawall in Tohoku, which led him to join Future Sessions Inc. in 2015. In 2016, he was involved in the launch and management of "30 People Connecting Shibuya," and in 2019, he joined Slow Innovation Inc., where he was responsible for the nationwide expansion and management of the program to Yokohama, Nagoya, and other locations. In 2022, he founded the general incorporated association Connecting 30 People, serving as its representative director. In 2023, he founded ADDRIVE Inc., seeking to further the potential of "Connecting 30 People."

Jun Ito (Yon)

Originally from Iwate Prefecture, he worked as a safety manager in the construction industry, and after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, he founded the Fourth Brigade, an independent support group that provides emergency response to disaster areas.
In August 2022, the Fourth Team General Incorporated Association was established to raise awareness of the need for ongoing support and to carry out a wide range of awareness-raising activities, primarily focusing on disaster prevention and mitigation, in addition to recovery and reconstruction work.

Currently, he is involved in support activities for the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

【ABOUT SHIBUYA QWS】
SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE opened on November 1, 2019, directly connected to and above Shibuya Station. SHIBUYA QWS (hereinafter QWS) is a members-only facility located on the 15th floor. With the concept of "Not just asking, not just meeting, not just creating, but changing the world," the facility aims to create a movement that leads to unknown value by intersecting the [questions] of players with diverse backgrounds.
https://shibuya-qws.com/

[Regarding the content of your responses that includes personal information]
The personal information you provide will be managed in accordance with SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE, Ltd.'s personal information management regulations, and will be disposed of in an appropriate manner after use.
https://shibuya-qws.com/privacy-policy

[About the information listed for this event]
Information regarding speakers and the program will be updated as changes or additional decisions are made.

Venue