Digital Garage to Build Shibuya into a Smart City that Employs Advanced Technology by Joining Future Design Shibuya

Digital Garage, Inc. (TSE first section: 4819; HQ: Tokyo; Representative Director, President Executive Officer and Group CEO: Kaoru Hayashi; DG) will begin development of smart city initiatives by building the cities of the future through advanced technology. As the first of these projects, DG will participate as a collaborating partner of Future Design Shibuya, a joint project of industry, government, and academia to transform Shibuya into a smart city in April 2018. Future Design Shibuya will collect the ideas and talents of the diverse array of people that gather in the Shibuya area, crossing boundaries and using open innovation to design solutions for social issues. The organization will also promote research studies, planning, implementation, and support of these efforts. At the same time, collaboration with Future Design Shibuya will enable DG to verify the use of new technology in Shibuya and eventually carry out smart city initiatives on local cities across Japan, contributing to development in local areas as well. To prepare for these new initiatives, DG opened its Smart City Planning Office in October 2017.

In addition, collaboration with Future Design Shibuya will enable DG to speed the development of technology carried out by the open innovation R&D organization DG Lab. These technologies include Blockchain, AI (Artificial Intelligence), VR/AR, Security, and Biotechnology. With Shibuya planning to introduce 5G (next generation communication technology) in the future, the joint project will enable experimental implementation of these new technologies in smart city initiatives. Technological development for infrastructure such as 5G network is scheduled to be carried out in close collaboration with “The Father of the Internet”, Professor Jun Murai (Keio University), who has also been a close adviser of DG since its founding. To operate as the center of this development, DG plans to create an incubation center in the redeveloped areas of Shibuya. The center will provide technicians and entrepreneurs possessing global aspirations with a comfortable office space and know-how from experienced entrepreneurs and investors. Utilizing its global network as well as the insights gained through support of startup corporations such as the Open Network Lab and other accelerator programs, DG will attract ambitious entrepreneurs and technicians from across the globe to the Shibuya area. In addition, the Shibuya innovation center will also link with other innovation centers in Europe and the USA, helping Shibuya to become the technological hub of Asia.

“The tidal wave of open innovation that began from the Internet has brought about technological development that is now beginning to transform the way we live, so much so that it is being called the fourth industrial revolution. The Shibuya area has always been a launching pad for new trends and in preparation for the Olympics in 2020, we believe it is the perfect location to digest this new technical revolution and present it to the world. Through its incubation know-how, global network, and the results of research from the DG Lab, DG will take on the challenge of even greater technological innovation within the incredible diversity of Shibuya, supporting the neighborhood’s rebirth as a transmission base for culture that will cross the globe.” (Kaoru Hayashi, DG Representative Director, President Executive Officer and Group CEO).

“Starting with the launching of Japan’s first individual homepage, “Tomigaya”, in 1994, Digital Garage began its history in Tomigaya and other areas of Shibuya before growing into the global corporation it is today. We are ecstatic to have Digital Garage participate in the “Future Design Shibuya” project that will forge the neighborhood’s future. Together, Shibuya City and Digital Garage will generate open innovation and create a “Shibuya Model” that will address social issues through new ideas and power. We are very excited to see those efforts spread and develop across the globe.” (Ken Hasebe, Shibuya City Mayor).

【DG Lab】https://www.dglab.com/en/
An open innovation R&D organization jointly established by DG, Kakaku.com, Inc. (TSE first section: 2371, HQ: Tokyo, President and Representative Director: Shonosuke Hata) and Credit Saison Co., Ltd. (TSE first section: 8253, HQ: Tokyo, President and CEO: Hiroshi Rinno).