Table of Contents
In Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is taking the lead in promoting regional open innovation, and local governments are increasingly taking their own initiatives to promote regional open innovation.
In this issue, we will provide an overview of regional open innovation and what kind of initiatives are being undertaken by METI and local governments.
Examples of Regional Open Innovation
Open innovation to solve social issues faced by local communities.
About Regional Open Innovation
I will begin with an overview of regional open innovation.
What is Open Innovation?
What is open innovation?A method for collaborating with outside companies and organizations to provide each other with resources to create innovative products and services never seen beforeIt is. Many companies have adopted this method of innovation because it allows them to utilize flexible ideas and a wide range of technologies rather than developing new products and services on their own.
Significance of open innovation in rural areas
Industries in rural areas are mainly primary and secondary industries such as manufacturing and agriculture, forestry, and fishing. In rural areas, the number of players in these industries is decreasing and drastic reforms are required, but in reality, ICT and digital transformation (DX) have not progressed. Compared to urban areas, population decline, productivity improvement, and infrastructure measures in mountainous and depopulated areasBecause there are so many challenges, there is a need to solve them through open innovationI am here.
How to Promote Regional Open Innovation
To create open innovation in the region,Leverage external resources such as urban startups and higher education institutions led by local businessesIt is necessary to
Examples of Regional Open Innovation
This is followed by examples of actual regional open innovation.
Urban Innovation Kobe
Urban Innovation Kobebegan in 2018 in Kobe, Japan.Regional open innovation projects between local governments and private companiesIt is. From the previous process in which the government created the specifications and the private sector developed the system,Solicit ideas from the private sector and collaborate to develop new systems and services through demonstration experimentsThe project is now spreading nationwide. This collaborative project has spread nationwide, with 11 municipalities now participating in Urban Innovation!
Fukushima Innovation Coast
Fukushima Innovation Coastwas severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake.Regional open innovation to restore industry and create new industries in the Hamadori region of Fukushima PrefectureThe project is a "Robotics Project". The focus areas include various fields such as robotics, drones, energy, environment, and recycling, etc. In particular, in the fields of robotics and drones, the "Fukushima Robot Test Field" is used as a base to promote projects in collaboration with various private companies for the social implementation of robotics.
Solve social issues facing the region through open innovation!
Regional open innovation is,Methods to solve regional issues through open innovationThis will be the case. The method promoted by METI is a model that promotes industry-government-academia collaboration based on universities in the region.
On the other hand, some municipalitiesMovement to solve unique regional issues together with private companies by launching their own open innovation projects.The trend of open innovation is also advancing in regional areas.
Regional open innovation is an effective way to sustain regions in Japan, which faces a variety of challenges such as a declining and aging population and falling birthrate, and the decline of local industries.
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