A Conference among Professionals from Multi-perspective Discussing about "Circulation" to Create a Future of Cities, Culture, and Economy
* Please do not worry, we will have English-speaking staff at the venues.
*Major keynote speeches and panel discussions will be available in English with simultaneous AI interpretation at the venue.
NEWS
- 2024.07.21 up! new! Announcement: Audrey Tang Confirmed for Keynote at "Circular Cities 2024"
- 2024.07.07 up! new! First Batch of Participating Members for "Circular Cities 2024" Announced!
- 2024.06.19 up! Taiwan Circular Trip Report Meeting on ZOOM! July 3rd, 19:30 (Free Participation)
- 2024.05.22 up! First Announcement for "Circular Cities 2024": The event will be held over three days from November 28-30, 2024!
- 2024.05.22 up! "Circular Cities 2024" Early Bird Tickets Now Available!
2024
What is Circular Cities?
"Circular Cities" is a conference with professionals from multi-perspective fields, both domestic and international, gather to discuss "circulation" as a key concept to shape future cities, culture, and economy. Following a trial event in the winter of 2023, the first full-scale conference will take place in Kyoto in the fall of 2024.
In today's world, every field is undergoing redefinition, and we believe the keyword is "circulation." This event was initiated to bring together diverse experts to discuss and create solutions from multiple perspectives. The 2023 trial event featured sessions with architects, thatch roof artisans, agricultural, fishing, and forestry professionals, farmers market operators, restaurant owners, compost advisors, apparel brand owners, startup founders focusing on natural burials, and contemporary artists.
Additionally, "Circular Cities" serves not only as a conference but also as an exhibition for businesses centered around "circulation." Adjacent to the conference venue, unique businesses from across the country will showcase their innovative projects.
The conference and exhibition will also feature international participants, with expected guests from Taiwan, the Netherlands, and other countries.
During the day, the venue will host conferences, exhibitions, workshops, and displays, while the evenings will be reserved for networking events. "Circular Cities" aims to be a celebratory space, featuring live performances by musicians and art installations, offering a pleasant time for everyone to share.
One reason for the three-day event is to provide ample time for speakers and participants to deepen relationships and have meaningful discussions. This setting aims to facilitate business promotion, the formation of collaborations, and encounters with supporters. The event will actively collaborate with government entities, financial institutions, VCs, developers, and media representatives.
We invite everyone to join us in sharing business ideas that shape the future and foster new connections among people!
Event Overview
| Name | Circular Cities Conference & Festival 2024 |
|---|---|
| Content | Conference + Exhibition + Networking Event and more |
| Dates | November 28 (Thursday), 29 (Friday), 30 (Saturday), 2024 - 3 days |
| Venue | Kyoto, Umekoji Area |
| Organizer | "Circular Cities" Executive Committee (Contact: R Real Estate Inc.) |
| Supported by | City of Kyoto |
| Remarks | Art exhibitions, live events, workshops, etc., will also be held during the event. |
| How to Participate | Early bird tickets are on sale now on the Motion Gallery site. |
Special Guest
We are pleased to announce that Audrey Tang, former Digital Minister of Taiwan, will be the special guest delivering the keynote speech at "Circular Cities 2024"! Although the presentation will be online, there will be a live interview with her from the venue. Viewing is only available at the venue, and there will be no secondary distribution.
Audrey Tang mastered advanced mathematics by the age of six and computer programming by the age of eight. By 19, she held a key position at a software company and worked as an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley.
A pioneer of the civic tech community g0v, Tang played a crucial role in Taiwan’s response to COVID-19.
Through the innovative platform Join.gov.tw, Tang made it easier for Taiwanese citizens to submit digital petitions for government transparency.
A staunch advocate for democracy, Tang dedicated herself to live-streaming during the 2014 "Sunflower Movement."
As Taiwan's first Digital Minister, she masterfully combined her programming expertise with political insight.
Tang values pluralism and highly regards the internet as a means to connect people based on shared interests rather than locations.
Her remarkable journey and achievements testify to her dedication to becoming a "good ancestor for future generations.”
Participating People
We are introducing those who have expressed their intention to participate in "Cities and Circulation 2024" (in no particular order, titles omitted).
※Updated as of July 8, 2024.
Professor in the PhD program of Art Theory and Practice at Tainan National University of the Arts. Since 2009, editor-in-chief and president of the quarterly journal Art Critique in Taiwan (ACT). Highly regarded for his Chinese translations of works by Gaston Bachelard, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Carl Gustav Jung. Chief curator of "Kau-Puê, Mutual Companionship in Near Future: 2017 Soulangh International Contemporary Art Festival" (Tainan City) in 2017 and chief curator of "Mattauw Triennial" (Tainan City) in 2022.
» Madou Sugar Industry Earth Art Festival
Monk/Industry Monk/CEO of Interbeing Inc. Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum (Davos). Visiting Professor at Musashino University. Author of The Monk's Guide to Cleaning Your Heart (Discover Twentyone). Translator of Good Ancestor: Can We Become ‘Good Ancestors’? (Asunaro Shobo). Featured in Forbes JAPAN’s June 2023 issue as one of the "100 World-Saving Hopefuls."
» Sho-Kei Matsumoto Official Site
» Note by Sho-Kei Matsumoto
» Interbeing Inc.
Amsterdam-based artist. On his personal website, titled The Incredible Shrinking Man, he mentions that although he is about 2 meters tall, he is not satisfied with his height and believes humans could be smaller.
» ARNE HENDRIKS
Founded Tohoku Reconstruction Newspaper, Taberu Tsushin, and Pocket Marche (now Amakaze Taiyo). Since 2019, has been expanding Japanese community kitchens from the Basque Country, Spain, and started working as the strategy lead for the sustainable ocean chef team "Chefs for the Blue" in 2022.
» Tohoku Reconstruction Newspaper
» Amakaze Taiyo
» NPO HUG
» Chefs for the Blue
From Osaka. After graduating from university, traveled across Japan to learn about local conditions. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, started a bento business with women from a fishing village in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, and established a market connecting food creators and consumers in Sumida, Tokyo. Later, co-founded Se-Vegetable with Jun Hachiya, working to create a new seaweed food culture.
» Sea-Vegetable LLC
Born in Saga Prefecture in 1968. Established Open A in 2003. Engages in architectural design, urban planning, and writing, and simultaneously started "Real Tokyo Estate." Professor at Tohoku University of Art and Design. Co-author of Temporary Architecture: Temporary Buildings and Social Experiments (Gakugei Publishing, 2020), among others.
» OpenA
» Real Tokyo Estate
Faced with Japan’s burial issues after her parents’ reburial, conceived "Circulating Funeral RETURN TO NATURE." Founded at FOREST Inc. and launched services at Nose Myoken-yama, Kansai, Kitakobe in 2023.
» at FOREST Co.
» Circulating Funeral RETURN TO NATURE
Resident of Karuizawa, Nagano. A graduate of a night high school. At 24, co-founded a paid nursing home and practiced creating open spaces in town with artists, university students, and children. Studied in Denmark in 2015. Opened "Hotchi's Lodge with a Clinic and Large Kitchen" in Karuizawa, Nagano in 2019 with Dr. Hiroyuki Kureyanagi. Co-author of Social Prescribing and Care, Community Building, and Occasionally Art.
» Hotchi's Lodge
Designer of the plant-dyed silk lingerie brand "Liv ." Launched a co-creation project "MORI WO ORU" for spring 2024, focusing on eco-friendly silk clothing and ecosystem design through craft culture. Enjoys field exploration.
» MORI WO ORU
CEO of Circular Initiatives & Partners/Advisor for Growth Strategy for Kyoto City/Researcher in Circular Economy. Graduated with a master’s degree from Kiel University in "Sustainability, Society and the Environment." Highly praised for his practice and theory of circular economy, receiving the "Youth National Honor Award" Prime Minister’s Encouragement Prize (Grand Prix) in 2021. Author of Practical Circular Economy: Exploring Business Models in the Netherlands (Gakugei Publishing).
» Circular Initiatives & Partners Inc.
After working on business strategies at Accenture (Strategy Group), entered Tokyo University of the Arts graduate school. Realized the need for better relationships between creativity and funding and established "MOTION GALLERY" in 2011. Opened a mini-theater "K2" in Shimokitazawa in 2022. Also involved in the "Saitama International Art Festival 2020" as a curator and film producer.
» MOTION GALLERY
Born in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture in 1974. Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University. Elected as an Iwate Prefecture Assembly member in 2006 after working as a parliamentary secretary. Elected as the top winner in consecutive terms. Ran for Iwate governor after the earthquake but lost and retired from politics. Founded NPO Tohoku Development in 2013 and launched the world’s first food-focused information magazine "Tohoku Taberu Tsushin" as editor-in-chief. Founded the company in 2015 and became CEO.
» Amakaze Taiyo Inc.
Leads design firm NOSIGNER, which works on projects connected to future hopes. Exhibits high expression abilities in architecture, product, and graphic design, receiving over 100 international awards. Proposes "Evolutionary Thinking," learning creativity from biological adaptation. Main projects include Tokyo Disaster Prevention and PANDAID. His major work, Evolutionary Thinking (Ami no Kaze, 2021), won the 30th Yamamoto Shichihei Prize. Former youngest JIDA president and WDO board member.
» NOSIGNER
Operates about 70 apparel retail brands such as SPINNS and mumokuteki. Since 2022, has initiated "Circulation Fest" in Kyoto City and the local recycling/circulation infrastructure project "RELEASESCATCH."
» Human Forum Inc.
Japan's first zero-waste supermarket where all food and daily necessities can be purchased in bulk. Stores are located in Kyoto and Tokyo.
» TOTOYA
Fourth-generation lacquerware artisan at a store founded in 1909. Handles procurement of lacquer tree sap, refining raw lacquer, blending, and coloring. Initiated activities to expand the possibilities of lacquer and afforestation as a sustainable natural material used in Japan for over 10,000 years. Proposes a circular craft production connecting "growing," "making," and "using," and "Craft Forest."
» Tsutsumi Asakichi Lacquer Shop
Started the "Blank Project" after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Began a DIY experiment with compost as part of infrastructure. Conducts projects sharing spaces where soil is created through dialogue with microorganisms.
» SOICHIRO MIHARA
First-class architect, real estate transaction specialist, PMP. Conducts research on international trends in sustainability and supports the introduction of overseas building environmental performance assessment systems in Japan. Leveraging these experiences, he is also involved in the conceptualization and writing for projects.
» ARUP
In the media "Real Public Estate," she covers domestic and international case studies, plans events and awards, and consults on public space utilization projects for municipalities. She is also involved in the "IKEBUKURO LIVING LOOP" program, which connects social experiments to urban policy in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, creating public spaces full of publicness and tolerance.
» Real Public Estate
» nest Inc.
Holds a Master's degree in Urban Planning from the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine. Joined Mori Building Co., Ltd. in 1999. In 2010, he started Lusie Co., Ltd. and launched Kobe R Real Estate. He is the representative director of the KOBE FARMERS MARKET general incorporated association.
» EAT LOCAL KOBE
» Lusie Co., Ltd.
» Real Kobe Estate
Born in 1974. Completed graduate school at Kyoto University of the Arts. He is the representative director of SHIBAURA HOUSE (Minato-ku, Tokyo). In 2011, he renovated the office building inherited from his father with the help of architect Kazuyo Sejima. Part of the office building is open to the public and operates as a community space for local residents. In recent years, he has also been focusing on projects that combine social issues and creativity.
» SHIBAURA HOUSE Co., Ltd.
Timetable
※As of July 21, 2024. The final timetable will be posted on the official website cccf.jp as soon as it is finalized, but this is the current schedule. Please refer to it for your convenience.
2023
PHOTO & MOVIE
Event Overview
| Name | 都市と循環 CCCF (Circular Cities Conference & Festival) |
|---|---|
| Dates | Thursday, December 7, 2023, 13:00-22:00 Friday, December 8, 2023, 9:00-14:30 |
| Venue | KAGANHOTEL and other buildings in the Tambaguchi area, Kyoto City |
| Organizer | "Circular Cities Conference & Festival" Committee (Secretariat: R Real Estate Co., Ltd.) |
| Cooperation | Kyoto Shinkin Bank |
| Contents | Talk sessions, networking events, exhibitions |
| Participation Fee | Ticket A: Access to all talk sessions + networking event + live performance + dinner on the first night & lunch on the second day: 15,000 yen (tax included) Ticket B: Access to all talk sessions + networking event + live performance (no food included): 10,000 yen (tax included) Ticket C: Networking event + live performance + dinner on the first night & lunch on the second day: 5,000 yen (tax included) Ticket D: Single talk session ticket (per program): 2,000 yen (tax included) |
| How to Participate |
Speakers
December 7, 14:15-16:00, Venue 1 Talk Session: "Architecture and Circulation"
Founded the architecture tech startup VUILD in 2017 with the aim of "democratizing architecture." Major awards include the Under 35 Architects Exhibition Gold Medal (2019) and the Good Design Gold Award (2020). [Portrait photo by Seiichi Saito]
Born in 1980. Thatching craftsman. Based in Ogo-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, he engages in activities that fit thatching into modern times while playing with grass between the sky and earth, urban and rural areas, Japan and abroad, past and present, and between farmers and craftsmen. Recipient of the Kobe City Cultural Encouragement Award, among others.
First-class architect, real estate transaction specialist, PMP. Provides consulting to introduce the unique skills of Arup's overseas offices to Japan, handles the overseas expansion of Japanese companies, and manages projects of foreign companies in Japan.
December 7, 14:15-16:00, Venue 2 Talk Session: "Food, Agriculture, and Circulation"
Born in 1990. Returned to Japan after training at 'Michel Bras' in France and switched to service. Worked in restaurants in Osaka and Tokyo, at 'VUE DE MONDE' in Australia, and was head sommelier at 'Clooney' in New Zealand. Opened LURRA° in July 2019.
Founded 'Tohoku Reconstruction Newspaper,' 'Eating Communication,' and Pocket Marche Co., Ltd. (now Rain, Wind, and Sun). Since 2019, he has been introducing a community kitchen from the Basque region of Spain to Japan and has been in charge of strategy for the "Chefs for the Blue" team for a sustainable ocean since 2022.
Born in 1981. Fisherman since around 2000. Director of Hyogo Fisheries Cooperative Association. Chairman of the Fisheries Research Association, which was created by young members within the cooperative. Recently, he has been engaged in activities to protect the marine environment, such as experimenting with clam and seaweed farming in Hyogo Canal for environmental improvement.
Holds a Master's degree in Urban Planning from the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine. Joined Mori Building Co., Ltd. in 1999. Started Lusie Co., Ltd. in 2010 and launched Kobe R Real Estate. He is the representative director of the KOBE FARMERS MARKET general incorporated association.
December 7, 16:15-18:00, Venue 1 Talk Session: "Circular Economy in the Netherlands and Taiwan"
Studied architecture at RWTH Aachen University. Co-founded Space&Matter in Amsterdam in 2009 during the economic crisis. Focuses on introducing the principles of doughnut economics into the built environment. Founded De Ceuvel and SWEETS Hotel.
Educated as an engineer and architect at Cornell University and Harvard University. Over the past 18 years, has completed over 300,000 square meters of circular buildings in 17 major cities worldwide, transforming local waste into upcycled modular building products.
Registered architect in the Netherlands. Graduated from the Berlage Institute as a Dutch government scholarship student. Founded Urbanberry Design in Amsterdam in 2002. Specializes in creating concepts for startups and is involved in projects related to architecture, interiors, urban development, and urban planning.
December 7, 16:15-18:00, Venue 2 Talk Session: "Soil and Circulation"
Born in 1986. The Kurokawa Onsen area compost project, which he advised on, won the "Environmental Economics Division Director Award" at the "Sustainable Awards 2020" hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Consumer Affairs Agency, and the Ministry of the Environment.
Born in 1970. Established the wood material platform "SHARE WOODS" in 2013. Participates in the Rokko Mountain Forest Maintenance Strategy in Kobe City. Works on creating distribution and economic circulation systems for local materials.
Founded at FOREST Co., Ltd. and created the "Circular Burial RETURN TO NATURE" in response to the reburial of her parents. Started the service in 2023 at the Noseda Myokenguchi sacred site in the Kansai-Hokusetsu region.
December 8, 10:00-12:00, Venue 1 Talk Session: "Consumption and Circulation"
Born in 1988. Resides in Kita-ku, Kyoto. Representative of Circular Initiatives & Partners. Received the "Prime Minister's Encouragement Award (Grand Prix)" at the "Youth Version of the National Honor Award (TOYP2021)." Author of "Practical Circular Economy: Exploring Business Models in the Netherlands" (Gakugei Publishing).
Japan's first zero-waste supermarket where all food and daily necessities can be purchased by weight. Stores in Kyoto and Tokyo.
Born in Okayama Prefecture in 1981. Founded MITTAN in 2013 and incorporated it in 2016. MITTAN has been offering "repair and re-dyeing" since its establishment, and started "product buyback" and "background introduction via QR code" in 2021.
Operates approximately 70 stores, including the apparel retail brand [SPINNS]. Since 2022, has launched the "Circular Festival" and the "RELEASE⇆CATCH" initiative for the collection and circulation infrastructure of used clothes, primarily in Kyoto City.
Operates approximately 70 stores, including the apparel retail brand [SPINNS]. Since 2022, has launched the "Circular Festival" and the "RELEASE⇆CATCH" initiative for the collection and circulation infrastructure of used clothes, primarily in Kyoto City.
December 8, 10:00-12:00, Venue 2 Talk Session: "Art and Circulation"
In 2011, renovated the printing company's office building inherited from his father into SHIBAURA HOUSE. The building, designed by architect Kazuyo Sejima, has a part that is open to the public and operates as a community space for local residents.
Born in 1977 in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands. Takes portraits of animals that have special relationships with humans. A few years ago, she documented Japan's original breed of horses.
Started the "Blank Project" in response to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Began composting as a DIY infrastructure experiment. Conducts projects sharing spaces where soil is created, fascinated by the dialogue with microorganisms. [Portrait photo by Tadayuki Yamamoto]
Timetable
Food
We will offer dishes and drinks that capture the terroir of the Kyoto area. Buffet style.
【Evening of December 7】
CORNER MIX
A specialty shop for delicious, fun, and eco-friendly mixed juices. They plan to serve mixed juices made from vegetables and fruits that were set to be discarded, as well as game curry and sake lees soup.
Yamakadoya
A Kyoto-based pop-up rice ball shop. They create personalized rice balls on the spot to meet individual needs.
Maku Food and Publishing
A family unit based in Kyoto that explores food. They convey themes related to food, agriculture, and the body through cooking and publishing, offering Kyoto vegetable dishes known as obanzai.
Sake: Tsuki no Katsura (Masuda Tokubei Shoten)
Founded in 1675, this sake brewery has been brewing sake in Fushimi, Kyoto, for about 350 years. It is the originator of cloudy sake.
Wine: Botanical Life
A winery in Kasai, Hyogo, cultivating their own vineyards and making wine through natural methods, attracting many fans.
Beer: Kyoto Beer Lab
A brewpub brewing and serving craft beer using their own tea.
【Lunch on December 8】
Aoonigiri
An onigiri shop that embodies the local spirit of Sakyo-ku, Kyoto. Celebrating its 12th anniversary, it started from a cart.
Maku Food and Publishing
They will provide side dishes to accompany the rice balls.
Live Performance
Kei Yamamoto performs live with a unique style that combines classical sounds and live electro. His sound resonates in a wide range of fields both domestically and internationally. He is also active as a member of the instrumental band "NABOWA," formed in 2004.
Exhibition
Booths from businesses across the country showcasing technologies and ideas about "circulation." There will also be booths related to the speakers, local sake corners, and book sales corners.
■Exhibitors List
Yamagata: Pottery artist Tatsunori Sato
Shonan: 27 COFFEE ROASTERS / Real Kamakura Estate
Southern Yatsugatake: KEIPE Inc. / GASBON METABOLISM / real local Southern Yatsugatake / Tanbayama Club Agricultural Cooperative / Fermentation Design Lab Inc.
Kanazawa: Modern Village / Kanazawa Citizens' Power Plant
Fukui: Nokate / Solid Lab inc. & TONKAN terrace / MADE B
Nagoya: Ichiten Go Inc. / Sonoto Chigifuto
Osaka: Tanaka Sawmill / JunAle / Tsuruumi Printing Office / Arts & Crafts
Kyoto: Happouryouka / Verseau / Mobile Food with Surplus Vegetables by Nahare
Kobe: EAT LOCAL KOBE / HOUSE for LOCAL / at FOREST
Kitakyushu: The Certain Bar
Kagoshima: Satsumasendai City, and more
※There will also be a book sales booth.
Exhibition Management: real local
Setup: TEAM Clapton
MAP
Inquiries
"Circular Cities" Executive Committee
(Secretariat)3F Mejiro Center, 3-14-16 Shimoochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Inside R Real Estate Inc.
TEL 03-5988-7123
Contact: Kondo, Yazaki, Yoshizato
E-mail junkan@speac.co.jp