The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has selected three projects out of 2050 that submitted applications for its 2050 "Tokyo Metropolitan Government and University Joint Projects," which sought to realize the vision of Tokyo in the 2025s as outlined in the "18 Tokyo Strategy: Making Tokyo Better."
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has established a "Regular University Discussion Group" with the aim of providing a permanent forum for communication between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and universities within the city with a view to future policy collaboration, and for the free exchange of opinions on solving Tokyo's problems, its future, improving Tokyo's international competitiveness, and so on. Currently, 28 universities are participating.
The "Tokyo Metropolitan Government and University Joint Project" involves forming teams from multiple universities participating in the regular roundtable discussions to conduct joint research, etc. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will support the project costs up to a maximum of 600 million yen, and the research results will be returned to the citizens of Tokyo. The project period is until the end of March 8.
The projects selected for the 2025 "Joint Projects between Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Universities" are: "Creating a Space in the Local Community - The Tokyo University of the Arts x University of Tokyo Bench Project," "Creating a Medical Environment Where People Can Receive Medical Treatment with Peace of Mind Regardless of Their Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation," and "Project to Create a Local Industry Utilizing Idle Greenhouses - Passing on Oshima's Resources to the Next Generation."
The "Creating a 'Space' in the Community - Geidai x Todai Bench Project" is a joint project between Tokyo University of the Arts and the University of Tokyo, where students work with local residents to conduct research and create benches, and through art, take on the challenge of creating a 'space' in the community in modern society. With benches as the keyword, events such as open lectures and workshops are planned, mainly in the Yanesen area, to promote ongoing community activities and collaboration.
"Creating a medical environment where patients can feel safe regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation" is a joint project between Juntendo University, Aoyama Gakuin University, and Teikyo University. Video educational materials will be created for medical institutions that will allow transgender people and people with same-sex partners to experience and understand the difficulties they face in hospitals from their perspective. The educational materials will be made available free of charge and will be widely disseminated to medical professionals, educational institutions, etc.
The "Local Industry Creation Project Utilizing Idle Greenhouses - Passing on Oshima's Resources to the Next Generation" is a joint venture between the University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and Teikyo University. By utilizing idle greenhouses and combining advanced cultivation techniques and digital technology, the project aims to steadily produce fresh pepper, a high-added-value ingredient. The project will also promote the creation and branding of local industries by verifying a farming model at a shared farm and developing menus using agricultural products from Oshima.
The results of the joint research will be returned to the citizens of Tokyo, and the project will run until the end of March 2026. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will provide support for the project costs to participating universities up to a maximum of 3 million yen.
<Universities participating in regular meetings with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government> In alphabetical order
[National and public universities] Ochanomizu University, University of Electro-Communications, University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Hitotsubashi University
[Private Universities] Aoyama Gakuin University, Keio University, Kokugakuin University, Kokushikan University, Komazawa University, Juntendo University, Sophia University, Senshu University, Chuo University, Tsuda University, Teikyo University, Tokai University, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Science, Toyo University, Nippon Sport Science University, Hosei University, Rikkyo University, Waseda University
