How to Solve Social Issues through Open Innovation

I recently attended a roundtable meeting for the winners of the “10th SDGs Essay Award by Sumitomo Riko” (hereinafter referred to as the “Essay Award”).
Again, Professor Yukari Takamura of the University of Tokyo chaired the judging committee and gave a lecture on the theme of “Impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity and Global Trends in the U.S. and Other Countries.
We also could hear from Mr. Toru Kohara＊1 of ASAHI YOU.US, LTD. who served as a final judge, about “approaches to social problem-solving projects and open innovation through co-creation.”

＊1:As a technical developer of containers and packaging for beverage manufacturers, he has created many hit products, including those that won the Good Design Award, and was involved in the establishment of ASAHI YOU.US, as well as producing co-created products with companies and local governments.

For this year's Essay Award, we have set “How to Solve Social Issues through Open Innovation” as the theme of the call for entries.
here are limits to what a company can do alone to solve increasingly complex social issues.
Based on the premise of collaboration with diverse stakeholders such as other companies, local governments, universities, and NPOs, the students proposed concrete solutions from their unique perspectives.
As I feel every time, being exposed to the fresh senses of the students is a good opportunity for me to reflect on myself.
After the meeting, a brief reception was held, and it was impressive to see the attendees relaxing and discussing their true feelings with each other.
I felt as if I had returned to my student days, and we enthusiastically discussed the future of co-creation.
Our Group is currently working with LanzaTech, Inc., an American biotechnology company, to develop a technology to recycle rubber into raw materials by utilizing microorganisms. 

We are also engaged in research on cellular food products, or cultured meat, using cell culture bags made from proprietary materials and precision molding technology, in cooperation with IntegriCulture Inc. 

In order to make these new and unique initiatives successful, “co-creation” with a diverse group of people is essential in addition to information gathering and building networks.
It was a very meaningful opportunity for us to think about what initiatives we should pursue in the future and to envision the future of our Group.
Let us all move forward together this year keeping in mind the importance of “Banji-nissei.”