ACTIVITY REPORT

On August 18, 2025, at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, I (Morio) and the Kansei (sensibility) Team led by Professor Seung Hee Lee (Max Hansen, Atsushi Kishimoto, Alvin Ismail from University of Tsukuba, and Marina Hamanaka from Joshibi University of Art and Design) took the stage at the event “Science: Connecting You to the Future,” hosted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. While my primary domain is the metaverse, this time I appeared on stage as a 2.5D white fox, a hybrid of physical and virtual presence.

On stage, I first explained the overview of the ISS Project, emphasizing that an inclusive smart society aims to be one that supports individuals from diverse backgrounds. I also explained that realizing a smart society for individuals requires valuing personal KANSEI (meaning “sensibility” in Japanese), which has become a global term just as KANSAI (the area where the Expo venue is located).

Next, Mr. Hansen, also active on Instagram as “Daigo Max,” delivered a lively talk. He introduced the first gadget: a watch-like device that visualizes heartbeats, showing a video and live demonstration. Mr. Alvin operated the gadget. Changes in relaxation or tension affect the displayed heartbeat pattern, visualizing one’s mental state through the screen.

The second gadget, devised by Ms. Hamanaka, changes lighting colors when hugging a stuffed animal. Mr. Kishimoto operated it. The introduction video showed a shy student, played by Ms. Hamanaka, opening up to friends and sharing emotions through the gadget.

After introducing the gadgets, audience members were invited on stage to experience them. In the experience corner, Dr. Keiichi Zempo, who appeared in the previous session, also participated and tried the wristwatch-type device. For the second gadget, a child from the audience came on stage and hugged a stuffed MYAKU-MYAKU character doll equipped with the device.

This stage presentation served as an excellent opportunity to showcase the ISS program’s concept and its concrete achievements. We would like to express our sincere gratitude once again to Mr. Takashi Inutsuka of the Tsukuba Global Innovation Promotion Agency for his tremendous efforts in making this stage presentation possible, and to Professor Seung Hee Lee for her cooperation in introducing the gadgets.