2021 TK | New Context Conference

“Earthshot” Whole Earth 2021 @Tokyo

Half Century Since Whole Earth Catalog: Shaping the Future with Technology

Location
Tokyo, Japan

Date
11 August, 2021

This conference proposed new perspectives for tackling global shifts in society, environment, and technology. Stewart Brand, founder of the Whole Earth Catalog, served as the main guest and led multifaceted discussions on the importance of long-term thinking and the relationship between culture and technology. With a focus on sustainability, post-COVID redesign, and technological ethics, speakers offered a wide range of visions for a more sustainable future.

Global IT History

Japan’s Digital Transformation Begins

The Digital Agency is established with 600 staff (one-third from the private sector) and a ¥400 billion budget
99% of stamp requirements are abolished
The government aims to make 98% of administrative procedures online by 2025
My Number Card adoption reaches 40%
Through the GIGA School Initiative, over 96% of elementary and junior high schools implement one device per student

Global Rise of Climate Tech

Global cleantech investment reaches $755 billion
Rapid growth in renewable energy, EVs, and energy efficiency technologies
Venture investment in climate tech surges 210% year-over-year to $37 billion, driving global startup participation in decarbonization
Major nations including the U.S., EU, Japan, and China announce or strengthen 2050 carbon neutrality goals
Tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon accelerate carbon-neutral commitments

Agenda

Greetings

Opening Remarks

Kaoru Hayashi

Keynote Session

Stewart Brand

Joichi Ito

Session 1 - Whole Earth Catalog and Art, Culture

In this session, we will consider the roots of the Silicon Valley counterculture and the current ESG in the context of art and creativity.

Fireside Chats

Mitsuhiro Takemura

Jane Metcalfe

Nick Philip

Session 2 - Aims of Digital Society and Open Government

With the pandemic of the COVID-19 and the rapid progress of DX in the world, Japan's efforts to realize a digital society are about to take off. In this session, we will discuss the initiatives for a digital society and open government, and what we are aiming for.

Talk

Taro Kono

Talk

Takuya Hirai

Panel Discussion

Taro Kono

Takuya Hirai

Jun Murai

Jennifer Pahlka

Joichi Ito

Talk: Challenges & Opportunities in Applied Government Digital Transformation

Kate McCall-Kiley

Talk: Digital Social Innovation

Audrey Tang

Panel Discussion

Kate McCall-Kiley

Audrey Tang

Jun Murai

Joichi Ito

Live Painting

Live Painting (video)

Miwa Komatsu

Artist Talk

Miwa Komatsu

Zenryu Hidaka

Kaoru Hayashi

Joichi Ito

Session 3 - Climate Change and Intended Consequences

Green recovery is the process of rebuilding the economy and society while reducing climate change and protecting complex ecosystems. In this session, we will focus on decarbonization efforts, and discuss our mission in the complex ecosystem of our irreplaceable planet.

Talk: Earth & Space: Lessons for Climate Change Resilience

Ariel Ekblaw

Fireside Chats

Ryan Phelan

Joichi Ito

Panel Discussion

Shinjiro Koizumi

Shiro Kambe

Takashi Ikeuchi

Mayumi Tsuryu

Joichi Ito

Startup Pitch

Fujio Kojima

Yukihiko Ito

Session 4 - Impact Investment and the Realization of the Sustainable Society

Startups can be a leader in solving various social problems. In this session, we will discuss the current status and future goals of impact investing, which is attracting attention globally, as well as the role of government, and consider the realization of a sustainable society.