#Japan #Tokyo #Gamification #Digital Entertainment Asset #XU Conference

Digital Entertainment Asset Unveils Innovative Disaster Prevention Project at XU Conference 2026

On March 20, 2026, Digital Entertainment Asset (DEA), a Tokyo-based company dedicated to social issue-solving gaming, participated as a co-organizing partner in the "XU Conference 2026 - The Power of Japan Exhibition" held at Toranomon Hills. During the conference's fourth segment, titled "The Future of Local Communities × Action Expo! - Creating Disaster Tech with University Students. Let's Protect Our Cities from Disasters!" DEA's President Kozo Yamada shared the stage with prominent figures, including producer Atsushi Tamura, representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mori Building Company, and leaders from disaster tech companies. They introduced a concept for sustainable disaster prevention using gamification and declared the launch of a new initiative: the "XU Jun LABO".

Overview of XU Conference 2026

The XU Conference 2026 aimed to tackle global issues through Japan's technological prowess. This event gathered leading companies, researchers, and students from Japan, creating a platform not only to discuss technology but also to outline concrete plans for implementing that technology into solutions for challenges in energy, environment, industrial structure, and regional economies.

DEA's Commitment to Social Contribution through Gamification

Fifteen years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and in light of lessons learned from subsequent disasters like the Noto Peninsula earthquake, it has become critical to transform disaster preparedness from something viewed as a special provision into an everyday norm. During his presentation, DEA's Yamada highlighted the limitations of relying solely on the goodwill of volunteers and community contributions. He proposed that by leveraging gamification knowledge to motivate "voluntary enjoyment," sustainable social implementation becomes possible.

Specifically, Yamada discussed DEA's citizen-involved infrastructure inspection game, "PicTrée," which encourages citizens to participate in inspecting and photographing infrastructure in a fun way. This approach provides a foundation for cooperative efforts during emergencies, and the democratization of infrastructure management through the power of play is increasingly recognized as a new form of social contribution in disaster preparedness.

Bridging Japanese Disaster Technology into Daily Life through Phase-Free Co-Creation

The conference also displayed high-quality Japanese manufacturing techniques, integrating them into DEA's vision of "enjoyable" disaster technologies. Demonstrations of phase-free disaster technologies illustrated the removal of barriers between everyday life and emergency situations.

Yamada expressed a desire to elevate these outstanding disaster technologies from being merely stockpiled goods to services that enable citizens to engage with and utilize them in daily life through DEA's gamification techniques. This approach emphasizes a future of collaboration and practical implementation.

The Launch of "XU University (XU Jun LABO)": A Campus-Free Implementation Community

In a pivotal moment of the session, Atsushi Tamura and representatives from various participating organizations announced the launch of the next-generation participatory project, "XU University." This innovative educational platform transcends traditional institutional boundaries and focuses on three key pillars:

1. No Physical Campus: Utilizing meeting rooms and labs from partner companies across Japan as the "campus" without a fixed location.
2. Rapid Social Implementation of Research: Connecting students' innovative ideas with cutting-edge technologies from companies and governmental support to quickly launch real-world projects.
3. Students as Information Hubs: Under Tamura's guidance, students will serve as information dissemination points, fostering awareness of disaster tech and contributing to regional revitalization.

Yamada concluded his remarks, stating, "By expanding this new concept of 'XU University,' we aim to evolve disaster prevention from an obligation into a joyful and creative endeavor for protecting our communities through the utilization of DEA's gamification strategies."

Event Details

Event Name: XU Conference 2026 - The Power of Japan Exhibition
Date: March 20, 2026
Venue: Toranomon Hills Station Tower, Station Atrium B2
Organizer: XU (X Innovation Empowers U)
Speakers (Part 4):

• - Atsushi Tamura (Planning and General Producer)
• - Go Imai (CEO of HI-NEXU)
• - Momo Mikami (Moderator, Meteorologist and Disaster Prevention Expert)
• - Kozo Yamada (President of Digital Entertainment Asset)
• - Representatives from Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mori Building Company, Aluminum Factory Co., Ltd., SHINKA, Sparks Asset Management Co., Ltd., and Wabou Electronics Co., Ltd.

Company Overview

Company Name: Digital Entertainment Asset, Inc. (DEA)
CEO: Naoto Yoshida and Kozo Yamada
Location: 2F, Kowa Building, 1-6-11 Nishishinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Established: January 2026
Founded: August 2018
Business Focus: Social issue-solving gaming initiatives