#Japan #Digital Art #ORENDA WORLD #Amakusa #Amakusa City

Introduction

ORENDA WORLD, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, is playing a pivotal role in a unique initiative in the Amakusa region of Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. The company has collaborated with Amakusa City to create the "Digital Art Island Creation Project." This project has recently been selected as an exemplary case for the Cabinet Office's initiative for regional revitalization known as "New Combinations." The aim is to explore and analyze innovative strategies that combine varying fields to generate new value for local communities.

Background and Significance

The initiative was formed to blend the rich cultural resources of Amakusa with cutting-edge digital art technologies, such as 3DCG. This blending not only aims to enhance existing industries like agriculture and tourism but also strives to establish new ones that leverage digital art to create economic opportunities.
As part of this initiative, the audit firm Azusa conducted interviews and compiled findings into a report that was recently published on the Cabinet Office's website, highlighting this unique cooperative project.

Key Features of the Project

• - Combination of Industries (Tradition × Advanced Technology): By merging traditional resources in Amakusa with digital technology, this strategy aims to lay down a new industrial foundation for the region.
• - Integration of Human Resources and Technology (Local × IT Skill Development): This project facilitates a transfer of urban creative expertise to Amakusa, while nurturing local young talents in digital skills through collaboration between industry, government, and academia.
• - Creation of Added Value (Sustainable Economic Cycle): Rather than simply hosting events, the initiative is focused on establishing new job opportunities and enhancing community engagement, thus fostering a sustainable economic environment.

ORENDA WORLD's Role

ORENDA WORLD has established a non-profit organization known as Digital Art Amakusa, aimed to combat local challenges such as the outflow of youth. Their goal is to transition the digital content industry—encompassing gaming, animation, and film—into a local industry. To date, they have engaged current creators to offer technical training at Amakusa Technical High School, and they are working toward branding the entire island as a "studio for concentrated creative efforts."

Comments from Leadership

Shibuya Haruto, CEO of ORENDA WORLD and director of Digital Art Amakusa, expressed his enthusiasm for participating in the Cabinet Office's investigation as a case study for the "New Combinations" initiative. He emphasizes that their vision transcends transient digital events; instead, they aim to create a foundation for new industries that empower local youth to thrive in their hometowns. He asserts that the blending of different fields and technologies is essential for elevating regional growth to new heights.

Future Outlook

With this collaboration and the recent publication of the hearing report, ORENDA WORLD plans to further strengthen its partnerships with the Cabinet Office and related ministries. The focus going forward is on expediting digital talent development and broadening the content created with digital art in Amakusa. The ultimate aim is to enhance the local revitalization model based on "New Combinations," fostering an ecosystem where innovative digital content continuously emerges from Amakusa, benefiting the wider region of Japan.

About ORENDA WORLD and Digital Art Amakusa

ORENDA WORLD is driven by a vision of delivering impactful experiences through design and technology. It was founded in July 2015 and focuses on AI solutions, design development, and regional revitalization efforts. They also have a studio in Amakusa, where they continue their mission of enhancing local economies through creative digital solutions.

Digital Art Amakusa was established in July 2023 to create opportunities for young talents in the field of digital art. It collaborates with local government and businesses to promote digital creativity in Amakusa, and aims to develop sustainable innovative practices that resonate both locally and globally. For further details, visit their official website: Digital Art Amakusa.