#Japan #Chofu #Tokyo University #Sega XD #Chofu City

Driving Towards a Zero Carbon City in Chofu

In an inspiring collaboration, Sega XD, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS), the University of Electro-Communications (UEC), and Chofu City are embarking on an exciting environmental game development project aimed at promoting awareness and action towards achieving a zero carbon city by 2050. This initiative combines the strengths of the public sector, private companies, and academia to tackle pressing environmental challenges faced by the city.

Sega XD, a company specialized in gamification, has formed a cooperative agreement with TUFS’s Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration Center. This strategic partnership is intended to enhance the development and diffusion of gamification, a method that employs game design principles in non-game contexts to drive engagement and behavioral change among users. This partnership expands to UEC and Chofu City, aligning with the city’s ambition to become a zero carbon city while fostering environmental consciousness and promoting positive behavioral changes among citizens.

The main goal of this joint environmental game development project is to deepen the understanding of environmental issues facing Chofu City and encourage residents to adopt more eco-friendly behaviors. Significantly, students from TUFS will lead this initiative, conducting research on the city’s environmental challenges and brainstorming approaches to enhance environmental awareness and inspire action through innovative game design.

Through their extensive experience in game development, Sega XD will support students throughout the planning and production process, taking on the role of overseeing the final product. UEC will contribute through its newly established Center for Entertainment Innovation, facilitating collaboration and utilizing various resources to ensure the success of this project.

This collaborative effort is particularly important as many residents perceive climate change as a distant issue that should be addressed primarily by governments and corporations, making it challenging for individuals to feel connected to the solutions. The developed game will therefore not just offer information but rather create an engaging and enjoyable experience that encourages citizens to see environmental action as a personal responsibility.

As part of the project, in March 2026, a lecture on game development was held by Sega XD’s CEO, Akira Ito, for students at TUFS. He shared insights on creating game mechanics and integrating gamification effectively into society. Additionally, student participants engaged with Masaki Takahashi, the head of zero carbon initiatives at Chofu’s Environmental Policy Division, to identify specific local environmental issues and potential pathways for behavioral change.

The development of this environmental game is aimed for completion in the winter of 2026, with plans for it to be implemented within Chofu City once finalized. This initiative will serve as a dynamic new mechanism for residents to learn about environmental actions while having fun, ultimately encouraging them to integrate these practices into their daily lives.

Project Overview

• - Name: Environmental Game Collaboration Project
• - Objective: Promote understanding of environmental issues and encourage behavioral change among Chofu City residents
• - Collaborating Entities: Sega XD, TUFS, UEC, and Chofu City
• - Number of Student Participants: 6

Development Steps

Students will engage in a practical game development process focused on enhancing local environmental awareness. The development will progress through the following steps:
1. In-depth exploration of Chofu City's environmental challenges
2. Ideation of game concepts that promote behavioral change
3. Creation of prototypes
4. Validation of effectiveness through proof of concept (PoC)

Remarks from Collaborating Entities

• - Akira Ito, CEO of Sega XD: “Addressing environmental challenges is an essential topic for achieving a sustainable society. However, engaging citizens in active environmental behavior is complex. We intend to create an experience that encourages individuals to desire participation in environmental actions through gamification.”
• - Shinya Kobayashi, Research Fellow, TUFS: “This project integrates gamification strategies into academic and government collaboration, emphasizing local contributions from our university. We aim to realize a sustainable community through this exciting initiative.”
• - Hiroshi Ishigaki, Director, UEC: “We have previously worked with Chofu City on projects like the Chofu Waste Navigation System. The environmental game project aligns with our educational goals, combining gamification with technology to solve local issues.”
• - Masaki Takahashi, Chofu City: “Being close to urban areas, major carbon emissions stem from domestic energy use. It's crucial for our residents to engage actively in carbon reduction efforts, making this game initiative an exciting challenge we enthusiastically embrace.”

Chofu City aspires to be a model for a sustainable future, with its “Zero Carbon City” declaration signaling the commitment to reduce carbon emissions. The new game developed from this collaborative effort is expected to serve as a vital tool to encourage proactive environmental behavior among its residents.

For more information about the city’s environmental initiatives, visit the official site Zero Carbon Chofu.