#Japan #Osaka #Expo 2025 #Spice Factory

Spice Factory's New Venture in Kansai

Spice Factory Inc., a prominent digital services integrator based in Tokyo, has officially inaugurated its Kansai base in Osaka's Chuo Ward as of March 2, 2026. Situated on the 10th floor of 'THE VILLAGE OSAKA,' an all-inclusive office space managed by Ichigo Land Co., this new facility aims to do more than just provide office space. The company will collaboratively oversee the operation and event planning of the entire common area, realizing its vision to serve as a hub for innovation and social engagement.

On March 6, a celebratory opening reception titled 'Meet The Neighbors!' marked the commencement of this initiative, drawing over 300 attendees from various sectors, including industry, government, and academia. This launch symbolizes the beginning of a new 'experimental space' that aims to connect the excitement of the Expo with everyday business practices.

Realizing the Expo's Legacy: A Space that Embodies Vision

The Osaka-Kansai Expo not only sparks technological advancements but also poses the fundamental question of how these innovations can be reintegrated into society. In response, Spice Factory has committed to reconfiguring the materials and exhibits from the Expo into this new space. Under the supervision of sustainable architect Fara Talarie, the company has creatively upcycled construction materials from the Signature Pavilion 'Adventure of Life' and the Panasonic Group Pavilion 'Nomo no Kuni.' This unique space reflects the ethos of 'not letting it end with a one-time event,' transforming the Expo's value into a tangible form meant for continued daily use rather than a fleeting experience.

Opening Report: A Festive Atmosphere with 300 People and a Shared Spirit

The opening event on March 6 transcended a mere ceremony, marking a moment of inception for a new ecosystem in Kansai. Commencing with a tape-cutting ceremony led by Ichigo Land's Yasuhide Hosono and Spice Factory's Hiroyuki Takagi, the event fostered multi-layered dialogues that highlighted various perspectives.

• - Co-Creation Discussions between Owners and Startups: During the event, Yasuhide Hosono engaged in discussions with representatives from promising startups, including Mr. Iwasaki from Red Cliff Co., Mr. Nishimura from Yaruka Yaranaka, and Mr. Nuno from Ethical Expo Japan. Guided by Rento Yasukawa from Spice Factory, these conversations delved into the community’s role in transforming real estate into a thriving sanctuary for growing businesses.

• - Live Painting by Masaharu Kawamori: Expo producer Masaharu Kawamori joined in a dialogue with Spice Factory's CSO Aya Nagao, further enhancing the ambiance through live painting on the 10th floor. The moment Kawamori signed his artwork set the scene abuzz with applause, imbuing the location with a renewed creative spirit.

• - Collaboration Beyond Local Ecosystems: Key representatives from four of Kansai's prominent hubs—QUINTBRIDGE, NORIBA10, Blooming Camp, and JAM BASE—gathered to discuss collaborations aimed at accelerating innovation across the region.

• - Engaging Interactions: A lucky draw for stays at Ichigo Group's lifestyle hotel 'THE KNOT' allowed over 300 attendees to forge new connections amidst the festive atmosphere.

Community Management Launching in Summer 2026

Looking ahead, Spice Factory aims to kick off a new operational approach for the shared event space within 'THE VILLAGE OSAKA' by the summer of 2026. This initiative will include practical matchmaking to create synergies among tenants and external enterprises, cultivate an incubation environment where entrepreneurs can brainstorm regularly, and establish a platform that fosters and disseminates up-to-date business knowledge across the community. By blending tangible real estate with the intangible aspect of community management, the company seeks to transform office buildings into 'opportunities for new value creation,' ultimately contributing to continuous innovation in the Kansai area.