The Small Things Inc. Engages in Aichi's Sports Innovation Project

The Small Things Inc., headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, led by President Yoshifumi Tagami, has been awarded a significant contract for the "Aichi Sports Innovation Project" initiated by Aichi Prefecture. As part of this collaboration, Tagami will serve as an advisor, bringing invaluable expertise to this innovative undertaking aimed at merging sports with various industries.

Background and Purpose of the Aichi Sports Innovation Project

The Aichi Sports Innovation Project is a government-private sector partnership aligned with Aichi Prefecture's "Innovation Business Creation Strategy." Its primary goal is to facilitate innovation in the sports sector, aiming to develop new businesses and services while fostering regional revitalization through sports. This initiative not only focuses on the growth of the sports industry but also on creating sustainable local communities through sports-related activities.

A consortium named "AiSIA (Aichi Sports Innovation Alliance)" was established in June 2024, including Aichi Prefecture and Chunichi Shimbun as key administrative bodies, with Deloitte Tohmatsu Risk Advisory LLC leading the operations. The project has the ambitious goal of creating new legacies through sports digital transformation—often referred to as "sports DX"—becoming a catalyst for innovative solutions for regional challenges.

The project emphasizes three main components: experiencing, participating in, and touching sports, utilizing digital technologies to develop new services and collaborative initiatives.

The Role and Contributions of The Small Things Inc.

A significant theme of the Aichi Sports Innovation Project is solving regional issues through the fusion of sports and other industries. The Small Things Inc. will lead various pilot programs and initiatives in partnership with Chunichi Shimbun, leveraging its expertise in sports co-creation. One noteworthy pilot program scheduled for the fiscal year 2024 is the “Oceans Wellness Program,” targeting elder care prevention and health promotion through futsal clubs. This initiative creatively combines the appealing brand image of the professional sports team Nagoya Oceans with a physiotherapist-supervised exercise program, establishing healthy movement routines.

Through its active involvement in the AiSIA consortium, The Small Things has already made tangible contributions towards solving regional issues by managing pilot projects from planning to execution. Moreover, The Small Things provides necessary expertise in other initiatives, such as the "AiSIA Acceleration Program," which aims to improve sports teams' audience engagement through new service development.

Appointment of Yoshifumi Tagami as Advisor

Yoshifumi Tagami's appointment as an advisor marks a strategic enhancement for the project, given his extensive background in sports business and open innovation. Throughout his career, he has effectively collaborated with diverse stakeholders, driving the momentum of the Sports Co-Creation concept instrumental for the project. His role spans from facilitating dialogues among various entities—government, corporations, teams, and local communities—to supporting project management and execution.

Tagami is particularly recognized as an expert in facilitating co-creation through sports, expected to bring innovative ideas to fruition by incorporating insights from the field. His broad network achieved at national and international levels, along with his understanding of current trends, promises to add considerable value to the project.

Future Prospects

As The Small Things Inc. actively partakes in the Aichi Sports Innovation Project, it continues to strive for innovations originating in Aichi Prefecture's sports sector. The company aims to bridge the gap between the sports field and other industries, fostering collaborations with various stakeholders to create new business opportunities and societal values.

Additionally, the insights and networks developed through this project are anticipated to extend to other regions in future sports co-creation endeavors, including efforts contributing to the legacies surrounding the 2026 Asian Games. By partnering with client companies and other stakeholders, The Small Things remains committed to exploring potential shifts in the sports business landscape, driven by small yet impactful actions.

Overview of The Small Things Inc.

Founded in March 2023 as a spinoff from Future Sessions, The Small Things Inc. is named after the song "small things" by the experimental soul band WONK. Emphasizing the philosophy that "small actions can change the world," the company focuses on redefining traditional models through dialogue and experimental approaches. Engaging with local communities, fans, and sponsors, their projects include innovative sports experiences, enhanced fan communications, and collaborative regional initiatives aimed at creating substantial societal impacts.

Conclusion

Through its participation in the Aichi Sports Innovation Project, The Small Things Inc. will continue to play a pivotal role in fostering sports innovation while working toward creating a sustainable future for sports and its related industries.