#Physical AI #Joetsu City #RobiZy

Tackling Local Challenges with Physical AI

On September 2, 2026, Joetsu City in Niigata Prefecture will host its second
Local Business Night in Tokyo at the Local Hub Space "OFF TOKYO". The event, organized in collaboration with Shibire Co., Ltd based in Tokyo, aims to explore how Physical AI can address pressing regional challenges while simultaneously fostering new industries.

Addressing Regional Issues Through Innovation

With increasing complexity in challenges such as population decline, labor shortages, and lack of business successors, local areas are seeking innovative solutions. The emergence of Physical AI, which operates robots and machines in real environments, presents new opportunities in various sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and infrastructure maintenance. Joetsu City possesses diverse industries and practical fields to test these solutions.

The event will not only cover the latest trends in Physical AI but also share the regional challenges faced by Joetsu City and ongoing initiatives. Collaborating with companies will help identify new pathways for business creation.

Keynote Speaker: Hiroyasu Kitakawa

A highlight of the night will be the keynote speech by Hiroyasu Kitakawa, the founder of the Robotics Council (RobiZy) and CEO of MOGITATe Inc. His talk, titled 'The Future of the Region Paved by Physical AI', will include rich practical examples from the robotics business and local revitalization, delving into how AI and robotics can be leveraged to solve regional issues.

Event Agenda

During the Local Business Night, attendees can expect several engaging segments:

• - Presentation by Joetsu City on regional challenges and current efforts
• - Presentations by local businesses from Joetsu City
• - A cross-talk discussion themed around 'What Can Businesses and Communities Co-Create?'
• - Networking session with participating companies

This gathering will create opportunities to address local challenges, leading to joint business ventures, experiments, and collaborations with companies from the metropolitan area.

Field Tours to Deepen Connections

The impact of this event does not end with the closing remarks. Following the event, a fieldwork tour is scheduled for participants to visit Joetsu City. This initiative intends to facilitate exchanges of ideas with local companies and stakeholders, allowing attendees to explore potential business developments and practical experiments in the region.

By forging connections in Tokyo and translating them into actionable collaborations in Joetsu City, a continuous partnership between businesses and local communities is the goal.

Event Details

• - Event Name: Joetsu Local Business Night in Tokyo [2nd Edition] Physical AI x Regional DX
• - Date & Time: September 2, 2026 (Wednesday) from 19:00 to 21:30 (with registration starting at 18:45)
• - Venue: Local Hub Space