SOUZOUNO MORI
Co-creating a well-being-centered community by utilizing Akita's forests.
Akita COI-NEXT
SOUZOU NO MORI Project
Co-Creating Well-Being
through Forest Resources
Led by Akita's Three Public Universities,
Harnessing Forest Resources
for Research-Driven Innovation
and Human Capital Development,
Revitalizing Industry and Economy,
Pursuing Co-Creating Well-Being
in the Local Community.
Together, we grow like trees
to create a thriving forest.
Akita Prefectural University (APU)
Science& Technology
Akita International University (AIU)
Liberal Arts
Akita University of Art (AUA)
Art& Design
About SOUZOU NO MORI Project
Through research on redefining the value of
Akita's forests and human resource
development,
We strive to co-create
well-being.
What is COI-NEXT?
The program on Open Innovation Platforms for Industry-Academia Co-Creation that aims to establish self-sustaining and sustainable centers for realizing an envisioned society.
COI-NEXT, a program promoted by JST, aims to create self-sustaining hubs centered around universities, fostering industry-academia-government collaboration with businesses, local governments, and citizens. By sharing a common vision, we aim to transform individuals, universities, and society through science and technology innovation.
What is SOUZOU NO MORI project?
Transforming the Value of Forests through
Industry-Government-Academia
Co-Creating Well-Being in the Community.
This project centers on Akita's diverse and abundant forest resources—rich in quantity, quality, and cultural significance. By redefining the value of forests, we aim to establish a new cycle that preserves resources and technology, fosters talent and cultural exchange, and revitalizes the economy and industry. Our goal is to create a society where individuals find opportunities to thrive, experience fulfillment in daily life, and co-create well-being.
What is co-creating well-being?
A society where individuality is respected,
and everyone feels psychologically fulfilled.
Well-being refers to a sense of fulfillment free from loneliness and anxiety, with each person experiencing it differently. In a society where the economy and social structures are maturing, and population decline is progressing, we view well-being not only as material wealth but also as psychological well-being. This well-being comes from healthy environments, including connections with others, a sense of affirmation, and the culture that nurtures us. We believe that 'living authentically' is key. We envision co-creating well-being as a state where individuals define their own sense of self, and a society where each person's uniqueness is recognized and fulfilled.
MORI
The origin of
the name “SOUZOU NO MORI” and its logo
Concept
Imagining and creating the value of forests
Imagining our true selves
and creating our way of life
The Japanese word “SOUZOU” combines the pronunciations of “imagination” and “creation.” In this project, we envision individuals with rich imagination and creativity as trees, aiming to build a society that grows sustainably, like a forest.
Logo
Together we grow like trees
to create a thriving forest
The logo combines the forest motif with speech bubbles to symbolize dialogue and represent the transformation of Akita's three universities and industry-academia-government collaboration, much like the changing seasons of a forest. In a single color, it reflects the development of autonomy and diversity.
- A Japanese Region Bridging
Message from the Project Leader
Project Leader
Katsuhiko Takata
Professor and Director,
Institute of Wood Technology,
Akita Prefectural University
Pioneering New Prosperity
- A Japanese Region Bridging
Local Heritage and Global
Horizons
Japan faces an unstoppable decline in birth rates and an aging population, causing major social challenges, especially in rural areas. Communities are shrinking, and transformations are inevitable. We confront this “negative spiral” head-on, striving to solve these issues from Akita—one of Japan's most affected regions—through cutting-edge science and unwavering passion. Some say, “There's nothing in Akita.” It may seem so to those who only seek urban conveniences. But is it truly empty? We believe Akita holds unseen treasures—opportunities that require discovery and creativity to unlock new value. Our project focuses on Akita's forests, a vital asset. With three public universities specializing in “Technology: Wood-based materials and industry innovation,” “Liberal Arts: Global perspectives for regional growth,” and “Design: Creativity for system development,” we collaborate with local governments, businesses, and entrepreneurs who believe in Akita's future. Together, we drive a major societal transformation, using forests as a foundation for co-creating well-being. The future we envision is a Japanese region that bridges local heritage with global horizons, continuously creating new prosperity rooted in nature, history, culture, and industry.
R&D Challenges
Research and
Development Issues
To harness the abundance, quality, and cultural
richness of forests and co-create well-being,
we are tackling five key R&D challenges.
Forest and Space / Place
Valuing forests through a new zoning approach and visualizing the value of well-being.
Assessment of the modern value of forests as spaces that provide timber, energy, carbon storage, and recreation, while creating new value.
Forest and
Timber
Innovation
Development and promotion of eco-friendly wood-based material s as a plastic alternative.
Through the development and implementation of eco-friendly materials, we aim to enhance forest value, revitalize the local economy.
Forest and
Sustainable
Communities
Promoting new architecture and urban development for carbon stock realization.
Development of fire-resistant, low-environmental-impact wooden building materials and construction methods, alongside the proposal of innovative utilization designs.
Forest and Craftsmanship
Preserving and advancing Akita's tradition of craftsmanship and manufacturing.
Building an integrated platform to connect regional woodworking techniques and support sustainable community development.
Forest and People / Startup
Fostering local entrepreneurs to create forest-based businesses.
Collaboration with local entrepreneurs to promote co-creating well-being indicators and scale model hubs through business development.
co-create
well-being.
