Japan🇯🇵ESG Headlines Vol.110：QUINTBRIDGE－Solving Social Issues Together in Japan
Matters Academy
[{'start': '2.080', 'end': '8.560', 'text': 'Konnichiwa. I’m Vince, and welcome to\xa0\nESG Matters: Daily Updates from Japan.'}, {'start': '8.560', 'end': '13.520', 'text': 'Today, we turn our focus to a story that\xa0\nblends open innovation and cross-sector'}, {'start': '13.520', 'end': '18.320', 'text': 'collaboration — all nurtured in\xa0\nthe heart of Osaka. QUINTBRIDGE,'}, {'start': '18.320', 'end': '22.640', 'text': 'an open innovation hub operated by\xa0\nNTT West, has just celebrated its'}, {'start': '22.640', 'end': '28.000', 'text': 'third anniversary. The milestone reflects its\xa0\nmulti-stakeholder engagement since launch.'}, {'start': '28.000', 'end': '31.280', 'text': 'Since opening its doors on March 24, 2022,'}, {'start': '31.280', 'end': '35.680', 'text': 'QUINTBRIDGE has grown into a major\xa0\nco-creation facility in Japan.'}, {'start': '35.680', 'end': '42.000', 'text': 'The facility now hosts over 25,000 individual\xa0\nmembers and 1,895 corporate and municipal'}, {'start': '42.000', 'end': '47.920', 'text': 'members, acting as a shared space where\xa0\nstartups, universities, local governments,'}, {'start': '47.920', 'end': '53.920', 'text': 'and major enterprises come together to address\xa0\nsocial issues and explore possible solutions.'}, {'start': '54.560', 'end': '60.800', 'text': 'In its first three years, QUINTBRIDGE has\xa0\nfacilitated 115 collaborative projects.'}, {'start': '60.800', 'end': '64.400', 'text': 'Some have progressed into commercial\xa0\ninitiatives, supported by programs like'}, {'start': '64.400', 'end': '72.240', 'text': '"Business Match-up!" — which combines NTT West\xa0\nGroup assets with startup innovations. In 2024,'}, {'start': '72.240', 'end': '78.080', 'text': 'six startups were selected through this initiative\xa0\nand moved forward into proof-of-concept phases.'}, {'start': '78.080', 'end': '84.480', 'text': 'One of QUINTBRIDGE’s notable programs is its\xa0\n“Local Government Pitch” series, launched in 2022.'}, {'start': '84.480', 'end': '88.560', 'text': 'This platform invites local governments from\xa0\nacross Japan to present their pressing social'}, {'start': '88.560', 'end': '94.000', 'text': 'issues to a network of private-sector members\xa0\n— including startups that may not typically'}, {'start': '94.000', 'end': '98.000', 'text': 'engage with local administrations.\nThe program has steadily grown,'}, {'start': '98.000', 'end': '102.880', 'text': 'with 102 local governments participating\xa0\nto date. Many of these connections have'}, {'start': '102.880', 'end': '108.640', 'text': 'resulted in joint pilot projects, service\xa0\nimplementations, and long-term partnerships.'}, {'start': '108.640', 'end': '114.720', 'text': 'It’s become a core offering of the facility —\xa0\nand a model that has attracted broader interest.'}, {'start': '114.720', 'end': '120.240', 'text': 'In October 2024, QUINTBRIDGE received a\xa0\nGood Design Award, recognizing not just'}, {'start': '120.240', 'end': '125.920', 'text': 'its architecture — but its overall concept.\nJudges highlighted the center’s openness,'}, {'start': '125.920', 'end': '130.960', 'text': 'its emphasis on social capital, and its role\xa0\nas a platform where individual challenges are'}, {'start': '130.960', 'end': '138.400', 'text': 'addressed collectively. The facility’s core value\xa0\n— “Self-as-We” — was noted as a defining feature.'}, {'start': '138.400', 'end': '141.200', 'text': 'Looking forward, QUINTBRIDGE is launching the'}, {'start': '141.200', 'end': '147.040', 'text': '“Spark-Edge for Next Challengers” program\xa0\n— a funding-backed co-creation initiative.'}, {'start': '147.040', 'end': '151.360', 'text': 'Startups selected for the program may receive\xa0\ndirect investment and development support from'}, {'start': '151.360', 'end': '156.080', 'text': 'the NTT Group — designed to support\xa0\nearly-stage validation and growth.'}, {'start': '156.080', 'end': '162.400', 'text': 'At the same time, NTT West is expanding local\xa0\nengagement efforts in Osaka’s Kyobashi and'}, {'start': '162.400', 'end': '167.440', 'text': 'Morinomiya neighborhoods — working with\xa0\nschools, shopping streets, and public'}, {'start': '167.440', 'end': '173.120', 'text': 'institutions to build an Innovation District.\nWith a new Osaka Metropolitan University'}, {'start': '173.120', 'end': '177.520', 'text': 'campus opening nearby, the initiative\xa0\naligns with local development plans.'}, {'start': '177.520', 'end': '182.960', 'text': 'QUINTBRIDGE began as an idea: that\xa0\ncollaboration can enable outcomes'}, {'start': '182.960', 'end': '189.360', 'text': 'beyond the capacity of any one company or\xa0\ncommunity. Three years later, its activities'}, {'start': '189.360', 'end': '194.720', 'text': 'include partnerships, pilot projects, and\xa0\nprograms aimed at cross-sector innovation.'}, {'start': '194.720', 'end': '199.440', 'text': 'I’m Vince, and this was your ESG Matters\xa0\nupdate from Japan. Stay with us for more'}, {'start': '199.440', 'end': '209.280', 'text': 'stories of regional innovation and social\xa0\ncollaboration. Until tomorrow — take care.'}]