Over 2,700 join Future of Humanity Research Center rita workshop

Participants during Session One: Rita in science and technology

Guest speakers appearing during Session One approached rita from the viewpoint of science and technology. To kick things off, Professor Yoshihiro Miyake of Tokyo Tech's School of Computing spoke about the notion of "place," which we utilize consciously to connect as human beings, the "space" between humans and robots, and the co-creation that arises in these situations.

Up next was Specially Appointed Professor Youchiro Miyake from the Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence and Science at Rikkyo University. AI developer Miyake addressed the issues of "self and others" and "desire" when creating artificial intelligence. Despite specializing in completely different research fields, the two guests discovered various overlaps in their work. As discussions on rita deepened, the guests also confirmed shared interests with the researchers at FHRC.

All smiles during Session Two: Nature and rita

On the afternoon of the first day, Session Two: Nature and rita began with a discussion led by Professor Shigeru Ida from Tokyo Tech's Earth-Life Science Institute. Ida highlighted the ambiguous boundaries between nature, life, and oneself and others, and emphasized the need to adopt various perspectives when considering biological identities.

To follow up, Professor Hirokazu Tsukaya from the Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, spoke about the distinction between self and others in the plant world. Tsukaya highlighted how rita-ish behavior can be observed when plants distinguish themselves from insects or other species of plants.

During the latter half of the session, discussions shifted to the notion of self in the sphere of religion, the role of "organs" in individuality, a more literary view of nature, and the "universe" that exists within humans. Rita was approached from multiple perspectives, including that of a "one-time-only characteristic."

Virtual excursion: Avatar robot and dance

On the evening of day one, it was time for the virtual excursion portion of the workshop. FHRC Director Ito, sufferer of somatic symptom disorder Sae, and dancer and choreographer Osamu Jareo announced their latest findings regarding their research on the relationships of bodies separated by physical distance.

Ito joined the conversation from the FRHC hub on Ookayama Campus together with Sae, who appeared in the form of OriHime, a remote-controlled avatar robot being developed to eliminate feelings of loneliness among humans. Jareo and other center members joined in the discussion via Zoom. As the participants were themselves separated from one another, this virtual excursion itself functioned as an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of "place" and "existence," and to share thoughts on how it feels to be separated from one another.

Discussions during Session Three: Rita and society

Day two was reserved for Session Three of the workshop, which focused on Rita and society. During this session, architect and Tokyo Tech School of Environment and Society Professor Yoshiharu Tsukamoto spoke about "architecture, cities, and societies for resourceful people." He touched on a variety of topics including reconstruction efforts after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the establishment of fishing schools, the alliance between welfare and agriculture, and the revitalization of satoyama landscapes, offering a much broader definition of architecture than people conventionally imagine.

Tsukamoto's talk was followed by an introduction of the activities of ap bank, a non-profit organization involved in a broad range of activities such as music activities and festivals, disaster recovery support, and sustainable clothing, food, and shelter. Ap bank representative director and musician Takeshi Kobayashi spoke broadly on the activities of the NPO under the theme of rita and mobility.

The power to become involved and the power to accompany others were concepts that emerged repeatedly in the talks of both Session Three speakers. As the discussions progressed, other participants joined in to share thoughts on Rita and society, with mobility and sustainability emerging as keywords.