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What is Osaka Research Foundation for Regional Development?
The Osaka Regional Promotion Research Foundation is a research institution that studies urban issues and regional promotion policies around the world, and makes recommendations to various sectors. It disseminates information on events and seminars related to history, culture, arts, science and technology, as well as architecture and urban development.
Major Projects
Major Projects
A project to pass down the value of Japanese craftsmanship. 'UTSUWA,' a modular Japanese room co-created by Japanese and German artisans, is showcased in Japan and abroad. In 2025, the project will join Expo and renovate a traditional house in Yoshino, Nara.
A project to pass down the value of Japanese craftsmanship. 'UTSUWA,' a modular Japanese room co-created by Japanese and German artisans, is showcased in Japan and abroad. In 2025, the project will join Expo and renovate a traditional house in Yoshino, Nara.
A project to study the future of universities and university cities in the AI/AGI era, and to propose the “Kansai East–West Innovation Axis” with Osaka Metropolitan University Morinomiya as its hub.
This project aims to realize “Osaka as a City of Arts” by promoting arts and cultural activities in Uemachi Plateau—the birthplace of Osaka—making use of historic sites such as Shitennoji Temple and Osaka Castle Park.
News
News
Future University City Osaka Project 9th Working Meeting
Future University City Osaka Project 9th Working Meeting
Date: Monday, February,16, 2026, 16:30-18:00
Date: Monday, February,16, 2026, 16:30-18:00
Place: Foundation Office
Place: Foundation Office
Theme: The Kansai East–West Innovation Axis and the Osaka Castle East Area
Theme: The Kansai East–West Innovation Axis and the Osaka Castle East Area
Members: The meeting will be chaired by Yukihiro Kadono, Professor Emeritus of Kwansei Gakuin University (Director of the Foundation), and will consist primarily of Foundation-related members.Observer: Osaka Jogakuin Educational Corporation
Members: The meeting will be chaired by Yukihiro Kadono, Professor Emeritus of Kwansei Gakuin University (Director of the Foundation), and will consist primarily of Foundation-related members.Observer: Osaka Jogakuin Educational Corporation
Mooshaus 2025 YOSHINO Project
Yoshino, Nara
Vacant House Revitalization & Craftsmen Challenge
The UTSUWA Project was launched ten years ago. Following its activities in Berlin since 2020, it was presented to the world at Expo 2025 Osaka.
Building on this milestone, in April 2025 the project launched “Mooshaus,” a traditional house renovation initiative based in a vacant kominka on the right bank of the Yoshino River in Kamiichi, Yamato. The project is now moving from the phase of “prototype development and PR” to the next stage — establishing a demonstrative model for renovating traditional houses.
In Yoshino, a town renowned for its rich forestry heritage, the project aims to create opportunities for people from Japan and abroad to take their first step toward becoming craftsmen.
The Opening Ceremony of Osaka Metropolitan University Morinomiya Campus was held, attended by President Shinichi Fukushima (Director of our Foundation).
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Venue: Osaka Metropolitan University Morinomiya Campus
Commemorative Lecture:
Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, Professor and Honorary Director,
Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University
Details for the day are available here.
Announcement of the 2025 EXPO “UTSUWA Project: Japanese and German Craftsmen's Skills – See! Learn! Experience!” was held.
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025, 12:00-16:30
Venue: TSUBAME German Pavilion Outdoor Stage
Theme: Introducing Japanese and German craftsmanship to the world!
Overview:
a. Assembly of a traditional Japanese room “UTSUWA” on stage 12:00-12:45
b. Demonstrations of tatami mats 13:00-13:30
sliding doors 13:30-14:00
woodworking 14:00-14:30
and pottery disassembly 14:30-15:00
c. Chisel carving contest 15:30-16:30
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025, 12:00-16:30
Venue: TSUBAME German Pavilion Outdoor Stage
Theme: Introducing Japanese and German craftsmanship to the world!
Overview:
a. Assembly of a traditional Japanese room “UTSUWA” on stage 12:00-12:45
b. Demonstrations of tatami mats 13:00-13:30
sliding doors 13:30-14:00
woodworking 14:00-14:30
and pottery disassembly 14:30-15:00
c. Chisel carving contest 15:30-16:30
Announcement: 2025 EXPO “Utsuwa ♡ Namiki-za: Traditional Performing Arts Theater - Enjoy Osaka's Traditional Performing Arts with People from Around the World”
Announcement: 2025 EXPO “Utsuwa ♡ Namiki-za: Traditional Performing Arts Theater - Enjoy Osaka's Traditional Performing Arts with People from Around the World”
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025, 13:00-20:00
Venue: Pop-Up Stage South
Theme: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts × UTSUWA 1.1
Overview: A collaboration featuring Japanese traditional performing arts on the stage of UTSUWA. Various Japanese traditional performing arts will be showcased
Program:
①UTSUWA (Japanese-style room) Assembly Workshop 13:00–14:00
②Traditional Japanese Instruments × Computer Music 14:30–15:10
③Traditional Japanese Instruments Experience (Workshop) 15:40–16:40
④Jōruri Performance 17:10–18:10
⑤Noh Performance & Small Drum (Kotsuzumi) Workshop 18:40–19:10 / 19:30–20:00
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025, 13:00-20:00
Venue: Pop-Up Stage South
Theme: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts × UTSUWA 1.1
Overview: A collaboration featuring Japanese traditional performing arts on the stage of UTSUWA. Various Japanese traditional performing arts will be showcased
Program:
①UTSUWA (Japanese-style room) Assembly Workshop 13:00–14:00
②Traditional Japanese Instruments × Computer Music 14:30–15:10
③Traditional Japanese Instruments Experience (Workshop) 15:40–16:40
④Jōruri Performance 17:10–18:10
⑤Noh Performance & Small Drum (Kotsuzumi) Workshop 18:40–19:10 / 19:30–20:00
Publication of the 33rd issue of the journal "融 Yū"
Publication of the 33rd issue of the journal "融 Yū"
The latest issue of the Foundation’s journal 融Yū was published in July 2025.
In addition to introducing our recent activities, this issue features interviews and contributions from key figures across various fields, as well as essays by members of our board.
The main theme is:
“Baroque and Genroku Culture – The Economic Sensibility and Literary World of Osaka People during the Age of the Financial Revolution.”
As a second feature, the issue highlights the future of university cities and the Kansai Innovation East-West Axis
View the Web version here
Japanese Architecture and Craftsmanship Study Group: 4th Meeting
Japanese Architecture and Craftsmanship Study Group: 4th Meeting
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 13:00-15:00
Venue: Yamato-Kamiichi GATEWAY (Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture)
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 13:00-15:00
Venue: Yamato-Kamiichi GATEWAY (Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture)
Theme: Yoshino forestry, renovation of old houses, relocation, and dual-region living
Theme: Yoshino forestry, renovation of old houses, relocation, and dual-region living
Members: Led by Takada Mitsuo (Professor at Kyoto University of Arts and Design, Emeritus Professor at Kyoto University, and Foundation Director), along with architects and researchers.
Members: Led by Takada Mitsuo (Professor at Kyoto University of Arts and Design, Emeritus Professor at Kyoto University, and Foundation Director), along with architects and researchers.
Art Salon to be held
Art Salon to be held
Date: Friday, April 11, 2025, 18:00-20:00
Date: Friday, April 11, 2025, 18:00-20:00
Venue: Shitennoji Temple, the head temple of the Japanese sect of Buddhism
Venue: Shitennoji Temple, the head temple of the Japanese sect of Buddhism
Theme: Scenery and Literature of the Uemachi Plateau in the Early Modern Period - The landscape of Shitennoji Temple area crowded with Saikaku and pilgrims
Theme: Scenery and Literature of the Uemachi Plateau in the Early Modern Period - The landscape of Shitennoji Temple area crowded with Saikaku and pilgrims
Lecturer: Setsuya Hashizume (Professor Emeritus, Osaka University, Former Director of Osaka University Museum)
Lecturer: Setsuya Hashizume (Professor Emeritus, Osaka University, Former Director of Osaka University Museum)
Guest: Toshiki Uzawa (Director of Shinrigaku Meiseisha, a general incorporated association)
Guest: Toshiki Uzawa (Director of Shinrigaku Meiseisha, a general incorporated association)
Works
Works
Publication of the 33rd issue of the journal "融 Yū"
Publication of the 33rd issue of the journal "融 Yū"
The latest issue of the Foundation’s journal 融Yū was published in July 2025.
In addition to introducing our recent activities, this issue features interviews and contributions from key figures across various fields, as well as essays by members of our board.
The main theme is:
“Baroque and Genroku Culture – The Economic Sensibility and Literary World of Osaka People during the Age of the Financial Revolution.”
As a second feature, the issue highlights the future of university cities and the Kansai Innovation East-West Axis
Japanese Architecture and Craftsmanship Study Group: 4th Meeting
Japanese Architecture and Craftsmanship Study Group: 4th Meeting
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 13:00 - 15:00
Venue: Yamato-Kamiichi GATEWAY (Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture)
Theme: Yoshino forestry, renovation of old houses, relocation, and dual-region living
Members: Led by Takada Mitsuo (Professor at Kyoto University of Arts and Design, Emeritus Professor at Kyoto University, and Board Member of the Foundation), along with architects and researchers.
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 13:00 - 15:00
Venue: Yamato-Kamiichi GATEWAY (Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture)
Theme: Yoshino forestry, renovation of old houses, relocation, and dual-region living
Members: Led by Takada Mitsuo (Professor at Kyoto University of Arts and Design, Emeritus Professor at Kyoto University, and Board Member of the Foundation), along with architects and researchers.
Journal “融 Yū”
Journal “融 Yū”
━━━
This is an introduction to the Association's business activities.
Each issue of the journal has a “special theme” and consists of interviews with and contributions from key persons in various fields, as well as articles by the foundation's directors.
Major Past Initiatives
Major Past Initiatives
In October 2024, UTSUWA 3.1 (an innovative Japanese-style room prototype with an arrangement of traditional woodwork) event in collaboration with the Japanese-German Center Berlin
On Tuesday, October 11, 2022, an international symposium bringing together leading figures in contemporary art and advanced science was held at Shitennoji.
Universities, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises, and governments related to Kansai Science City and Expo '70 Osaka/Kansai (Yumeshima) held this event with the aim of creating innovation and infrastructure development.
In 2022, to coincide with the 1,400th anniversary of Prince Shotoku's death, we recreated the route that Taishi used to travel between Osaka and Ikaruga in Nara.
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