Fujitsu Limited and TMIP Association today announced that they have joined forces to promote inclusivity in the Marunouchi area in Tokyo using Ontenna, a user interface device developed by Fujitsu that allows users to feel sound through vibration and light in real time. The initiative, which has begun in May 2024, leverages Ontenna at sports and cultural events held in the Marunouchi area, allowing deaf and hard-of-hearing people and hearing people to enjoy these events together. Ontenna’s various initiatives have been highly praised, including the first TMIP Innovation Award (in Japanese) for excellence, as a practical example of a social intrapreneur working in a social entrepreneurial manner within a company.
Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., which operates TMIP (Tokyo Marunouchi Innovation Platform), an open innovation platform for industry, government and academia that aims to create innovation, has established the Mitsubishi Estate Group Sustainability Vision 2050 to promote urban development where diverse people can work and live happily.
This collaboration between Fujitsu and TMIP aims to enhance the value of the experience by creating a sense of presence and unity at various events held in the Marunouchi area, where diverse human resources gather. Additionally, Fujitsu will expand our cooperation in the Marunouchi area in the belief that Ontenna’s language-agnostic nature allows for new forms of enjoyment regardless of disability or nationality, serving as a model for promoting an inclusive society.
Providing a place where people can feel a sense of presence and unity such as sports and music events using Ontenna in the Marunouchi area
Event cases using Ontenna in the Marunouchi area
◆La Folle Journée TOKYO 2024 Otemachi/ Marunouchi/ Yurakucho Area Concert (in Japanese)
During the event period, (May 2nd-May 5th), Ontenna was used in a few events throughout May 3rd-May 5th.
◆The Mitsubishi Estate Shall We Concert (visiting concert)
On May 30th, a school visit concert was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Kodaira School for Special Needs Education, Musashi Branch Classroom, featuring a performance by the NHK Symphony Orchestra.
* The Mitsubishi Estate Shall We Concert (visiting concert) is a special initiative by Mitsubishi Estate that brings professional musicians to special support schools. This program aims to provide students with limited opportunities to attend concerts or other cultural events with the joy and wonder of live music and to learn about musical instruments and music. Since its launch in 2004, the program has reached over 10,000 students through more than 100 concerts.
About Ontenna
Ontenna is an all-new kind of user interface that you clip in your hair or on your earlobe, collar, sleeve, etc., and converts 60 to 90 dB sounds into 256 levels of vibration and light to convey the characteristics of sound. This interface was developed in collaboration with deaf and hard-of-hearing people to ensure a future that diverse people can enjoy together. It has been introduced to over 80% of deaf schools in Japan and is used for rhythm training, STEAM education (1), and other purposes.
Fujitsu has identified “Improving people’s well-being” as one of its materialities, focusing on enhancing customer and citizen experiences. Through collaborations with customers and partners, Fujitsu aims to address social challenges and achieve sustainable growth.
The use of Ontenna has created valuable experiences that provide a sense of presence and unity for everyone at various events, including movies, sports viewing, live music performances and Kyogen performances.
Image of people wearing Ontenna
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion yen (US$26 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.
About TMIP
Tokyo Marunouchi Innovation Platform(TMIP) is an open innovation platform operated by TMIP Association. It aims to nourish the innovation in the Marunouchi area (Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho districts) by fostering collaboration between large corporations, startups, government, and academics to resolve social issues and form the innovation ecosystem. TMIP has over 250 member organizations, including partners.
TMIP Innovation Award
The TMIP Innovation Award recognizes outstanding examples of initiatives that create new value and businesses by breaking down internal and external barriers within large corporations. In recent years, creating new businesses and fostering innovation within large corporations has become a critical management challenge. Through this award, TMIP aims to showcase new approaches to innovation and contribute to enhancing innovation in Japan.
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STEAM education :
STEAM is an abbreviation for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math. It is an interdisciplinary approach to learning that is proposed to increase children’s interest in creativity and technology, and to develop skills that will be useful for creating future innovations.
Related Links
TMIP Innovation Award Grand Prize: Fujitsu’s “Ontenna” (in Japanese)
Mitsubishi Estate Group Sustainability Vision 2050 of Key Theme
Tokyo Marunouchi Innovation Platform
Ontenna
