We are excited to announce the official launch of the ISL Shizenkan Circular Futures Design Center and warmly invite you to our inaugural forum to mark this special occasion.

At ISL Shizenkan, we have been actively integrating the principles of the circular economy (CE) into our programs over the past several years. We see CE not just as an economic revolution but as a crucial framework for reimagining and rebuilding society, and as a key pillar for shaping the future of Japan and the world.

To further accelerate talent development and real-world implementation in this field, we are launching the Circular Futures Design Center in April, with the goal of building a thriving CE ecosystem in Japan while collaborating with leaders and innovators globally.

To celebrate the center’s launch, we are hosting a kickoff event on the evening of April 24, featuring two special guests from the Netherlands – a global leader in the circular economy: Mr. Thomas Rau and Ms. Sabine Oberhuber, both pioneers in CE innovation.

This forum is open to the public. If you know anyone who is involved in the circular economy, please encourage them to participate. There are limits to the number of people who can participate in person, so it is difficult to accept many people, but you can participate online freely.

We would be very grateful if you could forward this email and let people know about it.

【Speakers】

Thomas Rau

Mr. Rau is best known for pioneering the “Lighting as a Service” business model, introduced by Philips, and for co-developing Madaster, a digital platform that registers and tracks building materials as Material Passports. Madaster has been adopted in high-profile projects, including the headquarters of Triodos Bank and the Dutch Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka. His visionary work offers not just architectural innovation but a blueprint for fundamentally transforming our economic systems.

Sabine Oberhuber

In 2010, Ms. Oberhuber co-founded Turntoo with Thomas Rau to help companies and public institutions transition to circular business models. Their co-authored book, Material Matters: Developing Business for a Circular Economy, has sparked global conversations about the future of resource management.

Yumiko Noda

A leading voice in Japan’s CE movement, Ms. Noda serves as Chair of Keidanren’s Environment Committee, a Governing Board Member of Circular Partners (a government-led CE platform), and Chair of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives’ Local Revitalization Committee. She is the author of Circular Economy (published by Nikkei) and the supervising editor for the upcoming Japanese edition of Material Matters: Developing Business for a Circular Economy (Shokokusha, April release).

Yu Kato

A dynamic leader in Japan’s CE field, Mr. Kato has been at the forefront of promoting CE awareness through his online media platforms Ideas for Good and Circular Economy Hub. As CEO of Harch Co., Ltd., he also advises companies and local governments on real-world CE implementation.

Register now