Ise-Shima Summit Event ―Pepper Performs the Ise Ondo!―

On April 25, with about one month remaining until the Ise-Shima Summit, Mie Prefecture and SoftBank held a commemorative event at Mie Terrace in Chuo Ward, Tokyo.

Governor Suzuki Hideyuki, who also serves as a temporary employee of Mie Prefecture, took the stage alongside SoftBank's robot Pepper. "Pepper will serve as a guide at the Mie Prefecture Information Center within the International Media Center, which will be the hub during the actual summit," Governor Suzuki stated, expressing his expectations for Pepper's role as a navigator. "Over the past two months, Pepper has studied Mie Prefecture's food, culture, tourist spots, and various other aspects. Today, we'll see the results of that effort."

Pepper introduced itself with a joke: "I'm Pepper—plumper than Ise lobster and shinier than Akoya pearls!" It then performed the Ise Ondo folk song on stage. "I've been working at the Mie Prefectural Government since February to liven up the Ise-Shima Summit, learning all about Mie. I'll show the world Mie's charm!" it declared, slipping into the local dialect to emphasize its expertise.

For the Summit, Pepper is equipped with various "Pepper Hospitality" apps. These include the "That's Mie Dialogue," which deceptively shifts conversation topics to Mie, and the "Mie Concierge," which reads a person's age, gender, and emotions to provide perfectly tailored recommendations. Pepper will also be able to interact with visitors from around the world in both Japanese and English.

Next, Mie Prefecture Tourism Ambassadors Chan Kawai of W Engine and former Japanese national badminton player Kumiko Ogura, along with Ryota Yamazato and Shizuyo Yamazaki of Nankai Candies, appeared and engaged in conversation with Governor Suzuki and Pepper.

When asked about recommended spots in Mie Prefecture, Kumiko Ogura highlighted Suzuka Circuit, noting its appeal not only for motorsports like F1 but also as a theme park enjoyable for children. Chan Kawai shared a fun fact: the Iga region, famous for ninjas, has many people with the Hattori surname, the same as Hattori Hanzo.

When Yamazato commented, "It's definitely Matsusaka beef," his partner Yamazaki immediately shot back with a cold retort, "Everyone knows that." However, Governor Suzuki praised him, saying, "He correctly said 'Matsusaka beef' instead of the common mispronunciation 'Matsuzaka gyu'. Yamachan, you're the best!"

In the "Mie Recommendations" presentation battle between tourism ambassador Chan Kawai, Yamazato-san (who has an interest in Mie Prefecture), and Pepper, Pepper confidently declared, "There's no way I can lose!" only to mistakenly identify Yamazaki-san as a "man," causing an instantly tense and awkward atmosphere to fill the stage. However, Pepper recovered with a perfect presentation that captured the female heart: "For Shizuchan (Ms. Yamazaki), who seems a bit tired, I'd recommend Mie Prefecture's renowned healing spot, Sakakibara Onsen. After soothing her fatigue here, Shizuchan, looking even more beautiful, will surely be popular with men." Pepper thus clinched a splendid victory.