Event Society Holds 16th Research Conference with "Sports" Theme

The Event Studies Association held its 16th Research Conference on November 15 and 16 at Juntendo University's Hongo Campus in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. The theme was "Event Renaissance." The event featured lectures, panel discussions, and research presentations.

On the 15th, following the opening declaration by Haruo Nogawa, Conference Executive Committee Chair (Vice President of the Society, Professor at Juntendo University), and guest remarks by Hideoki Ogawa, Chairman of the Board of the Juntendo Educational Foundation, Taichi Sakaiya, President of the Society, delivered a keynote speech titled "The Event Renaissance Concept."

Looking ahead to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, Sakaiya proposed that to revitalize Japan over the next decade, "we must create a joyful society and establish a knowledge-based society." To break the current situation where safety is the sole focus and the pursuit of enjoyment and freedom is not considered just, he presented a series of bold ideas as concrete examples. These included holding a traveling exposition using large electric trailers as pavilions to tour disaster-stricken areas in Tohoku, establishing an annual summer Osaka Dotonbori Pool, and hosting the "One-Mile Swimming Marathon World Championships." Toward the end of his lecture, Sakaiya also touched on the evolution of communication activities, which became more active after the Los Angeles Olympics (1984), something that wasn't possible during the previous Tokyo Olympics (1964). He concluded, "The advertising theories of the 20th century have collapsed, ushering in an era where subjective value is created through advertising. Events, too, as occasions that generate value, must now be things that get the blood pumping and the heart racing, even for experienced middle-aged and older adults."

Next, during the panel discussion, moderated by Keiko Kamishiro, Lecturer at Tokyo International University, and Masanori Kobayashi, Representative of the Event Support Network, former Prime Minister and Japan Rugby Football Union Chairman Yoshiro Mori and J.League Chairman Kazumi Daito reported on their activities under the theme "Revitalizing Japan Through Sports Events!" They broadly exchanged views on regional revitalization through sports and approaches to commercializing sports. On the 16th, 24 research presentations were held focusing on earthquake recovery and sports.

Keynote speaker: Taichi Sakaiya, President of the Event Society