Industrial Initiative Activities as a Means of Implementing the Platinum Society
Updated by Kazuaki Hiraishi on June 26, 2025, 6:57 PM JST
Kazuaki HIRAISHI
（Platinum Initiative Network, Inc.
After graduating from the University of Tokyo in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, he joined Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. He served as Director of the Overseas Business Center, Director of the Policy and Economic Research Center, Deputy Director of the Policy and Public Affairs Division, Secretary General of the Asian Pipeline Study Group, Secretary General of the Northeast Asian Gas and Pipeline Forum, and Executive Vice President of MRI Research Associates, Inc. He has served as President of M.R.I. Research Associates, Inc. He specializes in infrastructure planning, transportation economics, and energy economics. D. in Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering (Construction).
How can we realize a platinum society (a society in which the earth is sustainable, prosperous, and enables self-fulfillment for all people)? The Platinum Initiative Network is working on the following three steps.
The first is the "formation and dissemination of the philosophy. We are working on various projects to define the philosophy of a platinum society, disseminate the philosophy, and identify leading examples. The Platinum Prize is the Association's most significant event. The awards honor the efforts of local governments, companies, and individuals across Japan who are solving social and regional issues and embodying the vision of a platinum society. Supported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the awards also include the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Award and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award. Through the implementation of this awarding event, we are able to grasp where, who, and what kind of initiatives are being implemented nationwide. Based on this information, we are working to deepen and horizontally expand these efforts.
The second is the development of "human resources" who share the Platinum Philosophy. Several programs are being implemented for each training target, such as local government officials and future human resources (elementary and junior high school students). For example, in the Platinum Human Resources for the Future Training School, junior high school students (future human resources), who will play a leading role in 2050, are asked to think about society in 2050 and propose "what we should do," "what we want to do," and "what we can do. Resonating with this philosophy, Nobel laureates, astronauts, and athletes will also give lectures to the junior high school students. In addition, university students and seniors participate as tutors, practicing a "medaka no gakko (school of medaka)" (who is the student and who is the teacher), where everyone learns from each other through multi-generational exchange.
The third is "social implementation," which involves initiating projects and giving shape to the Platinum Philosophy in the world. The first is to support collaboration among members. Municipalities have fields with social issues. On the other hand, companies have the know-how and technology to solve these issues. We believe that combining these two will help solve social issues, and we serve as an intermediary for them. The other is industrial initiative activities. We ourselves act as coordinators to promote larger-scale mechanisms and social implementation.
Pieces of excellent initiatives have been gathered through the Platinum Award and other programs. By combining these pieces with an edgy approach, we aim to form a project that can generate synergies.
The first of the Industry Initiative activities is the Platinum Forest Industry Initiative, which leads the forest circular economy introduced so far. It is working in collaboration with 99 member organizations and persons. Adopting a backcasting approach, in Phase 1 we proposed the ideal state of the forest circular economy in 2050, and in Phase 2 we formulated a roadmap of who, when, where, what, and how to implement it. Currently in Phase 3, we are working on the formation of leading projects in the areas of upstream forest industry, biomass chemistry, and wooden cities. (Kazuaki Hiraishi, Executive Director, Platinum Initiative Network)
<Notices
Platinum Initiative Network continues to recruit members to work together with us. We hope that you will agree with the purpose of the forest circular economy and join us in our activities. Let's work together, take the lead, and aim for social change.
First Platinum Initiative Network
The book of the same title as this web media, "Forest Circular Economy" (edited by Hiroshi Komiyama) was published by Heibonsha on August 5, 2025. The book proposes a redesign of the economy, institutions, and local communities based on the three pillars of biomass chemistry, wooden cities, and forestry innovation in the cycle of "cutting, using, planting, and nurturing" forests. This practical book provides a point of contact between concepts and examples for those involved in policy making, social implementation, and the creation of businesses that make use of local resources.
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