Wagamama Lab：��Empowering Local Communities and Fostering Innovation��The Social Significance of “Wagamama” through Community-based Initiatives in Japan��April 25th, 2025,  Session F, ISTR Conference

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IRODORI Overview

IRODORI, Inc. is a social innovation company in Japan, striving to co-create meaningful social impact by collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including municipalities, private companies, and local citizens.

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• Business development�Business collaboration between municipalities and private companies
• Wagamama Lab (Capacity and DX human resources development )
• Wagamama Machiya
• Local Dialogue workshop etc.

Founded

Members

Services

May 6, 2022

15 members

Our Partners

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation/

NEC Platforms Corporation/ NTTDX Partner Co., Ltd. /

Modis Co., Ltd. etc

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Introduction

Takahiro Yatsu

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IRODORI, Inc.

Chief Executive Officer

Ayaka Nagai

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IRODORI, Inc.

Chief Policy Officer

Emi Makino

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IRODORI, Inc. Advisor

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University 

Associate Professor

Masao Ishihara

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IRODORI, Inc. Advisor

MIT Certified Expert Trainer

in Educational Mobile Computing

Hitomi Kurosu

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IRODORI, Inc.

Chief Strategy Officer

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Our services

• Support local intermediaries
• Support the “community-reactivating cooperator squad” as intermediaries
• DX human resource development

• Business collaboration with municipalities and private firms
• Workshop used by Local Dialogue

Capacity

Development

Community

Stakeholder

Co-creation

Business

Development

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Our Question

Have you ever heard the word “wagamama”?

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Background

Key factor

Depopulation in rural areas has significant consequences, primarily affecting economic and social aspects, creating a cycle of challenges.

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• The shortage of labor
• Leads to a decline in the number of attractive job opportunities
• Exacerbate the challenges of an aging society.
• Suffers the economic development of rural areas, leading to a decline in local businesses.
• Fall behind in digital transformation effort.

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Low self-esteem and efficacy of Japanese 18-year-olds

The results indicated low feelings of self-esteem and self-efficacy among Japanese respondents, with 46% replying that “I believe my own actions can change my country and society”.

https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/en/news/articles/2024/20240403-101045.html

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Wagmama Lab Background

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Increase demands for digital education programs at schools

DX High School initiatives refer to high schools that focus on digital technology and information technology. In these schools, students acquire digital skills and knowledge related to computer science.

46% of Japanese youth don't believe they can change their country or society, ranking lowest globally in future aspirations.

49.8% of urban residents aged 20-50 express a desire to live in rural areas, hindered mainly by job opportunities and local culture.

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Half our youth don’t believe their actions can change society

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Working age population desire to return to rural areas

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Our Question

Start with Wagamama

— and use digital tools like app development

to make a change.

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What is ”Wagamama”?

Wagamama is —

Not your selfishness, but rather your own little wish.

Not only for you, but also for your family and close friends.

Not only for your personal life, but also for your society.

Not only for your society, but also for societies worldwide.

Not only for the current world, but also for our descendants..

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That’s Wagamama,

your own way leading to better society

wagamama / wʌgə ‘maːmə / n.

A Japanese word similar to the words selfish, self-centered, and egotistic in English. When someone acts or says something without any consideration for others, we Japanese often say it is “wagamama”. The word is mainly used in negative meanings, but they often use the word for just insistence or suggestion.

ーORIGIN

from Japanese,

from waga ‘my own’ + mama ‘way’

Typical “Wagamama”

Our “Wagamama”

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Developed 21 apps at Wagamama Lab 2023

Addressing Local business problems

• An app for farmers interested in smart agriculture to access information about subsidies.
• An app for cabbage farmers to match job sites with students to address labor shortages.
• An app for parents to find out about children's programming classes
• An app for local shops to set appropriate pricing.
• An app for first-time visitors to enjoy hot spring spots.
• An app for elderly people to report wildlife damage.

etc

Addressing family /other relationship-centerd problems

• An app for mothers to pick up and drop off children to ease the mothers’ burden
• An app for a grandparent to make new friends.
• An app for grandparents to learn about local events that they're interested in and participate in them.
• An app to find friends and cohorts with similar aspirations.
• An app for grandparents to solve transportation issues.
• An app to help friends studying for exams.
• An app for students living away from home to communicate with their grandparents.

etc

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Wagamama Lab

Wagamama Lab is a community-based innovation program.

Social Realities�

Youth

• Many leave their hometowns without expressing their concerns

• Local areas are shrinking; infrastructure is at risk�

Women

• 74.1% employed, but excluded from decision-making

• Face daily challenges in care and service roles

• Often forced to silently give up on personal and social needs

Our Hypothesis

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• Wagamama

—unspoken wishes and quiet resignations—

may hold the key to sustainable communities

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• When these voices are surfaced and acted upon, they can spark real change

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About MIT App Inventor

What is MIT App Inventor?

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MIT App Inventor is an intuitive and visual programming environment provided by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that allows anyone to create apps for smartphones and tablets.

It is used in 195 countries around the world, with 1.2 million monthly active users, 8.2 million registered users, and over 100 million apps created. Both the number of users and apps continue to grow each month.

At Wagamama Lab, we use MIT App Inventor as a tool to take action toward realizing “Wagamama” — unspoken wishes or personal desires.

We believe in creating what we want with our own hands.

Even those who once gave up on taking action due to a lack of skills or knowledge can now become problem solvers.

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Case 2 : Hokota Wagamama Lab

Wagamama & App Solution

• Her Action

She created an app that maps out places in the community where students can study.

• The Impact：
• Community members began opening their spaces to support high school students.
• The number of study spaces available for students in the community increased.

plots study locations on Google my map

In Tomoka’s Story

• Her Profile

Hometown: Hokota City, Ibaraki Prefecture�Age: 17 years old

• Her Background

At first, she lacked confidence, �since she had no experience in app development.

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In Hokota City, Ibaraki Prefecture,　we conducted the “Hokota Wagamama Lab” program, where young people developed apps to address the “Wagamama” – the unspoken wishes – of local residents.

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Developed apps

　through Hokota Wagamama Lab

Identified one person’s “Wagamama” and created an app to make it come true

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Tap Here

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Kashiwa Wagamama Lab: Project Outcome and Impact

• The target groups (youth experiencing school non-attendance, social withdrawal and elderly residents) gained opportunities for social participation and showed positive progress through community activities.
• Spontaneous initiatives by residents emerged, leading to a more vibrant and engaged community.

Social welfare system

Kashiwa �Wagamama Lab

Individual Interest area�（my story）

Target group

Wagamama Meeting

Community activities

Kashiwa Wagamama community training program

Comprehensive consultation support

Multi-organization collaboration

Gather

Eat

Make

Play

Connect

Consult

Learn

Talk

Convene

Platform for meeting and learning

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Integrated Inquiry-Based Learning in collaboration

with government, industry, and academia

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Japan Wagamama Awards 2025 - Sponsorship

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Underlying academic theory: Effectuation

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What is Constructionism?

•Definition:�“People learn best when they are actively engaged in making meaningful things.”�— Seymour Papert

•Constructionism vs. Instructionism:

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What is Constructionism?

The Idea of Learning by Making (or Building)

“Better learning will not come from finding better ways for the teacher to instruct, but from giving the learner better opportunities to construct.”� — Seymour Papert

•Essence of Constructionism:� ◦Learners deepen their through hands-on creation� ◦Learning is enriched by expressing ideas outwardly� ◦Physical materials like Scratch, LEGO, and robotics help bridge thinking and doing

•Examples of Application:� ◦MIT App Inventor programming, LEGO®️SERIOUS PLAY®️

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What is Constructionism?

The Learning Process in Constructionism

1.Inquiry emerges� → Learner finds something they want to make or explore

2.Construct� → Trial-and-error, hands-on building

3.Share� → Present and explain to others, gaining new perspectives

4.Reflect� → Articulate what was learned and how one's thinking evolved

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Wagamama Lab can move forward…

Wagamama to Empathy

Create & Act

Transformation

Plan an event

Developed apps

4. Someone takes small action.

3. Supporters appear.

1. One person’s Wagamama

is made visible.

2. It resonates with others

5. They gain self-efficacy.

6. More people believe

they can improve their town.

7. Positive actions spread.

8. The community changes.

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Wagamama Lab: Future Plans and Milestones

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

Achieve 400 individuals Training Program!

Start MIT App Inventor

Training Program

Train 100 members.

(9 members are already engaged, and 12 members are scheduled to participate).

Start workshop by trainers

The members can start their own workshops by MIT App Inventor.

Build the platform

The trainers can foster communication, motivation, and collaboration through the platform.

Increase workshops by trainers and create ecosystems

The trainers can contribute to local challenges through MIT App Inventor workshop. Also, they can collaborate on projects with local stakeholders such as municipalities and private firms.

Achieve 1000 individuals Training Program!

Collaborate with trainers

We will move forward to expand Wagamama Lab across Japan with trainers.

Share and Inspire with the World

We will share real-world challenges from Japan with the global community to inspire collaboration and innovation.

Implement Wagamama Lab in 10 prefectures

Currently, we committed 4 projects in 5 prefectures.

Achieve the implementation all prefectures (47) across Japan!

And we will bring it to the world.

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Achieve the implementation in 30 prefectures

and 2 countries!

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Wagamama Lab

Wagamama College Program

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Our Question

Can just one person’s “Wagamama” spark change in society?

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Thank you!!

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Appendix

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Our purpose and values

As a catalyst and intermediary for local economic development, we pursue to foster a supportive and diverse social system that empowers local developments and individuals in Japan.

Local

Economic

Growth

Creating of

"population of

interest in local"

Sustainable

Development

Business

Co-creation

Municipalities

Private firms

Local stakeholders

Local people

Impacts for local society

Local

Community

Development

Creating new

market and

employment

Promoting

Digitalization

Sustainable

Business

Development

Capacity

Development

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The journey: From a single Wagamama to social change

Making one person’s

“wish this could be”

come true by creating

a smartphone app

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App development for

granting just

one person’s

“wish this could be”

with mentors

Presenting the app at

the national

competition with

community support

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App development is FUN!��Maybe I might be

useful to someone

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Present the app to

make one person’s

“wish this could be”

come true to the community

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People in the

community use

the app

Sense of fulfillment

from transforming my

idea into something

real like an app, without

any technical expertise

using MIT App Inventor

�

People around me are

cheering for me going

to the nationals

�Happy to go for it with

no worries

�

With so much

expectations from the

community, I want to

make the app even better. 

Solving problems for the

community and society is

FUN!

�

I want to continue to

actively engage in

activities that make

our community and

society a better place

�

Better self-efficacy

From computational thinking to computational action

Constructionism

Curve cut effect

Changes

in Emotions

Theoretical Foundations

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Kashiwa Wagamama Lab: Project Background

Kashiwa city is located in the northwestern part of Chiba prefecture, offering excellent access to central Tokyo.

With a population of approximately 430,000, the city has a high proportion of both young and elderly residents. Kashiwa is divided into 21 community areas, where Community Comprehensive Support Centers and the City Council of Social Welfare actively provide support for local initiatives.

Location of Kashiwa City

Kashiwa city,

Chiba prefecture

In Japan, young people’s outlook on the future is among the lowest globally, and many feel they lack the power to bring about social change. In rural areas, population decline, aging demographics, and youth migration are accelerating, highlighting the need for revitalizing local communities.

Even in Kashiwa city, despite its position between urban and suburban areas, issues such as weakening community ties, social isolation, school non-attendance, and social withdrawal are becoming increasingly apparent.

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Specific challenges:

• Lack of opportunities for participation in community activities
• Increase in socially isolated elderly individuals and withdrawn youth
• Insufficient intergenerational exchange
• Limited spaces for residents to realize their aspirations

Why We Should

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Kashiwa Wagamama Lab: Project Overview

1. To create a system that enables local residents to realize their “Wagamama”.
2. To connect people from different generations and diverse backgrounds to solve local issues.
3. To support individuals facing challenges related to social participation or isolation.

Objectives

From 2023 to the current

Stakeholders

• Kashiwa City Council of Social Welfare
• Community Comprehensive Support Center
• Schools (Elementary, Junior High and High Schools)
• Local NPOs & Civic Organizations
• Local Businesses & Volunteers

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Duration

Organizational Structure

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Kashiwa Wagamama Lab: Project Process

Wagamama Lab’s Approach to Solution

• Design activities based on the interests and aspirations of local residents, naturally encouraging social participation.
• Provide an environment where the support target group can engage in community activities at their own pace, based on their interests.
• Establish a multi-layered support system in collaboration with Community Comprehensive Support Centers and NPOs.

01.

02.

03.

04.

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Background

Key factor 1

The population continues to decline by 2060, particularly the working-age population.

Key factor 2

More women from rural areas are moving to urban centers compared to men.

Population estimates by age group

https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000629037.pdf

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What is Wagamama Lab?

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Wagamama Lab Cases in Japan

Local problem-solving programs� for elementary, junior high school students and their parents

A major issue in Kuwana city is that it is difficult for young people to return to their hometowns after leaving for urban areas because of a lack of choices in various jobs. Through developing smartphone applications to learn about local issues, participants could experience that have potential options to return to their hometowns and work there after they acquire digital skills.

Local problem-solving and

digital human resources development programs for high school and university students

Hokota City boasts the highest vegetable production in Japan. However, young people don’t have enough choices for employment except for farms or organizations in agriculture. This project’s goal is to provide opportunities for young people to acquire digital skills. This can make them realize that they can continue living in their hometown by developing these skills.

Developing digital human resources for junior high school and �high school students

This project encourages junior high school and high school students to tackle local challenges by developing smartphone applications to solve them. For these students, resolving local issues contributes to enhancing their engagement in Sukagawa and cultivating local issues facilitates the return of people who left the area (UI-turn) back to their hometowns.

Kuwana city, Mie prefecture

Hokota city, Ibaraki prefecture

Sukagawa city, Fukushima prefecture

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Wagamama Lab: Theory of Change

Problems

Targets

Programs

Outputs

Short-term Outcomes

Long-term Outcomes

Impacts

Young people living in local areas cannot take on new challenges.

There are few attractive jobs for students, resulting in leaving local areas

Students and

young people

living in local

areas

Adults who

want to

address

local issues

Learn approaches to solve local issues

Learn mobile computational thinking and develop apps using MIT App Inventor

Presenting programs and app developments

Training courses and facilitator development using MIT App Inventor

Acquire problem-solving skills through approaches like Design Thinking

Enhance digital skills

Stimulate local communities

Hold Wagamama Lab in many areas with stakeholders

Identify local issues and keep taking on challenges

Cultivate a desire to contribute to local areas

Create momentum for taking on new challenges in local areas

Establish environments for community engagement

Increase organizations empathizing with Wagamama Lab in many regions

Empower the young generation living in local areas to accelerate innovation to solve local issues

Building platforms and assemble human resources

Leverage external knowledge and resources and maintain motivation

Create supportive environments collaborating with various stakeholders

Maintain community engagement to address local issues

Build sustainable businesses through practical workshops

Develop their sense of well-being and belonging in local areas

Foster supportive and diverse ecosystems where the young generation promotes new activities

Increase the young generation taking on new challenges and innovation

There is not enough utilization of local resources

Lack of institutions and know-how for offering digital talent

Lack of skills and knowledge to identify and resolve local issues

Wagamama Lab

Wagamama College Program

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Conclusion

• IRODORI as an intermediary organization can act as vital connectors, facilitating activities and relationships that create value beyond direct transactions.
• Through initiatives like Wagamama Lab, IRODORI continues to bridge the gap between individual aspirations and collective societal impact, empowering local communities across Japan through innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development.
• IRODORI is committed to addressing societal challenges by continuing to co-create meaningful impact through collaboration with diverse stakeholders, and to cultivate networks and relationships that drive sustainable social systems and community-driven solutions.

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Wagamama Lab supports grassroots engagement by equipping individuals with tools like design thinking.

It fosters locally led initiatives that address pressing challenges, leading to networks and sustainable growth.

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References

• Kivimaa, P. et al. (2019) ‘Towards a typology of intermediaries in sustainability transitions: A systematic review and a research agenda’, Research Policy, 48(4), pp. 1062–1075. doi:10.1016/j.respol.2018.10.006.

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• Hernández-Chea, R., Mahdad, M., Minh, T. T., & Hjortsø, C. N. (2021). Moving beyond intermediation: How intermediary organizations shape collaboration dynamics in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Technovation, 108, 102332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2021.102332

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• Sarasvathy, Saras D. (2001). Causation and Effectuation: Toward a Theoretical Shift from Economic Inevitability to Entrepreneurial Contingency, The Academy of Management review, 2001-04, Vol.26 (2), p.243-263

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• Van Rijnsoever, F.J. (2022) ‘Intermediaries for the greater good: How entrepreneurial support organizations can embed constrained sustainable development startups in entrepreneurial ecosystems’, Research Policy, 51(2), p. 104438. doi:10.1016/j.respol.2021.104438.

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