Ideafund Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; Founder & CEO: Naoko Okawachi) is pleased to announce that its Founder & CEO, Naoko Okawachi, has authored a paper titled “The Role and Challenges of Cultural Anthropology in Fostering Innovation,” which has been published in Chijo No. 125: Polylogue on Information Society Studies—AI, Governance, and the Implementation of Knowledge, the 35th Anniversary Special Issue of the Center for Global Communications (GLOCOM), International University of Japan, released on July 9, 2026.
The Role and Challenges of Cultural Anthropology in Fostering Innovation
This paper first provides an overview of the historical development of the practical application of cultural anthropology in Japan. Drawing on case studies, it then examines how cultural anthropology can contribute to the creation of innovation. Finally, the paper discusses the current challenges facing the field and explores possible approaches to overcoming them.
The full paper is available here:
https://www.glocom.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/chijo125_202-215_okawachi.pdf
【Publication Information】
Title: Chijo No. 125: Polylogue on Information Society Studies—AI, Governance, and the Implementation of Knowledge
Editors: Masato Ito, Naho Kobayashi
Supervising Editor: Kaoru Sunada
Publisher: Ryoichi Matsuyama
Publication Date: July 9, 2026
Published by: Center for Global Communications (GLOCOM), International University of Japan
Address: Harks Roppongi Building 2F, 6-15-21 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
Website: https://www.glocom.ac.jp/
Access and Purchase
The publication can be viewed or obtained here:
https://www.glocom.ac.jp/publicity/chijo/11795
The complete PDF edition of Chijo No. 125 is available at the above URL.
For those who prefer a printed edition, advance orders and purchases are available through Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4904305191/
You will be redirected to an external website.
About IDEAFUND
With the corporate mission, “Observe. Uncover. Interpret. Ignite Insights.”, ideafund Inc. is Japan’s first company established to apply cultural anthropology to business. By visiting and closely observing people’s real-life settings—whether in their homes, workplaces, or other everyday environments—we derive deep insights that inform business development and organizational transformation.
- Representative –
- Naoko Okawachi, Founder & CEO
- Established –
- January 4, 2018
- Headquarters –
- Tokyo, Japan
- Business Scope –
- Research, consulting, and advisory services grounded in cultural anthropology
- Corporate Website –
- https://ideafund.co.jp/
Contact info:
info@ideafund.co.jp