Society 5.0 is a new concept launched by Japan in its 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan (2016–2020), as a way by which to guide and mobilize action in science, technology and innovation (STI) to achieve a prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive future.

Following the hunting society (Society 1.0), the agricultural society (Society 2.0), the industrial society (Society 3.0), and the information society (Society 4.0), the far-reaching policies of Society 5.0 propose a new transformation of contemporary ways of life.

Society 5.0 aims to resolve various modern social challenges by incorporating game-changing innovations such as the Internet of things (IoT), robotics, AI and big data into all industries and social activities. Rather than a future controlled and monitored by AI and robots, technology is harnessed to achieve a human-centred society in which each and every person can lead an active and enjoyable life. Within the context of ever-growing digitalization and connectivity and the expanding use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, several actions have been initiated under this flagship concept by the Japanese government as well as by the private sector.

In this talk, Professor Harayama Yuko, Professor Emeritus at Tōhoku University and former Executive Member of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation of the Cabinet Office of Japan, reports how this concept has been adopted in Japanese society with a particular eye on the societal challenge of ‘ageing’, and invites the audience to share their views.

About the speaker

Professor Emeritus at Tōhoku University, Professor Harayama Yuko is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Elsevier Foundation, ORCID and a member of the Scientific Steering Committee for the French National Research Agency (ANR). She is a former Executive Member of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI) at the Cabinet Office of Japan, and the former Deputy Director of the Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). She is a Légion d'honneur recipient (Chevalier) and has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Neuchâtel. Previously, she was Professor in the Department of Management Science and Technology at the Graduate School of Engineering of Tōhoku University. She holds a PhD in Education Sciences and a PhD in Economics, both from the University of Geneva.

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