KUCHING: A delegation from the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) embarked on a fruitful visit to Japan’s Aichi Prefecture government, gaining invaluable insights into the region’s smart city endeavours.
Of particular interest was Aichi Prefecture’s forthcoming Station AI, a comprehensive support hub designed to cater to startups, set to begin operations in October 2024.
MBKS Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, who led the Sarawak delegation during their courtesy call on the Aichi Prefecture Governor, expressed profound admiration for the Station AI initiative.
Wee highlighted the successful operation of a precursor, the pre-centre in Nagoya which currently serves as a central startup support hub, offering aspiring entrepreneurs guidance and mentorship from experienced professionals.
“The learning journey in Aichi Prefecture underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and determination in shaping cities that are not only smart but also sustainable and harmonious,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He emphasised that the role of a mayor is never-ending, requiring ongoing efforts to ensure the progress and prosperity of the city in an ever-evolving world.
“Mayor duty, as stewards of the people and leaders of the communities, is to serve the citizens with utmost dedication, placing them at the nucleus of all the endeavours,” he added.
The upcoming Station AI in Nagoya is poised to be a game-changer.
It will provide an extensive array of support functions under one roof, boasting an impressive total floor area of 23,000 square metres, making it Japan’s largest startup support centre.
This ambitious initiative aims to accommodate 1,000 startups, with 30 per cent of them hailing from overseas.
Drawing inspiration from the knowledge-sharing model of Station F, the world’s largest startup campus, Station AI is a collaborative effort developed and operated by the Aichi Prefecture government and SoftBank.
Meanwhile, the governor highlighted the profound significance of the smart city concept, unveiling Aichi Prefecture’s groundbreaking Station AI initiative scheduled to commence operations in October 2024.
