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KUCHING, Sept 2: The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) delegation gained valuable insights into Japan’s Aichi Prefecture government’s smart city initiatives, especially its upcoming Station AI, which will function as a comprehensive support hub for startups under one roof, slated for operation in October 2024.
MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, who led the Sarawak delegation to pay a courtesy call to the Aichi Prefecture Governor, expressed deep admiration for the Station AI initiative.
He noted that a pre-centre is already operational in Nagoya, where experienced mentors provide crucial business support and guidance to campus startups.
“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.
“As mayor, our job is an unending one, requiring continuous effort to ensure the progress of our city amid the ever-evolving world,” he said in a statement today.
Furthermore, Wee stressed the vital role of mayors as stewards of the people and leaders of their communities. Their duty is to serve the citizens with the utmost dedication, placing them at the core of all endeavours.
The pre-Station AI currently serves as the central startup support centre. The upcoming Station AI in Nagoya will provide a wide array of support functions under a single 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 cater to 1,000 startups, with 30 per cent of them hailing from overseas. It draws inspiration from the knowledge-sharing model of Station F, the world’s largest startup campus, which was developed and is operated by the Aichi Prefecture government and SoftBank. — DayakDaily
