Connecting realities through cyberspace

One of the highlights of this year's CEATEC (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies) is Society 5.0 Town, an exhibition area where companies from diverse sectors such as retail, banking, construction, transport and local governments will showcase their technologies to connect people, information and things to enhance people's lives. Society 5.0 is a concept created in Japan and is defined as "a human-centered society that balances economic advancement with the resolution of social problems by a system that highly integrates cyberspace and physical space," according to the Cabinet Office website. The town's theme is in line with Japan's push to become a global leader in utilizing technology to create a community that maximizes energy efficiency and residents' convenience, as well as welfare. Dozens of predominantly Japanese companies will participate in Society 5.0 Town at CEATEC, to be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture from Oct. 15 to 18. Participants range from ANA Holdings Inc., Mitsubishi Estate Co. and Taisei Corp., among others. "We are a company about mobility. We want to solve mobility-related challenges. If you want to go somewhere, you have to go to an airport and fly. Avatar saves people from having to do that," said Akira Fukabori, director of the Avatar Division.