Institute of Culture and Information Technology, Inc.

The Institute of Culture and Information Technology, Inc. (株式会社情報文化総合研究所) is a private Japanese think tank founded in April 1997 and headquartered in Kohoku-ku, Yokohama. It specializes in the study of the "informatization of daily life" (生活の情報化), examining how the spread of computers, mobile phones, the internet, and information infrastructure affects quality of life (QOL). The company was established by Yoshihiro Sato, who had published a pioneering book on the subject in 1995 and later earned a doctorate in social informatics from the University of Tokyo in 1999. The institute conducts research and consulting on information society issues, and its expertise is also disseminated through lectures, training sessions, and publications. It runs the Life Informatization Seminar (生活情報化セミナー), a free public forum founded in 1997 under the Japan Society for Life Studies and independent since 2017. The institute is a small enterprise with a capital of 10 million yen and a handful of staff. Its representative director, Yoshihiro Sato, is also an emeritus professor at Musashino University and has served as a lecturer at various government and academic bodies. The company publishes books on topics such as internet defamation, human rights violations online, and digital literacy, often through Musashino University Press. Through its research, seminars, and publications, the institute aims to help individuals and organizations navigate the risks and opportunities of the information age.

The Institute of Culture and Information Technology was founded in April 1997 by Yoshihiro Sato, who had foreseen the wave of informatization affecting daily life. Sato published the book 'Life and Information Technology' in 1995, one of the first works on the theme, and then entered a doctoral program to deepen his research. The institute was established as a think tank specializing in the informatization of daily life. In October 1997, the Life Informatization Seminar was launched under the Japan Society for Life Studies, becoming Japan's first research group on the topic. The seminar has been held 77 times over 21 years, providing a platform for information dissemination. In 2017, the seminar became independent from the academic society and was renamed the Life Informatization Seminar. The institute has also published numerous books on topics such as internet defamation, human rights violations, and digital literacy, often through Musashino University Press. Its representative director, Yoshihiro Sato, has held various government advisory positions and is an emeritus professor at Musashino University. The company remains a small private enterprise with a capital of 10 million yen.

• 2017

  The seminar becomes independent from the academic society and is renamed the Life Informatization Seminar.

• 1999

  Yoshihiro Sato obtains a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in social informatics from the University of Tokyo.

• 1997

  Institute of Culture and Information Technology, Inc. is founded on April 17.

• 1997

  Life Informatization Seminar is established in October under the Japan Society for Life Studies.

• 1995

  Yoshihiro Sato publishes 'Life and Information Technology', a pioneering book on the informatization of daily life.

A specialized think tank focused on the social impact of informatization on daily life, providing research, consulting, and educational services.

• Life Informatization Seminar

  A free public seminar series on the informatization of daily life, held several times a year.

• Research and consulting services

  Surveys, research, and consulting related to informatization.

• Lectures and training

  Provision of lecturers and trainers for external events.

• Books

  Publications on internet defamation, human rights, digital literacy, and presentation skills.

1. 1情報文化総合研究所_研修,講師,講演icit.jp
2. 2情報文化総合研究所 - 会社概要icit.jp
3. 3情報文化総合研究所 - セミナーの概要icit.jp
4. 4Institute of Culture and Information Technology - Wikidatawikidata.org