Asian circular futures forum in tokyo explores Taiwan and Japan policy and design

Circular economy experts from Japan and Taiwan will meet on Monday, 23 June, to explore how Asia can steer the global shift towards a circular economy. The three-hour forum, “How Can We Design Circular Futures from Asia?” will be held at the Glass Rock Members Lounge and is co-hosted by Harch Inc.’s Circular Economy Hub, Taiwan’s REnato Lab and the Glass Rock — Social Action Community hub.

Climate change, biodiversity loss and rising resource conflicts demand economic models that keep materials in use and cut emissions. While European policy has long set the tone, Asian practitioners are increasingly shaping the narrative with solutions rooted in local culture and supply chains. Organisers who have spent years fostering Japan-Taiwan exchanges on circular design, including the “Repair Our Futures” study tour and municipal transition guides, suggest both countries now offer lessons the wider region can adopt.

The event will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., followed by networking. Each entry costs ¥1,000; Glass Rock members attend free. With capacity limited to about 30 to 40 guests, organisers encourage early registration. The main sessions will be conducted in English, with light interpretation and translation tools available, so participants need not worry about language proficiency. Toranomon Hills and Toranomon stations offer direct underground access to the venue.

REnato Lab chief executive Aining Ouyang will outline Taiwan’s latest circular-economy regulations, market incentives and the lab’s “Circular On-site” mentoring programme. Kiyokazu Nasu, founder of Circle Design and editor-in-chief of Circular Economy Hub, will survey Japan’s progress, from extended producer-responsibility schemes to circular-accounting metrics. Yu Kato, founder of Harch Inc. and a Keio University research fellow, will present the media platform’s recent work, including its Circular City Transition Guide for municipalities and its B Corp certification.

A panel discussion and audience Q&A will follow after the talks, delving into topics such as digital product passports, ISO standards and ways to measure circularity. The evening will close with details of a forthcoming Japan-Taiwan exchange programme designed to help businesses and local governments pilot circular solutions.

Organisers say the forum is designed for professionals, researchers and citizens curious about emerging policy, design and business models across Asia. They hope the dialogue will spark cross-border partnerships capable of turning circular theory into on-the-ground results. Reserve a seat at the event here.