July 06, 2020
Accenture and the University of Aizu to Develop a Standard API Marketplace for Smart City Operating Systems
Project Aims to Improve Data Linkage and Integration Across Cities and Industries
TOKYO and AIZU WAKAMATSU, Fukushima; July 6, 2020 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and the University of Aizu will conduct a joint research project to develop the first standard API marketplace for smart cites in Japan. The project also includes studies on how to utilize a Smart City operating system (digital platform for smart cities) to better utilize AI in public services and promote citizens’ behavioral changes, focusing on Aizu Wakamatsu city, Fukushima, as a model case.
An API marketplace is a channel for sharing and disseminating standardized code for creating and linking software. The planned site will help local government, companies and other local stakeholders develop and benefit from new data linkages and integration between smart city and industry initiatives. With the advice of the University of Aizu, Accenture will develop the API marketplace on the cloud environment of the University of Aizu’s Advanced ICT Laboratory (LICTiA).
"Since its opening in 1993, the University of Aizu has been fostering world-class ICT talent and conducting research on ICT that contributes to the sustainable development of Japan and the world,” said President of the University of Aizu, Toshiaki Miyazaki. “Through this joint research, we will work with Accenture, one of the world’s leading consulting companies, to improve Japan’s competitiveness."
"The Japanese government is promoting a standardized smart city architecture for the good of society, in particular to support sustainable development in urban areas,” said Shojiro Nakamura, Accenture Innovation Center Fukushima, Co-Lead. “Creating standards for applications and data is key to our efforts to support work in individual cities and a nationwide smart city framework, as well as central to our collaboration with the University of Aizu to promote regional development.”
About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services. We combine unmatched experience and specialized capabilities across more than 40 industries — powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. With 509,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture brings continuous innovation to help clients improve their performance and create lasting value across their enterprises. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
About University of Aizu
Opened in 1993, the University of Aizu is a public university is the first university in Japan to specialize in computer science and engineering. With top-notch professors from around the world and an unparalleled computer environment, we foster computer scientists and engineers with high computer skills to advance knowledge for humanity. We aim to explore inventions and discoveries that will contribute to the peace and prosperity of humanity by guiding technological innovations for the sustainable development of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, and the world.
For more information, visit https://www.u-aizu.ac.jp/.
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Contacts:
Kazumi Yamada
Accenture Japan
+81 45 330 7157
accenture.jp.media@accenture.com
Sho Yoshimoto
University of Aizu
+81 242 37 2776
s-yoshi@u-aizu.ac.jp