Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus visited Sakai, Ibaraki Prefecture, an innovation-driven city near Tokyo, on Friday.

Mayor Masahiro Hashimoto warmly welcomed Prof Yunus and said he has been leading efforts to transform Sakai into a model “3.0 Smart City,” inspired by Professor Yunus’ vision of three zeros.

Sakai is known for pioneering initiatives such as autonomous driving technologies and the “hometown tax” system, which allows residents in major cities like Tokyo to allocate part of their taxes to their hometown, supporting local development.

During the visit, Prof Yunus spent time at a local elementary school, interacting with students.

The visit included a touching moment with the national anthem of Bangladesh. He also planted a cherry tree at the school, symbolizing growth, renewal, and future generations.

Mayor Hashimoto also invited Professor Yunus and his team to provide guidance on further advancing Sakai’s transformation. Key ideas discussed included establishing social business funds and launching “3ZERO Club” to foster innovation and social impact at the community level.

When supported and scaled, ideas can contribute to solving global challenges: Prof Yunus 

Later, Prof Yunus visited Bando Taro Co., Ltd., a Japanese company best known for operating a chain of family-friendly restaurants with over 100 locations across Japan. Its business model thoughtfully integrates social impact, pairing each restaurant with a nearby nursery so that employees’ children can remain close to their parents during working hours.  

At the site, Prof Yunus planted peach trees, a gesture symbolizing sustainability and a long-term vision.