July 25, 2017
An Open International Industry-Academia Collaboration Group for Blockchain Technology
Announcement of the Establishment of the BASE Alliance
Keio University's Keio Research Institute at SFC and the Socio-Global Information Engineering Research Center at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, will establish the "BASE Alliance," an open international industry-academia collaboration group for blockchain technology, which is expected to become the technological foundation for future information systems. To mark the start of its activities, a press briefing will be held on Monday, July 24. We cordially invite you to attend.
■ Information on the Press Briefing
Date and Time: Monday, July 24, 2017, 13:00–13:30
Venue: North Hall, Keio University Mita Campus
It is on the first floor of Building 1 on the campus map.
Attendees: Kanta Matsuura Professor, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo
Jun Murai Professor, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University
Shin'ichiro Matsuo Project Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University / Research Fellow, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo / Director's Liaison for Financial Cryptography, MIT Media Lab
Junichi Kishigami Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology / Visiting Professor, Keio University / W3C Advisory Board
Shigeya Suzuki Project Associate Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University
Tatsuya Hayashi Member, Keio University Keio Research Institute at SFC; Researcher, Blockchain Laboratory
■ Purpose of the Establishment of the BASE Alliance
Blockchain technology emerged with the creation of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. In addition to creating various digital currencies, its application is being explored in diverse fields, leveraging its characteristics as a public distributed ledger. To use blockchain technology as a foundation, it needs to be improved through open discussions. Furthermore, a venue for research, development, and proof-of-concept experiments is necessary.
From this perspective, we have established the BASE Alliance with the aim of promoting blockchain research through open discussions, R&D, and proof-of-concept experiments via international industry-academia collaboration.
The name BASE is an acronym for Blockchain Academic Synergized Environment. It is intended to represent the synergy of industry-academia collaboration in the academic research environment for blockchain.
■ Overview of the Alliance's Activities
In this alliance, academic members, primarily university faculty and researchers, and corporate members, mainly companies interested in blockchain technology, will collaborate with each other to promote R&D, proof-of-concept experiments, and community building.
The alliance plans to conduct research activities focusing on the following items as its future specific activities:
- R&D on blockchain technology in general
- R&D of applications using blockchain
- Construction, operation, and research of a testbed for conducting proof-of-concept experiments using existing and implemented blockchain technologies
- Fostering an international industry-academia collaboration community
Focusing on these activities, we plan to establish groups for each individual theme.
Additionally, as necessary, we will also contribute to global standardization activities by coordinating with various standards organizations and providing mutual feedback.
The full press release can be viewed at Announcement of the Establishment of the BASE Alliance, an Open International Industry-Academia Collaboration Group for Blockchain Technology.pdf .
【Contact Information】
BASE Alliance Secretariat, c/o Blockchain Laboratory, Murai Laboratory, Keio University
Tel: 0466-49-1100 Fax: 0466-49-1101 E-Mail: kbcl-info@sfc.wide.ad.jp
【Distributed by】
Office of Research Development and Sponsored Projects at Shonan Fujisawa Campus, Keio University