Digitalization and green economy transition in EU and Japan: Smart Cities and Society 5.0 within the changing geopolitical context

Abstract

Using Japan-EU relations and digitalization of the Japanese society as the units for discussion, this paper aims at studying challenges in the economic and business contexts associated with the Smart Cities and Society 5.0 concepts. Developing sustainable society and urban formations based on information and communication technology (ICT) requires a critical assessment on what stakeholders can bring in relation to the transition towards a green economy and how the public sector and private business can contribute in such a transformation. This development relates to the issue of how policy is being developed and anchored within a society.