COMMUNITY CULTURE AND DIGITAL TRUST IN SMART CITIES IN JAPAN: A SOCIETY 5.0 PERSPECTIVE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18173/2354-1067.2026-0048Keywords:
smart city, society 5.0, digital trust, community culture, KizunaAbstract
This article examines the dialectical relationship between traditional community cultural values and the creation of digital trust in Japan’s smart-city initiatives. Through literature review and case study analysis, the research clarifies how Japan applies the Society 5.0 framework to resolve paradoxes between technology and culture. The research findings indicate that digital trust in Japan is not built solely on technical security solutions but is rooted in Kizuna (social bonds) and consent-based data governance (Opt-in). From these insights, the study offers several recommendations for Vietnam in developing a trust ecosystem when implementing smart urban areas.
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