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The Japanese businesses going online for real world changes
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The 21st century has been defined by newchallenges. From climate change to viral
pandemics, crumbling infrastructure andaging populations, socio-economic crises
are not hard to find. Thankfully, the best ofhuman innovation has been rising to meetthose challenges. Japanese businesses areleading the way through the Society 5.0
push, by using artificial intelligence (AI), theInternet of Things (IoT) and automation toimprove efficiency and quality of life. In industry, a looming labor shortage is an urgent
issue. Yoshiyuki Sankai, President and CEOof robotics experts CYBERDYNE Inc.,
believes automation can help alleviate thisdemographic-linked crisis. “This challenge
presents an important opportunity for ourcountry,” Sankai said. “Robotics, AI and IoT“We can support growing
companies by helping withfactory automation.”
Hiroshi Ogasawara
technologies were at the heart of the movement for digitalization. Personalization isquickly emerging as the keyword of the next
phase: Society 5.0.”
Hiroshi Ogasawara, Chairman andPresident of Yaskawa Electric Corporation
added: “Automation covers a wide range ofapplications. This could be simple machine
automation. It could be AI and IoT-driven
or have a fair amount of manual input.”

While labor shortages are a pressing humanconcern, there are also aging-infrastructure
challenges, with many roads and bridges requiring repair or replacement. Paul Noritaka

pany’s output is a very physical product, newtechnology plays a key role in many areas.
“At our factories, we have introduced
digital measuring instruments and material

mixing systems to improve quality and saveTange, Chairman of architecture firm Tangelabor,” he said.
Associates, said integrated technology is helIf some of the advancements sound likeping his industry. “We are always challenging
the stuff of Hollywood, that’s not far fromourselves to use new materials and technolothe truth. Shiro Yahara, President of Pioneer
gies to advance knowledge,”Tange said.
Corporation, said this fantastic new world is
Innovative imaging business Asukanet
already taking shape with the investment inCo., Ltd. is building its technological advanCASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared,
cements around client needs. “It’s about theElectric) systems such as
mindset to produce something better. That’s the base “We envision a society his firm’s in-car infotainall Japanese manufacturers where humans and tech- ment system NP1. “Youhave pursued throughout
nology work together.” could get a device like NP1,and your car becomes ahistory,” said Yuji Matsuo,smart car,” Yahara said. “Ifpresident of Asukanet.
Yoshiyuki Sankai
you’ve heard of the Knight
These changes and opporRider TV show from 40 years ago, he talks
tunities affect all industries and sectors.
to a car that speaks. That’s where we are
Goji Wada, president of Mutsubishi
headed.”Rubber Co., Ltd. said that while his com-laws of supply and demand are the cornerstone of good business. OneWarming up for the future The
Japanese firm is taking that corporate mantra a step further by aiming to“Technology performance is key to RASCO
being the preferredpartner.”
Kenichi Horino,
Representative Director,
RASCO Co., Ltd.

predict customer needs before they arise. Operating at the heart of thesemiconductor industry means that RASCO Co., Ltd. is always thinking
about the future, whether that’s expansion or R&D. Despite the massive
demand for semiconductors, the firm, which manufactures devices toregulate temperature, is looking to expand and partner up in areas like
medical technology (particularly sterilization), and green industries
supporting carbon reduction.“At RASCO, we try to always predict ourcustomers’ needs before their request,” said Kenichi Horino, the company’s representative director. “We want to introduce new technologies
and provide higher value-added products
and services to our customers,” he said.
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TEIKOKU: The future is being written in high-definition ink

Business heroes

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7KH-DSDQHVHHFRQRP\LVEHLQJGULYHQE\VPDOODQGPHGLXPVL]HGHQWHUSULVHVRIIHULQJQHZZD\VRIGRLQJWKLQJV-DSDQHVH¿UP2UEUD\EHJDQOLIHPDQXIDFWXULQJMHZHOEHDULQJVDQGQRZSLRQHHUVWKHODWHVWHOHFWURQLFVFRPSRQHQWVWhen TEIKOKU PRINTING INKS first opened for business inJapan in 1895, the original founders could not have dreamed of theincredible technology and devices the firm would one day be involved in. The days of supplying traditional newspaper and magazine
printing inks have progressed to include hi-tech inks and coatings
for products such as automobiles, mobile phones and smart watches.
TEIKOKU has enjoyed a highly successful transition fromanalog to digital as consumers shift away from hard-copy printing
towards electronic communication and the paperless office concept.
The company’s business model now balances products such as fabricscreen printing with cutting-edge inks used in electronics. Building
on its hard-earned reputation of reliability and quality, company
president Nobunari Sawanobori is excited about the new frontiersWorking hard to deliver quality products and services is hardwired into every good Japanese business. But those principles areespecially important to the nation’s booming small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) and niche companies. An incredible 3.58
million SMEs make up 99.7% of all Japanese businesses, and theyplay a massive role - by doing all the little things right. Utilizing anagile corporate structure, many such firms are thriving, whether
supplying business contracts or selling direct to customers.
With Asia-Pacific neighbors leading the way in mass production and lower-cost models, Japanese firms have been taking amore focused and customer-centric approach. “A large number ofmanufacturers have shifted towards niche fields. Although Japanese
products cannot remain competitive regarding cost and volume,
they excel where high quality is needed,” said Yoshio Komuro, CEOand President of precision metal rollers firm Rikazai Co., Ltd.
Mamoru Iwata, President of manufacturing prototype specialists Sanken Kogyo Co., Ltd. said that adaptability is a crucial factor
in his firm’s success. “As we do not work with mass production, clientneeds change from time to time and as such, our focus of productionchanges often,” Iwata said. “Ensuring that clients are happy andsatisfied is our number one priority.”'HYHORSLQJLQNVIRUVPDUWSKRQHVLVDQLPSRUWDQWSDUWRI7(,.2.8·VEXVLQHVV

his team is charting and insists that customer service remains thenumber one priority.
“The functions that the clients want us to produce are veryvaried,” Sawanobori said. “Sometimes electricity is very important,or sometimes the client wants us to make sure that certain wavelengths of an electric wave are going through, as in some inks they
do not, those sorts of requests.” Innovation is powering the shift
by TEIKOKU PRINTING INKS Mfg. Co., Ltd. towards digitaltechnology applications and devices. In addition to displays, thefirm’s product range includes conductive layers, a variety of sensors
and both antiviral and antibacterial coatings.Sawanobori recalled
the company’s original, and at that time unexpected, shift away fromnews media printing in the 1980s. “We started producing
ink for newspaper printing, but at thattime, we had a disagreement with ourclient and decided toquit doing newspaper
ink and stick to screen
printing ink. Expe-7(,.2.8¶VLQNKDVDZLGHUDQJLQJDSSOLFDWLRQV

rience, word of mouth, and recommendations contributed to theexpansion of our business,” he said.
From that point on, the business never looked back. International development has been important to the firm’s success, through operations and partnerships in Malaysia, Thailand, India andGermany. TEIKOKU’s diverse product range is ever-expanding,with ink products said to be able to print onto anything that isn’t
water or air. Its cutting-edge R&D includes producing high-definition ink, UV and infrared transmissible inks, “invisible” security
printing, electromagnetic shielded layers and non-conductive
coatings.
TEIKOKU’s leadership is ambitious, determined and after
successfully navigating decades of change, the company is ready forwhatever the future holds. “Because we are now in the age of rapidchanges, it’s rather challenging to see the future, Sawanobori said.
“The reason why we are so competitive is the ability, effort, andtechnical know-how of our staff who produce the original color wi-Racing to business success“One of our most valuable
tools for R&D is our motorsport operation.”
Norihiko Inazuma,
President, Weds Co., Ltd.

thin the company,” he added. Having shown how
important and flexible TEIKOKU’s ink products
can be in different fields, the firm is always looking
for new applications for its technology, and new
sectors to target.
www.teikokuink.com
The fast-growing electric-vehicle (EV)market is an area of particular interest. “The automobile industry’s
shift towards the EV car and increases in the use of sensors will bea definite thing so that’s the area that we are putting some effort
into,” Sawanobori said. “Besides, we are not just ink manufacturers.
We are dealing with several things and providing materials tomeet customers’ requests. And I think we are very good atdoing it,” he said.

Most customers buying a new set of weds aluminum wheels won’t
be looking to ever use them at a rate of several hundred kilometers
per hour. At those speeds, however, are exactly when the average
consumer gets to enjoy some of the highest-quality aftermarket
wheels on the market.
Weds Co., Ltd. prides itself on technology forged in the heatof motorsport as its ‘Weds Sport Team’ competes in the Super GT
racing circuit. Company President Norihiko Inazuma said theteam drives crucial research. “It allows us to gain expertise throughpractical applications. We develop lightweight products that remain
rigid and strong, as well as working on systems to maintain a smooth
air pressure,” Inazuma said. The team also raises brand awarenessoverseas. With a proud history and global partners, this makes
Weds pioneers in Japan, andaround the world.

Innovation has been thesparkling heart of Japanese technology company
Orbray right from thestart. Tasked with creating jewel bearings forindustrial manufacturing,
the business expanded
and the product range
Riyako “Lily” Namiki,grew
quickly. Expertise inPresident and CEO, Orbray Co., Ltd.
jewel bearings led to precision parts for watches, phonograph styli, small motors for personalmusic players, fiber-optic components and medical devices.
Unsurprisingly, the peak of this development came with themost precious stone of all. Orbray has made a huge impact withhigh-purity diamond wafers, the biggest of its kind in the world.
Applications include quantum computing and even aerospace, as
seen from the ‘Space Delivery Project’ to send its diamonds to theInternational Space Station for testing. “Our diamond has beenin outer space for almost six months,” said Riyako “Lily” Namiki,
President of Orbray Co., Ltd. “We believe the further understan-“With our extremely diverse knowledge,
we continue to innovate
precision components.”
Riyako “Lily” Namiki
ding gained from this project could be utilized in innovative device
applications.” Such ambitions are key to the firm’s future.
In January 2023, Orbray will be the official brand name for thefirm formerly known as Adamant Namiki Precision Jewel Co., Ltd.
This approach to innovation is exemplified by Lily, one of the few
female corporate presidents in Japan. She wants to place kindness
and warmth at the heart of her leadership.
She plans to combine the firm’s history and expertise with fresh
thinking for a bright future. “ ‘Orb’ stands for theplanet, and ‘ray’ connotes‘light.’ If each employee
believes in themselves,
they can shine evenbrighter, allowing thecompany to emit an evenstronger beacon of hopefor the future.”
2-inch diameter high-purity diamond wafer
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Boosting health by tackling new frontiers, ideas and markets

Content from Global Kigyo

Japan is once again open for business, pleasure and learning
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“We believe that the increased
demand for health products is in“Capsule products from Japanline with our corporate mission.
are renowned as easy toWe have experienced positive
swallow and of consistently
effects due to this trend,” said
high quality.”Toshinori Yamanaka, President
Toshinori Yamanaka
of Nakanihon Capsule. This
commitment to high standards
includes striving to increase
the company’s product range
throughinnovations
such as plant-based
Toshinori Yamanaka,President, Nakanihon Capsule Co., Ltd.
alternatives to gelatin, capsules that release
into the intestine rather than the stomach,
Following the worst global health crisis inand delivery methods such as food anda century, it’s no surprise people around theseasoning oils.
world are taking better care of themselves.
Nakanihon Capsule is also pursuing
That’s good for society, and for the firmsimprovements in global markets, with acharged with the supply of medicine andcurrent foothold in Vietnam followed bywell-being-related products. It’s a challenge
planned expansions in Taiwan and Hong
Nakanihon Capsule Co. ,Ltd.
Kong. The firm’s mission is , “supporting ais facing head-on as a businesshealthy society not only in Japan but also
built around making suppleglobally,” said Yamanaka.
ments easier to consume.
www.nakanihon-cap.co.jp

What the future of business and technology looks like-DSDQLVRQHRIWKHJUHDW5 'OHDGHUVRIWKHZRUOGWKDQNVWRIRUZDUGWKLQNLQJEXVLQHVVHVSRZHULQJRQZLWKLQQRYDWLRQ
By just about every measure, Japan has been leading the way in
In another example of individual firms helping achieve results
technological and industrial innovation for decades. As a matter ofgreater than the sum of their parts, Takahiko Mozume, president
national pride, R&D is as much a part of Japanese business cultureof industrial magnetics manufacturer Magnetec Japan, believes in aas dedication to customer service, and is integral tocollaborative approach to research and development.
its commitment to quality. Japan spends more on“We have to continue to improve our capacity,“We achieve customer
R&D than other G7 nations and is rated the global
including R&D and technological development,”
satisfaction throughleader in R&D by the World Economic Forum.
quality and technology.” Mozume said. For the perfect example of Japanese
Behind the numbers, however, every firm tells aattitudes about R&D, just look at industrial valve
unique story. The companies leading in R&D do somanufacturer Kitz Corporation, which did not celeMakoto Nakanishiin the crucible of commerce, so they must be profitabrate its 70th anniversary by looking back, but looble and imaginative at the same time. Makoto Nakanishi, president
king forward. “We installed an innovation center in Chino city, Naof hose and coupling manufacturer Toyox Co. Ltd., said his firm’s
gano to speed up R&DR&D is crucial to the customer relationship. “We think together
for the growth market.
with our customers to find out future issues or needs, then we use
We have 35 subsidiariesthis to create new products and improve our services,” he said. “Wein our group and need
are following the history of Japan’s economic development and will
to leverage all those
do the same in the future.”That’s an approach which is shared acrosstechnologies to enhancea range of sectors.
the business,” said
Cleanup Corporation is a housing equipment manufacturer
President and CEO
that developed Japan’s first systemized kitchen. President Hiroshi
Makoto Kohno. “TheTakeuchi is working to keep up with the evolving market.”The cominnovation center is thepany develops and manufactures new styles of system kitchens andbase for development in[Source]“Global Innovation Index2021”
other water-related home fixtures, focusing on materials and design.
this field,” Kohno said.
(World Intellectial Property Organization)

The world may have been on pause for thelast two and a half years. That does not mean,
however, that the best and brightest partsof Japanese culture and commerce havestood still. Instead, Japanese companies in
sectors such as higher education, cuisine andskincare have been working hard to lookafter customers and stakeholders. Now, withrestrictions lifted and Japan fully re-opened
for business, they are thrilled to return to fullworking order, bigger and better than ever.
Particularly keen to completely open
the doors, and tackle new markets, is popular
restaurant chain Nadaman Co., Ltd., according to President Michihiro Maki. “Wecelebrated our 190th anniversary in 2020,
the same year as the Tokyo Olympics, andwe had a lot of events planned but because ofCOVID-19, the Olympics were postponed,”he said. “The past two and a half years havebeen a really tough time for us. Recentlythough, we have been getting our businessback on track. We have our 200th anniversary coming up and we have a strategy to
grow larger and a part of that is growing in
the international market,” Maki added“ Thatwill be aided by the growing popularity of Japanese produce and ingredients, due in largepart to the healthy and nutritional properties
the cuisine is famed for. Fumitaka Takuma,
President of Takuma Foods Co., Ltd. hopes
to take advantage of that by spreading hisclient base. “We want to continue expanding our clientele and expanding our sales
channels in the global market,” Takuma said.
“The first step would be in Asia, to build up
a solid base, and during the process we could
have more orders and more requests fromglobal markets.” That reputation for healthy
ingredients and elements also extends to thecosmetics and skincare sector.
Kazuhiro Sakiyama, CEO of C’BON
Cosmetics Co., Ltd. hopes his staff ’s dedicated customer service and online support canreap further rewards in the post-COVID-19
era. “When I think about the reasons people
come to the salon to get beautified, many
are for relieving stress,” Sakiyama said. “Ourresearch department is trying to find out if
we can find the same anti-stress qualities in

the ingredients of cosmetics. We arestrengthening our development of productsthat will grow out of the salon experience andbe realized in the home self-care setting.”
While products have long been bought
and sold online, education has traditionallybeen an in-person experience. However, aninventive approach sparked an upsurge in
web-based learning over the last two years
in Nagoya City University. Kenjiro Kohri,
Chairperson of the university, hopes thatbears fruit in years to come. “During theCOVID-19 pandemic, our university has
been seeing an increase in the enrollment ofinternational students despite some universities struggling to obtain any,” he said. “Wehave been taking the initiative to welcome
more international students by providing
our own educational support. As an island
country, Japan should enhance internationalization more actively than other countries,”
Kohri said.

Discovering quality, empowering clients

In the age of moving markets, one Japanese branding firm is leading the way for niche businesses inthe biggest global territories. Tokyo-based Liberta
Co. Ltd. has become one of Japan’s most innovative agencies by working with products at homeand abroad. Its globally successful sole exfoliation
product Baby Foot gave the company a footholdin global markets.
´,EHOLHYHWKDWWKHUH·V
Liberta, a small
Mr. Toru Sato,a lot more hidden
and medium-size
President, Liberta Co., Ltd.
potential acrossenterprise (SME),
the globe. ”
is broadening its sales channels with the overseas expansion ofFreeze Tech – functional clothing that uses cutting-edge printToru Satotechnology. “The US market is one big priority for us because
few Japanese SMEs have had success there,” said Toru Sato,president of Liberta. Having celebrated its 25th anniversary, Liberta has grown into a branding
powerhouse.
“Our mission is to bring people joy and create a more interesting world by developing
excellent products. Stay tuned, you can expect a lot more in the future,” Sato said. With a strong
community mindset, the company is offering its services to individuals who want to realize
their ideas. “We are working on a new business model that will open our product developmentknow-how to the general public,” Sato said.

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Stretching and moving the key to rubber expansion
0XWVXELVKL5XEEHULVOLYLQJXSWRWKHSURSHUWLHVRILWVLFRQLFSURGXFWZLWKRQJRLQJYHUVDWLOLW\DQGGLYHUVLW\Goji Wada, President and Representative,
Mutsubishi Rubber Co., Ltd.

It is one thing for a company to know its
principal product inside out. But it’s taking
it to another level when you understand it sowell that you can learn from its properties.
Japanese firm Mutsubishi Rubber Co., Ltd.
has been working with its titular material
for one hundred years. Given the way thecompany has been celebrated for its ability
to adapt and move, you’d be forgiven forthinking they have taken some lessons
from its flexibility. The company supplies
diverse fields such as railways, shipbuilding,civil engineering, water supply, energy andsteel, among others. It offers an innovative
range of resilient rubber products usedfor countless applications. This is all madepossible because of aproduction systemallowing everything
to be completed
within a single factory.
From material development to design,
performance verification testing to manufacturing. “Rubber products are required tocontain gases, shield against radioactivity,and seal bearings from oil and dust, as well as

for anti-vibration and shock absorbers,” said
company President Goji Wada.
“Mutsubishi Rubber deals with rubbermaterials that stretch and contract. We provide only one product that specializes withina very niche market with manual labor. Thisis a strategy that only an agile company withan integrated production system can make,”foundations by importing techniques from
Wada said. One of the firm’s most important
the British industrial revolution. It has
products is its range of seals for industrial
since developed and evolved to drive its
and climate-related safety. Following theown innovation and research into rubber
2011 Tohoku earthquake and subsequent
technologies. Throughout the last century,
Fukushima nuclear accident, product sales
the company has worked in the development
were impacted by energy industry trends.
of Japanese rail infrastructure, the steel inThe business has since enjoyed a rise in
dustry, pharmaceuticals, and components fordemand for rubber shell and seal covers tonuclear plants. “Since we are now celebrating
protect against tsunamis, floods and storms.
our 100th anniversary, we, therefore, have
Researchers have
100 years of knowledge
also developed a new door “We are an agile company within this niche field,”shield product for use in
Wada said. “For the pastwith an integrated
the energy industry and
100 years, we have createdproduction system thatbeyond. “It can be said
new technology andallows us to keep brusthat this has contributed
hing up on our technology products, but this was ourto improving the safety ofand product expertise all base technology. We are
nuclear facilities against
an agile company with anthe time.”natural disasters,” Wada
integrated production sysGoji Wadasaid. “We are developing
tem that allows us to keep
products that protect from earthquakes,
brushing up on our technology and productlightning, typhoons, and tsunamis, as wellexpertise all the time.”
as solving problems with aging infrastrucMutsubishi products have been usedture,” he added. Mutsubishi’s ability to lookaround the world, with a strong track record
towards the future,of sales in Asia, Europe, Africa, North Amemaking new plansrica and Australia. The company plans toand inventions,begin its next 100 years by aiming for further
is built on its richinternational success. “Looking to the future,
history of the last 100
we will continue to expand our presenceyears.
within these markets,” Wada said. “We willIn their early days, The Victaulic Co.,
continue to maintain our spirit of developof Japan Ltd. requested a specialist from
ment, and with the motto of ‘creation fromThe Victory Pipe Joint Co., Ltd. in thescratch’, we would like to introduce JapaneseUK, which helped Mutsubishi lay strong
manufacturing products to the world.”

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