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A proud badge of honor, more than just a label of origin

Tackling society’s problems with the latest science and technology

The words “Made in Japan” have been a standard of quality and excellence for generations of businesses, but
in the turbulent 21st century, it is the turn of internationally-minded Japanese firms to set those standards.

A Japanese pharmaceutical firm has social responsibility at the heart of its business and plans to make regenerative medicine more accessible.

The phrase “Made in Japan” is supposed to mean more than just aplace of origin. Such famous words have traditionally signified quality,
excellence and the kind of standards that consumers and clients aroundthe world have come to expect. Now, in the world of globalized trade,
online sales and manufacturing-cost rivals, the badge of identity has
become more important than ever, as Japanese businesses work tocompete and succeed in an ever-changing marketplace. Powered bya traditional sense of customer service and quality known locally as
monozukuri, hard-working firms are clinging proudly to their national
trademark, while also constantly seeking to push and redefine what itmeans. In the pharmaceuticals sector, for example, domestic success ispaving the way for international ambitions. Kunio Yamada, Chairman
and CEO of Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., is a firm believer in thestrength of his industry, and most importantly, his nation.
“Some believe that the Japanese position on the global stage isdeclining, however, from another perspective, there is still a lot of potential for further growth,” said Yamada. “One of our strengths is a long
history of tradition, as well as looking at problems from a long-term
perspective.”
Another sector“The Japanese education
seeking to make a big diffesystem is well integrated,
rence is higher education, asfrom elementary school tomore and more universities
university. At each level,
look to play a key role inthere is a strong connection
Japan’s increasingly impor- between institutions and pritant role in global trade.
vate-sector businesses.”
While secondary-level schooling has always
Takashi Wada, President,
Kanazawa University
been renowned for its highstandards, universities areworking to broaden the horizons of their students, and by extension,
the economy.Takashi Wada, President of Kanazawa University, said
both global thinking and connections with business will be crucial
going forward. “We believe that through an increased emphasis on
international education, Japanese and international students can integrate with one another and develop mutually beneficial relationships,”
Wada said.
Working globally to the highest possible levels of service andquality is a central tenet of Wakachiku Construction and a national
characteristic, according to president and representative director Katsuhiko Karasuda. “We will never change our policy on high standards,”
Karasuda said. “It is important for clients of Japanese companies tounderstand this.”The defining qualities of Japanese manufacturing
might be most
“We have been seeing a growth famously represented
by machines, vehicles
in overseas inquiries, so weand electronics, but its
have been looking to better
food and drink sectors
address these needs.”
have been applying
the same formula for
Taiji Aoki, CEO, Fujiseiki Co., Ltd.

success to their own output.
With generations of tradition and history poured into a skilledendeavor and brought to market with the greatest attention to detail“There are many companies making
a big difference within Japan.”
Kunio Yamada, Chairman and CEO,
Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
and quality, renowned confectioner Eitaro Sohonpo is proudly Japanese. “Ten years ago, Japanese food was certified as one of world heritage
by UNESCO, including Japanese sweets and Japanese confectionery.”He added: “Personally, I think that my recommendation of Japanesefood for people who may not be aware is something that can standalone and be tasty,” said Makoto Hosoda, Representative Director andPresident of Eitaro Sohonpo.
For food-processing manufacturer Fujiseiki Co., Ltd., a global
outlook is important as it caters to various markets, at home and abroad.
However, CEO Taiji Aoki insisted he will always fly the flag withpride. “Despite looking to maintain close ties with overseas clients, wewill continue to emphasize the benefits of Made in Japan,” he said.

Higher learning, higher living“Education, culture,and peace are the threepillars of the spirit of theuniversity.”
Masashi Suzuki,
President, Soka University
At some institutions, a successful education is about more than justwhat is printed on the diploma. Soka University in Japan has longchampioned a holistic approach to teaching that has helped produce
generation after generation of thought-driven graduates ready tomake their mark on the world.
Having celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, the university
is famous for offering courses such as Peace Studies, and its approaches to sustainability and partner projects in the developing world.
In addition to its liberal arts commitments, the institution is also akeen adopter of new technology, with certain data science classes
compulsory for all students. “When we talk about new culture, theconnection is between the human spirit,” said President Masashi
Suzuki. “We need a fundamental philosophy to pursue peace andmoral education. The underlying principle is ‘Discover
your potential’,” Suzuki said.

Kunio Yamada, Chairman & CEO,
Rohto Pharmaceutical Co,. Ltd.

In a fast moving society, the most responsible
businesses are working not just for profit, but
for meaningful change and innovation. For
Japanese pharmaceuticals company Rohto
Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., the commitment
stretches from children’s foundation work to
disaster relief, social welfare and regenerative
medicine to help address the aging crisis.The
company has become a key player in healthcare and well-being with its diverse productrange from skincare to over-the-counter
medicines. “Looking back at our company
history, social contribution has always been astrong emphasis,” said Chairman and CEO
Kunio Yamada. “I would like the company
to remain on this path, it contributes to our
reputation and credibility. Creating hope forchildren is also an important matter, allowing
them to develop their individual talents forthe future,” he added. A huge element of thatis social responsibility, including
the “ROHTO Foundation forChildren’s Future”, part of acommitment to supporting
communities and making
people’s lives better.
The aging population
issue, in particular, is set toaffect all advanced economies. While many have been

applied in services and products for medical
exploring technological solutions such aspractitioners and products for general use.
automation, the Osaka-based firm is working
Commitment to social causes has been crucial
in the cutting-edge field of regenerative medito the firm’s success going back more than 100
cine to address conditions affected by unmet
years, and is something it looks for in partners
healthcare needs. “We currently have an issue
around the world.This work is part of thewith the aging population,”Yamada said.
firm’s commitment to“The solutions andtechnologies that we“Being a pharmaceutical com- supporting commuare producing to solvepany for over 100 years, R&D is nities and making
this problem will havea key area of our business and people’s lives better.
uses in other nations as we have a very active relations- “Our R&D activities
see no borders in thetime progresses.”
hip with universities.”
geographical sense.
Rohto enteWe have a range of
red regenerative
Kunio Yamada
subsidiaries in othermedicine full scalecountries, doing well in a business sense andin 2013 and is conducting clinical trials foralso share our values and desire to contributemany conditions including COVID-19. In
to local communities where they operate,”order to conduct clinical trials, cell cultures
Yamada said. “We want to support various asmust meet strict regulations that have led topects of people’s lives to contribute to overall
the development of an Animal Origin Free
well-being.This goal will be the identity of(AOF) culture medium containing no animal
our company moving forward,”Yamada said.
or human materials.This technology is being

In-house manufactured animal origin-free culture
media for mesenchymal stem cells.

Cultures and clinical trials central to research.

Automated research tech supports cell culturing.

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A globalclassroom

Japanese education is famous
for its traditions of hard workand results. However, oneof the nation’s most historic
universities is driving a learning
revolution to make its students
more internationally minded
and free-thinking.

“We are in a transition
where people value
individuality more.”
Yoko Kagami, President,
Komazawa University
Tokyo’s Komazawa University has celebrated its 140th
anniversary, but its roots goeven deeper, with educational
origins dating back more than
430 years.
Its strategy has been
designed as a forward-thinking
approach, led by President
Yoko Kagami, encouraging
individual thinking, sustainability-linked lessons, andexchanges with 27 institutions
all over the world.
“We take pride in meetingthe needs of the times without
losing sight of our founding
philosophy, and the essenceof education and research,”
Kagami said. “Agreementswith overseas partners are very
important in both research andstudent exchange.”

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New ideas for a new world
Japanese firms of all sizes are working towards a better future with pioneering innovation and research.
The beating entrepreneurial heart of every successful business isin the ‘what next’. Whether it’s new products, new ideas or new
techniques, the embrace of innovation is what sets the best companies apart. In Japan, a renowned home of technology and forward
thinking, this is especially true. R&D is the secret ingredient helping
an army of firms lead their fields, as reflected in global statistics
proving Japan leads the field for patents, expenditure and resulting
success. This successful reputation is growing, and as well as driving
domestic markets, has been proven to attract global investment. An
intriguing aspect of this culture is the way different firms approach
R&D. Takashi Kaetsu, president of infrastructure and power-connections manufacturer Doi Seisakusho Co., Ltd., said innovation isa huge part of the company’s drive to take advantage of an increasing
reliance on connectivity.
“As the world moves towards Society 5.0, access to informationin smart cities will be as essential as access to utilities such as gas, water and electricity,” he predicted. “We update new specifications to
respond to those activities and research in design and developmentat our Tokyo headquarters and Chiba factory,” Kaetsu said.
Innovation is also an integral part of the culture at precision-casting and molding firm Castem Co., Ltd. “Compared to(YDOXDWLRQE\)RUHLJQ$I¿OLDWHV7KH*UHDWHVW$WWUDFWLYHQHVRI-DSDQLVLWVPDUNHW
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other companies, we think of challenging new ideas as a conceptthat should be thought of naturally, not as a company policy that weshould strive towards,” said president Takuo Toda.
Shinichi Nakayama, president of components manufacturer
Nakayama Seimitsu Co., Ltd., said that his firm’s R&D is tailoredto corporate needs and market movements. “We try to identify what
the major field is, such as our current interest in fuel cells and molding for fuel-cell casing production,” he said. Industrial components
supplier Kondotec Inc. president Katsuhiko Kondo agreed that
advances play a key role in the economy, and it’s vital for firms to leadthe way. “We have subsidiaries where we develop new automation
systems to improve productivity,” Kondo said. “We are interested in
combining existing technologies for new products.”

Making a big
impactAutomation on the menu for Japan’s food-machinery specialists
Tackling the labor shortage with automated systems should be meat-and-potatoes for a firm that has built
its reputation on producing the highest-quality food-preparation machinery.

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The boldest businesses are notalways judged on their size. With
160 employees, Japanese firm
Kinboshi Inc. may sit on the smaller side of the SME bracket, but
it is making a huge and profound
impact thanks to a revolutionary
powder-feeding technology
with wide-ranging applications
including next-gen EV batteries.
The firm, which specializes
in a wide range of manufacturing
including security uniforms andsecurity equipment, while also
providing management services.
Kinboshi supplies products tothe healthcare industry, which isa prime example of its ambition

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The labor-shortage crisis and the need tomove towards automation and robotic production is a major issue for every industry.
Some businesses are preparing well andsome are catching up fast, but some appear
to have been working towards it for decades.
Japanese food-production equipment
manufacturer Fujiseiki Co., Ltd. has built
an international reputation for developing
and supplying machines to expertly create
artisan Japanese foods, such as sushi and“We want to focus on
making high-value
products that only ourcompany can produce.”
Kazufumi Ishii,
Representative Director,
Kinboshi Inc.
and drive that is making a difference in terms of innovation.The
common thread through all Kinboshi’s products and strategies is
improving lives and society.
“We are working on the R&Dof new products that can solve
societal problems,”said President
Kazufumi Ishii.“Our corporate
slogan is ‘being helpful towards
people’and providing productsthat benefit clients,”he said.

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as hand-rolled delicacies of the past. With
worldwide success in this field, thanks toyears of taking the best of Japanese menus
to Europe and beyond, the firm is more thanwell-versed in this approach to production
technology. By applying its labor-saving

tional food-production machinery, such asmachine experience to the manufacturing
pasta- and tortilla-making devices. Even
process itself, the business is well placedwith its bold international ambitions, thenot just to cope with staffing shortages andFukuoka-based company is proud of its
developing population crises but to thrive“Made in Japan” status, which has seen it
in the new era. This practiced approachwork with an incredible
to R&D has seen the
10,000-plus businesses
firm operate nimbly,“We need to utilize techoffering bespoke services nology to maintain quality in its history, creating
more than 250 types of
to clients and taking
and improve on existingmachines for customers.
advantage of the growthtechniques.”“With bases in Europe
in convenience shoppingand Southeast Asia, weand eating in the last few
Taiji Aoki
CEO, Fujiseiki Co., Ltd.
will be looking to further
decades. “Due to labor
our presence in those
shortages, we have toareas,” said Aoki. “The next step will be athink about how we can manage tasks withfurther push into the U.S. market as sushi
automation,” said President Taiji Aoki. This
is increasing in popularity there.” “We areapproach is particularly true of the foodcurrently working on these new areas, andindustry, where unimpeachable standards
are looking to commercialize them soon,”
are required at all levels, all the time. “In
Aoki said.
food manufacturing, safety and hygiene areof top importance. To ensure this, manufacturers have to ensure consistent products.
Automation is one way of accomplishing
this. With delicate foods such as sushi andonigiri, we always look for new processes to
produce better-tasting, higher-quality end
results,” Aoki said.
The diminishing population in Japanis not just an issue for labor supply, but also
for the future depth of consumer markets.
In response, the firm is using its experience
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Building a Better Future at Home and Overseas

The domestic hidden heroes

The construction industry is being revolutionized by automation and sustainability.

Small appliances in the home are often made byhidden champion firms shining brighter than ever.

competitors, Wakachiku
will never change its policy
on high standards. Wakachiku has never betrayed the
expectations of the clients,
and they do understandour commitment to highstandards,” Karasuda said.
On land, the comOffshore innovation is key for Wakachiku.
pany has an excellent reputation for civil engineering projects suchas bridges, tunnels and roads, as well as important infrastructure
Katsuhiko Karasuda,
President & Representative Director, Wakachiku Construction Co., Ltd. works such as airports and ports. Agility and flexibility are central to
A Japanese construction company is proving that neither the sky
Wakachiku’s corporate structure and its 800 employees. With thenor the seas set the limits when it comes to innovation and forward
company’s diverse range of products and technologies, Wakachiku
thinking that can change the world. Famous for its high reputation
can meet customers’ every need in whichever field they require.
for products such as a sea-going dredger, wind turbines and civil
Wakachiku is proud that its engineers can integrate the Sustainableprojects like bridges, harbors and tunnels, Wakachiku Construction
Development Goals (SDGs) with R&D to create more efficient andCo., Ltd. has been a key player in the Japanese construction industry
innovative construction techniques, and can finally fulfill its social
for more than 130 years. The company is now building upon its
responsibilities. Regarding its innovative techniques, Karasuda said:proud history and rich experience by making progress every day“Achieving carbon neutrality is a major concern for the industry.
with new innovations and technologies positively impacting the
Our R&D divisions are trying to develop new technologies so that
future of human life on land and at sea. These include seaweed-farm
we can better visualize the sea bed, as well as technologies for autocarbon-capture projects, electric-vehicle (EV) ships and automamating sea works. We are working on a fully electric ship that doestion to help mitigate a looming workforce crisis. Also among them
not require any fossil fuels to operate.”are disaster-prevention systems to help better
In addition to groundbreaking work insurvive natural disasters that have often caused “Our number one sales point is wind turbines, the company is extending work
significant damage in Japan and the Asia-Paci- high quality and safety. This is in solar and biomass generation. While thefic region.
the top priority of Wakachiku.” company’s key commitment to the SGDs isWith extensive public and private
also shown in its Blue-Carbon projects that
contracts at home in Japan, and internatioencourage carbon-capturing seaweed growth
Katsuhiko Karasuda
nal projects in nations such as Sri Lanka andin the ocean. This system of seaweed farming
Indonesia, the company has become one of the go-to suppliers
is under trial in the waters along the coast of Iwate Prefecture. Thisfor major civil and building works across different industries andproject can be rolled out across the nation - and possibly around thecountries. According to company CEO Katsuhiko Karasuda, theworld-in due course. “In Japan, it was more than 20 years ago that
simple principle for success is Wakachiku’s inherent and ever-conthe first wind turbines were introduced, and now it is the time fortinuing commitment to high standards. “Our policy is to maintain
maintenance and replacement,” Karasuda said. “An interesting area
safety and quality, it is the core of our business,” he said. “That is how
we have been recently looking at is renewable energy and we have
we get trust and reliability from customers. We have been upholquite a lot of experience in wind energy, as well as solar, water, andding this motto for the past 130 years and will continue to do so.”biomass energy systems,” he added. “Engaging ourselves with pro“Demonstrating the quality and safety of our products is the only
ducing off-shore windmills is just a step forward. We see these fields
way to persuade our customers that it is worthwhile to pay more.
of renewable energy as areas with high potential for future growth,”
Although it is often difficult to do so when facing low-cost oriented
Karasuda said.

When it comes to next-gen technology, much is said about glamorousand exciting products such as electric vehicles or robotics. But theSME business wave sweeping Japan has many more humble, but justas crucial, participants. From kitchen utensils to the very water thenation drinks and cleans with, the firms behind products often taken
for granted are among the nation’s hidden champions doing simple
things very well. Toshiaki Nishioka, president of water faucet and supply firm SANEI Co., Ltd., said that domestic interests are the keystone of the firm’s model and the base for wider expansion elsewhere.
“Our largest proportion of the business is the household area,” hesaid. “I believe the most profitable business for us is the flat-type house. These are our strengths and the largest proportion of our business.
Our next target is to enhance the non-household market areas.”A
staple of commercial kitchens and industrial sharpening is the successful whetstone and wheel grinder firm Fuji Grinding Wheel Mfg.
Co.,Ltd. The firm’s President Ri Gakusho said he takes the role of his
business in Japan’s manufacturing culture very seriously. “I have been
trying to make a difference in our society for 12 to 15 years,” Gakusho
said. “We make products that cut, sharpen, and grind. We are thinking
together about what kind of products we should create depending on
how society and the market would change in the future. I believe it is
my job to create something for the next generation.”

One-of-a-kind protection“The reputation of ourcompany has preceeded
us and customer satisfaction has been maintained.”
Satoshi Morita,
President, Aicello Corporation

Every company wants to be the very best it can be. For technology-packaging firm Aicello Corporation, the target is to go one stepfurther, by creating products and customer service that are entirely oneof a kind. A producer of protective packaging for precision technology
manufacturing of process chemicals and components for items suchas semiconductors, the company bases its business model around theJapanese concept of dantotsu as an essential factor in its growth.
“We have been pursuing niche markets with dantotsu products,
meaning tangible or intangible advantages over the competition thatcannot be replicated,” said Satoshi Morita, president of Aicello. Creating products to keep the most precise components uncontaminatedis a delicate task. “Tangible elements are things like product quality,
but intangible elements refer to things like marketing, and businessknow-how. Mixing allthese elements into ourbusiness is the dantotsu
concept,” Morita said.

STEAMing into the future with global learning
Kanazawa University is working to attract more international students by offering top class research, liberal arts, and science subjects as part of a plan to produce leaders of the future.

Takashi Wada,
President, Kanazawa University

A forward-thinking university is planning
to revolutionize education for the next
generation by bringing the world to Japan.
The ground-breaking faculty of Kanazawa
University is working to improve not just thelife and performance of its students, but of thewider society and economy.
The institution not only works to attract
international learners but has developed a
specially designed social system to support
their local integration and well-being. Now
Kanazawa University President,Takashi
Wada said they need to work harder to open
to the wider world while strengthening ties
with local society. “Being an island country ispart of what makes Japan’s culture so special
and inviting more international students
enhances that culture, nationally and at
Kanazawa University, in terms of research,
the educational atmosphere, and the local
community,”he said. Attracting and getting
the best out of the next generation of students
requires a multifaceted approach combining
welfare, academics, and creative thinking.
As well as its strong commitment tolife sciences research, and ICT systems that
support remote learning and the web-enabled
smart society of the future, the Kanazawa
faculty are keen enthusiasts for STEAM

studies, the modern idea of integrating arts
teaching alongside technical subjects.“Thenewer generation requires a higher level ofresourcefulness, with a wide skill set gained
from a variety of areas,”Wada said.“We ensure liberal arts are taught across a wide range ofdegree disciplines.”With 160 years of history,
the university is proud to look back whileplanning forward.“The vision for the future
involves ideas of what we ‘should’be. Our
first and most important mission is to foster
the next generation of leaders and thinkers,”
Wada said.

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