Vol.3

Partnership Success Stories

Build
Innovation
Together

Ota City Industrial Promotion Organization

Innovationfrom New Partnerships
Manufacturing in Ota City
Ota City is home to numerous manufacturing enterprises, particularly in machinery and metalworking, clustered mainly around the waterfront. This community of manufacturers played a key role in supporting Japan’s
postwar period of rapid economic growth. Though almost 80% of these enterprises are small in scale, employing nine or fewer people, these rugged manufacturers have acquired a wealth of basic processing technologies and wide-ranging expertise, by responding to the stringent needs of a demanding market. Today approximately 4,200 manufacturers are active in Ota City.

A New Age Needs New Partnerships
Today fields such as IoT, Big Data and AI are transforming the technological landscape. As digital technology
advances, the structure of industry is shifting dramatically, with social innovations once thought impossible
drawing ever closer to feasibility. Smaller manufacturers are hard pressed to respond speedily to these changes in the industrial structure if they rely solely on in-house technology and personnel. For this reason, demandfor partnerships with outside organizations and companies is mounting steadily.

Innovating Through the Strengths of Partnerships
In these heady times of revolutionary innovation, an assortment of industrial fields are expected to grow overthe near-to-medium term. These include leading-edge mobility technologies such as electrical vehicles (EVs)and self-driving vehicles; healthcare, including medicine, health and social services; and advanced fields that
support general industry, such as robotics and digital technology. Through projects to create next-generationindustries and industrial clusters, the Ota City Industrial Promotion Organization (the Organization) is positioning these fields, with their deep affinity for enterprises in Ota City, as next-generation industries. Our aim is
to give rise to form partnerships with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ota City that will advance
new fields and lead to the creation of fresh innovations.
In this collection of success stories, we showcase the tangible results of the wide variety of partnerships theOrganization has fostered with SMEs in Ota City through its matching services.

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Contents
PART01 Industrial/Academic Partnerships

		(Educational and Research Institutions × SMEs in Ota City)

Success Story 01

Development of Mighty, an Autonomous Transport Robot

Success Story 02

Development of compact, lightweight and high-output hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic oscillating
motors and control circuit boards for next-generation robots

Success Story 03

Exhibitions

Educational institution: Kunii Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Chuo University
× SME in Ota City: Piezo Sonic Co., Ltd. (along with SMEs in other locations)

Educational institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology × SMEs in Ota City: H-MUSCLE Co., Ltd.

Development of Shojo to Kanransha, a new madeleine (cake) product (Package design and 04
product naming)
Educational institution: Tokyo Univercity of Technology × SME in Ota City: Patisserie Rouge Blanche

Ota Research and Development Fair

PART02 Medical-Manufacturing Partnerships

		(Needs of the Medicine, Nursing, Nursing Care and Healthcare Fields × SMEs in Ota City )Success Story 04

Development of the DentalSCOPE Indicator

Success Story 05

Development of a droplet-exposure prevention kit as an anti-COVID-19 measure

Success Story 06
Success Story 07
Success Story 08

Success Story 10

Clinical engineering firm: CE Noguchi Kikaku × Medical device manufacturer: Fukuda Denshi Co., Ltd.
× SME in Ota City: Daikyo Kiko

Resizing of holes for mounting stoma harnesses

Medical-device manufacturer: B. Braun Aesculap Japan Co., Ltd. × SME in Ota City: Nissin denki Co., Ltd.
Medical trading company in Bunkyo City × SME in Ota City: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Development of Smooth Walker, a device that supports rehabilitation of foot joints
Medical institutions: Ujiie Brain and Neural Surgery & Internal Medicine Clinic, others
× SME in Ota City: Abe Techno System Co., Ltd.

07

Development of caster parts for wheelchairs used in wheelchair basketballcalled “forks” and “shafts”.
Wheelchair manufacturer × SME in Ota City

Development of wheels for wheelchair-tennis wheels using CFRP frames

Wheelchair manufacturer: Matsunaga manufactory Co., Ltd. × SME in Ota City: The MOT Co., Ltd. others

Success Story 11

Development of a semi-autonomous grass-mowing robot capable of operating on steep slopes

Success Story 12

Development of argan nut crushers

Seminars

06

Development of all-plastic medical tube forceps

PART04   Agricultural Partnerships(Needs of the Agricultural Sector × SMEs in Ota City)

Success Story 13

05

Educational institutions: Asahi University and Tsurumi University × Manufacturer and vendor of medical devices:Media Co., Ltd. × SMEs in Ota City: Waki Factory Inc., Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.

PART03 Partnerships with the Sports Industry(Sports industry needs × SMEs in Ota City)
Success Story 09

03

08

Research institution: National Agricultural and Food Organization Research, NARO
× SMEs in Ota City: Ace Co., Ltd., I-OTA, others

Moroccan cosmetics manufacturer: Rose de Marrakech × SMEs in Ota City: Kaseda Co., Ltd., others

Use of cereal puffers for crushed rice contaminated with stones

Agricultural needs: Food insecurity in Africa × SME in Ota City: Tech-Taiyo Kogyo Co., Ltd.

09

Ota Agri-Fishery Improvement GroupOta City Research and Development Matching

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PART

01

Industrial/Academic Partnerships
Educational and Research Institutions
× SMEs in Ota City

Advancing Partnerships with Educational and Research Institutions
By partnering with educational, research and similar institutions, Ota City’s SMEs can obtain a clear grasp of their ever-diversifying and ever-advancing development needs and pursue joint development and product development. The Organization’s aim is to enable Ota City
SMEs to engage and become innovators in next-generation industries with high growth potential, such as AI, robotics, aerospace, medicine
and agricultural technology.

Success
Story

01

Educational institution: Kunii Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Chuo University
× SME in Ota City: Piezo Sonic Co., Ltd. (along with SMEs in other locations)

Development of Mighty, an Autonomous Transport Robot

Chuo University and enterprises in Ota City and elsewhere partnered to develop an autonomous transport robot. The project introduced a fresh technology for
automated logistics in manufacturing, warehouse management, food and beverage outlets, supermarkets and other fields. Optimized for use in general working environments, the robot outperforms even lunar-exploration robots in terms of surface navigation and movement. Its steering mechanism incorporates apiezosonic motor developed by Piezo Sonic that can maintain the robot’s posture even at zero power. The robot can negotiate height gaps of 20 cm and can rotate and move sideways on the spot, enabling it to move stably along narrow corridors indoors and outdoors. On-board sensors enable it to recognize its ambientenvironment, generating routes automatically and avoiding people and obstacles as it proceeds. Flexible support for individual customization is a major advantage of this robot.

About the Company
Piezo Sonic Corporation is engaged in the development of high-torquemotors that can maintain their postures even with zero power and autonomous, automated transport robots that can step over differences in heightand move laterally.
We are strongly committed to industrial-academic-government partnerships and are working with other companies in Ota City to advance manufacturing.
Note: This project was adopted as part of the Strategic Industrial Cluster Formation Pilot Program, implemented by the Organization to promote the formation of clusters in leading-edge industrial fields in Ota City.

Other participating companies: Technology Link Co., Ltd., Factus Design Inc., Takenoiri Industry Co., Ltd., Kyoei Corporation, Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.,
Quadcept Inc., e-Gle Co., Ltd., Andthanks Co., Ltd., Autodesk Inc.

Success
Story

02
01

Educational institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology × SMEs in Ota City: H-MUSCLE Co., Ltd.

Development of compact, lightweight and high-output hydraulic cylinders,hydraulic oscillating motors and control circuit boards for next-generation robots

For five years, Tokyo Institute of Technology worked on development of compact, lightweight, high-output and ultra-low-friction hydraulic actuatorsfor robots, in partnership with a number of specialist hydraulics manufacturers, chiefly in Ota City. This development program was conducted as partof the Tough Robotics Challenge of the Cabinet Office’s Impulsing Paradigm Change Through Disruptive Technologies Program (ImPACT). H-MUSCLE is a venture company launched by the university for the purpose of commercializing the research results and applying them in society. The university also conducted design development to advance further commercialization and series development, in partnership with companies in Ota Cityand elsewhere possessing specialized technologies. The partners have already fielded inquiries from several major companies, accepted orders, andare gradually delivering results.

About the Company
H-MUSCLE is a venture company of Tokyo Institute ofTechnology. It was established to commercialize and apply
in society the hydraulic actuators specialized for robots that
resulted from research in the Tough Robotics Challenge of
ImPACT.
Note: This project was adopted as part of the Strategic Industrial Cluster Formation Pilot Program, implemented by the Organization to promote the formation of clusters in leading-edge industrial fields in Ota City.

Other participating companies: JPN Co., Ltd., Sekidai Kogyo Co., Ltd., Toctec Co., Ltd., Dainichi Co., Ltd., Sakamoto-Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Maruzen Kogyo Co., Ltd.,
Kawamoto Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.

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Success
Story

03

Educational institution: Tokyo Univercity of Technology × SME in Ota City: Patisserie Rouge Blanche

Development of Shojo to Kanransha, a new madeleine (cake)product(Package design and product naming)

At Patisserie Rouge Blanche, we place great importance on creating products with strong roots in its native community. To perform the productdesign, we requested the cooperation of Tokyo Univercity of Technology, a local educational institution. With this product, our bakery revived the
traditional flavor of madeleine cakes as well as its traditional circular shape, eschewing the seashell shape generally used today. The circular madeleine recalls the shape of the Ferris wheel atop Kamata Station. By naming the product Shojo to Kanransha (“the little girl and the Ferris wheel”), wesuggest that the Ferris wheel is the madeleine cake and the shop, Rouge Blanche (“red white”), is the little girl. A pink-and-white logo was created forthe product and used to develop items such as stickers and product cards. The product is included in the list of “100 great souvenirs of Ota City.”

About the Company
Patisserie Rouge Blanche insists on only the best ingredientsand pours its heart and soul into every pastry it bakes. We
are also passionate about offering products strongly rooted
in the communities where they are baked. At our former
Den’en-Chofu location, we offered the Sakurazaka Madeleine.
This product, the Shojo to Kanransha (“the little girl and the
Ferris wheel”), was produced in Kamata.

Ota Research and Development Fair
The Ota Research and Development Fair is a trade show focused on
the themes of technology transfer, new products and technologies,
industrial-academic partnership and industry-to-industry partnership.
The fair aims to spur innovation by providing a forum where attendees
looking for new technologies can meet exhibitors aiming to germinate
the seeds of the latest technologies, transfer the technologies resulting
from their research and see their innovations adopted in society. In atypical year, numerous SMEs in Ota City exhibit at the Ota Researchand Development Fair and reap rich rewards for their efforts, including
formation of new partnerships, placement and acceptance of orders,
joint research projects and invitations to research facilities in Ota City.

Educational institution: Azabu University × SME in Ota City: I’mPACT World Ltd.

Testing for virus inactivation

When I’mPACT World Ltd. exhibited at Ota Research and Development Fair with its joint-research partner, Azabu University, many Fair
attendees took notice, sharing their product-development needs with the company. Our technology uses plasma to break down harmful substances in the atmosphere, such as dioxins and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). We felt strongly that this technology also had
excellent potential for application in inactivating bacteria and viruses. Motivated by our experience at Ota Research and Development
Fair, we proceeded further with our joint research. As a result, we confirmed that feline calicivirus (FCV) could be 99.9% inactivated inless than 0.01 seconds. Azabu University announced the results on our joint behalf. We hypothesize that this technology has an excellent chance of similarly inactivating other viruses, including COVID-19, so we have begun further joint experimentation with a view todeveloping the technology into a marketable product.

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PART

02

Medical-Manufacturing Partnerships

Needs of the Medicine, Nursing, Nursing Careand Healthcare Fields × SMEs in Ota City

Support for Advancing into the Medical Field
The medical and healthcare fields are viewed as holding strong potential for growth, thanks to ongoing changes in society and industry, suchas an aging demographic profile and the introduction of digital technologies. The Organization believes that the sophisticated base technologies accumulated by SMEs in Ota City in the general field of medical care, including not only medical devices but also social services andnursing care, can be applied in these promising markets, and so we decided to support entry into this field for the first time. Because of the
difficulty of entering the medical and healthcare fields from other industries, we engaged dedicated coordinators hailing from the medical
field to bridge the gap between medicine and manufacturing, supporting the smooth formation of partnerships.

Success
Story

04

Educational institutions: Asahi University and Tsurumi University × Manufacturer and vendor of
medical devices: Media Co., Ltd. × SMEs in Ota City: Waki Factory Inc., Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Development of the DentalSCOPE Indicator

By combining the research results of Asahi University and Tsurumi University, the manufacturing capabilities of Waki Factory and Nissin Kogyo andthe software development expertise and sales capabilities of Media, the partners developed a dedicated indicator that is indispensable for analyzingbone density. DentalSCOPE is a medical program that analyzes dental X-ray images captured using a dedicated indicator to measure the density ofalveolar bone. This indicator, which was designed and manufactured by Waki Factory and Nissin Kogyo, connects directly to human teeth, so exacting precision and safety are essential. Authorized for use as a medical device after three years of repeated design and prototyping, the DentalSCOPE
Indicator was placed on the market by Media in September 2020.

About the Company
Waki Factory

We specialize in high-quality machining,
performed at a high-speed, high-precision machining center in our factorythat is temperature-controlled 24 hours
a day. Using machining that does notdeteriorate in precision even after longterm continuous machining, we pursue
polishing-free and reduced-polishingmolds for shorter delivery lead times.

Success
Story

05

Nissin Kogyo

Nissin Kogyo conducts plastic injection
molding, mold design and researchand development. If you are experiencing trouble with plastics, please feel
free to consult with us. We will work
diligently and wholeheartedly from thecustomer’s perspective to respond to
your needs.

Clinical engineering firm: CE Noguchi Kikaku × Medical device manufacturer: Fukuda Denshi Co.,Ltd.
× SME in Ota City: Daikyo Kiko

Development of a droplet-exposure prevention kit as an anti-COVID-19 measure

Patients in critical condition being transported by ambulance are typically provided with intubation of the respiratory tract (airway management) bydoctors. At this time medical workers run the risk of infection caused by exposure to droplets carrying viruses. This droplet-exposure prevention kit
was planned by Hiroyuki Noguchi, a clinical engineer and president of CE Noguchi Kikaku, and developed and manufactured by Daikyo Kiko, a medical-device manufacturer, to protect medical workers from infection and prevent breakdown of medical care. The product is made of stainless steel,which is unaffected by disinfectants, and is designed to stand up to long-term use. The vinyl covering on the frame is single-use (disposable), so it isdiscarded after treatment, minimizing troublesome disinfection. Fukuda Denshi launched sales of the kit after donating a number of kits to medical
institutions via crowdfunding.

About the Company
Daikyo Kiko is mainly engaged in metalworking, can manufacturing andsheet-metal machining. Its products include research and testing jigs, automobile production-line jigs and medical fixtures. We leverage the Ota City
manufacturing network to respond to a wide range of customer requirements.

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Success
Story

06

Medical-device manufacturer: B. Braun Aesculap Japan Co., Ltd. × SME in Ota City: Nissin denki Co., Ltd.

Resizing of holes for mounting stoma harnesses

B. Braun Aesculap Japan is the Japanese subsidiary of B. Braun, a leader in the medical field headquartered in Germany. B. Braun Aesculap Japan imports and sells harnesses for stomas used in artificial anuses and artificial urinary bladders. Clients in the medical field in Japan, keen to provide Japanese patients with better service, approached the Company about modifying mounting holes designed for overseas patients to suit the Japanesemarket. The requirements for stoma harnesses are particularly stringent: Because they are mounted directly on the body, for effective managementof excreta they must be airtight, the stoma bag must have no scratches or folds in places other than the machined hole, and machining must be freeof burr and machining dust. Drawing on expertise honed over many years of experience in plastics processing, the Company developed a solution,
built a prototype and turned it into a product.
Before processing

After processing

About the Company
Nissin denki has been engaged in plastics processing for 54
years. Our corporate philosophy is: “We are a band of engineers
who seek out fresh challenges every day, solving customers’
most difficult problems through purpose-driven manufacturing.”
Inspired by this philosophy, we provide one-stop service in plastics processing, applying our wealth of accumulated expertiseand diverse array of industrial equipment.

Success
Story

07

Medical trading company in Bunkyo City × SME in Ota City: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Development of all-plastic medical tube forceps

A decline in the number of manufacturers of metal forceps in Japan and rising demand for high-performance and hygienic plastic forceps provided
an opportunity for Nissin Kogyo. The company drew on its metallic coating technology to develop a replacement for metal forceps made in Japan.
Plastic forceps manufactured by Nissin Kogyo offer the following advantages:•Though made of plastic, they are easy to sterilize. •They are recyclable. •They do not react under MRI. •They are available in a wide range of colors. •They
can be endowed with special antibacterial characteristics. •No coating is used, so peeling of coating is not an issue. •They cost less than metal forceps.
Sales of the plastic forceps have already begun and the product has been introduced to numerous
medical trading companies and other companies in the medical field. Going forward, Nissin Kogyo
is working on further forceps-related projects to incorporate eve more value-added.

About the Company
Nissin Kogyo is a corps of professionals in plastic extrusion, receiving orders forthe entire series of processes from Research and Development and prototyping tomolding and assembly. We particularly excel in metallic molding. Our molded products and molding technologies are adopted in a wide range of industries, including
the automotive industry.
Registered medical device manufacturer (Registration number: 13BZ201133)

Success
Story

08

Medical institutions: Ujiie Brain and Neural Surgery & Internal Medicine Clinic, others
× SME in Ota City: Abe Techno System Co., Ltd.

Development of Smooth Walker, a device that supports rehabilitation of foot joints

Based on patents held by Tokyo Institute of Technology, and with coordination by the Organization, a development team was formed in 2016 consisting of
Abe Techno System, Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tokyo Rosai Hospital. The team proceeded to develop a device that supports rehabilitation of footjoints. The foot-joint rehabilitation device, which is effective in preventing conglutination and contracture of joints and improving joints’ range of motion, isused in applications such as rehabilitation after fracturing of bones caused by paralysis from stroke and the like. A built-in motor drives a foot plate; basedon angle, speed and strength settings, the device conducts repeated back-and-forth plantar and dorsal flexion at predetermined times. When developing
the device for commercialization, Abe Techno System obtained the supervision of Ujiie Brain and Neural Surgery & Internal Medicine Clinic. MedforschungCo., Ltd., served as the brand owner, obtaining certification for the device in 2021. The device is sold under the brand name “Medforschung SmoothWalker”.

About the Company

Abe Techno System originated as a “one-of-the-first” manufacturer, engaged in precision cutting and machining, equipment design and manufacture, and design of monitoring and broadcasting systems. Today
the Company puts this technological background to work developing
equipment for medical and social services. Through this work in systemdevelopment, Abe Techno System has obtained registration as a medical device manufacturer and has acquired operations in sales and leasingof advanced management and medical equipment.

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PART

03

Partnerships with the Sports Industry
Sports industry needs × SMEs in Ota City

Providing Solutions to the Sports Industry
The needs of the sports industry are as diverse as the sporting world itself. They encompass the public’s rising heath-consciousness in recent
years, the development of sports for the disabled and the rise of e-sports, to name a few. The development of sports equipment that eachathlete can use safely and with confidence according to his or her unique needs and abilities provides the perfect field for the SMEs of Ota
City to deploy their sophisticated technological and problem-solving capabilities. The Organization is moving forward to partner with thesports industry as part of the life-science-and-healthcare field.

Success
Story

09

Wheelchair manufacturer × SME in Ota City

Development of caster parts for wheelchairs used in wheelchairbasketball called “forks” and “shafts”

From 2017 to 2020, Ota City and the Organization partnered with 14 wheelchair manufacturers to implement the Wheelchair Sports Parts and Products Development Project. In 2020, aiming to win adoption of the products by Japanese wheelchair-basketball athletes, the Project developed forks
and shafts, which are vital components of the casters the athletes use to operate their wheelchairs. The partners achieved a stunning 50% weight reduction as compared with currently available products. The forks and shafts developed through the Project were adopted by the athletes who represented Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The men’s wheelchair-basketball team captured the silver medal, while the women’s team earned
an enviable sixth-place showing.

About the Company
Nakama-mawashi, the practice of conferring and working withfriends to solve problems through a network extending from design to production, is deeply engrained in the culture of Ota City.
This project is a fine example of the technical excellence and thedevelopment and production capabilities Ota City’s manufacturing industries bring to the table.

Success
Story

10

Wheelchair manufacturer: Matsunaga manufactory Co., Ltd. × SME in Ota City: The MOT Company, Ltd., others

Development of wheels for wheelchair-tennis wheels using CFRP frames

In another initiative by the Organization as part of the Wheelchair Sports Parts and Products Development Project, the Organization partnered with
Matsunaga manufactory, a wheelchair manufacturer based in Gifu Prefecture, to develop wheels for wheelchair-tennis wheels using carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) frames. The original plan was to reduce the wheelchairs’ weight by replacing the aluminum-pipe frames in use at the time with
CFRP. As it turned out, however, the new frames caused the athletes to lose their balance every time they swung their rackets. The developers realized that elasticity of the frame played a crucial role. Overhauling the frame design, the developers succeeded in enhancing elasticity by adopting a
monocoque (unitary) design. Metal parts used to join the CFRP frame to the wheels were completed through collaboration with an assortment of Ota
City SMEs, led by Ace Co., Ltd. The completed wheelchairs earned kudos from the athletes.

About the Company
The MOT Company is outfitted with equipment for the pressing,mass production and machining of CFRP. The Company has developed technology to insert prepreg into metal, enabling oneshot molding.

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PART

04

Agricultural Partnerships

Needs of the Agricultural Sector
× SMEs in Ota City

Support for Entry into the Agricultural Sector
Putting to use the partnerships it has cultivated with regional financial institutions, outside organizations and others, the Organization organized agricultural/industrial partnership seminars and observational tours of agricultural corporations and inaugurated a study group involving SMEs in Ota City. While the need for mechanization, labor reduction and application of IT was apparent in the field, specific solutions to
individual issues on-site are scarce. To address this problem, SMEs in Ota City are putting their technological strengths to work, developing
farm equipment that solves the issues of agricultural worksites by responding to specific needs. Today the study group is known as the Ota
Agri-Fishery Improvement Group and has broadened its activities to encompass not only agriculture but also aquaculture and overseas initiatives. By promoting problem-solving innovation through the formation of new clusters in this way, the Organization is strengthening theindustrial bedrock of Ota City.

Success
Story

11

Research institution: National Agricultural and Food Research Organization, NARO × SMEs in Ota City: Ace Co., Ltd., I-OTA, others

Development of a semi-autonomous grass-mowing robot capable ofoperating on steep slopes

This product was launched through joint development with the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO). Some 40% of Japan’s
agricultural land is located in mountainous areas. Weeding in these areas is dangerous and heavy work, particularly for elderly farmers, yet it must be
done. I-OTA, a joint project of SMEs in Ota City, joined with companies in its network to develop machines that contribute significantly to improving
the efficiency and safety of this work. A key feature of this product is that it is specialized for weeding on steep slopes. Pulled by two anchor stakes
and a wire mounted between them, the device performs delicate position control to conduct weeding on sloped land. The device weighs in at just
25 kg and is supported by casters, so it can easily be pushed and moved by hand. Because it is pulled by wire, the device does not slip and fall evenon rain-slicked slopes. Through strengthened collaboration with companies in Ota City, the partners aim to make the product commercially available
before the end of 2022.

About the Company
Ace manufactures various jigs for automakers and parts manufacturers andperforms machining of dedicated machine parts, railway-related parts andparts for various other fields. The Company has assembled a network ofsome 200 companies in Ota City and across Japan in an integrated production system. We are currently working actively on development of agricultural machinery and equipment.

Success
Story

12

Moroccan cosmetics manufacturer: Rose de Marrakech × SMEs in Ota City: Kaseda Co., Ltd., others

Development of argan nut crushers

Argan oil, a specialty product of Morocco that is used in cosmetics, can only be produced by splitting the shell of the argan nut, which is harder thana walnut, and removing the kernel inside. In Morocco, the shell is split by setting the argan nut on a rock, holding it in place by hand and striking itfrom above with another rock. Needless to say, this technique is inefficient and contaminates the flesh with shards of the kernel, but worst of all is attended by the constant danger of injury to workers. Responding to a request from JCB Japon Co., Ltd., the developer of Rose de Marrakech, Kaseda
and others developed this machine over many years to solve this problem. With assistance from another Ota City company, Satsuki Denshi Co., Ltd.,the companies set to work increasing the yield. Going forward, Kaseda and its partners plan to listen to the views of people at the production site toimprove the product further. The companies also plan to expand into development of crushers for other types of seeds.

About the Company
Kaseda is a Company that specializes in machinery design. Kaseda currently chairs the Ota Agri-Fishery Improvement Group andboasts an impressive track record in the development of agricultural machinery.

8Success
Story

13

Agricultural needs: Food insecurity in Africa × SME in Ota City: Tech-Taiyo Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Use of cereal puffers for crushed rice contaminated with stones

While working as a research fellow of the Ota Agri-Fishery Improvement Group, we learned about a need in the Kenyan market for an effective use
for crushed rice that is contaminated with stones, whose product value is low. One solution we considered was using a cereal puffing machine to separate the rocks from the crushed rice while simultaneously cooking the rice. To research this potential solution, we partnered with Pongashiki Hanbai
Co., Ltd., a company with extensive knowledge of rice puffers, and proceeded with development. Rice puffers, which use electricity to rotate a pot
while using natural gas to pressure-cook the pot’s contents, are widely used in Japan. In Africa, however, these fuels are not always available. Ourinnovation was to develop a rice puffer that can be rotated manually while the contents are pressure-cooked by burning firewood. By disseminating
the newly developed rice puffer in Africa, we provided an easy way to add value to low-value cereals such as crushed rice contaminated with stones,
thereby creating a new revenue stream for the users.

About the Company
Tech-Taiyo Kogyo solves corrosion problems by applying high-performance rust-resistant-coating application systems. We recently renewed
the bulletin boards used in Ota City, distributing 900 of the new bulletinboards.

Ota Agri-Fishery Improvement GroupThe Ota Agri-Fishery Improvement Group began its activities in earnest in 2019, when it gathered companies possessing excellent technologicaland planning capabilities, chiefly in Ota City, to act on agricultural needs discovered in partnership with financial institutions throughout Japan.
Design work is mainly entrusted to Kaseda and production is allotted to Study Group members to complete finished products. In addition toserving domestic needs, the Study Group responds to the needs of African countries such as Rwanda and Uganda, based on proposals from the
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
Agricultural needs: Republic of Rwanda × Ota Agri-Fishery Improvement Group:

Development of a sunflower seeder

In 2016 the Ota Agri-Fishery Improvement Group poured its efforts into a collaboration to manufacture a sunflower seeder (seed planter). The move was part of a project to export flower-production equipment to Rwanda, led by Mizuho Research & Technologies, Ltd.
The seeders generally used in this small African country are made of wood and prone to breakdown, resulting in serious problems ofagricultural inefficiency. To address these needs, the Study Group developed a seeder made of stainless steel, which is sturdier andeasier to carry. Local workers praised the new seeders, stating that they dramatically improved ease of use. The Study Group will continue to strive to find solutions to problems such as these, both in Japan and around the world.

Agricultural event information: MAFF × Ota Agri-Fishery Improvement Group:

Exhibition at TICAD7The Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) was held from August 28 to 30, 2019. At a side event tothis conference, the Japan Africa Business Forum & Expo, the Ota Agri-Fishery Improvement Group exhibited as part of MAFF’s booth.
When the Study Group exhibited the four products listed below, the impact on attendees was tremendous, with partnerships and business deals expected to follow. The Study Group anticipates broadening potential for the entry of Ota City SMEs into the African market
and the formation of agricultural/industrial partnerships.

Exhibits

91) Kaseda Co., Ltd. / Rice de-stoner 2) Tech-Taiyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. / Cereal puffer3) Nouentai Co., Ltd. / Aimec tomato cultivator using the IMEC system
4) Kyoritsu Chemical-Check Lab., Corp. / Pack Test ®

Ota City Research and Development Matching
If you are looking for partners for joint research, product development, design, prototyping or similar projects, the Ota
Agri-Fishery Improvement Group is pleased to introduce the ideal Ota City SME to suit your needs. We offer matchingapproaches tailored to your requirements.

mirai website

https://www.mirai-ota.net

This website is filled with information on approximately 160 companies that excel in Research andDevelopment, design, mass production from prototypes, the most challenging processing andmachining, and more. Please contact the companies directly using the inquiry form provided.

Consultation with coordinators
After discussing your needs directly by telephone or e-mail, we introduce you to the company orcompanies that are ideal for your needs out of some 4,200 manufacturing worksites in Ota City.

Consultation and matching

Free of charge!

When you find the company you like, please contact
them directly through the inquiry form.

①
Organizations andcompanies seeking
manufacturing partners②
E-mail/telephonemirai website
Inquiries to the Study Group
Consultation using the inquiry form

Dedicated
coordinators

mirai
Postedcompanie
Ota City
Manufacturing
companies Approx.
4,200 worksites

We introduce the ideal
company for yourneeds. Depending on
your requirements, acoordinator can work
alongside you toprovide continuing
support.

Requesting multiple companies in different technical fields
Requesting introductions after detailed consultation etc.

Open innovation
After listening to a presentation on your company’ stechnical issues and needs from Ota City companies,
we canvass Ota City companies for proposals. Large
numbers of companies participate, maximizing thepotential for unexpected proposals. Depending on
your needs, the Study Group can confer with you in
advance to narrow the range of companies canvassed.

On-site exhibitions
The Study Group can select companies suited to yourtechnical issues, needs and requests and have thempresent a mini-exhibition at your company’ s
conference room or similar facility. Holding theexhibition on your premises enables greater numbersof your employees to take part.

For inquiries, please contact:

Ota City Industrial Promotion Organization Innovation Team

144-0035 Ota City Industrial Plaza (PiO), 1-20-20 Minamikamata, Ota-ku Tel: 03-3733-6294 Mail: innovation@pio-ota.jp10Kamata Station(JR and Tokyu Lines)
East exit
Nomikawa River

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Keikyu Kamata Station(Keihin Kyuko Line)

Ota City Ota Kumin Hall
OfficeApricoOta City
Industrial Plaza (PiO)

Contact Us

AccessOta City Industrial Promotion Organization
Innovation Team
144-0035 Ota City Industrial Plaza (PiO),
1-20-20 Minamikamata, Ota-ku
Tel: 03-3733-6294 Mail: innovation@pio-ota.jp

By Train 3 min. walk from Keikyu Kamata Station, Keihin Kyuko Line
13 min. walk from Kamata Station, JR Keihin Tohoku Line,
Tokyu Ikegami Line and Tamagawa Line
¥100/ 30 min.
By Car Full underground parking is available.
Published in March 2022