--- --- # Japan’s Business Pioneers are Shaping a New Future Innovation has been one of the primary drivers of Japanese economic success for generations. New technologies have fueled growth and expansion in many business sectors, from the electronics and automotive booms of the 20th century right through to the latest online platforms. Today’s corporate leaders are just as committed to R&D as their predecessors, but now, it’s not always the biggest firms that come up with the biggest ideas. Modern SME companies are leading the way with niche innovations that are making a significant impact on business and society. Keiichi Nakanishi, president of Nakanishi Optical Corporation, said this is vital to his company’s future strategy. “We have introduced various 3D printing and rendering technologies to help catch up to with global demand. We have brought these systems in so our company can be more data-driven,” said Nakanishi. “A key aspect is being able to bring in technology to seamlessly work with the glasses. We will not be the first to do this in the eyewear field, but wearables will be highly focused on functionality, and Japan will be an ideal partner for companies looking for added value,” he added. Kodai Kawashima, president of Tiger Kawashima Co., Ltd., believes that championing monozukuri, the Japanese tradition of pursuing the highest quality standards and customer service, is vital for this. “The philosophy of monozukuri is a core facet of our company. We also have a traditional business methodology and discuss the needs of the market to integrate them into our production. As a result, we can introduce and produce new innovative products to the market,” said Kawashima. Iriichi Tsushin Kogyo is embracing new technology as his firm seeks to establish itself in new markets such as satellites and IoT (the Internet of Things). “These days, digitalization developments such as AI have been prevalent all around the world and, of course, in Japan. This shift is evident not just in manufacturing but across all industries,” said President Mitsuhiro Kubota. “It’s crucial for us to find the best ways to embrace this trend and adapt to the changing times,” he added. Satoshi Takeuchi, president of Newtex Co., Ltd., agreed that innovation must be led by a combination of technology and consumer demand. “In the cable industry, production capacity is determined by the company's equipment. Our company focuses on custom cables that offer unique value and differentiation, aiming to establish a strong presence in niche markets,” said Takeuchi. Innovation is as crucial in construction and engineering as it is in electronics and consumer manufacturing, according to Hideto Horage, president of Sanko Techno Co., Ltd. “We started in the general architecture area and have since moved to the civil engineering field, handling all kinds of tunnel reinforcement and bridge repair,” said Horage. “Many civil engineering works need special kinds of anchors for repair, meaning we can provide specialized products for large-scale projects. Many design and construction firms in the industry are now looking to collaborate with us on new products,” he added. Jun Tanimoto, president of measurement-equipment and flow-meter company Oval Corporation, reported that despite the success of the renewable energy sector, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of flow meters for petroleum and gas. In addition to this traditional core output, Oval is also developing innovative new product lines. “While working on our existing business, we have set our eyes on new burgeoning fields, including the food and cosmetics industries. So far, we have been able to build a successful track record in these areas,” said Tanimoto. “Given that we are experiencing a declining birthrate, resulting in a decreasing workforce, we are trying to create products that facilitate labor saving, automation, women’s empowerment and improved efficiency at our clients’ plants,” he added. Lubricants and coating firm Harves Co., Ltd. is channeling its innovation via a special research center, according to President Tomonori Maeda. “Our basic strength as a business regarding R&D is that we are smaller and more agile,” said Maeda. “Our coating materials business is growing overseas alongside the main lubricants field. Generally, this is a B2B sales business, so we wish to propose new materials to our existing clients. The R&D for this was established in 2020 in Saitama, and we are looking to develop novel materials,” he added. 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