One JAPAN First Anniversary Event Part 2 of 2 : Challenges in large companies by the millennial generation
On September 10, 2017, the One Japan first anniversary event was held. Approximately 800 people gathered in Akihabara to attend the event.
One Japan is a platform for voluntary groups of young talents in large companies. Although belonging to large companies, many young talents are unable to proactively work on innovative projects due to varying reasons which include rigid hierarchical internal relationships or strict company rules. One Japan was established to become a platform to empower these young talents to tackle new opportunities.
Numerous voluntary groups from profound companies attended the event. The first half of the event were a series of presentations, including a panel discussion of representatives from varying organizations. Various innovative projects combining company knowledge with new ideas were introduced in the latter half of the event, with numerous exhibition booths set up within the venue.
This report is regarding the second half of this event. Please see Mr. Sakaguchi’s event report for the contents of the first half of the event!
Distribution channels are evolving! Drones soar over rivers and mountains for delivery (Japan Post Co., Ltd.)
Postal deliveries are currently made by automobiles and motorbikes. When the destination is geographically difficult to access, the postman must take a long detour. “How can we deliver post quicker and more safely?” This thought drove Japan Post into running a series of verification tests for “PR1-Delivery,” a fully autonomous and high-speed flight drone. The drone so far has been successful in automatically flying with a postal package up to 3kg at a speed of 50km/h. A pilot test proved delivery of a package 12km one way, although success rate was dependent on the package weight and weather. There are still some issues to solve, such as flights near high voltage power-lines, but it seems like drone deliveries will become a normal part of life in the near future.
Change the way you work with glasses that can measure concentration levels! (Asahi Glass Co. Ltd., CEC Inc. & JINS Inc.)
This is a collaboration project between “Smart Logger,” and “JINS MEME.” Smart Logger is a work analysis tool which leverages the smartwatch, smartphone and a beacon, co-developed by Asahi Glass and CEC. JINS MEME are glasses that can measure concentration levels developed by JINS.
The glasses in the above image is “JINS MEME.” The nose pads and temple tips are equipped with sensors, which tracks the wearer’s concentration real time. Users can analyze their work with “Smart Logger” while tracking their concentration with “JINS MEME” to see which job they were working on most effectively. This could be a useful technology for broad purposes, including work in the production plant, in the office, for studying or even for sports.
Smart Logger ：http://vrr.cec-ltd.co.jp/product/smartlogger/
JINS MEME ：https://jins-meme.com/ja/
An onion sweet as an apple! “Smile ball”- An onion that offers new value in food (HOUSE FOODS CORPORATION)
HOUSE FOODS, known for its curry mixes, found that the onion played a critical role in maximizing the tastiness of curry during their never-ending endeavor to produce better curry. Through this research, they accidently identified the “Pungent ingredient in onion ≒The cause to tearing when cutting onions.” Believing that the absence of this ingredient will lead to tastier onions, House Foods worked with a nursery to breed onions with less pungent taste, which resulted in this new onion, “Smile Ball.” I also had a bite at it at the booth. It didn’t have the typical bitterness of uncooked onions, but instead, had sweetness like an apple. This is an onion which even little onion-hating children could enjoy. An amazing innovation that branched off from the love of curry.
Details：https://housefoods-group.com/activity/smileball/index.html
Collaboration of coloring books and glass bottles! (Toyo Glass Co. Ltd.)
This lovely looking “Coloriage Bottle” is a collaboration project between the ever popular, “Adult Coloring Book” and Toyo Glass. Coloring books have become popular as a mindfulness recreation amongst women in their 20s to 40s. These glass bottles are printed with patterns and can be colored freely to create the one and only personalized bottle. Advanced printing technology was required to get these intricate patterns on the bottle, but the most innovative fact of this project is that these “Coloriage Bottles” are sold at bookstores and not stationary or variety stores. It is up to the individual to put flowers or photos in it, and also can be wonderful birthday or wedding gifts.
Shedding light to the future of reproductive medicine and innovative drugs! A challenge to generate new medicine (Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
Takeda Pharmaceuticals has joined forces with the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) which is run by Professor Shinya Yamanaka who won a Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine, and started T-CiRA, a large scale and innovative joint research project at Takeda’s Shonan Research Center. The project is researching treatment for intractable diseases such as ALS and muscular dystrophy using iPS cell technology. It usually takes 15–20 years of research and a huge budget to launch an innovative drug (Some global researches ran on a budget of JPY200billion), but this research endeavors to find a solution earlier through reproductive medicine leveraging iPS cell technology.
Details：https://www.takeda.co.jp/t-cira/
Safe for wheelchairs and even high heels! Next generation tactile paving for a city with a universal design (NEC Corporation)
The yellow tactile paving on pathways and public spaces are crucial warnings for those who are visually impaired. However, they can be an obstacle for people on wheelchairs, the elderly, or even for people in heels or those carrying a trolley bag. NEC endeavored to resolve this issue, by developing universal design tactile paving which offers a comfortable city environment to all with or without disabilities. This new system provides guidance to pedestrians with vibrations and light, instead of textured surfaces. The launch of this system will offer a city pleasant to all, regardless of wheelchair, baby strollers or trolley bags. This system is currently applying for a patent, so we may start to see this in our street corners very soon.
Details：http://jpn.nec.com/design/movie/showcase.html
These were just some examples from the numerous exhibition booths at the event.
Japan faces many challenges including the declining birthrates, aging society and the increase in medical costs. If the millennial generation in large companies can courageously take the initiative in promoting innovation, Japan will benefit as a society and as an economy. “One Japan” is a wonderful opportunity for companies to discover each other, which may be an opportunity for more innovation.
This was an event that gave us confidence that the millennial generation are working to contribute to society with a sense of purpose, while honing their expertise in large companies.
About One JAPAN
Established in September 2016 as the platform for voluntary groups of young talents in large companies. Various activities are being conducted, ranging from planning and implementation of new projects and cross-collaborative businesses, through to research and proposal development for new ways to work.
http://onejapan.jp/
