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SPOTLIGHT ON KANAGAWA CAREERS

Kanagawa hosts a concentration of heavy industry. A smart place to work Cheap housing, close proximity to Tokyo and a burgeoning research ecosystem are thrusting the ancient prefecture of Kanagawa into the modern world.

BY BRETT DAVIS

iven its ready access to the economic of heavy-industry and manufacturing “I think this shows how attractive this area has juggernaut of Tokyo, it would be easy organizations. The region was the industrial become for global R&D,” Hasimoto says. to imagine next-door Kanagawa and powerhouse of Japan’s rapid recovery after the Kanagawa claims more than 60,000 research Gits metropolitan area of Yokohama–Kawasaki Second World War, but it has now evolved a staff, a full 50% more than in Tokyo. They to be little more than a satellite ‘bed town’. But new character, driven by the promotion of an work in more than 1,000 research facilities, the region is very much a destination in its own innovative R&D culture and attractive incen- and many are in the prefecture’s 40 universi- JTB PHOTO/UIG VIA GETTY JTB PHOTO/UIG right — a rich ecosystem built on a pairing of the tives for international investment. ties. They include some of Japan’s foremost industry and research and development (R&D) “Kanagawa has the largest pool of research- institutes: the RIKEN Yokohama Campus, for which Japan is renowned. ers in Japan,” says Tōru Hashimoto, executive the Yokohama Institute for Earth Sciences, Kanagawa is the second most populous director of development cooperation for Yoko- the New Energy and Industrial Technology of Japan’s 47 prefectures, and home to the hama City Government. “We have so many Development Organization, the Tokyo Insti- nation’s second largest city, Yokohama. The research labs and institutes, and a real environ- tute of Technology and Keio University. region stretches along the coast of the coun- ment of innovation.” Hashimoto points to the try, from the south of Tokyo to the foot of technology giant Apple as a beneficiary of that INNOVATION BY DESIGN Mount Fuji (see ‘Centre of an island’). The environment. In 2016, the world’s most valuable Kanagawa receives the obvious rewards that bayside area forms what is known as the company established one of its first R&D cen- come from hosting so many research institu- Keihin region — Japan’s largest concentration tres outside the United States in the prefecture. tions. It is part of the Yokohama–Tokyo

CAREERS SPOTLIGHT ON KANAGAWA

region, the world’s most prolific and create centres of employment, innovation centre. More than 94,000 CENTRE OF AN ISLAND collaboration and innovation. Since patents were filed from the region in Kanagawa — one of Japan’s 47 prefectures — then, successive governments have 2011–15, double the number from hugs the coast to the south of Tokyo in the actively nurtured this environment. runner-up Shenzhen–Hong Kong country’s central Honshu island. The most prominent of these dis- and three times more than from tricts, Minato Mirai 21, now forms third-placed Silicon Valley. the vibrant central business centre This culture is fed by the leading of Yokohama. industrial firms that call the region home — including engineering CLUSTERS SPEED UP RESEARCH giants Nissan and Bosch, computer A region with so many R&D manufacturers Fujitsu and Toshiba SEA OF JAPAN institutions is bound to form and chemical companies Shiseido research clusters with a specific and Takeda Pharmaceutical. These scientific focus, and Kanagawa TOKYO and hundreds of other engineering boasts many. Two of the largest are and technology firms are spurring Yokosuka Research Park, with its a new culture for research labs and concentration of leading wireless and creating a healthy environment of mobile-communications companies, collaboration between research and Kanagawa Science Park, which and engineering. “In recent years, YOKOHAMA spans a wide a range of sectors. we have made a deliberate and very R&D enterprises in the region careful conversion from a man- benefit from a multitude of eco- ufacturing-dependent economy nomic incentives and support, to one that is very much focused including various incubation and on research and innovation,” says innovation platforms. For example, Hashimoto. “This has resulted in a KANAGAWA the Keihin area has been designated remarkable change in the composi- PREFECTURE a Life Innovation Comprehen- tion of our workforce to be more sive Special Zone by the national research-oriented, and we see that government. That brings with it a trend continuing.” variety of incentives, including tax of 1923, which levelled almost every building relief, relaxed regulations and business sub- A HISTORIC MELTING POT in the area. Rebuilding began in earnest, only sidies specifically. Further inland is the Sag- Kanagawa was once the ultimate seat of for the city to be ruined again by air raids in ami Robotics Industry Special Zone, where power in Japan. For almost four centuries, the Second World War. Yet it was from these many of Japan’s leading and most innovative the southern city of Kamakura was a major embers that Japan found the means for its eco- robotics companies are rapidly expanding seat of power in Shōgun-era Japan, and it is nomic and industrial resurgence, which was the technology into practical applications, thought to have been the fourth largest city in driven in no small part by the rapid restoration such as of life-support robots. the world during the thirteenth century, after and rise of the Keihin Industrial Zone with “We have had a particular focus on Hangzhou, Cairo and Fez. When Kamakura its concentration of heavy industry, includ- well-being and health care, starting roughly was destroyed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, ing steel mills, oil refineries, petrochemical 20 years ago when we attracted RIKEN to the nation’s capital was relocated to what is complexes and shipyards. establish a new life-sciences research institute now Tokyo. The resulting 200 years of iso- in Yokohama,” says Kousuke Adachi, direc- lationist policy in Kamakura was eventually tor of the life-innovation promotion division brought to an abrupt end in 1858 when the of the City of Yokohama. “Then, in 2003, we United States and Japan — in the shadow of THAT REALLY established the Leading Venture Plaza near American gunboats — negotiated the open- LAID THE the RIKEN Yokohama Campus as a low-cost ing of Yokohama and other Kanagawa ports incubation facility for biotech start-ups. That for international trade. Yokohama quickly really laid the foundation for state-of-the-art became a portal for everything Western, a true FOUNDATION life-sciences research and the concentration melting pot where foreign ideas, influences FOR STATE-OF-THE-ART of industries in this field.” and technology were blended with Japanese LIFE-SCIENCES The city also set up a life-innovation plat- sense and tradition before being scattered form (LIP) in Yokohama to act as a network for across the country. cooperation between industry, academia and “Through that period, the port of RESEARCH government in biotechnology and life sciences. Yokohama was very important,” says Hashi- AND THE CONCENTRATION “Through the LIP, leading Japanese phar- moto. “It was the first place in Japan to get maceutical companies and manufacturers of street lighting, water treatment, a lighthouse, OF INDUSTRIES. medical equipment, as well as leading aca- iron bridges, street design and even railways demic institutes such as RIKEN and financial — all Western technologies that were intro- institutions, support the work of small enter- duced to Japan through Yokohama.” By the 1980s, Keihin had become so suc- prises and ventures,” says Adachi. “In all, we By the end of the nineteenth century, cessful that the Yokohama region risked now have some 90 organizations participat- Yokohama was a vibrant city with a popula- being entirely consumed by heavy industry. ing in the LIP as a bridge between academia tion of half a million, and bursting with tech- Recognizing a need for diversification, local and the private sector to create and imple- nological innovations, entrepreneurship and government decided to convert shipyards ment innovative projects, stimulating Yoko- foreigners. Yet this would all be brought to an and warehouses into mixed-use business, hama’s economy and connecting the results abrupt end with the Great Kanto Earthquake industry, research and residential zones of projects with advances in health care and

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SPOTLIGHT ON KANAGAWA CAREERS

well-being for our citizens.” a couple of years and are researchers can only Kanagawa offers researchers a range of ever get one. Those who hope to stay longer opportunities, from academic positions with will need to find a position with an employer organizations such as RIKEN and the Japan who is willing to sponsor a visa application. Agency for Marine–Earth Science and Tech- People fortunate enough to find a nology (JAMSTEC), to industrial R&D with longerterm position at a university can find global technology giants. Finding the right the strict hierarchy stifling and difficult to position from abroad can be tricky — Japa- climb. However, the government has tried to nese recruitment systems are often archaic tackle that through its Top Global University and heavy on detailed documentation — but Project, which offers better employment con- foreigners are generally afforded a warm wel- ditions and opportunities to attract interna- come and respect as a source of international tional researchers. expertise, and most English-speaking for- Kanagawa has much to offer as an eign researchers can get by quite well without alternative to Tokyo for a place to live. It is on needing to know the local language, says Kyaw the fringe of the limelight, yet close enough Moe, who moved to Kanagawa from Tokyo to feel part of the global circuit. Its cheaper to work at the Yokohama Institute for Earth rents and house prices and more relaxed life- Sciences in 2001 (see ‘A researcher’s life in style make Kanagawa attractive to expats and Kanagawa’). locals alike. And it may well offer researchers That welcome does have its limits. One of new opportunities in the innovation capital the more common pathways for securing a of Japan. ■ research position in Japan is a fellowship position through the Japan Society for the Promo- Brett Davis is a freelance writer based in tion of Science, but they generally last for only Melbourne, Australia.

Q&A: KYAW MOE A researcher’s life in Kanagawa

Kyaw Moe is a principal research scientist researchers at YES. Some are here for the with the Research and Development Center long term, but we also get many on one-, for Ocean Drilling Science at the Yokohama two-, three-year and longer visits. Often Institute for Earth Sciences (YES), part they stay longer than planned. We also of the Japan Agency for MarineEarth collaborate with researchers around the Science and Technology. Originally from world, so I very much feel part of the global Burma, Moe spent almost ten years at research community. the University of Tokyo as a doctoral and postdoctoral researcher, before joining YES What’s special about research in in June 2001. Kanagawa? I think this region has a very high level What is your area of research? of research and innovation, particularly I’m a marine geologist. My work with YES around some of the advanced high-tech focuses on ultra-deep ocean drilling, at industries. The Tokyo Bay coastline has depths of greater than 2,000 metres. I now been an industrial zone for a long time research high-resolution geochemical pro- with many big names like Nissan, Toshiba filing to support resource exploration. I can and Shiseido, and now we are seeing a lot spend two months or more at sea each year of collaboration with the many world-class aboard YES’s drill ship; the remainder of my research institutes located nearby. I think time is spent in the lab in Yokohama. I’ve the smart-city movement and the push for also been involved in earthquake research renewable energy has been a particularly big and marine seismic surveys. draw for many tech companies.

What’s special about YES in your field? How does life in Kanagawa compare with YES has so many facilities for our research: in Tokyo? we have a very capable ultra-deep drill ship The lifestyle is completely different. Tokyo and port, our own supercomputer and of is crowded and getting around is difficult. course many talented researchers. It is a Here we are not far from Tokyo, but we have very attractive institute for anyone in this a beautiful port, and you drive for 20 min- field, and it is really the only institute of its utes and you’re in stunning countryside — kind in the world. We are proud of what beaches and Kamakura to the south, and we do here. Mount Hakone and Mount Fuji to the west. Apartments are also bigger and cheaper, and Are there many foreign researchers at YES? there is so much to do outdoors. It is a very There is a large community of foreign nice place to live. K.M.

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SPOTLIGHT ON KANAGAWA ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Yuji Kuroiwa, prefectural governor

Transforming healthcare based on ME BYO The Kanagawa prefectural government is accelerating advances in healthcare through academia–industry–government collaborations rooted in THE ME-BYO CONCEPT — a unique response to Japan’s aging society.

By 2050, Japan is projected To propel this change, to have the highest proportion Kanagawa prefecture has been of centenarians in the world. promoting numerous projects Kanagawa, southwest of Tokyo based on the ‘ME-BYO’ concept. and home to 9.1 million people, Derived from the Japanese word thought, as experience shows through its activities in three is one of the fastest aging mibyo (literally meaning ‘pre- there are no such clear-cut special zones: the Life Innovation prefectures in the country. disease’), which has its roots distinctions.” The term was in Keihin Coastal Areas To lead the way in tackling in 2,000-year-old traditional patented in 2015 and ME- Comprehensive Special Zone challenges posed by this Chinese medicine, ME-BYO BYO was o cially included in for International Comprehensive unprecedented demographic Japanese national healthcare Competitiveness Development, change, the Kanagawa THE TOTAL policy in February 2017. (where leading companies prefectural government is NUMBER OF By encouraging people to such as Johnson & Johnson unveiling new strategies of RESEARCHERS monitor their ME-BYO status, already have bases near Haneda the Healthcare New Frontier IN KANAGAWA the wider goal is to develop International Airport); the (HCNF ) policy package. ACTUALLY technologies and practices Sagami Robotic Industry Special “Medical technologies alone EXCEEDS THAT (relating, for example, to diet) Zone (where life-supporting will not be enough to address OF TOKYO that may help prevent or delay robots are being developed and the issue of our super-aging the onset of illnesses and trained); and Kanagawa itself, population,” says prefectural refers to the continuum extend healthy longevity. which is part of the National governor, Yuji Kuroiwa. “So it’s between health and sickness. Strategic Special Zone for the imperative to drive advances “Everybody is somewhere on A WORLD-CLASS Tokyo area. in healthcare at the societal the ME-BYO gradation scale,” BIOMEDICAL HUB In Tonomachi, Kawasaki level, to help people of all ages explains Kuroiwa. As part of the HCNF policy, City, located within the Life become more aware of ways to “Our approach is a paradigm Kanagawa is invigorating Innovation Special Zone, improve our health on a shift away from the dualistic research and development of the prefectural government day-to-day basis.” healthy-or-sick mode of life science-related businesses established the Life Innovation

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What is ME-BYO? A GLOBAL OUTLOOK Looking ahead, Kuroiwa “Me-Byo” envisions that the next technological breakthrough The state between health and sickness will be the rise of the Internet of Human Health. Equipping Healthy Sick homes with sensors designed to monitor health and well-being Healthy ME-BYO Sick could in future provide valuable data, which may be integrated ME-BYO Summit 2017 held in Hakone, Kanagawa prefecture into personalized ME-BYO clinical records. International collaboration, he says, is vital for developing evidence-based approaches and promoting understanding of the ME-BYO model. To this end, the ﬁ rst ME-BYO summit was held in 2015. A total of 310 delegates attended the summit, including representatives from the World Health Organization, the US Life Innovation Center (LIC) National Institutes of Health and the Harvard School of Public Health. An o cial declaration of intent was signed at this summit. The second summit was held in Hakone on 20–21 October 2017, centred on the theme of ‘calibrating ME-BYO’. Kuroiwa also has plans

Sailing venue for the 2020 Summer Olympics CYBERDYNE Inc., Robot Suit “HAL®” further afi eld. He is building relationships with organizations including Johns Hopkins Center (LIC) in 2016 through a INSPIRING THE NEXT here will be relevant to the University, Stanford University public and private partnership. GENERATION OF HEALTH future of their home countries,” and the UK’s Cell and Gene Dedicated to advancing the PROFESSIONALS says Kuroiwa. “We welcome all Therapy Catapult, as well as industrialization of regenerative Set to open in 2019, the Health those interested in facing this governmental and municipal and cellular medicine, the Innovation School is a graduate challenge together.” bodies in Asia and Europe. LIC houses industries from school that will become part Put simply, he continues, Important though is the startups to major companies of the Kanagawa University of Kanagawa is a microcosm of blend of traditional and new that conduct various research Human Services. Japan. Not only does it contain thinking. “Japan is already at the and development. It provides Through a planned two- historical sites of interest such forefront of high-quality medical an advanced research year Master of Public Health as Kamakura and the popular research and access to medical environment, where researchers programme, the Health urban areas of Yokohama services,” he says. “By docking have access to shared Innovation School will enable and Kawasaki, but it also has cutting-edge technologies with equipment for cell analysis and graduates to acquire skills in mountains, hot springs and the ME-BYO concept, we aim to other regenerative activities. areas including data science, beaches — the famous Shonan confront the biggest challenges Kuroiwa says many regenerative medicine, health area will be the sailing venue for of today and tomorrow.” incentives exist for companies technology and social the 2020 Summer Olympics. to establish bases in systems. An English “Moreover, in terms of the 1 Nihon-odori, Naka-ku, Kanagawa, including subsidies, curriculum will be available research environment, we are Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa tax breaks and low-interest for international students. second to none,” he says. “The 231-8588, Japan fi nancing totalling up to JP¥1 “As aging is a global issue, total number of researchers Tel: +81 45 210 2725 Fax: +81 45 210 8865 billion, plus free startup o ces people who come to Kanagawa in Kanagawa actually exceeds www.pref.kanagawa.jp/ and ground-level support. will fi nd that what they learn that of Tokyo.” mlt/f531223/

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Practicing medicine with compassion St. Marianna University School of Medicine prides itself on highly advanced medical care and outcomes-based education, underpinned by RESPECT FOR THE DIGNITY OF LIFE.

Shoichi Ozaki, president of SMU

St. Marianna University independent thinking by With access to four closely with rare diseases as well School of Medicine (SMU) was focusing on the skills students linked hospitals and one clinic, as more common illnesses. founded in 1971 by Professor acquire, rather than the facts students can learn the latest The university’s physicians, Kamon Akashi, a devout they are taught. medical technologies. They non-physician scientists, Catholic. The occasion was For example, in the ‘Early may also study abroad in clinical trials personnel and marked by the gift of a chalice Exposure to the Life Cycle’ South Korea, China, and other pharmacists work as a single and paten from Pope Paul programme, fi rst-year team to further develop patient- VI. “SMU is the only school students receive training in a SMU AIMS centred care. of medicine in Japan with a maternity clinic, kindergarten, TO NURTURE One example is SMU’s work Christian background, and hospital and aged care INDIVIDUALS on the rare intractable disease, the spirit of Christianity is facility. By interacting with WHO DESIRE human T-cell leukaemia virus refl ected in its philosophy,” says patients, students gain clinical TO SERVE type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated President Shoichi Ozaki. experience across the phases of SOCIETY WITH myelopathy (known as HAM), life, helping them to grasp the COMPASSION which is characterized by LEARNING MEDICINE purpose of studying medicine symptoms including dysuria WITH HEAD AND HEART and the ethical issues faced Asian countries — honouring and leg paralysis. SMU aims to nurture individuals by healthcare practitioners. the school founder’s pledge “SMU is spearheading with a desire to serve society This experience reinforces the to support regions without world-class research on HAM, with compassion and to qualities students need to serve doctors and his desire to on carbon monoxide (CO) train physicians to conduct their patients well. nurture practitioners in poisoning, and on infertility, clinically relevant research that The new curriculum aligns Southeast Asia. SMU has plans especially in patients with contributes to human welfare. with global standards set by the to expand this programme as it primary ovarian insu ciency,” With a new curriculum World Federation for Medical builds relationships in Europe says Ozaki. launched in 2016, SMU Education. While this ensures a and North America. A team led by Yoshihisa provides various opportunities quality education, it also means Yamano in SMU’s Department for students to practice and that graduates will be eligible TACKLING URGENT of Rare Diseases Research is refl ect on their own learning. for Educational Commission NICHE NEEDS investigating HAM. He opened This ‘outcomes-based’ style for Foreign Medical Graduates SMU is committed to providing a HAM-specifi c outpatient of education aims to foster certifi cation from 2023. outstanding care for patients clinic a decade ago, which has

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SMU stands at the forefront of research in Asia on infertility treatment and fertility preservation for young cancer patients. Two treatment methods — ovarian tissue cryopreservation by vitriﬁ cation and in vitro activation followed by conventional freezing of ovarian tissue — extend options for women who, because of age or illness, are facing fertility Yoshihisa Yamano Taku Tanaka issues. Both were developed at SMU and have gained worldwide attention. Chalice and paten honouring SMU’s founding SMU currently houses the world’s largest single ovarian tissue transplantation facility. Three healthy babies attest to the treatments’ success.

BRINGING THE FRUITS OF RESEARCH TO SOCIETY SMU’s mission of caring is buoyed by its business acumen. SMU has been The SMU chapel/special education facility Nao Suzuki Kazuo Yudo active in securing patents and technologies through its Center improved understanding of this CO is toxic because team is exploring a less for the Promotion of Intellectual rare disease and conducts it decreases oxygen invasive approach. They plan Enterprise. “The Center, clinical trials. delivery to vital organs to develop a device, a jacket through industry collaboration, “We want to bring hope to and tissues: inhaling CO for example, that emits light has developed the ovarian patients with rare diseases,” leads to the formation of a radiation on the pulmonary tissue freezing kit Ova Cryo Yamano says. carboxyhaemoglobin, COHb, surface and could be used Kit Type M, Alzheimer’s “These patients face which is over 200-fold more onsite or during patient and dementia identiﬁ cation numerous challenges over their stable than the blood’s usual transport to the hospital. They software STM-COMET Ver. II, clinical course — from diagnosis oxygen carrier, oxyhaemoglobin are also considering a more and parenteral nutrition bags, and throughout treatment. Only (O2Hb). One approach to direct method, such as a light- for which SMU owns the patent, through working together can treatment is to use light emitting intravascular catheter, copyright and design rights, we improve patient outcomes, irradiation, which can dissociate that would be used only in a respectively,” says Center chief, and SMU is proud to continue CO from COHb. medical facility. Kazuo Yudo. s u c h e o r t s . ” Taku Tanaka and colleagues SMU is a leader in the at Kawasaki Municipal Tama FERTILITY PRESERVATION education, development and NON-INVASIVE THERAPY Hospital, one of SMU’s linked “Infertility is an urgent issue in provision of highly advanced FOR CO POISONING hospitals, used in vitro human Japan’s rapidly aging society, medicine supported by SMU researchers are also blood samples to determine the and SMU is working with state-of-the-art facilities and exploring patient-friendly most e ective light radiation patients experiencing infertility technologies. With Christian therapies for CO poisoning. level for COHb dissociation. due to age or illness,” says philosophy as a deep-running CO — a highly toxic, tasteless They showed that light Nao Suzuki, chairman of the thread, SMU holds a unique and odourless gas produced intensity of 500,000 lux — as Department of Obstetrics and strong position in Japan by cars and some heaters — a comparison, 100,000 lux and Gynecology. and the world. accounts for more than 60% is direct sunlight — yields an of poisoning deaths in Japan. e ective dose of radiation. Current treatments have Researchers elsewhere St. Marianna University St. Marianna University School of limited e ects and fail to are testing a light radiation School of Medicine Medicine, Intellectual Property www.marianna-u.ac.jp Management Center lower the morbidity and probe inserted through the TEL ;+81-44-977-8111 www.marianna-u.ac.jp/chizai/ mortality rates. oesophagus in mice. Tanaka’s [email protected]

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Manabu Seo, bioprinting technology 3D printing group leader human parts RICOH scientists are pushing the boundaries of their printing technologies to create INNOVATION IN HEALTHCARE.

Imagine repairing a patient’s the company’s state-of-the- injury with fresh human art instruments: printing the tissue or replacing a damaged building blocks of life. heart with a perfect replica After returning to RICOH, — one that was printed using Takagi established a small technology similar to an o ce research team to develop inkjet- inkjet printer. It may sound like based bioprinting and create science fi ction, but Japanese inkjet heads that are suitable imaging and electronics for printing inks containing company RICOH is working biological materials. toward just that. Just as the company was With over 80 years of reinforcing its strategy to experience in innovation, invest in new businesses, RICOH is applying their printing the team began a bioprinting technology to healthcare. collaboration with Osaka Known as bioprinting, the University through a national company’s scientists are research project. swapping primary colour In 2016, RICOH expanded be used for cell ink are very head vibrates between ejections cartridges for ink chambers its capacity for biomedical limited,” explains RICOH to prevent cells from settling to containing cells and hydrogels. research by establishing new printing technologies specialist, the bottom of the ink chamber. By arranging cells as 3D laboratories in the Kanagawa Manabu Seo. The engineers also modifi ed tissues, the company’s vision Life Innovation Center. Leading a team of engineers, their system to print di erent is to print living materials — Seo developed a new printing cell and hydrogel layers on top such as tissues and organs THE FINE PRINT head specifi cally designed to of one another, allowing them — and realize the potential The ability to print living cells print living cell suspensions. to build 3D tissues in a single to revolutionize regenerative has big potential, but faces print run. medicine and to push printing several technical challenges. PRINTING Tests revealed success. The technology to even further Cells are much larger than CELLS IS A new inkjet technology ejects a outcomes for patients. the pigments in common printer PROMISING consistent number of cells as it inks, which means they sink to IDEA WHOSE prints, over 90% of cells survive INVESTMENT WITH VISION the bottom of any chamber, if TIME HAS the printing process, and the Visionary science is fuelled by kept stationary, and can quickly COME system can print viable cell inspiration. In 2013, RICOH clog up a printer nozzle. layers as stacks of over scientist Daisuke Takagi Living cells also require Replacing the nozzle of the 10 layers. attended a lecture on tissue environmental conditions common inkjet printer, the new Tissue engineering expert engineering at a printing similar to those found inside inkjet head ejects, or ‘prints’, Waka Lin and her team of technology conference. There the human body to stay alive droplets of cell ink through biologists analyse the printed he glimpsed an opportunity to and form functional tissue, a moving membrane on to a cells and tissues and develop create a new application for so “the materials that can surface. Meanwhile, the inkjet them for new applications.

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Yoshinori Yamashita, president and CEO

Waka Lin, tissue engineering expert

So far, the scientists have company’s ability to e ciently regenerating full organs for in the o ce and on the successfully printed fi broblasts, collaborate between expert human transplantation. While frontlines,” says company CEO and are working with iPS-derived teams, including engineers, aspirational, the idea may not Yoshinori Yamashita. “We are cardiac cells, skin keratinocytes, material scientists, information be a pipe dream. applying our inkjet technology vascular endothelial cells and technologists, and now, cellular “In 100 years, if some to healthcare using open neuronal cells. biologists. breakthrough was made to innovation.” As one of the fi rst biologists “The engineers in charge are replace cells with biomimetic The scientists are also recruited at RICOH, Lin is professionals who can analyse materials, then some kind of looking to explore directions inspired by the fast progress of any issue at its core to present life-saving printer could be by they may have not even yet the technology. “My role was unique solutions,” says Lin. the bedside in every hospital,” conceived. “The concept of fi rst to help set up a cell culture “So we aim to develop a high- says Lin. bioprinting at fi rst seemed laboratory and educate our sta precision system expected to Meanwhile, RICOH’s extremely challenging,” says Lin. in bioanalytical studies,” she be a cut above more common bioprinting team are looking for “But seeing the fast progress of recalls. “Now I am developing types of printers.” collaborators in the biomedical 3D printing in general, printing future biomedical applications RICOH’s bioprinting and bioengineering fi elds, cells is a promising idea whose using printed tissues.” engineers are now developing including scientists, engineers time has come.” optical monitoring devices to and clinicians, to help their cell OPEN FOR INNOVATION improve their cell dispensing printing technology reach its As laboratories around the precision and are optimizing the full potential. world are working to create components in their cell ink. “RICOH enables knowledge bioprinting technologies, The company’s ultima te creation through digitalizing RICOH’s advantage is the goal is the ‘printing of life’: and connecting workplaces http://www.ricoh.com/

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Embracing new collaboration to accelerate product development Takeda aims to create a vibrant, ‘open innovation’ ecosystem in Japan. Shonan will become the place where diverse researchers and projects translate Japan-born, CUTTING-EDGE SCIENCE INTO INNOVATIVE HEALTH SOLUTIONS, for the benefit of patients locally and across the globe.

In a 400-metre-long building, commercialize research startup and you fail, it isn’t a being exposed to different about an hour south of Tokyo, that they then pass on to problem. The fact you try and environments and people,” a revolution is taking place pharmaceutical companies. fail has value,” Izumo says. “In he says. “These are real that may not only improve and “We have to adapt to this Japan, once you fail you have opportunities for staff to get out save people’s lives; it has the external reality,” Fujimoto says. a strong sense of shame as an of their comfort zone and push potential to alter the very fabric “In the past the pharmaceutical individual and that is attached their boundaries.” of Japanese corporate culture. industry emphasized in- to you as well by society. That The new approach has The revolution centres on house research with a great leads to risk-averse behaviour. grown organically since what is now known as Shonan amount of secrecy — but times This tendency for risk aversion Takeda’s partnership with Health Innovation Park in have changed. Today, we’re is also prevalent even among 2012 Nobel laureate Shinya Fujisawa City. Here, the owner embracing an externalization venture fund managers in Yamanaka. Takeda Pharmaceuticals is strategy that puts emphasis on Japan.” Yamanaka’s discovery in opening its state-of-the-art partnerships with the best in This cultural difference, 2007 that mature human facility to external researchers. the field.” Izumo believes, underpins the cells could be reprogrammed This move is intended to fast- It is a bold step with no large gap in the numbers of into immature cells, with the track scientific discovery by guarantees, as Fujimoto admits: startup companies between ability to develop into all types nurturing an entrepreneurial of cells in the body, has led culture and supporting startup CREATING AN ENTREPRENEURIAL to new research into induced and venture capital companies. CULTURE REQUIRES A CHANGE IN pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Toshio Fujimoto, the MINDSET TO PUSH BOUNDARIES “Professor Yamanaka general manager of Shonan wanted to see the fruits of Health Innovation Park, says “But we believe this is the Japan and the United States. his research come to clinical the decision is a response to right path and we’re deeply Creating a culture where risk fruition,” Izumo recalls. In the rapid pace of scientific committed.” is embraced requires a change December 2015, Takeda and discovery. “Science is Just how ‘different’ Takeda’s in mindset to push boundaries. Kyoto University’s Center progressing in some areas approach is within Japanese Takeda is working with staff for iPS Cell Research and almost exponentially,” Fujimoto culture cannot be overstated. to help them embrace this Application (CiRA), led by points out. “And the reality is Seigo Izumo, head of Scientific transformation through training Yamanaka, launched a 10- that in-house research is no Affairs Japan, global head of and leadership workshops, as year collaboration, known longer keeping up with progress Takeda’s Regenerative Medicine well as mentoring them during as T-CiRA. in areas such as stem cell Unit, and a former Harvard the process of creating their With 10 projects and over therapy, bioinformatics and academic who spent many own companies. 100 staff, T-CiRA aims to gene therapy.” years working in the United “It is very exciting, and at develop innovative therapies He cites examples from States, points to the American times it can be hard for those for use in areas such as cancer, the United States and Europe, approach as a comparison. who are averse to change, but heart failure, type 1 diabetes where increasingly venture “The culture in the United I think it is a model that really mellitus, neurodegenerative and startup companies States is that if you create a enriches people’s lives through disorders, gastrointestinal

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Industry, government, and academia will come together to incubate and accelerate the translation of cutting-edge science into impactful health The park oﬀ ers access to state-of-the-art research facilities. solutions for patients in Japan and around the world.

Abundant shared spaces provide greater opportunities to network, foster collaboration, and support work-life balance.

diseases and intractable university laboratory there are a University and the National For Fujimoto and Izumo, muscle diseases. lot of ideas, but academics also Cancer Center, has committed global recognition and an inﬂ ux Izumo says a hallmark of the have other missions and their to moving its research to of new tenants will validate the programme is that academic research facility isn’t set up for the Park. And K-Pharma, an innovation park concept. This researchers from Kyoto and product development.” off shoot of Keio University will be an indicator that Takeda Yokohama City universities and The success of T-CiRA focusing on central nervous has taken the right step. But, RIKEN research institute spend was the confi dence boost system disease, also plans to as a surgeon and a physician, part of their time working at Takeda management needed locate its laboratory in the Park. respectively, their main criteria Shonan Health Innovation Park, to broaden their approach. As well, Izumo is negotiating for success will be “how we can alongside Takeda researchers. Takeda has now created a potential links between the bring innovative treatments to All participants — the number of companies within Park and foreign research patients faster, and ultimately universities, academic Shonan Health Innovation institutions. whether these treatments will researchers and Takeda — have Park, including Axcelead “I would like to see the help patients.” seen the benefi ts of the co- Drug Discovery Partners, innovation park become a very location. SCOHIA PHARMA, Cardurion, unique research ecosystem “Because everything is SEEDSUPPLY, ChromaJean, and that is Japan-based, but has here — the infrastructure and Chordia Therapeutics. an international outlook that’s committed staff — progress Noile-Immune Biotech, recognized and appreciated by is faster,” Izumo says. “In a a spin-off from Yamaguchi the global research community.” www.takeda.com

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Adding bacteria to the mix to improve community health Kirin is harnessing MORE THAN 60 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE in fermentation and pharmaceutical technologies to serve the health and well-being of consumers.

Demand for functional foods of functional foods. In the studied food substances for strain they called Lactococcus — those that offer benefits current competitive market, their health benefits. lactis strain Plasma (JCM beyond basic nutrition — is contributing to the “health and In 2012, Kirin researchers 5805) after pDCs. “This tipped to keep increasing, with well-being” of the community collaborated with their strain is the only LAB that rapid growth in the industry has become a key philosophy of subsidiaries and external activates pDCs directly,” says due to the aging population and the Kirin brand. research institutes to Fujiwara. Direct activation boom in the health and wellness In 2008, Kirin launched an perform a screen to identify of pDCs means that “we can trend. Japan, where functional intra-company collaboration a unique LAB strain that expect much more activity beverages fill vending machines called the Kirin Health Project stimulates plasmacytoid against virus infections from and convenience store shelves, to leverage the strengths of its dendritic cells (pDCs). Not Lactococcus Plasma than from has experienced dramatic subsidiaries in the healthcare only do pDCs produce an conventional LABs,” he adds. and sustained growth and its field with the goal of improving Kirin has tested Lactococcus consumption rates are now one the health of society. The STUDIES Plasma as a probiotic in daily of the highest in the world. The company has since released SUGGEST THAT doses of yoghurt-based experience and technological various functional products. LACTOCOCCUS beverages and capsules in expertise of Kirin, a leading Their most recent range PLASMA MAY six human clinical trials in Japanese beer and beverage consists of beverages, yoghurts DELIVER MORE healthy subjects, and an company, shows it to be a major and supplements containing a ACTIVITY epidemiological study in player in this industry. proprietary lactic acid bacteria AGAINST children. Consumers of the (LAB) strain proven to protect VIRUSES THAN yoghurt had lower incidence of LEVERAGING EXPERT IN from the influenza virus. CONVENTIONAL the flu, and reduced symptoms, FERMENTATION LACTIC ACID compared to the rest of the Kirin, since taking over the ANTI-VIRAL BACTERIA BACTERIA population. Japan Brewery in 1907, has Fermented milks have been Another benefit of developed a reputation as a known for their health effects immune-stimulating signal Lactococcus Plasma is that company that produces beer since prehistoric times. More with anti-viral actions, but they it doesn’t have to be alive and soft drinks. Diversifying than a century ago, Nobel also present viral antigens to to induce anti-viral effects. during the 1970s and 1980s, laureate Ilya Mechnikov immune cells that recognize In fact, a heat-killed ‘dead’ Kirin now holds major suggested that LAB, which and remember pathogens for form of the bacteria is just as subsidiaries in the food and was used to prevent milk from adaptive immunity. Daisuke effective as the live version. pharmaceuticals markets. By spoiling, could also be used to Fujiwara, senior manager and This expands the uses of 2000, the increasing demand manipulate gut bacteria lead scientist of the project at Lactococcus Plasma in products for health products led Kirin to promote health. LAB are Kirin, explains that pDCs “are other than yoghurt. to turn its experience and widely found in natural foods the commander-in-chief of Research into how knowledge in fermentation and manufactured in dairy anti-viral immunity.” Through Lactococcus Plasma works and biotechnology to begin products: they have become this screening process, Kirin shows that activated pDCs research and development one of the most extensively researchers identified the in the intestines can increase

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Kirin’s Research Laboratories for Health Science & Food Technologies in Kanagawa prefecture

Daisuke Fujiwara, Ph.D. Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (JCM 5805)

Immature plasmacytoid dendritic cells Plasmacytoid dendritic cells with added Lactococcus Plasma

the expression of anti-viral in 2012 to market Lactococcus Lactococcus Plasma is not technologies to bridge the genes in the lungs to impede Plasma. The range includes Kirin’s fi rst functional ingredient. food and medicines markets, fl u symptoms. While Kirin yoghurt from Koiwai Dairy In early 2012, Kirin released a Fujiwara says the aim is researchers are still studying Products, soft drinks from Kirin beverage containing indigestible to provide “a novel food- the precise mechanisms Beverage, and supplements dextrin, a dietary fi bre shown based approach” to address linking the intestines and from Kyowa Hakko Bio. to reduce absorption but diversifying health concerns. peripheral tissues, they think Kirin is also researching increase excretion of fat. The This is a major step in the that activated pDCs or the the use of LAB beyond this company also sells beverages company’s goal to improve anti-infl ammatory signals they range of products. They and foods containing ornithine, societal health. produce may be delivered to are seeking partners who an amino acid that enhances other organs, such as the lungs, understand the value of liver function to counter the through the bloodstream. science and share the brand’s eff ects of excessive drinking philosophy with whom they and suppresses the secretion of A NEW VENTURE can develop a wider variety stress hormones to aid sleep. IN A NEW ERA of foods not previously As the company takes Kirin Co, Ltd. Business Creation Department Kirin set up a collaboration considered to benefi t from steps towards a new business Tel: +81-90-4072-3005 between three Kirin companies LAB, such as snack foods. venture that utilizes core [email protected]

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Algae reach for the skies A humble species of algae underpins some big ideas. It can provide HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS FOOD for humans and livestock, capture carbon dioxide from wastewater and the atmosphere, and even generate biofuel for aircraft.

The miracle alga, Euglena based cookies are already aiding converting paramylon. We gracilis, is now in mass the ﬁ ght against malnutrition in are currently working on a production thanks to Bangladesh. mutant form of E. gracilis with KENGO SUZUKI, Ph.D. Director, Head of R&D, euglena Co. novel cultivation methods Euglena Co. seek to expand enhanced lipid metabolism developed by the Japanese their research and development that would provide even better “Paramylon, company euglena Co. The into other applications for E. yields for biofuel.” a unique company is keen to foster new gracilis: one goal is to harness To achieve this, euglena Co. carbohydrate innovative collaborations wit h the alga’s potential to produce seeks collaborators, explains extracted from the international research a safe, e cient form of biofuel Suzuki. “We welcome new E. gracilis cells, community to help them for aviation. insights and techniques from is an important achieve their goals. “Paramylon, a unique scientists working in similar ingredient Research on E. gracilis has a carbohydrate extracted ﬁ elds around the world.” for biofuel long history in Japan, and euglena from E. gracilis cells, is an This presents a unique production” Co.’s founder, Mitsuru Izumo, important ingredient for biofuel opportunity to help unleash the started the company more than a production,” explains euglena enormous potential of these decade ago to harness E. gracilis’ Co.’s Kengo Suzuki. “During tiny algal organisms; perhaps potential as a healthy, nutritious anaerobic fermentation, E. one day the power of Euglena food supplement. Their E. gracilis- gracilis produces lipids by really will take to the skies.  http://www.euglena.jp/

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