National Knowledge Manufacturing Conference 2025 was held on Friday, April 18, 2025.

Lifeness Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director and Group CEO: Yukihiro Maru) will hold an event on Friday, April 18, 2025,National Knowledge Manufacturing Conference 2025(Organized by: Ribanes) was held.

In addition to co-organizer Mizuho Bank, Ltd., seven co-creation partners (UntroD Capital Japan, Inc., Uchida & Samejima Law Offices, KOBASHI HOLDINGS, Inc., Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd., Hase-Tora Spinning Co., Ltd., Pioneer Corporation, Ltd., Yamada Shokai Holdings Co., Ltd.), three supporting organizations (Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan; Japan Finance Corporation; and the General Incorporated Association for Venture-Style Business Succession), and 12 collaborating support institutions (Senshu Bank, Ltd.; Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank, Ltd.; Kansai Mirai Bank, Ltd., Gunma Bank, Ltd., Shiga Bank, Ltd., Shinonome Shinkin Bank, Seibu Shinkin Bank, The Chugoku Bank, Ltd., Hamamatsu Iwata Shinkin Bank, Higo Bank, Ltd., Hiroshima Bank, Ltd., and Hokkoku Financial Holdings, Ltd.), 60 companies aspiring to become knowledge-based manufacturers exhibited at the event.

In addition, through the 2024 National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Awards, the opening session, short pitches by 34 companies, a keynote address, three keynote sessions, mini-seminars, and booth time, we held discussions aimed at accelerating the growth of the knowledge-based manufacturing industry.

On the day of the event, more than 475 participants from startups, mid-sized companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises across the country gathered to engage in lively discussions aimed at combining their respective knowledge to generate new insights.

At this plenary session, we held the “National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Awards 2024” for the first time. The National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Awards is a program that recognizes projects that have generated new knowledge and taken the first step toward new challenges, building on the foundation of the “National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference.” On this occasion, Yukihiro Maru, Representative Director and Group CEO of Lifeness, and Ryusei Adachi, Managing Executive Officer and Co-Head of the Retail and Corporate Business Division at Mizuho Bank, Ltd. (the co-host), presented awards to a total of six companies—two companies for each of the three themes.

Award-Winning Theme #1: “A Future Where Manufacturing Technology and Knowledge Are Consolidated in Chatbots”
Award-winning companies: Sanko Giken Co., Ltd., Anplat Co., Ltd.
Reason for the Award: They met at the 2024 National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference and hit it off. In just four months, they developed and launched a chatbot that openly shares the technology and expertise of Sanko Giken, a company specializing in precision die-cutting. Moving forward, they aim to expand the scope of the chatbot’s coverage and build a future where manufacturing technology and knowledge are consolidated within the chatbot to facilitate knowledge sharing.
Reference:Sanko Giken Co., Ltd. × Unplat Co., Ltd. Jointly Develop “Sanko-kun,” a Chatbot for Precision Punching

Award-Winning Theme No. 2: “Tackling Vietnam’s Water Environment Challenges with Japanese Technology”
Award-Winning Companies: Vantec Ltd., Environmental Inland Water Resources Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Reason for the Award: Discussions began because both organizations were working on water environmental issues. In particular, Vantech—which had been addressing challenges related to aquaculture and water treatment in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region—formulated a hypothesis that the Institute of Inland Water Resources’ fine bubble technology could be applied to local challenges that could not be resolved using Vantech’s own technology alone. They arranged a visit to Vietnam and are currently conducting three demonstration projects, including field trials at a major local aquaculture farm and joint research with Can Tho University.
Reference:Vantech Co., Ltd. ✕ Environmental Inland Water Resources Research Institute Co., Ltd. Launch Demonstration Tests Aimed at Solving Vietnam’s Water Environment Challenges

Award-Winning Theme #3: “Adding High Value to Medical Devices Through Bio-Inspired Coatings”
Award-winning companies: Tochigi Seiko Co., Ltd., Intelligent Surface Co., Ltd.
Reason for the Award: Discussions regarding the collaboration between Tochigi Seiko—a manufacturer of medical devices such as dental anesthesia needles—and Intelligent Surface, which possesses MPC polymer coating technology with excellent biocompatibility, were shared as a case study during a session at the 2024 National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference. This collaboration subsequently evolved into not only a business partnership but also a capital alliance. As a role model for the knowledge-based manufacturing sector, there are high expectations for their future development.

＜当日の様子＞

You can watch the highlights video (1 minute 50 seconds) below.

＜実施概要＞
Concept: Fostering mutual growth through partnerships between mid-sized and small businesses and deep-tech startups
Date and Time: Friday, April 18, 2025
Location: Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center, Hamamatsucho Building, 4th Floor, Exhibition Room
(Tokyo Port City Takeshiba, 1-7-1 Kaigan, Minato Ward, Tokyo)
Website:https://km.lne.st/

The National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference is a forum where startups, mid-sized companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the country can shift toward knowledge-based manufacturing and help shape the future of the world. At Lifeness, we will continue to accelerate the shift of mid-sized companies and SMEs toward knowledge-based manufacturing.

Announcement of the 2026 National Conference on Knowledge-Based Manufacturing

[Date and Time] Friday, February 13, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (tentative)

For inquiries, please contact
RIVANES Corporation Manufacturing and Development Division (Okazaki, Uchida)
Email: [email protected]