[Event Report] The 2026 National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference was held on Friday, March 27, 2026

Lifeness Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director and Group CEO: Yukihiro Maru) will hold an event on Friday, March 27, 2026,Knowledge Manufacturing Conference 2026(Organized by: Ribanes) was held.

In addition to co-organizer Mizuho Bank, Ltd., and with the cooperation of 12 co-creation partners, 63 companies aiming to become knowledge-based manufacturers exhibited at the event.

In addition, through the National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Awards Challenge, short pitches by 27 companies, the Knowledge-Core Enterprise Certification, a keynote address, three keynote sessions, booth time, and the National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Awards 2025, we held discussions aimed at accelerating the growth of the knowledge-based manufacturing sector.

On the day of the event, approximately 400 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 first-ever “National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Awards Challenge” and “Knowledge-Core Enterprise Certification” events.

「Knowledge Manufacturing Award Challenge“ aims to ensure that new connections and discussions arising from meetings do not end as mere ”ideas," but rather lead to the next steps toward joint verification, joint development, and commercialization. Through this initiative, we seek to foster more impactful collaborations and aim to win the "National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Award." Four companies participated as partners in this project.

Related Press Releases:https://km.lne.st/2026/03/19/challenge_theme/

Furthermore, the “Knowledge Core Enterprise Certification” recognizes “Knowledge Core Enterprises” among core companies possessing high technological capabilities, growth potential, and industrial competitiveness—specifically those that deeply understand the philosophy of the knowledge-based manufacturing industry, embody it by expanding or redefining their own purpose and identity, and continue to tackle global challenges. On this occasion, we have granted certification to the following three companies.

• KOBASHI HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. President and CEO Shojiro Kobashi
• Mr. Koji Hase, President and CEO of Hase Tora Spinning Co., Ltd.
• Mr. Toyohisa Yamada, President and Representative Director, Yamada Shokai Holding Co.

From left: Ryusei Adachi, Managing Executive Officer and Co-Head of the Retail and Corporate Business Division, Mizuho Bank, Ltd.; Toyohisa Yamada, President and Representative Director of Yamada Shokai Holdings Co., Ltd.; Shojiro Kobashi, President and Representative Director of KOBASHI HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.; Koji Hase, President and Representative Director of Hase Tora Spinning Co., Ltd.; and Yukihiro Maru, Representative Director and Group CEO of Livanes Co., Ltd.

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.

＜実施概要＞
Concept: Fostering mutual growth through partnerships between mid-sized and small businesses and deep-tech startups
Date and Time: Friday, March 27, 2026
Location: Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center, Hamamatsucho Building, 5th Floor, Exhibition Room
(Tokyo Port City Takeshiba, 1-7-1 Kaigan, Minato Ward, Tokyo)
Website:https://km.lne.st/

Announcement of the 2027 National Conference on Knowledge-Based Manufacturing

Date and Time: Tuesday, March 30, 2027, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (tentative)
Location: Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center, Hamamatsucho Building, 3rd Floor, Exhibition Room

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