April 12, 2024 (Fri)

National Knowledge Manufacturing Conference 2024

Ota City Industrial Plaza PiO, Main Exhibition Hall
What is the Knowledge Manufacturing Conference?
If the knowledge and technologies of small and midsize companies across Japan could be combined beyond the boundaries of their fields and industries, what kind of innovation would emerge from this? What kind of future can be created if the strengths of many companies can be combined to solve global issues, rather than for their own profit? The Knowledge Manufacturing Conference is a new initiative of Leave a Nest to realize these visions and, as a result, to create a situation in which Japan will once again lead the world.
Date and Time
Friday, April 12, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location
Ota City Industrial Plaza PiO, Main Exhibition Hall
How to participate
Booth Exhibition / 600,000 yen (excluding tax)
Participation Ticket: 100,000 yen (excluding tax)
Interaction at the booths and listening to the program will be available.

On the day of the event, there will be simultaneous interaction at the booths and program planning on the stage.

Schedule

Hours. Contents speaker
10:00

Opening Remarks
10:30 Keynote Speech

Keynote Speech

Startups and small and medium-sized enterprises that have shifted to the knowledge-based economy will change the world of tomorrow.

In 2005, euglena became the first company in the world to successfully achieve large-scale outdoor cultivation of euglena for human consumption—a feat previously deemed absolutely impossible—and has since been advancing the industrial application of euglena as a business. Furthermore, on December 3, 2014, it became the first venture company spun off from the University of Tokyo to be listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The keynote speech, titled “Venture Companies and SMEs That Have Shifted to Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Will Change the World of the Future,” will discuss the collaboration with mid-sized and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have supported Euglena behind the scenes, as well as the future growth and advancement of these mid-sized and SMEs.
For more information
  • Mr. Mitsuru Izumo(Euglena Co., Ltd.)
11:00

Signing Ceremony
11:30

Lunch Break
12:00

Short Pitches by Exhibiting Companies
13:30 Panel Session

Panel Session

A Long-Established Venture with Over 100 Years of History Explains the Practice of the "Knowledge Manufacturing Industry"

This session features representative mid-sized and small-to-medium-sized enterprises that have been quick to adopt and implement the “knowledge-based manufacturing” philosophy. We are pleased to welcome KOBASHI HOLDINGS from Okayama Prefecture—which has over 100 years of experience in agriculture and manufacturing—and Hase Tora Spinning from Gifu Prefecture—which has accumulated over 136 years of expertise in spinning technology—as panelists. Yukihiro Maru, author of *The New Era of Knowledge-Based Manufacturing*, will moderate a discussion covering topics ranging from the companies’ origins to why they felt a shift toward knowledge-based manufacturing was necessary now, the steps they took to implement and realize this shift within their organizations, and their future plans—all illustrated with real-world examples from both companies.
For more information
  • Mr. Shojiro Kobashi(KOBASHI HOLDINGS Co.)
  • Mr. Koji Hase(Hase Tora Spinning Co.)
  • Yukihiro Maru(Riverness Inc.)
14:30

Keynote Session (1): A Nationwide Effort to “Restore the Glory of Manufacturing”

SME Support Agency Keynote Session

The Small and Medium Enterprise Agency supports companies that take on new challenges!

We are pleased to welcome Mr. Ishii from the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation (SME Support, Japan), which plays a central role in supporting Japanese startups through initiatives such as “Start-up Next Innovator,” “J-Startup,” and the Japan Venture Awards, as well as regulatory reform tools like regulatory sandboxes and the “Gray Zone Resolution System.” He will discuss how startups are changing the world, along with the expectations and challenges associated with this transformation. He will also discuss the vital role that mid-sized and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in achieving growth alongside startups.
For more information

Kanto Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Keynote Session

The Value Creation Challenge Initiative and the Future Direction of SME Policy (Growth Support)

While taking a broad view of initiatives aimed at fostering the growth of mid-sized and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), collaboration with venture companies has recently been gaining attention as a method for these firms to take the lead in driving innovation. In this session, Mr. Ozawa, Director of the Industry Department at the Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, will discuss initiatives for mid-sized and small and medium-sized enterprises to forge partnerships with startups, as well as the government’s approach to supporting the growth of these companies.
For more information
  • Mr. Yoshiaki Ishii(Organization for Small and Medium Enterprise Development)
  • Mr. Motoki Ozawa(Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry)
15:30

Keynote Session (2): Survival Strategies for Mid-Sized and Small Businesses

Hamano Manufacturing Keynote Session

"The Challenges Facing Tokyo's Shitamachi Neighborhood and Its Small Factories," as Told by Hamano Seisakusho, a Small Factory in Sumida Ward

Hamano Manufacturing, which has transitioned from a parts-processing factory to a development-oriented factory and transformed itself into a development company capable of manufacturing, continues to evolve its business model and organizational structure through collaboration with startups. We will hear from Mr. Hamano, Representative Director and CEO, about how Hamano Seisakusho has evolved through partnerships with startups and similar initiatives, and where the company is headed. He will also discuss the new value created when manufacturing companies collaborate with startups.
For more information

ACSL Keynote Session

As a drone startup, what we expect from partnerships with mid-sized and small businesses

ACSL Co., Ltd., a venture specializing in drones, became the first company of its kind in Japan to go public in 2018. In this session, Mr. Washitani, Representative Director and CEO, will discuss how mid-sized and small businesses can collaborate with ventures in various areas—including manufacturing, research and development, and business development—to promote the global adoption of drones. He is also scheduled to discuss “collaboration with startups” as a methodology for mid-sized and small businesses to achieve significant growth, as well as the expectations from the startup’s perspective.
For more information

Keynote Session by Uchida & Samejima Law Firm

A Lawyer from "Shitamachi Rocket" Discusses the Methodology for Bringing Dreams and Technology to the World

Mr. Samejima, the managing partner of Uchida & Samejima Law Firm—a law firm that supports the business operations of mid-sized and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the lens of patents, intellectual property, and contracts—will present a wealth of real-world case studies from the firm. He will also discuss the potential benefits and key considerations that arise when mid-sized and small-to-medium-sized enterprises collaborate with R&D-focused ventures possessing advanced technological capabilities.
For more information
  • Mr. Keiichi Hamano(Hamano Manufacturing Co., Ltd.)
  • Mr. Toshiyuki Washitani(ACSL Co., Ltd.)
  • Mr. Masahiro Samejima(Uchida & Samejima Law Firm)
16:30

Keynote Session (3): How to Get Started with Partnerships Between Mid-Sized and Small Companies and Startups

Session on How to Start Collaborations Between Mid-Sized, Small, and Medium-Sized Companies and Startups

Case Study 1: RealTech Fund's Initiatives

Case Study 2: The Collaboration Between Tochigi Seiko and Intelligent Surface

Case Study 3: The Rebox × Cecil Research Collaboration

In this session, we will invite speakers from mid-sized and small businesses—as well as startups—that are actively pursuing partnerships to delve into the tangible results these collaborations yield and share practical tips on how to establish connections and move these partnerships forward. Mr. Yamaga of RealTech Holdings, which manages the RealTech Fund, will speak from the perspective of a startup supporter about the roles and potential that mid-sized and small businesses can fulfill. We will also introduce examples of collaborations between mid-sized and small businesses and startups that are already underway.
For more information
  • Mr. So Yamaga(Real Tech Holdings Co., Ltd.)
  • Mr. Daiki Kawashima(Tochigi Seiko Co., Ltd.)
  • Mr. Yoshihiro Kiriduchi(Intelligent Surface Co., Ltd.)
  • Mr. Toru Yoneto(Rebox Co., Ltd.)
  • Mr. Keiji Yamashita(Cecil Research, Inc.)
17:30

Closing ceremony

Co-Host

joint creation

support

Cooperating Support Organizations

The list of exhibitors for the 2027 National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference will be announced shortly.

A New Era of Knowledge Manufacturing

A New Era of Knowledge Manufacturing

Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., Founder and Group CEO
Yukihiro Maru

◆The structure of this book
Introduction / In the Age of Countercurrents, From Competition to Symbiosis / The "Bridge Communicator," a New Concept in Sales / The Way Researchers Think: The Seeds of Innovation / Every Deep Issue Can Become a Business / 4D Thinking to Stay Ahead of the Times / Japanese Manufacturing Will Change the World Again / Tap the "Individual" in Your Organization to Create Lasting Power / Conclusion

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