Shigenori Asakura

Industrial Designer | President, GK Industrial Design Inc.

• UNIT 09 : Products for shop and public space｜UNIT 19 (China, Hong Kong) / Uniit Leader

After graduating from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, he left for the US and after graduating from the Art Center College of Design, he entered GK Inc. With the principle "Designing for Authentic Ideas, Aesthetic Forms and Empathic Relations", he is active in the areas of industrial equipment, products for the public domain, and consumer products. He has received many awards including the Good Design Grand Award, iF Award, Red Dot Award, and IDEA Award.

Yoshihide Asako

Architect / Designer | President, takaban studio

• UNIT 12 : Construction/interior for industry, commercial facilities and public facilities

Born in 1972 in Kobe City. After working at an architectural and interior design office, he coestablished contectures, LLC. (currently Genron Co., Ltd.) with Hiroki Azuma in 2010 and left after publishing Shisouchizu Beta vol. 1 and vol. 2. Conducts research on cities through commercial spaces, gives critiques on cities, and designs cities. Wrote "Tokyo Interior Tour" (coauthored with Ryoko Ando). His main study is the "Interior Design of COMME des GARCONS" (published in "Shisouchizu Beta" Vol. 1). His main piece of work is "gray". He won the highest award for the construction designer selection proposal of Hachinohe City's new Art Museum.

Keiji Ashizawa

Architect, Designer | CEO, Keiji Ashizawa Design, Ishinomaki Laboratory

• UNIT 03 : Life products (Daily necessities) / Focused Issues Directors

Graduated in Yokohama National University (1996), followed by professional pursuit in design office, architecture WORKSHOP as well as in a furniture production workshop, super robot. In 2005, he established Keiji Ashizawa Design, an architectural and product design studio. With “honest design” as his motto, Ashizawa collaborated with international brand furniture makers such as IKEA and domestic consumer electronics manufacturers, and participated in architectural projects and workshops in Japan and abroad. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Ashizawa established Ishinomaki Laboratory as a public workshop in Ishinomaki, proposing reconstruction and town planning through furniture manufacturing and DIY (do-it-yourself) projects. In 2016, he also established DESIGN Koishikawa, a gallery space where his office is located.

Yoko Ando

Textile coordinator and Designer | Representative, Yoko Ando Design

• UNIT 01: Life products (Household items)

Graduated from Musashino Art University Junior College of Art and Design. After working at Nuno Corporation, established Yoko Ando Design in 2011.
Provides textiles for public facilities, private residences, etc. designed by many architects. In recent years, she also undertakes textile design for the National Taichung Theater designed by Toyo Ito, etc.
Also participated in Theater Company ARICA, in charge of costumes.
Wrote "The Textiles of Yoko Ando: Weaving Spaces and Structures" (published by LIXIL).

Hisae Igarashi

Interior Designer | President, Igarashi Design Studio

• UNIT 09 : Products for shop and public space

Born in Tokyo. After working at Kuramata Design Office, she established the Igarashi Design Studio in 1993. Focused on commerce to spatial design, installations, and furniture design, she is heavily involved in the development of products and playing equipment for children's facilities. She develops evolutionary designs that seek potential in spatial designs through the fields of "clothing, food, housing, and education". Awards she has received include the JCD Design Award Silver Award, the Good Design Award, the Kids Design Award, the CS Design Award Gold Award, and others. She is currently a Professor of Scenography, Display and Fashion Design, at Musashino Art University.

Shunsuke Ishikawa

Design Director | Head of Design, Strategic Design, BCG Digital Ventures / Founder, AnyProjects inc

• UNIT 05 : ICT equipment / Focused Issues Directors

Shun has 15+ years of experience in using "Design Thinking" to help innovate companies globally. As a Strategic Design Director, he will not only lead and guide teams to tackle complex design challenges to be solved innovatively, but also plays an important role in inspiring and implementing new ways of working into companies utilizing Human Centered Design. Shun worked at Panasonic as well as PDD innovation, a leading British Product & Service Design Innovation Consultancy. Then past 5 years, he had been working at IDEO Tokyo as a Founding member as well as a Design Director to impact Japan positively through the creativity. A member of Rotary Club, A jury of D&AD.

Tsutsumu Ishikawa

IT Journalist | Freelance

• UNIT 05 : ICT equipment

After joining Nikkei Home Publishing (current Nikkei BP) in 1999, as editor/writer in the editing department of the Nikkei Trendy, he interviewed various people and wrote about hit products, hotels, mobile phones, cars, and others. He became an independent journalist in 2003 and wrote for newspapers, magazines, and online media, also appearing on both TV and radio. He has a serial column called "Master of mobile" in the Nikkei Online Edition, works as a radio personality for Radio Nikkei's "Smartphone No. 1 Media", and issues the email newsletter "Smartphone industry news". He recently authored "Shigoto no noritsu wo ageru saikyo saisoku no sumaho & pasokon katsuyojutsu" (Asahi Shimbun Publications).

Hajime Ishikawa

Landscape Designer | Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University

• UNIT 12 : Construction/interior for industry, commercial facilities and public facilities

Born in Kyoto in 1964. Graduated from the Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture. Worked for Kajima Corporation and Landscape Design, Inc. Currently Professor at Keio University. Registered landscape architect (RLA). Publications include “The Landscale Book: A Look at the Ground” (2012) and others. Winner of the AIJ Book Prize and the Kon Wajiro Award by the Japan Society of Lifology (Joint authorship: "Revisiting "Traditional Japanese Houses" by Kon Wajiro" 2012).

Yoshiki Ishikawa

Public Health Researcher | Co-Founder, Campus for H

• UNIT 08 : Product for medical care and manufacturing

He earned a bachelor's degree in Health Science from the University of Tokyo, a Master of Science in Health Policy and Management from Harvard School of Public Health, and a PhD in Medicine from Jichi Medical School. As a public health researcher and science journalist, he specialized in Health Policy and Management, Behavioral Science, and Computational Creativity with the aim of advancing the well-being of humanity through a mathematical and computational approach with big data.

Kaori Ito

Urbanism Researcher | Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science

• UNIT 16 : Activities for the general public

Born in Tokyo. Graduated from the University of Tokyo and received PhD in engineering. After working at Center for Spatial Information Science, the University of Tokyo, she has worked at Tokyo University of Science. Her areas of specialization are urban space analysis and design. Her research interest includes the relationships between public space and public life. She leads the artist group Tokyo Picnic Club and is involved in creative projects for urban public space both internationally and domestically. She also leads Civic Pride Research Group. Her major publications include "Civic Pride" and "Civic Pride 2."

Yuta Inoue

Project Manager | CEO, QUANTUM\GLOBAL Inc. / Visiting Associate Professor, Kyushu University

• UNIT 04 : Life products (Kitchen tools and Home appliances) / Focused Issues Directors

After performing management consulting in Japan, the US, and Europe at McKinsey, he established an incorporated foundation to develop leadership in young victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. He has held the positions of WIRED North America special correspondent and proposer/project officer of MEXT's first government and private collaboration project "Tobitate Study Abroad Japan representative program". In 2014, he participated in establishing QUANTUM, and led joint business developments with large corporations and startups. At Kyushu University, he was responsible for academia-industry cooperation with SDGs as key. He also operates a Bali lifestyle brand, KRAS, with his wife.

Jun Inokuma

Architect | Assistant professor, Division of Architecture & Urban Studies,Faculty of Urban Enviromental Sciences, TOKYO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY / President, NARUSE+INOKUMA ARCHITECTS

• UNIT 11 : Housing (medium sized, large sized housing complex)

2004 Completed the Master Course, the University of Tokyo
2004-2006 CHIBA MANABU ARCHITECTS
2007- Co-established NARUSE INOKUMA ARCHITECTS
2008- Assistant Professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University

Yoshiaki Irobe

Graphic Designer | General Manager, Inc. Irobe Design Institute, Nippon Design Center

• UNIT 12 : Construction/interior for industry, commercial facilities and public facilities

Born in Chiba in 1974. Upon completing a Masters Degree at Tokyo University of the Arts, he joined the Nippon Design Center (NDC), went on to establish the Irobe Design Institute within the NDC organization. Although Graphic design is the foundation of his career, he works in a broad variety of areas, with projects ranging from the VI and signage for National Parks of Japan, Ichihara Lakeside Museum, Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design and Tenri Station Plaza CoFuFun. He also acted as AD for the exhibitions TAKEO PAPER SHOW 2011 "HON"(BOOKS), and design packages for Naturaglacé and Hakutsuru Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. Irobe has won many awards both at home and abroad, including prizes from SDA, JAGDA, Tokyo ADC, D&AD and ONE SHOW DESIGN. He is a member of AGI and Tokyo Art Directors Club.

Toru Iwasa

Creative Director | CEO, Jiyujin inc.

• UNIT 16 : Activities for the general public / Uniit Leader

Born in Tokyo. In 1989 while a student at Musashino Art University,
he founded a design company, and later, he became an editor. In 2000, the first magazine "JIYUJIN" was published. In 2004, he moved his office to Minami Uonuma (Niigata) from Tokyo. His lifestyle is focused on by the mass media. In 2004, He created a new style of hotel named SATOYAMA JUJO in Niigata, and he directs all space, furniture, interior design, and cuisine. SATOYAMA JUJO won Singapore Good Design Award, and his work get a high reputation as one of the GOOD DESIGN BEST 100.

Maholo Uchida

Curator | Division Manager, Exhibition Development Division, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innobation (Miraikan)

• UNIT 08 : Product for medical care and manufacturing

She started her career as a new media art curator and was appointed to Miraikan in 2002. After an year professional internship at MoMA, sent from Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs, she moved back as a chief. She curated several exhibitions which bridge art and science, including collaborative project with domestic and global artists like Jeff Mills, Bjork. She also produces several projects on Japanese manufacturing culture and innovative technology.

Yasuo Omi

Building System Design and Engineering Researcher | Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo City University

• UNIT 10 : Housing (personal residence, small sized apartment, construction method)

Graduated and Got a phD in Engineering from the Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo in 1995. Established OMI Architectural Planning Office in 1999 and A/E WORKS (Jointly) in 2002. Currently Professor at Tokyo City University and Chairperson of ISO/TC162. Primary Research is a Variety of Methods of Building Renovation from the Viewpoint of Building System Design and Engineering.

Tetsu Kataoka

Product Designer | President, KATAOKA DESIGN STUDIO

• UNIT 05 : ICT equipment / Uniit Leader

After working as Chief Art Director at Sony Corporation's Creative Center, he started his own business in 2004. He established the Kataoka Design Studio, and is currently widely involved domestically and overseas in products such as electronics products, furniture, general merchandise, medical equipment, robotics, AI, etc. Received many awards including the Good Design Award, iF Product Design Gold Award, Best of the Best for the Red Dot Design Award, etc. Part-time Lecturer for the Department of Design, Nihon University College of Art. Full member of the Japan Industrial Designers' Association.

Mamoru Kano

Art Director | Professor, Miyagi University / Advisor, WOW

• UNIT 13 : Media, Contents, Package / Uniit Leader

As a founding member of the visual design studio WOW, he worked on designs in various fields, from commercial videos to software development. He has presented many interactive video works at exhibitions and museums domestically and internationally. He has also been involved in many design projects with businesses and municipalities. In recent years, he has put much effort into the research of design education at Miyagi University, and proactively developed business collaborations focused on media expression that lead to finding next generation talent and community contribution.

Noriko Kawakami

Journalist | Associate Director, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT

• UNIT 02 : Life products (for healthcare and hobby)

Entered Axis Co., Ltd. in 1986 and after working in the editorial office, started her own business in 1994. Involved with writing articles on design, while also holding lectures domestically and overseas. Associate Director of 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT since 2007. She was also concerned with planning design exhibits, including "Japanese Design Today 100" (organized by The Japan Foundation), and in recent years she was Curatorial Advisor of Japan's official exhibit at the "London Design Biennale 2016". Part-time Lecturer at the Kuwasawa Design School and the Nagaoka Institute of Design.

Daisaku Kawase

TV Producer | Executive Producer, Production Headquarters, NHK ENTREPRISES, INC.

• UNIT 13 : Media, Contents, Package

A producer with 25 years of experience in television production at NHK. Daisaku Kawase has a wide range of portfolio, including "The Professional", "ASAICHI" and "ODOMO TV". In 2013, co-produced a special program "NHK x NTV 60 Challenges" with Nippon Television Network Corporation which was received many awards including Social TV Award. In 2016, his program "Good Night Japan ZZZ…" became the first television program to be exhibited at an art festival ROPPONGI ART NIGHT. While producing television programs, Kawase also co-hosts a regular radio show at the local community radio station “Shibuya-no-radio”.

Takako Kansai

Engineer | CEO , Founder, Zaim Inc.

• UNIT 14 : Application/System/Service for the general public｜UNIT 17 (Korea)

After being involved in writing and editing at Nikkei BP, she works on the planning and development of house packages at two online venture businesses. She is self-taught in service and application development, and released a personal finance application, "ZAIM", in 2011. It was incorporated in 2012 and developed into one of Japan's greatest services, eventually ranking first domestically in the App Store and Google Play simply by word-of-mouth. She also proactively works on social activities, such as collaborations with public institutions, and often gives speeches as an advisor to ministries, agencies, and municipalities.

Katsuhiko Kushi

Product Designer, Design Researcher | Professor, Faculty of Design and Architecture, Graduate school of Science and Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology

• UNIT 05 : ICT equipment

After working for NEC Design, Ltd., he started working at Kyoto Institute of Technology in 1999. Professor at the Department of Design, Graduate School of Science and Technology. Earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Product Design from Stanford University in 1992. Was in charge of research and development of information appliances and interaction design while at NEC. Special Technical Instructor at Kyoto Prefectural Technology Center for Small and Medium Enterprises. Councilor at Human Centered Design Organization. Currently engaged in the study of design methodology which integrates observation and creation. Ph.D.

Gary Chang

Architectural and Interior Designer | Managing Director, EDGE Design Institute Ltd.

• UNIT 12 : Construction/interior for industry, commercial facilities and public facilities｜UNIT 19 (China, Hong Kong)

Born in Hong Kong, he graduated from The University of Hong Kong in 1987 and founded his company EDGE in 1994. Since then, he has demonstrated his keen artistic visions through his numerous award-winning designs, keynote lectures and literary works. These include such notable works as the Suitcase House in Beijing, his Kung-fu tea-set for ALESSI, his book "Hotel as Home".

Seiichi Saito

Creative/Technical Director | CEO, Rhizomatiks Co., Ltd.

• Vice Chair｜UNIT 19 (China, Hong Kong)

Born in Kanagawa in 1975, Mr. Saito began his career in New York in 2000 after graduating from Columbia University with a Master of Science degree in Advanced Architectural Design (MSAAD). Since then, he has been active in creative work at the Arnell Group, and returned to Japan upon being selected for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial event. He produces works in the commercial art field which are three-dimensional and interactive while also being based on the firm grounding in logical thought that he cultivated through architecture. Mr. Saito has won numerous international awards at the 2009-2017. He currently serves as Director of Rhizomatiks Co., Ltd.,

Chiho Sasaki

User Experience Designer | Director, infield design inc.

• UNIT 15 : BtoB software, system, service, activities

Since establishing infield design in 2004, she has been performing consulting based on design research over a wide area, including the medical, nursing, community, mobility, resource protection, and urban planning fields both domestically and internationally. She is author of "The 1st step of product planning" (Sekigakusha, joint authorship). She also worked at IDEO and GK Graphics. She holds a master's degree from the Institute of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology.

Hiroki Sato

Ph. D. Design | Professor, Department of Design, Chiba Institute of Technology

• UNIT 07 : Mobility

Doctorate (in Design) obtained at Graduate School of the University of Tsukuba. Specializes in studies of kansei (sensitivity) evaluation on design. Worked in design development of automobiles at Honda R&D Co., Ltd. and served as a full-time lecturer at Nagoya Zokei University of Art & Design prior to taking up his current position at Chiba Institute of Technology in 2007. Director, the Japanese Society for the Science of Design. Member, the Japan Society of Kansei Engineering. Member, the Education Committee, the Japan Industrial Designers' Association. Director, Street Design Research Organization. Co-author of "Product Design - For Those Who Are Involved in Product Development."

Takashi Shigeno

Product Designer | Executive Director, C.Creative Inc.

• UNIT 08 : Product for medical care and manufacturing

Graduated from the Industrial Design Department of the Kanazawa College of Art in 1993 and entered GK Industrial Design in the same year. In charge of design development for mainly housing equipment, household appliances, information equipment, audiovisual equipment, optical products, etc. Board Member at C.Creative Inc. since 2000. Conducts product design development across various genres focused on medical and health care equipment. Won many awards including the Good Design Award and Gold winner of the iF Design Award. Part-time Lecturer at the Tama Art University since 2016.

Satoko Shinohara

Architect | Professor, Japan Woman's University

• UNIT 11 : Housing (medium sized, large sized housing complex) / Uniit Leader

Shinohara explores architectural design feasibilities in actual design and field work, especially in complex housing design. In particular, she focuses on a comfortable living space for residents beyond the intention of the designer.

Fumie Shibata

Product Designer | Representative Director, Design Studio S / Professor, Musashino Art University

• Chair｜UNIT 18 (Taiwan)

After graduating from Musashino Art University, Fumie Shibata established her own design studio, Design Studio S. With a strong focus on industrial design, she is active in a wide range of areas, from designing electronics and healthcare products to acting as creative director for a hotel. She has won numerous awards, including the Mainichi Design Award, the Good Design Gold Award.

Jung-Ya Hsieh

Inventor | Chair, SquareX, GIXIA Group, THAT Inventions Co.

• UNIT 01: Life products (Household items)｜UNIT 18 (Taiwan)

Jung-Ya Hsieh, the founder of GIXIA Group, THAT inventions and SquareX, is the most awarded designer in the Greater China area. Hsieh and his team have elevated the design values of Taiwan by integrating advanced technologies from various industries into the field of design. He has won 112 international design awards, 9 of which are top honors from iF, Reddot, G-Mark and IDEA. Jung-Ya Hsieh is making unprecedented success among Chinese designers and his contemporaries.

Shu-Chang Kung

Architect / Interior Designer | Chair, Chinese Society of Interior Designers (CSID)

• UNIT 10 : Housing (personal residence, small sized apartment, construction method)｜UNIT 18 (Taiwan)

After he received M.Arch (1992) and M.Des. (1993) from GSD, Harvard University,USA, in 1997 he established AURA Architects & Associates in Taipei. Currently he is the associate professor & director at the Graduate Institute of Architecture, NCTU, Taiwan, and the Chair of Board, Chinese Association of Interior Designers (CSID). His recent works received many awards - The Special Jury Award of TID Award (2007/ 2008/ 2009), iF Communication Design Award (2007), Far Eastern Architectural Design Award (2003/2005), Taiwan Architecture Award (2004/2006/2008), JCD Design Award, Japan (2004/2006).

Yoshiharu Sugawara

Designer | Executive Director, GK Design Group

• UNIT 07 : Mobility / Uniit Leader

Received a Bachelor of Economics and Management degree from Rikkyo University in Tokyo. Studied Automotive Design at Urban Design College in Tokyo. Joined GK Dynamics Inc., assigned to overseas office GK Design International Inc., resided in USA for fifteen years in development of diverse mobility design. Promoted to Vice president of GK Design International Inc, responsible for design and management of Los Angeles and Atlanta offices. Executive Director of GK Design Group, President of GK Dynamics Inc., President of GK Design Europe B.V., Board of GK Design International Inc. Involved with diverse mobility and product design development with the theme of "Art of Dynamic Motion". Received a Red Dot Award Honorable Mention in 2013.

Keita Suzuki

Industrial Designer | CEO, PRODUCT DERSIGN CENTER

• UNIT 02 : Life products (for healthcare and hobby) / Uniit Leader

Born in 1982. Founded PRODUCT DESIGN CENTER in 2012. With his "steady innovation" for advancing the history of products a step further, he has worked on various projects ranging from soy sauce cruets to trains. He participated in the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Etienne 2015 as a guest designer. In 2016 he became the first Asian designer to be selected as a finalist for the HUBLOT DESIGN PRIZE 2016.

Gen Suzuki

Product Designer | Director, GEN SUZUKI STUDIO

• UNIT 04 : Life products (Kitchen tools and Home appliances) / Uniit Leader｜UNIT 19 (China, Hong Kong)

Born in 1975. He is a graduate of the Design Products Program, at the Royal College of Art in the UK. After working at the London and Boston offices of IDEO, he established the GEN SUZUKI STUDIO in 2014. In the daily necessities, furniture, and home appliances domains, he creates designs with domestic and international businesses. He is a part-time lecturer at the Kanazawa College of Art, Tama Art University, and Musashino Art University.

Manabu Tago

Art Director / Designer | Representative, MTDO Inc.

• UNIT 08 : Product for medical care and manufacturing / Uniit Leader

After being involved in household appliances and information equipment at Toshiba, then taking part in the startup period of REAL FLEET (amadana), a household appliances venture company, and being responsible for design management, he established MTDO Inc. Through research of corporate and organizational design and innovation, his specialty is "design management", overall design from concept creation to product development, across a wide range of industrial fields. A designer that carries our new value creation completely from start to finish, including branding, UX, product design, etc. Many works have received awards domestically and from overseas.

Eisuke Tachikawa

Design Strategist | Founder, NOSIGNER

• UNIT 16 : Activities for the general public / Focused Issues Directors

CEO of NOSIGNER. Special visiting associate professor of the Graduate School of SDM at Keio University. Aiming for social design innovation, he works with comprehensive design strategies. His method, which makes use of architectural, graphic, and product insights, is recognized worldwide and he boasts over 50 major domestic and global design awards. He is the author of "Design and Innovation" (published by PIE International).

Hitoshi Tanaka

Business Owner | Founder & CEO, JINS Inc.

• UNIT 15 : BtoB software, system, service, activities

Born in Gunma in 1963. He founded the eyewear brand "JINS" in 2001. He competed in the "Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year 2011" Award in Monaco as a representative of Japan. He established the "Tanaka Hitoshi Foundation" in 2014 to aid the regional vitalization of Gunma and became its representative director. He completed a master's degree program at the Graduate School of Media and Governance at Keio University.

Miyuki Tamai

CMF Designer | CEO, FEEL GOOD CREATION Inc.

• UNIT 04 : Life products (Kitchen tools and Home appliances)

After working at the Honda R & D Co., Ltd Design Center, she established FEEL GOOD CREATION Inc., the only company in Japan specializing in CMF design. The company provides designing and consulting for a wide range of industries, including automobiles, home appliances, and interior. She set up "CMF TOKYO", an activity to add CMF design perspectives to technology to enlarge the market, and sponsors the CMF exhibition, "CMF TOKYO - SENSE". She is a part-time lecturer at Musashino Art University.

Chi mei Chang

Graphic Designer | Honorary President, Taiwan Graphic Design Association

• UNIT 13 : Media, Contents, Package｜UNIT 18 (Taiwan)

-Graduated from Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NY (Communications Design)
-Honorary President of Taiwan Graphic Design Association
-Creative Director of Optima Integrated Design
-Instructor of National Taiwan University of Arts
-Committee member of the XXIX Summer Universiade
-Judge of Golden Pin Design Award, Young Pin Design Award, Times Advertising Awards, Times Asia-Pacific Awards, Times Young Creative Awards, Taiwan Golden Print Awards, etc.
-Red dot Award: Packaging Design, Communication Design, Best Packaging Design Award of Taiwan External Trade Development Council, Golden Award of Golden Pin Design Award, Golden Award of Taiwan Visual Design Award (Visual Communication, Poster, Packaging, Publication), etc.

De Liu

Design Director | Confounder and Senior Vice-President, Xiaomi Inc.

• UNIT 05 : ICT equipment｜UNIT 19 (China, Hong Kong)

2010-Present the Cofounder of Xiaomi, in charge of Xiaomi's eco-chain business, industrial design and team management
2007-2010 Master degree of Strategic Design, Art Center College of Design (a top design institute in the U.S.). One of the 20 Chinese graduates from ACCD over 80 years
2001-2003 the Founder and Dean of Industrial Design Department of University of Science and Technology Beijing
1998-2001 Master Degree of Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology
1992-1996 Bachelor Degree of Industrial Design, Beijing Institute of Technology

Yui Tezuka

Architect | President, TEZUKA ARCHITECTS

• UNIT 10 : Housing (personal residence, small sized apartment, construction method)

Born in Kanagawa in 1969. Graduated from Musashi Institute of Technology in 1992. Studied at University College of London, Bartlett School of Architecture from 1992 to 1993. In 1994 Yui Tezuka established TEZUKA ARCHITECTS with Takaharu Tezuka. Part-time Lecturer at Toyo University since 1999. Visiting Professor at the University of California, Berkeley in 2006. Her major works include "Roof House" (18th Yoshioka Award), "Fuji Kindergarten" (Prize of AIJ)(Moriyama RAIC International Prize 2017), "Asahi Kindergarten" (Good Design Gold Award), "SORA no MORI CLINIC" (JIA Award), Author of "Takaharu + Yui Tezuka: Architecture Catalog (1 to 3)."

Ricca Tezuchi

Product Designer | Director, PROPELLER DESIGN

• UNIT 03 : Life products (Daily necessities) / Uniit Leader

Born in Chiba in 1971. After graduating from Kuwasawa Design School and working at Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (now Panasonic Corporation) and IDEO Japan, Ricca Tezuchi established PROPELLER DESIGN in 2003. Part-time Lecturer of Kuwasawa Design School.

Naoki Terada

Architect/Designer | COO, inter office ltd.

• UNIT 06 : Furniture/Housing fixtures

Completed the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA School) diploma course in the UK in 1994. Has designed and built brands for a variety of products, architecture and interior design. Founded Teradadesign Architects in 2003. Founded Terada Mokei in 2011. Opened Terada Mokei shop in 2013. Has assumed the post of COO at the Inter Office since 2017.

Mari Tochizawa

Architect | Co-Founder, SALHAUS Inc.

• UNIT 10 : Housing (personal residence, small sized apartment, construction method)

Completed the Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science in 1999. After working at Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop Co., Ltd., coestablished SALHAUS in 2008. Conducts architectural design and urban development activities, and representative works include "Rikuzentakata City Takata Higashi Junior High School", "Gunma Agricultural Technology Center", "tetto", "Ougiya Ryokan", "Applause Azabu (housing complex)", etc. Awards received include the Architectural Institute of Japan's Annual Architectural Design Commendation, the Wood Design Award's top prize: the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award, etc.

Dominique Chen

Information Studies Researcher | Associate Professor, School of Culture, Media and Society, Waseda University

• UNIT 14 : Application/System/Service for the general public / Uniit Leader｜UNIT 19 (China, Hong Kong)

Graduated from UCLA (media arts) and earned a Master and Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo, as a board member of NPO Commonsphere, he has been promoting the idea and system of "Creative Commons" in Japan since 2004. He was awarded the "Super Creator" title from IPA/METI. As an entrepreneur, he co-founded Dividual Inc, to develop human-centric web services and smartphone apps. Translator of the book called "Positive Computing" among others. Author of "Guidebook towards building a Free Culture". He was also a regular personality on NHK TV's NEWS WEB program April 2015 - March 2016.

Toshiharu Naka

Architect | President, Naka Arcthitects' Studio

• UNIT 10 : Housing (personal residence, small sized apartment, construction method) / Uniit Leader

Graduated from the Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo in 2001. After working at Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop, he established Naka Architects' Studio in 2009. He was a design assistant at Yokohama Graduate School of Architecture (Y-GSA) at Yokohama National University from 2009-2011, and exhibited at the Japan Pavilion of the International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale Di Venezia in 2016. He designs architecture focusing on circulation. His main works include "Apartments with Small Restaurant" (Good Design Gold Award, Architectural Institute of Japan Young Architects Award, etc.), "Kazusa Kibo no go Omukai-san" (Chiba Prefecture's Cultural Architecture award), and the "Villa in Hakuba" (JIA Sustainable Architecture Award). He is the author of "Datsu-jutaku."

Hidetomo Nagata

Strategist | Managing Officer, Home Business, Airbnb Japan K.K.

• UNIT 14 : Application/System/Service for the general public / Focused Issues Directors

Graduated from the University of Tokyo Faculty of Law. As a strategic consultant of IBM Business Consulting Services KK and PwC Advisory LLC, he was involved in new business strategy and service design through cities and areas, including smart cities, infrastructure export, and MICE strategy. He joined Airbnb Japan in September 2016 and has been in his current position since 2017. He is the author of "Professional Meeting" (Discover 21), etc.

Shiho Nagamachi

Lighting Designer | President, LEM Design Studio Co,Ltd.

• UNIT 09 : Products for shop and public space

Kyoto University of Art & Design, Visiting professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology , Lecturer
The GOOD DESIGN AWARD of Japan Industrial(1990-2017), The illuminating engineering institute of Japan, Good Lighting Award(2007-2016), MIDOSUJI Illumination proposal 1st prize, IES illumination awards 2013(USA) (Dojima Bridge), Osaka & Kobe urban landscape Council

Yuko Nagayama

Architect | Executive Director, YUKO NAGAYAMA & ASSOCIATES

• UNIT 12 : Construction/interior for industry, commercial facilities and public facilities

Born in 1975. Completed Showa Women's University in 1998. After working at Jun Aoki & Associates, established Yuko Nagayama & Associates in 2002. Representative works: "Louis Vuitton Kyoto Daimaru", "a hill on a house", "ANTEPRIMA", "Kayaba Coffee", "Kiya Ryokan", "Teshima Yokoo House", "Central Garden - Goddess of The Forest". Received awards: L'Oreal Encouragement Award, JCD Design Award, AR Award 2006 "a hill on a house", ARCHITECTURAL RECORD Award, Design Vanguard 2012, JIA Young Architect Award 2014 "Teshima Yokoo House", Yamanashi Cultural Prize of Architecture 2017 "Central Garden - Goddess of The Forest"etc.

Susumu Namikawa

Creative Director | Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Digital Inc.

• UNIT 16 : Activities for the general public

Undertook many projects on social agenda such as "Global Handwashing Day Project" by UNICEF, and also the experimental trial of new structure of society such as "WITHOUT MONEY SALE", EC site in which you cannot buy something with money. Books: "Social Design - How to produce a project making a difference to the society" (KIRAKUSHA, Inc.), "Communication Shift – From Producing Goods to Producing a Better Society" (Hatori Press, Inc.) and many others. Visiting professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design.

Osamu Nishida

Architect | ondesign

• UNIT 11 : Housing (medium sized, large sized housing complex) / Focused Issues Directors

Born in 1976. He is the principal architect of ondesign co., ltd., which designs "open and impartial" architecture in various type of buildings, using their unique method to communicate with users to enhance the creativity. His representative work includes "Yokohama Apartment" (JIA rookie of the year award and the special jury mention at Venice Biennale (special entry at Japan Pavilion)), "ISHINOMAKI 2.0" (Good Design Special Award - Disaster Recovery Design and Community Recovery Award - Special Award) and "Ikikuni Learning Center" which is a base of learning in Ama-cho, Shimane prefecture. He is the author of "Kenchiku o hiraku (Open the architecture)", "Experiment from OnDesign".

Kota Nezu

Creative Communicator | CEO, znug design,inc.

• UNIT 02 : Life products (for healthcare and hobby)

Graduated from the Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Engineering, at Chiba University. He joined Toyota Motor and served as the concept development leader for the "i-unit" which was exhibited at EXPO 2005 AICHI, etc. He established znug design, inc. in 2005, and works with the concept planning and design of many industrial products, and contributes to the vitalization of the creative activities of businesses. While promoting projects including the electric motorcycle "zecOO" upholding the slogan 'from small town factory to the world' and the soft, small fabric mobility "rimOnO", he also works on the development of Toyota Motor's concept vehicles "Camatte" and "Setsuna". Awards he has received include the Good Design Award, the iF Design Award, the Japan Society of Kansei Engineering Kawaii Kansei design top prize, the JAPAN WOOD DESIGN AWARD top prize, and others.

Taku Nohara

Urban Designer | Associate Professor, Faculty of Urban Innovation, Yokohama National University

• UNIT 07 : Mobility

After working as a research associate and assistant professor at the University of Tokyo, he came to his present post. He has been developing practice and research activities with a focus on urban design management that connects the scene and design, such as the urban design of Yokohama City, urban development for manufacturing of Ota Ward, regional urban development of Kitakata City, and street design management of Ishinomaki and Matsuyama Cities. He was a co-winner of the cityscape minister award from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism for his work on Chuoichi-Odori in Ishinomaki City. He is the author of "Machi o hiraku gijutsu" (joint authorship), and "Urban Design Center" (joint authorship), among others.

Jongrae Park

Space Designer | Associate Professor, College of Transdisciplinary Studies, DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)

• UNIT 09 : Products for shop and public space｜UNIT 17 (Korea)

An Associate Professor at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Jongrae Park, who is also the Director of the Korean Institute of Culture Architecture, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Product Design at Hongik University, Korea, in 1995. In 2006 he got his Masters Degree and PhD in the Design of Comprehensive Human Sciences at Tsukuba University. In that same year until 2007 he served as the Exhibition Director of Chiba City Science Museum Project at TOTAL MEDIA and until quite recently was a Project Conductor at UCHIDA YOKO handling building and designs of office environments in Korea and Asia.

Noriko Hashida

Procuct Designer | Professor, Dept. Engineering and Design , Shibaura Institute of Technology

• UNIT 06 : Furniture/Housing fixtures / Uniit Leader

After graduating from the Department of Design, Tokyo University of the Arts, joined the TOTO Ltd. Design Center where she designed toilets, faucets, kitchen, and system baths, and became Design Director in 2005. Assumed the post of Professor at Shibaura Institute of Technology in 2008. In addition to household equipment, she has designed office furniture and living ware, and also promoted local industries, making proposals for new uses which fit with the times. She obtained her Doctor of Engineering in 2013.

Shigeki Hattori

Designer/Creative Director | Representative Director of graf, Professor at Kyoto university of Art & Design, Department of Infomation Design

• UNIT 16 : Activities for the general public

Born in Osaka in 1970. Studied sculpture at Art university. After working for an interior shop and a design firm, founded graf, a creative unit, in 1998. Besides providing design and art direction for architecture and interior decorating, he has demonstrated his abilities in community activities such as regional revitalization in recent years.

yoshiharu Hamada

Product Designer | Professor, Product Design Division, Tama Art University

• UNIT 01: Life products (Household items)

Born in Tokyo in 1970. Graduated in product design from Tama Art University. In 1996, he attended a graduate course in industrial design at the Royal College of Art, England. After working at in Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd, in charge of Product Design and Brand Direction, established Studio Galleryworks in Milan. Graduated from Domus Academy's master's course in design in 2002. Became an associate professor at Tama Art University since 2008. A Visiting Professor in the Oslo Art University, Norway in 2013.

Chiaki Hayashi

Project Manager | Co-Founder, Loftwork, Inc.

• UNIT 05 : ICT equipment

Co-founded Loftwork Inc. in 2000, which rolls out the diversely projects including web, community, and spacial design initiatives. The agency operates multiple services: "FabCafe", a digital manufacturing cafe, and "MTRL", a creative space for creators, "AWRD", a platform to promote co-creation with creators. She also serves as the Japan Liaison to the Director of MIT Media Lab, and CEO of Hidakuma. Hidakuma is a new form of public-private joint enterprise, which aims to create regional industries through traditional techniques and forest regeneration.

Yuma Harada

Art Director / Designer | Representative, UMA /design farm

• UNIT 01: Life products (Household items) / Uniit Leader

Born in Osaka in 1979. Based in Osaka, he works on design through continued dialogues and experiments focusing on "Think Together, Make Together" as regards projects on culture, welfare, education and community. He aims to visualize philosophy and to create new experiences through graphics, books, space, exhibitions, planning and development. Director of DESIGNEAST and Shodo Island Hishionosato+Sakate Port Project. Visiting Professor at Kyoto University of Art & Design, Department of Spatial Design.

Byung-wook Chin

Industrial Designer | Professor, Dept. of Convergence and Integration, Hansung University

• UNIT 04 : Life products (Kitchen tools and Home appliances)｜UNIT 17 (Korea)

Training future designers in University based on experience of working as a corporate background. A bachelor's degree in Industrial Design of Dong-A University in 1988. A master's degree in Industrial Design of Hongik University Graduate School in 2012. A doctor's degree in Industrial Design of Hongik University Graduate School in 2016. The study of emotional design was mainly conducted. From 1987 to 2009, worked as Managing Director of Samsung camera Industrial design team. And Worked as Vice President for Samsung Digital Imaging Company from 2009 to 2010. And From 2010 to 2014, worked as Vice President of Samsung Electronics Mobile Division. From 2015 to present, work as professor at Hansung University. Also, from2012 to 2013, worked as Vice Chair of Industrila Design Society. From 2014 to 2017, work as Vice Chair of KAID (Korea Association of Industrial Designers). And From 2015 to 2017, act as Design managing consulting for various kinds of company. From March, 2018 to present, Vice Chair of Korea Federation of Design Associations.

Naomi Hirabayashi

Art Director/Graphic Designer | Representative, PLUG-IN GRAPHIC

• UNIT 13 : Media, Contents, Package

Born in Tokyo. After graduation from Musashino Art University, She started working as an art director/graphic designer for Shiseido Co., Ltd. In 2002, She was granted an opportunity to go to England to temporarily work for MadeThought, a design studio in London.
After returning to Japan, She engaged herself in designing many ads for different products and creating a number of package and book-binding designs as a freelancer. The works She created have acquired her Tokyo ADC prize, NYADC GOLD, British D&AD, as well as many other awards.

Naoko Hirota

Design Director | Managing Director, Hirota Design Studio

• UNIT 15 : BtoB software, system, service, activities / Uniit Leader

Graduated from the Department of Design, Tokyo University of the Arts. After working at GK Planning and Design, she established the Hirota Design Studio. She directs total solutions from designing business models to developing products. Received the Red Dot Award 2015, Red Dot Award 2016, iF Design Award, etc.

Huiming Tong

Industrial Designer | Professor, School of Innovation Design, Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts (China)

• UNIT 03 : Life products (Daily necessities)｜UNIT 19 (China, Hong Kong)

Born in 1955. He is also the vice Chair of Guangdong Industrial Design Association (GDIDA), and a member of Industrial design Council, Chinese Fine Arts Association (CFAA). He has served as Chair of jury council of Guangdong Governor Cup Industrial Design Award, jury member of China Red Star Award, and Chair of KAPAK Design Award in Guangzhou International Design Week. As first-generation industrial designer in China, he began his career in 1977 working as a tableware designer at a porcelain company in Shandong, China. He founded INTEONE, a new BDD brand in Guangzhou in 2015.

Takayuki Fukatsu

Interaction Designer | CEO, THE GUILD

• UNIT 15 : BtoB software, system, service, activities

Interactive designer. After working at tha Ltd., he played an active part in the Flash community. After starting his own business in 2009, he shifted his main activities to UI design for smartphone applications and established Art&Mobile Co., Ltd. and THE GUILD, a creative alliance. He supervised the basic design of the application for Nikkei Shimbun's digital edition and advised on the smartphone UI for minne, Japan's largest handicraft market. He is also extremely active with writing and lecturing.

Keiichiro Fujisaki

Design Critique / Editor | Professor, Department of Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts

• UNIT 14 : Application/System/Service for the general public

Born in 1963. After working as the chief editor for the "Designers' Workshop" magazine, Keiichiro Fujisaki got involved in writing articles, and editing magazines and books regarding design as a freelancer. Author of "Do Not Design," covering the advertising firm Draft. Associate Professor since 2010 and Professor since 2016 at Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Design.

Koichi Futatsumata

Space & Product Designer | Representative Director, CASE-REAL Co.,Ltd. + KOICHI FUTATSUMATA STUDIO

• UNIT 06 : Furniture/Housing fixtures

Born in Kagoshima in 1975. He presides over CASE-REAL and KOICHI FUTATSUMATA STUDIO with offices in Fukuoka and Tokyo. He works with a wide variety of designs domestically and internationally, from interior and architecture to furniture and products. His work has been added to the permanent collection at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and he has received the JCD Award, D&AD Awards, Wallpaper* Design Awards, Design for Asia Awards, and others.

Mitsunobu Hozumi

Product Designer | President, Hozmi Design

• UNIT 09 : Products for shop and public space / Uniit Leader

Completed Graduate School at Kyoto City University of Arts. After working at the Head Office Design Department of Misawa Homes Co., Ltd., he established Hozmi Design. Involved with developing common products, industrial equipment, housing equipment, building components, furniture for public spaces, and local industry. Awards received include the iF Design Gold Award, IDEA Gold Award, Red Dot Design Award, German Design Award Special Award, Good Design Special Award, etc.

Hiroko Matsumoto

Product Designer | Professor/Head of Department, Joshibi University of Art and Design

• UNIT 03 : Life products (Daily necessities)｜UNIT 18 (Taiwan)

As Designer and Design Director at the Toshiba Design Center, she undertook the design of many products and mechanisms, such as household appliances, audiovisual equipment, healthcare, etc. Received many awards domestically and from overseas, including the Good Design Gold Award, iF Gold Award, and Red Dot Design Award Gold Award, etc. Currently, Head of the Product Design Department, Joshibi University of Art and Design. Involved in many regional and academia-industry collaboration projects, she solves problems for the community and for corporations through the design of "objects and conceptual embodiments".

Katsuo Mizuguchi

Art Director | President, Hotchkiss Inc.

• UNIT 13 : Media, Contents, Package

Graduated from the Kanazawa College of Art. After working at Dentsu Inc., he participated in the establishment of Shingata Inc. in 2003. He started up Hotchkiss Co., Ltd. in 2012. He undertakes art direction for various brands, which includes advertisements, graphic designs, package designs etc. He also manages "Books under Hotchkiss", a book store gallery in Kanazawa. He wrote "A Model for Art Direction -30 Rules for Designs That Convey-" (Seibundo Shinkosha) and "Mr. Mizumaru Anzai, Teach Me Design! -Mizumaru Anzai Format Research Society-" (Hotchkiss).

Tetsuya Mizuguchi

Media Designer | President, Enhance, Inc. / Project Professor, Keio Media Design

• UNIT 13 : Media, Contents, Package

Tetsuya Mizuguchi engages in a wide range of creative activities in digital media, taking a synesthetic approach toward such genres as video games, music, music videos, designing of applications, and VR. In 2016, he released Rez Infinite, a virtual reality game, and received the Best VR Award (2016) at The Game Awards in the United States. He also developed the "Synesthesia Suit," which emulates that synesthetic experience through vibrations sent through the entire body. It was exhibited at Media Ambition Tokyo 2016, Sundance Film Festival 2017, and SXSW 2017.

Tasuku Mizuno

Lawyer | CITY LIGHTS LAW

• UNIT 15 : BtoB software, system, service, activities / Focused Issues Directors

Lawyer (City Lights Law). Director of Arts and Law. Co-director of Creative Commons Japan. Senior researcher of KEIO University Research Institute at SFC (Legal Design Lab). He is also a member of the FabLab Japan Network. While engaging in leading strategic law for IT, creative, urban development, etc., he also works as a member or advisor to administrations and municipalities. He is the author of "Legal Design - Accelerating Creativity and Innovation through Law" (Film Art), and "Open Design Now - Why design cannot remain exclusive" (O'Reilly Japan, joint translation/writing), among others.

Tetsu miyazawa

Design Director / Product Designer | President, &design Co., Ltd.

• UNIT 01: Life products (Household items)

Born in 1972. After working mainly at Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd. and Samsung Japan Corporation, he established &design co., ltd. with Shigenori Ichimura in 2007. He was involved with a variety of domestic and international corporate projects across various genres, from pre-existing design and material development based on product design to brand and direction work. He has received many domestic and international awards, including the iF Design Award, the Red Dot Design Award, and others. He is a part-time lecturer of the Faculty of Engineering and Design at HOSEI University, and Product Department Design Director at NTT DOCOMO, INC.

Masayuki Moriguchi

Mobility Journalist | CEO, MOBILICITY Co., Ltd.

• UNIT 07 : Mobility

Gathers information on traffic conditions at home and abroad for magazine, radio and Internet presentations, and lectures. Also works as a reserch and consulting to provide solutions to mobility related problems. Selection comitee member of Car of the Year Japan. Publications include "A Challenge to Environmental Society in Paris," "Transportation Revolution from Toyama," and "How will be our Society - Autonomous Driving will Start?"

Yoko Yasunishi

Designer | Director, DRILL DESIGN Co,.Ltd.

• UNIT 06 : Furniture/Housing fixtures

Established DRILL DESIGN with Yusuke Hayashi. She creates designs in a number of categories centered on product design. She often participates in projects from art direction, material development, and technological development, and broadens new possibilities with clients in Japan and abroad. Awards she has received include the Red Dot Design Award, the German Design Award, the Good Design Special Award, and the Wallpaper* Design Award, among others.

Yu Yamada

Buyer | President, method inc.

• UNIT 03 : Life products (Daily necessities)｜UNIT 18 (Taiwan) / Uniit Leader

Born in Tokyo. After being a buyer for IDEE SHOP in Minami Aoyama, Yu Yamada founded method inc. in 2007 and began working as a freelance buyer. Currently President of method inc. In 2013, he released "Discover Japan Special Issue: Specialty Shops for Living" through Ei-Publishing, and in 2014, he released "Sales through Design and Taste: The method of shop success" through Seibundo Shinkosha.

Tomohiko Yamanashi

Architect | Senior Executive Officer, Deputy Head of Architectural Design Department, NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD

• UNIT 12 : Construction/interior for industry, commercial facilities and public facilities / Uniit Leader

Graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1984, and earned a Master of Urban Engineering degree from the University of Tokyo in 1986. Since joining Nikken Sekkei Ltd, he has been engaged in architectural design management.
Proactively promotes BIM, a design method using computers, and development of the practical operations of computational design. His representative works include Jinbocho Theater (SD Review, JIA Young Architects Award), Mokuzai Kaikan building (MIPIM ASIA Special Jury Award, JIA Award), Hoki Museum (JIA Grand Prix, BCS Award), and NBF Osaki Building (formerly called Sony City Osaki) (AIJ Annual Architectural Design Commendation). Publications include "Google Sketchup – Super Manual" (Nippon Jitsugyo Publishing), "Building Information Model" (Nippon Jitsugyo Publishing) and "How to Design the Ultimate Ecological Architecture" (X-Knowledge Co., Ltd.).

Satoshi Yoshiizumi

Designer | Representative, TAKT PROJECT Inc.

• UNIT 02 : Life products (for healthcare and hobby)

Graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tohoku University. After positions at Design Office nendo and Yamaha Design Laboratory, he co-founded TAKT PROJECT . He has undertaken experimental independent research projects seeking to "create other possibilities" through design and exhibited them at art museums and design exhibitions both in internationally. He develops a diverse selection of projects with our clients based on those results. Received many domestic and international awards, including iF Award, Red Dot Award, German Design Award, Good Design Award. Also, his work has been collected in Hong Kong M+.

Hiroaki Watanabe

Industrial Designer | President, Plane Co., Ltd.

• UNIT 04 : Life products (Kitchen tools and Home appliances)｜UNIT 17 (Korea) / Uniit Leader

Industrial designer. After graduating from Kuwasawa Design School and working at Ricoh Company, Ltd., Hiroaki Watanabe moved to the U.S., where he was involved in the design of various industrial products as a senior designer at frog design and Ziba Design. After returning to Japan he established Plane co., ltd. He has been involved in manufacturing in different areas both in Japan and internationally, mainly in the field of industrial design. He is also a Part-time Lecturer at Tama Art University.