Shunsuke Aoki

Robot Creator | CEO, Yukai Engineering Inc.

• UNIT 08 : Video/Camera Equipment

While studying at the University of Tokyo, he established teamLab and became its CTO. Then, after serving as CTO of pixiv, he established a robotics venture business, "Yukai Engineering Inc." With the vision "robotics for fun living," he produces many household robot products. In 2014, he released "BOCCO," a communication robot that keeps families connected. In 2017, he released "Qoobo," a cushion-type therapy robot complete with tail.

Shigenori Asakura

Industrial Designer | President, GK Industrial Design Inc.

• UNIT 10 : Equipment and Facilities for Manufacturing and Medical Care / 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 transit, and consumer products. He has received many awards including the Good Design Grand Award, iF Award, Red Dot Award, and IDEA Award.

Takashi Ashitomi

Product Designer | President, SAAT DESIGN Inc.

• Chair

After working at Sony Design Center, Takashi Ashitomi established SAAT DESIGN INC. in 1991. He has been a Professor of Product Design at Tama Art University in the Department of Product and Textile Design since 2008. He is involved in comprehensive design approaches including design development of electronic products such as information technology devices and home electronic appliances, local industry development, and design education.

Shin Azumi

Product Designer | Professor, Faculty of Engineering and Design, Department of Engineering and Design, Hosei University / CEO, A Studio Design Limited

• UNIT 11 : Housing Fixtures

After graduating Kyoto City University of Arts and working at NEC Corporation's Design Center, he completed a master's degree at the Royal College of Art (UK). Then, after basing himself in London as AZUMI, he established A Studio Design Ltd. He carries out activities internationally over a wide area, centered on product design. He has won domestic and international awards and served as a judge, and many of his collections have been displayed in art museums. In 2016, he moved his base to Japan and became a professor in the Department of Engineering and Design, Faculty of Engineering and Design, Hosei University.

Taro Igarashi

Architectural Critic | Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University

• UNIT 17 : Public Facility, Civil Structure and Landscape

Artistic Director of international exhibition"AICHI TRIENNALE 2013", Commissioner of Japanese pavilion VENICE ARCHITECTURE BIENNALE 2008, Supervisor of touring exhibition "LEGENDARY HOUSES IN POSTWAR JAPAN" 2014-2015, Guest Curator of touring exhibition "ARCHITECTURE SINCE 3.11", Minister of Education Award for Arts ,Author of "What I thought during walk around disaster area","Essays on Contemporary architects", "Contemporary Japanese Architects: Profiles in Design" (JPIC).

Shunsuke Ishikawa

Design Innovation | Partner, KESIKI INC.

• UNIT 02 : Life products (Healthcare) / Uniit Leader

Graduated from Central St. Martins, University of the Arts London. After working at Panasonic Design Company and PDD Innovations UK, he was engaged in the launch of IDEO Tokyo as a design director. Then, after working as Head of Design at BCG Digital Ventures, he assumed his present post. He has been involved in numerous innovation projects. He successively served as judge of D&AD, Good Design Award, and design selections all over the country. He recently authored "HELLO, DESIGN" (published by Gentosha), among others. Also served as Program Director/Project Associate Professor at TCL-Creative Leadership Program of Tama Art University.

Yoshiki Ishikawa

Public Health Researcher | Co-Founder, Campus for H

• UNIT 02 : Life products (Healthcare)

Yoshiki 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, entrepreneur, and science journalist, Yoshiki is working at the intersection of science, business, and government as a catalyst with the aim of advancing the well-being of society.

Kaori Ito

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

• UNIT 17 : Public Facility, Civil Structure and Landscape / Uniit Leader

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 | Partner, KESIKI INC. / CorpDev Director, Whatever Inc. / Executive Fellow, quantum

• UNIT 20 : Project, Activity and Method / Uniit Leader

After working at McKinsey, as a Special Correspondent for Wired in North America, and at TBWA Hakuhodo, he was part of founding Quantum. As CSO and CIO, he spearheaded joint business development and investment, with large corporations and startups. He then took part in establishing Kesiki Inc. and took up his present post. He also works as a CorpDev Director at Whatever Inc. He also established the public-private collaboration, Tobitate! Study Abroad Initiative with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and was part of the cooperation between industry, government and schools for the SDGs as a guest associate professor of Kyushu University.

Jun Inokuma

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

• UNIT 15 : Housing (Medium to 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 | Member of the Board, Irobe Design Institute, Nippon Design Center, Inc.

• UNIT 04 : Life products (Leisure and Hobby)

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.

Maholo Uchida

Curator | Curatorial Advisor, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)

• UNIT 13 : Mobility

Worked at the Miraikan National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation from 2002 to 2020, and works at the New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) as an overseas trainee for the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2005. Specializes in the combined field of art, technology, and design, and promotes art & science projects. Actively involved with introducing Japanese culture through technological innovation, robots, and organizing permanent exhibits for the fields of robots and information. Has participated in the Barbican Center (London), Milano Triennale, and Paris Cultural Center as a guest curator and commissioner. Serves as a planner and advisor for museums outside of Japan.

Yuki Uchida

Urban Designer | Re:public Inc.

• UNIT 19 : System, Service and Business model / Focused Issues

She graduated from Waseda University with bachelor degree in Architecture. She majored in Sustainable City Design at Ferrara University graduate school in Italy. She was involved in regional planning projects in Italy, Brazil, Chile, Vietnam etc. Yuki was involved in the establishment of Re:public in 2013. She is a founding director of "Innovation Studio Fukuoka" which program to promotes citizen innovation in Fukuoka, "make.fukui" including XSCHOOL, a design school and project incubation program for young innovators and local industries commissioned by Fukui city. She has also managed foresight programs with a R&D department in several companies, universities and so on. She appointed as a regional revitalization evangelist by the Cabinet Office in 2017.

Gaku Otomo

Designer / Brand Director | CEO, stagio inc.

• UNIT 06 : Home Furniture and Household Goods

Born in 1978. Through participation in numerous design competitions, self-taught designing and became independent at age 22. Incorporated stagio inc. in 2008. Mainly through product design, engages in a wide range of brand-defining creations in 2D and 3D formats. Major exhibitions include "Chocolate" (the 1st 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT Special Exhibition) and guest participation of an original accessory brand in Tendence-Messe Frankfurt. Winner of Good Design Award and other design competitions.

Hisato Ogata

Design Engineer | Director, Takram

• UNIT 09 : ICT Equipment / Uniit Leader

With takram since 2012, Hisato is an award-winning design engineer whose multidisciplinary abilities span from hardware to software and from art to science. A recipient of the Good Design Award in 2004 and the iF Product Design Award in 2005, his work has most recently received acclaim at the Media Arts Festival held by the Japanese National Agency of Cultural Affairs in 2012.

Ken Okamoto

Graphic Designer | Representative, Ken Okamoto Design Office Inc.

• UNIT 01 : Life products (Accessories and Wearable) | Jury for the entries via foreign design awards in cooperation with Good Design Award

Born in 1983 in Ota City, Gunma. Majoring in psychology in the Department of Behavioral Science, Faculty of Letters, Chiba University, he became interested in graphic design while studying it as part of his research, and changed direction. After graduating, he gained experience at several design studios, worked at VOL and Taku Sato Design Office, and became independent in 2013. He established the Ken Okamoto Design Office Inc. in 2015. From 2016 to 2019, he also worked as part-time lecturer for the Course of Integrated Design, Tama Art University.

Yasuo Omi

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

• UNIT 14 : Housing (Personal Residence, Small Sized Apartment)

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.

Carl Liu

Design Director | Design VP, Niu Technologies Inc.

• China, Hong Kong UNIT

He is the founder of brand CARLLIU which is dedicated on creating quality sustainable lifestyle objects for everyday usage. He is currently working as the Design VP of Niu Technologies in Shanghai China. His signature designs included Compaq iPaq PDA, Nike running watch Triax 300 and Triax 50. These products had won international awards like G-Mark, IDSA and I.D Magazine. He has published two design books Carl Liu Design Book and Innovative Product Design Practice since 2005. Prior to that, he worked at BMW Designworks, Ideadao Design, Walt Disney, Intel, Motorola and Astro Studios.

Tetsu Kataoka

Product Designer | President, KATAOKA DESIGN STUDIO

• UNIT 09 : ICT Equipment

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 18 : Media, Contents and Packaging

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 20 : Project, Activity and Method

She joined Axis Inc. in 1986 and worked in the Axis editorial room until becoming independent in 1994. She has worked as Associate Director of 21_21 Design Sight since 2007. She also took part in other design exhibitions including the Japanese Design Today 100 (sponsored by The Japan Foundation), was joint curator of Musée des Arts Décoratifs "Japon-Japonismes, objets inspirés, 1867-2018" (2018), was curatorial advisor of Japan's official exhibit at the London Design Biennale 2016, etc. She also works as part-time lecturer at the Musashino Art University, the Nagaoka Institute of Design, and the Kuwasawa Design School. Board Member of Tama Art University.

Daisaku Kawase

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

• UNIT 18 : Media, Contents and Packaging

A producer with 25 years of experience in television production at NHK. Daisaku Kawase has a wide range of portfolio, including "The Professional", "ASAICHI" , "ODOMO TV" and"GO!Kaneo-kun". 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".

Yasuyuki Kawanishi

Architect, Designer, Facilitator | President, ICHIBANSEN Co.,Ltd.

• UNIT 13 : Mobility / Focused Issues

Born in Nara in 1976. Master graduated from the University of Chiba, Studied at the Royal Danish Academy School of Architecture as the guest student. After working at AREP-SNCF the group of French National Railway, he designed Nakamura Station for Tosa Kuroshio Railway, the resort train ‘Echigo TOKImeki Resort SETSUGEKKA’, trains, buses, houses, stations, shopping buildings, medical centers and welfare houses as the president of ICHIBANSEN Co.,Ltd.
Nakamura Station had prized the Good Design Award 2010 Special Prize, the Watford Group Brunel Award 201, JCD Young Architect Award and others.
Echigo TOKImeki Resort SETSUGEKKA had prized SBID The International Design Award 2016 Winner, IDA International Design Award 2016 Gold Winner and others.

Shogo Kishino

Art Director / Graphic Designer | President, 6D-K co.,Ltd.

• UNIT 06 : Home Furniture and Household Goods

Hailing from Tokyo, he established the graphic design office 6D in 2007.
With a focus on branding, he has been involved in a wide variety of design activities from logos and packaging to spatial information. His work in recent years includes art direction for the Kirin Home Tap, Onward Kashiyama, Art Direction at the JAL Steam School, logo and signage planning for ShinPuhKan, signage planning for Shibuya Parco, Odakyu Line route maps, the Doraemon sign for Noborito Station, etc. He has won domestic and international design awards, including the Tokyo ADC, JAGDA, SDA, D&AD, Cannes Lions, DFAA, etc.

Jin Kuramoto

Product Designer | Representative Director, JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO Inc.

• UNIT 03 : Life products (Kids and Stationery) / Uniit Leader

Born in 1976. After working at a home appliance manufacturer, he established JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO in 2008. With the approach of communicating the project concept and story through a clear formative expression, he has been involved in the design development of various genres, like furniture, home appliances, eyewear, and automobiles. He is also a part-time lecturer at Kanazawa College of Art and Musashino Art University.

Gary Chang

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

• China, Hong Kong UNIT

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".

Shigeru Kobayashi

Innovation Management Researcher | Professor, Research Center for Industrial Culture, Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences [IAMAS]

• UNIT 09 : ICT Equipment

PhD in Media Design (Graduate School of Media Design, Keio University). He worked for a digital musical instrument company and has been working at IAMAS since 2004. He is exploring methods to create innovation through the collaboration of people with diverse skills, perspectives and experiences utilizing open source hardware and digital fabrication, and is seeking appropriate rules for handling intellectual property born in the process. He has written books on physical computing and prototyping.

Mana Kobayashi

Interior Architect | Design office ima

• UNIT 11 : Housing Fixtures

Since 1998, she has been co-sponsoring Design Office Ima with Takashi Kobayashi. Centered on store design, she undertakes products, residential buildings, venue configurations for exhibitions, etc. Her upbeat spatial designs that skillfully incorporate colors and materials are demonstrated in products, housing, hotels, kindergartens, and others. Her main pieces include "marimekko," "IL BISONTE," "INOKASHIRA HOUSE," etc.

Mikiya Kobayashi

Designer / Creative Director | CEO, MIKIYA KOBAYASHI Inc.

• UNIT 11 : Housing Fixtures

Born in 1981 in Tokyo, Mikiya Kobayashi founded his studio in 2006. Deeply rooted in his cultural heritage, he has been able to connect the tradition with new concepts, manufacturing processes and technologies. In 2018 he opened his second studio in Valencia, to better connect with the increasing number of european clients, and established the lifestyle brand IMPLEMENTS, with the desire to deliver products that enrich people's lives. His projects embrace furniture, daily products, electronics, interior design in Japan and abroad.

Yuka Komada

Architect | Director, Komada Architects’ Office

• UNIT 15 : Housing (Medium to Large Sized Housing Complex)

Yuka Komada established Komada Architects’ office with Takeshi Komada in 2000. She works mainly on apartment building and private residences such as "NISHIKASAI APARTMENTS 2", "ROROOF", "TRANS", "SLIDE" while teaching as a part-time lecturer of Tokyo University of the Arts and Meiji University and received GOOD DESIGN AWARD Best 100, LOCAL REPUBLIC AWARD, Residencial Architecture Prize, ARCASIA AWARD. She is now particularly focusing on the potential of apartments to create communities.

Hidenori Kondo

Creative producer, Curator, Program Director of University of Creativity | Brand & Innvation Design Department, HAKUHODO INC.

• UNIT 19 : System, Service and Business model

After joining Hakuhodo in 1994 and working as a commercial planner, he studied photography and contemporary art on a master's program at New York University and returned to work after 9/11. In recent years, centered on "sustainable design", he handles editing and direction, and crossovers in the fields of branding, project and media development, atmosphere creation, education, etc., and is also involved in creating sustainable cultures and solving social problems. He is currently preparing for the opening of the University of Creativity in June 2020. He is editor/co- author of "Innovation Design" and "Tokai kara hajimaru atarashii ikikata no design - Urban Permaculture Guide", among others. He also presides over the community symbiosis house, Kyodo House.

Seiichi Saito

Creative Director | Representative, Rhizomatiks Architecture

• Vice Chair

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 ArnellGroup, 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 since 2009. Launched Rhizomatiks Co.,Ltd. in 2006. Since 2016,
he serves as director of Rhizomatiks Architecture. Milan Expo Japan pavilion theatre space director 2015. Vice Chairman of Good Design Award 2018-19. Creative Adviser of 2020 Dubai Expo Japan pavilion. An expert for the Peoples's Living Lab Promotion Council for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

Chiho Sasaki

User Experience Designer | Director, infield design inc. / Head of UX Design, TOYOTA Connected Corporation

• UNIT 03 : Life products (Kids and Stationery)

After establishing infield design inc. in 2004, she has been performing consulting for UX design based on ethnographic research over a wide area, including healthcare, 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) and a part-time lecturer at Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music. She also worked at IDEO and GK Graphics. She holds a master's degree from the Institute of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology.

Yasuharu Sasaki

Creative Director | Managing Director / Executive Creative Director, Creative Planning Division 4, Dentsu Inc.

• UNIT 18 : Media, Contents and Packaging / Uniit Leader

He joined Dentsu in 1995. After gaining experience as copywriter, interactive director, and ECD of Dentsu America, he assumed his present post. Utilizing a hybrid of his digital and creative knowledge, he works as leader of a new area of creativity, while also carrying out global client relations in cooperation with overseas group bases. He has won many domestic and international advertisement awards, including Cannes Loins, One Show, and D&AD. He also has experience in judging for domestic and international awards, as well as in international keynote lectures.

Hiroki Sato

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

• UNIT 12 : Equipment and Facilities for Shop, Office and Public Space

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."

Jian Liu

Urban Planner & Designer | Associate Professor / Vice Dean, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University

• China, Hong Kong UNIT

She received her Bachelor degree in Architecture and Master and Doctor degrees in Urban Planning & Design from Tsinghua University. She is Registered City Planner in China, Vice Dean and Tenured Associate Professor of Urban Planning & Design at Tsinghua University School of Architecture, and Managing Chief-Editor of China City Planning Review. She was Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Graduate School of Design Harvard University in 2016, visiting scholar at l’Oservatoir d’Architecture de la Chine Contemporaine in 2000 and 2003, and visiting scholar at UBC Center for Human Settlements in 1995. She works as professor, researcher and city planner and designer, with particular interests on town and rural planning, urban design, urban regeneration, and international comparative studies. She publishes both domestically and overseas and is active in both national and international academic circles. She either chairs or participates both research and practical projects of urban planning and design which cover a number of Chinese cities such as Beijing, Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Nantong, Jining, Qufu, and so on, and have been rewarded with either national or ministerial prizes.

Takashi Shigeno

Product Designer | Executive Director, acinc.corporation

• UNIT 10 : Equipment and Facilities for Manufacturing and Medical Care

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 acinc.corporation 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 15 : Housing (Medium to 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.

Hisakazu Shimizu

Product Designer | President, S&O DESIGN Co.,Ltd.

• UNIT 04 : Life products (Leisure and Hobby)

President of S&O Design. Adjunct instructor at Tokyo University of the Arts / Kuwasawa Design School. As chief designer of Canon's IXUS Digital series of digital cameras, achieved top market share worldwide for the series, and received numerous design awards, including Germany's iF Design Award and Japan's Good Design (G Mark) Award. Has continued to design products for various companies since establishing S&O Design. Has been attracting attention for wide variety of projects, such as the popular Regent in Olives presented at Setouchi Triennale 2013.

Xiaoxi Shi

Industrial Designer | 2-LA LLC

• China, Hong Kong UNIT

Xiaoxi is founder and Creative Director of 2-LA Design. Multiple award winning and highly recognized designer, TEDx speaker and Tsinghua X-lab EiR. Xiaoxi's work has been widely published, respected and exhibited in museums and competitions. His award winning work ranges from product design, fashion design to furniture design. He is awarded by IDEA gold, Red dot Design, IF Design and G-marl Best 100. he also won top10 Chinese designer in year of 2016.

Shu-chang Kung

Architect / Interior Designer | Professor, Graduate Institute of Architecture, NCTU / Vice-President, Taiwan Design Alliance (TDA)

• Taiwan UNIT

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 professor at the Graduate Institute of Architecture, NCTU, Taiwan, and vice-president, Taiwan Design Alliance (TDA). 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).

Gen Suzuki

Product Designer | Director, GEN SUZUKI STUDIO

• UNIT 05 : Kitchen Tools, Daily Necessities and Cooking Appliances / Uniit Leader

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.

Koichi Suzuno

Architect | CEO, TORAFU ARCHITECTS Inc.

• UNIT 12 : Equipment and Facilities for Shop, Office and Public Space

Born in 1973. Graduated from Department of Architecture, Science University of Tokyo. Completed the Master Course of Architecture, Yokohama National University. Worked at Coelacanth K&H. Worked at Kerstin Thompson Architects / Melbourne. Founded in 2004 with Shinya Kamuro, TORAFU ARCHITECTS employs a working approach based on architectural thinking. Currently lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts, Tama Art University,Tokyo City University and Nagoya Institute of Technology. Guest professor at Kyoto Seika University and Ritsumeikan University.

Manabu Tago

Art Director / Designer | Representative, MTDO Inc.

• UNIT 12 : Equipment and Facilities for Shop, Office and Public Space / Uniit Leader

After being involved in household appliances and information equipment at Toshiba, then taking part in the startup period of REAL FLEET (current: 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.

Shizuka Tatsuno

Creative Director / Product Designer | CEO, Shizuka Tatsuno Studio inc.

• UNIT 05 : Kitchen Tools, Daily Necessities and Cooking Appliances

A Japanese native, born in 1983.　After receiving Bachelor's degree in Product and Furniture from Kingston University London, Shizuka gained experience in the field and established her design office "Shizuka Tatsuno Studio Inc.". With a focus on designing furniture, interior and fashion accessories, she provides various services in planning, direction and graphic designs among other areas. Shizuka was awarded a number of prizes including Elle Décor Japan Young Japanese Design Talent Prize in 2016.

Miyuki Tamai

CMF Designer | CEO, FEEL GOOD CREATION Inc.

• UNIT 07 : Home Appliances

After working at the Honda R&D Design Center, she established Feel Good Creation Inc., the only company in Japan specializing in CMF design. The company provides designs and consulting for a wide range of industries, including automobiles, home appliances, and interiors. She sponsors CMF Tokyo - Sense, an activity aimed at revitalizing manufacturing in Japan while adding CMF design perspectives to material and processing technology, and was also awarded the Good Design Award in 2019. She is a part-time lecturer at the Musashino Art University.

Manabu Chiba

Architect | Professor, Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

• UNIT 14 : Housing (Personal Residence, Small Sized Apartment)

After graduating from the University of Tokyo's Department of Architecture, he completed a master's program at the same university. After working at Nihon Sekkei and Factor N Associates, he established Chiba Manabu Architects in 2001. He took up his present post in 2013. In 2016, he became Vice President of the University of Tokyo (until 2018). His main work includes the Japan Guide Dog Center (Prizes of AIJ (Architectural Institute of Japan)), Otaki Town Hall (UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation), and the Kogakuin University 125th Anniversary Education Building (the Murano Togo Prize). He is also author of "Rules of the Site- Sokoni Shikanai Keishiki" (Toto Publishing), "Jpeak Manabu Chiba" (Equal Books) and "hito no atsumarikata wo design suru" (Ohkokusha), among others.

Chi mei Chang

Graphic Designer | Honorary President, Taiwan Graphic Design Association

• Taiwan UNIT

-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 iF Design Award, The International Poster Biennial in Mexico 2020, 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.

Yui Tezuka

Architect | President, TEZUKA ARCHITECTS

• UNIT 14 : Housing (Personal Residence, Small Sized Apartment) / Uniit Leader

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 06 : Home Furniture and Household Goods / 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.

Masamichi Toyama

Businessman | CEO, Smiles Co., Ltd.

• UNIT 16 : Construction/Interior Design for Industry and Commercial Facility

Born in 1962 in Tokyo, he graduated from Keio University and joined Mitsubishi Corporation in 1985. In 2000, he established Smiles Co., Ltd. and became the CEO. Currently, he operates Soup Stock Tokyo, as well as Giraffe, Pass The Baton, 100 Spoons, Hakejyoyu Noriben Yamanobori, etc. Recently, he started the simplest state of marriage "Iwaigami", a small and unique museum, The Chain Museum, the Art Sticker platform for supporting artists, etc.

Mica Nakajima

Designer | Representative, Design*Magica

• UNIT 02 : Life products (Healthcare)

Born in Kyoto. Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts. He worked mainly on home appliances, including "Healsio" and "Plasmacluster ion" products at Sharp Corporation. He left in 2011 and established Design*Magica. While performing total design and direction from brand building, product development, and promotion of traditional industries and regional industries, he has also won the Good Design Award for his walking assist robot, and is active in a wide range of fields.

Hidetomo Nagata

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

• UNIT 19 : System, Service and Business model / Uniit Leader

Visiting Professor at Kyoto University of Art & Design. 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.

Sosuke Nakabo

Product Designer | Representative, Sosuke Nakabo Design Office / Associate Professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology

• UNIT 05 : Kitchen Tools, Daily Necessities and Cooking Appliances

Graduated from the Product Design course of Kyoto City University of Arts. After working at Matsushita Refrigeration Company (Panasonic) Design Center, he went to the UK and finished his master's degree program in Design Products at the Royal College of Art. He worked at Ryonin Keikaku (MUJI) Planning and Design Department and Jasper Morrison's London Office, before establishing Sosuke Nakabo Design Office. He got awarded many international design awards such as Good Design Award, iF Design Award, IDEA and Red Dot Design Award.

Shiho Nagamachi

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

• UNIT 12 : Equipment and Facilities for Shop, Office and Public Space

Graduated from Kyoto Institute of Technology, visiting professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design, part-time lecturer at Osaka University.
She practices a variety of projects such as urban planning night scene design in public space, lighting plan for architecture and landscape, tourism town development with light at the core, public light art, and production of lighting brand.
Recent works "Kobe City Meriken Park" "Mizuki Shigeru Road" "Kusatsugawa Park" "Dojima Bridge Light Up" "Nusamaibashi Light Up" "Nagato Town Development" "INAKA Illumi Ohnan" Other

Kenta Nakamura

Businessman / Editor | CEO, Shigotohito Inc.

• UNIT 20 : Project, Activity and Method

He was born in 1979 in Tokyo. He is Representative Director of Shigotohito Inc. which operates Nihon Shigoto Hyakka, and Joint Representative of "popcorn", a service which allows anyone to show movies. After working in architecture and real estate, he realized that "people" were indispensable to comfortable places and established the Nihon Shigoto Hyakka, a recruitment website for people who work in the way that they live. He successively held positions as Director of Shigotohito Bunko, Director of IFFT/Interior Lifestyle Living, a commentator on TV and radio, etc. He opened Little Tokyo in Toranomon, Tokyo in July 2013. Currently, he has moved to Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, Tokyo and established the Shigoto Bar, where you can encounter various different ways of living and working. He wrote "Ikiru youni hataraku" (Mishimasha). In 2020, he started Bizionary, a business succession project.

Yuko Nagayama

Architect | Executive Director, YUKO NAGAYAMA & ASSOCIATES

• UNIT 16 : Construction/Interior Design for Industry and Commercial Facility

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",　"SISII", "Kiya Ryokan", "Teshima Yokoo House", "SEIBU SHIBUYA A・B bld. 5th floor", "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, JCD Design Award 2017 Silver Award, Tokyo Architecture Award 2018 Excellent Award "Central Garden - Goddess of The Forest"etc. Currently working on the Japanese pavilion for Dubai Expo 2020, and a high-rise building in Kabukicho, Shinjuku (2022)

Kota Nezu

Creative Communicator | CEO, znug design,inc.

• UNIT 13 : Mobility / Uniit Leader

Graduated from the Department of Design, Faculty of Engineering, Chiba University. He joined Toyota Motor Corporation 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 has been involved in the concept planning and design for many industrial products and contributed to the vitalization of corporate creative activities. 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 is also engaged in the development of GROOVE X "LOVOT," Toyota Motor Corporation's concept vehicle "Camatte," and others. 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.

Jongrae Park

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

• Korea UNIT

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.

Makoto Hashikura

Product Designer | CEO, MAKOTO HASHIKURA DESIGN

• UNIT 08 : Video/Camera Equipment

He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in science and technology from Keio University. After having worked at a home appliance manufacturer, he joined NAOTO FUKASAWA DESIGN as a senior designer, where he was involved in the design of products across diverse fields including consumer electronics, cars, household goods, furniture and public equipment. In 2018, he established MAKOTO HASHIKURA DESIGN. Basing its activities on product design, the studio carries out integrated creative pursuits transcending the barriers of design across a number of fields including interior design, art direction and corporate design consulting. He is a part-time lecturer at Tama Art University.

Noriko Hashida

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

• UNIT 11 : 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.

Yoshiharu Hamada

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

• UNIT 02 : Life products (Healthcare)

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 10 : Equipment and Facilities for Manufacturing and Medical Care

Loftwork is a new style of creative company that boasts a network of over 30,000 creators. Each year Loftwork rolls out over 200 projects including web, community, and spatial design initiatives. Loftwork also operates the digital fabrication cafe, FabCafe. Hayashi pioneered the adoption of Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guidelines in the creative industries in Japan, and has penned the book Web Project Management Standards. Hayashi is a chairman of Hidakuma that aims to up-cycle the resources into a form of regional value through the utilization of digital fabrication and technology.

Nobuyuki Hayashi

Journalist / Consultant |

• UNIT 09 : ICT Equipment

A freelance journalist focusing on social impact of information technology and reporting them on various Japanese media outlets; also known for actively reporting Japanese tech culture on various foreign media. Served as a consultant to several communication companies. Have been serving as judge for James Dyson Award since 2013. Author of "iPad Shock" and more than a dozen other books.

Masahiro Harada

Architect, Professor | Founder/Architect, MOUNT FUJI ARCHITECTS STUDIO, Professor, Shibaura Institute of Technology

• UNIT 16 : Construction/Interior Design for Industry and Commercial Facility / Uniit Leader

Born in Shizuoka in 1973. Graduated from Shibaura Institute of Technology in 1997. He established MOUNT FUJI ARCHITECTS STUDIO with Mao Harada in 2004 after working at Kengo Kuma & Associates, Jose Antonio Martinez Lapena and Elias Torres (Barcelona) as National Fellowship for Artist, and Arata Isozaki and associates. He has been a professor at the faculty of architecture at Shibaura Institute of Technology since 2016. His recent works include Seto(company housing), Chiryu Afterschool (Afterschool+local community center), Roadside Station Mashiko, Sengyo-ji(charnel house), Riamfuji, ROOFLAG, etc. He won many awards such as the Leaf Awards 2010 and 2014, Young Architect Award of the Japan Institute of Architects 2015, JIA Awards Grand Prix and BCS Awards 2018.

Yuma Harada

Art Director / Designer | Representative, UMA /design farm

• UNIT 03 : Life products (Kids and Stationery) / Focused Issues

（変更）CEO of UMA/design farm. Visiting Professor at Kyoto University of Art & Design, Department of Spatial Design. Born in Osaka in 1979. Based in Osaka, Yuma Harada works on design through continued dialogues and experiments focusing on "Think Together, Make Together" as regards projects on culture, welfare, education and community. She 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.

Byung-wook Chin

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

• Korea UNIT

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 chairman of Industrila Design Society. From 2014 to 2017, work as Vice chairman 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 Chairman of Korea Federation of Design Associations.

Tamae Hirokawa

Creative Director / Designer | SOMA DESIGN

• UNIT 01 : Life products (Accessories and Wearable)

She established "SOMA DESIGN" in 2006, launched the brand "SOMARTA" at the same time, and participated in the Tokyo Collection. She won the Newcomer Award and the Shiseido Sponsorship Award of the 25th MAINICHI FASHION GRANDPRIX. In addition to a solo exhibition "Tamae Hirokawa - Body Genealogy," she worked on many collaborations with businesses, including the Canon "NEOREAL" exhibition, TOYOTA "iQ×SOMARTA MICROCOSMOS" exhibition, YAMAHA MOTOR DESIGN "02Gen-Taurs," etc. Her 2017 SOMARTA signature item, "Skin Series," was made part of the collection at MoMA and drew attention. She won the 2018 WIRED Audi INNOVATION AWARD.

Huiming Tong

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

• China, Hong Kong UNIT

Born in 1955. He is also the vice-chairman of Guangdong Industrial Design Association (GDIDA), and a member of Industrial design Council, Chinese Fine Arts Association (CFAA). He has served as Chairman of jury council of Guangdong Governor Cup Industrial Design Award, jury member of China Red Star Award, and Chairman 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.

Shigeki Fujishiro

Industrial Designer | CEO, shigeki fujishiro design Co.,Ltd

• UNIT 06 : Home Furniture and Household Goods | Jury for the entries via foreign design awards in cooperation with Good Design Award

Shigeki Fujishiro left the acclaimed IDÉE Co Ltd in 2005 to found his own studio; shigeki fujishiro design. He has been active with interior products as the main axis. Fujishiro has recently collaborated with Hermès and Adidas ,CAMPER. And he also does planning, producing and selling products on his own. And Fujishiro was one of 16 designers who participated in 2016/, an international project commemorating the 400th anniversary of Arita ware.

Teppei Fujiwara

Architect | Associate Professor, Y-GSA, Yokohama National University

• UNIT 15 : Housing (Medium to Large Sized Housing Complex)

Born in 1975 in Yokohama. He has been working not only as an architect, but also delves into urban development and educational activities that cross the borders of diverse areas, such as art and the performing arts. His main works include "Double circular rings in Todoroki," "Yoyogi Terrace," and "Inamura House and Gardens." He is author of "7inch Project〈#01〉Teppei Fujiwara," among others. He has also won the Culture and Art Encouragement Award of the Yokohama Cultural Award, Encouragement Award of the Japan Federation of Architects and Building Engineers Associations Award, Residential architecture prize of the Tokyo Society of Architects and Building Engineers Awards, etc. He was also a judge and exhibition committee member of the UBE Biennale.

Miles Pennington

Educational Innovator | Professor, Institute of Industrial Science / Design Led X Platform, The University of Tokyo

• UNIT 19 : System, Service and Business model

Miles Pennington is professor of Design Led Innovation and helps direct a unique international innovation lab at The University of Tokyo – the DLX Design Lab. Previously he was at the Royal College of Art in London and was Head of Programme of the Innovation Design Engineering (IDE) joint Masters programme with Imperial College - he is an alumnus of the IDE programme and graduated in 1992. He was also founder and head of the international exchange programme Global Innovation Design (GID). In the past in parallel to his academic work he was a Director of the London office of the innovation consultancy Takram. He moved to Japan in September 2017 to join The University of Tokyo.

Takashi Honda

Product Designer | Associate Professor, Faculty of Art, Department of Design and Craft, Aichi University of the Arts / Representative, Design Studio CRAC

• UNIT 01 : Life products (Accessories and Wearable)

After graduating Aichi University of the Arts and working at YAMAHA Corporation's Design Laboratory, he established Design Studio CRAC in 2000. He has been involved in product design for things such as audio products, furniture, household equipment and commodities. He received Red Dot Design Award, IF Design Award, Good Design Award, etc. He completed a master's degree at IAMAS (Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences). He has been an Associate Professor in the Department of Design and Craft, Faculty of Art, Aichi University of the Arts since 2015. 

Hiroko Matsumoto

Product Designer | Concentration Head Professor / Director Dean College of Art and Design, Joshibi University of Art and Design

• UNIT 07 : Home Appliances

As Designer and Design Director at the Toshiba Design Center, she undertook product development and mechanical design, including household appliances, audiovisual equipment, healthcare, etc., and received many awards both domestically and from overseas, including the Good Design Gold Award, the iF / Red Dot Design Award Gold Award, etc. Currently, she is involved in university management as Director and Dean at the Joshibi University of Art and Design, as well as being involved in many co-creation projects with municipalities and corporations.

Manfred Wang

Product Designer | Professor, Department of Design, National Taiwan Normal University

• Taiwan UNIT

Professor of design at National Taiwan Normal University and Principal Creative Advisor for Qisda Corporation. Prior to 2013, Wang was the Vice President & Chief Design Officer of BenQ & Qisda Group and the General Manager of QisDESIGN Lifestyle Products Business Unit. Under his guidance, BenQ and Qisda have won more than 375 international design awards. Manfred Wang graduated with a Master of Industrial Design from Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design Germany in 1994.

Haruka Misawa

Designer | Director, Misawa Design Institute, Nippon Design Center, Inc.

• UNIT 18 : Media, Contents and Packaging

After working at the design office nendo, she joined the Hara Design Institute at Nippon Design Center in 2009. In 2014, she began work as the Misawa Design Institute.

Tasuku Mizuno

Lawyer | CITY LIGHTS LAW

• UNIT 19 : System, Service and Business model

He is a lawyer (City Lights Law), a Director of Creative Commons Japan, a Director of Arts and Law, a part-time lecturer at both the University of Tokyo's Graduate School and Keio Research Institute at SFC, and a member of the Legal Design Lab. He addresses hands-on legal services and leading strategic law for startups in the IT, creative and urban development fields, new businesses of major corporations, and corporate planning. 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 and co-author of Open Design Now - Why Design Cannot Remain Exclusive, among others.

Kazushige Miyake

Designer | CEO, miyake design co., ltd.

• UNIT 07 : Home Appliances / Uniit Leader

Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1973. Established miyake design in 2005. Designs a wide range of products, from consumer electronics and furniture to household goods and bicycles for companies both domestically and overseas.

Tetsu Miyazawa

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

• UNIT 08 : Video/Camera Equipment / Uniit Leader

Born in 1972. After working mainly at Panasonic Mobile Communications Co, Ltd. and Samsung Japan Corporation, he established &design Co., Ltd. in 2007. Leveraging his strengths in completely new proposals known as "0 to 1" even within the field of product design, he has been involved with a variety of domestic and international corporate projects, from design strategy to direction work leading to actual products. He has received many domestic and international awards, including the iF Gold Award, the Red Dot Award's Best of the Best, and others. He is a part-time lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering and Design at Hosei University, and Product Design Director at NTT Docomo Inc.

Kaie Murakami

Designer / Creative Director | Founder / CEO, SIMONE Inc.

• UNIT 04 : Life products (Leisure and Hobby) / Focused Issues

After working at MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO from 1994 to 2002, he established SIMONE in 2003. He performs practical creative consulting and business development that integrates technology, design, and marketing for both domestic and international businesses. His main work: LOUIS VUITTON, LEXUS, UNDERCOVER (campaign building), Parfums Christian Dior, adidas, Shiseido, Isetan Mitsukoshi (product development, packaging, advertising design), GSIX, THE PARK-ING, UNITED ARROWS, and others (WEB＆APP development). Awards: Cannes Lions GOLD, NY ADC, and others.

Tamotsu Murakami

Design Engineering Researcher | Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo

• UNIT 10 : Equipment and Facilities for Manufacturing and Medical Care

Graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, the University of Tokyo in 1984, and the Department of Industrial Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo in 1989. Doctor of Engineering. In English, the term, "design" is used for both engineering design and industrial design. Murakami's areas of expertise are research and education on the mathematical methods and software/hardware technology that assist designers and give full scope to their originality and diversity to design (design by human) and create products that can provide new values to meet the users' needs, sensibilities and diversity (design for human).

Chiaki Murata

Product Designer, Design Producer | Representative Director, hers design inc.

• UNIT 05 : Kitchen Tools, Daily Necessities and Cooking Appliances | Jury for the entries via foreign design awards in cooperation with Good Design Award

He graduated from the Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka City University and established his company in 1986. He won over 160 international awards and was chosen as one of Newsweek's "100 globally recognized small and medium Japanese businesses". He is also involved in regional development, including the operations of business consortium Metaphys, as well as Tokyo Crafts and Design by the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Echizen iiza, Tottori TOTT, Niigata Hyakunen-Monogatari, etc. He is author of "A Textbook for Social Design", "Design Thinking for Behavior", "The Potential of Sensibility Thinking", and "Hagutori Design". He is Director of the Japan Design Consultants Association and the Eco Design Network (NPO).

Takayuki Morikawa

Mobility Designer | Professor, Global Research Institute for Mobility in Society, Nagoya University

• UNIT 13 : Mobility

Researching on advanced mobility and transportation systems. As the research leader of Nagoya University Center of Innovation, developing autonomous vehicles and mobility service systems fitted to transportation poor areas.

Shigeya Yasui

UI Design Researcher | Associate Professor, Faculty of Systems Information Science, Department of Media Architecture, Future University Hakodate

• UNIT 07 : Home Appliances

Completed master program at University of Tsukuba in Design. After working as UI Designer at Sony Corporation's Creative Center, I have been an associate professor at Future University Hakodate from 2012. My research theme is UI Design. Award: Haptic Design Award 2016 Grand Prize.

Teruhiro Yanagihara

Designer | CEO, TERUHIRO YANAGIHARA STUDIO LTD.

• UNIT 03 : Life products (Kids and Stationery)

Born in 1976, he is a designer. Based on the idea of designing the state of design, he undertakes projects that surpass the boundaries of countries and genres. His works are part of collections at France's National Centre for Visual Arts (CNAP), the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam (Amsterdam's contemporary art museum), etc. He wrote "Real Anonymous Design" (Gakugei Shuppan-Sha), "The Design Methods of 11 Designers of the 2000's" (Rikuyosha), among others.

Jun’ya Yamaide

Artist | Executive Director, NPO BEPPU PROJECT

• UNIT 20 : Project, Activity and Method

Born in 1970 in Oita, Japan. General producer of the "Mixed Bathing World"(2009,2012,2015) ・"in BEPPU"(2016-),General derector of the "Kunisaki Art Festival"(2014). Board Member of the Council for Cultural Affairs, Cultural Policy Section(2016-2018)

Yoshihiko Yamasaka

Creative Director | Executive Vice President, Tokyo Office, MAQ inc.

• UNIT 20 : Project, Activity and Method / Focused Issues

He is involved in commercial design, including branding, advertising, promotion and websites, of corporations, communities and products, as well as planning, production, and the creative direction of communication in general. He is representative of the environment improvement organization, GARBAGE BAG ART WORK, director of the domestic violence prevention group, Purple Eyes, member of the Tokyo Copywriters Club, Creative Director of Kobe City (2015 to 2018), and Publicity Director of Art Project KOBE 2019: TRANS- (2019).

Kentaro Yamazaki

Architect | Representative Director, YAMAZAKI KENTARO DESIGN WORKSHOP Co.,Ltd.

• UNIT 14 : Housing (Personal Residence, Small Sized Apartment)

He won many awards in Japan and overseas: Itoman Gyomin Shokudo (2013) constructed by piling Ryukyu limestone with residents in Okinawa, Hakusui Nursery School (2015) stair-like building by making the most of the slope, Vision Park (2018) as the supporting facility for people with visual impairments. Aiming to design buildings that are not so sensational but accepted by people from children to the elderly as a part of the ir lives. Lecturer at Kogakuin University, Tokyo University of Science, Waseda University, Meiji University, and Hosei University.

Nobuyoshi Yamazaki

Product Designer | Associate Professor, Faculty of Fine Arts Department of Design, Tokyo University of the Arts

• UNIT 08 : Video/Camera Equipment

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, 1995. Engaged in design consulting at Hirano Design Co., Ltd. from the same year. Transferred to NEC Design Co., Ltd. in 2005, and performs product and solution design and design management of information terminals and public systems. After that, he led the organization of design functions in NEC's innovation strategy and was the director of the company's design center. Incumbent from 2016, specializing in UX and product solutions, value renovation.

Ryo Yamazaki

Community Designer | CEO, studio-L, Inc.

• UNIT 17 : Public Facility, Civil Structure and Landscape

Born in Aichi in 1973. Graduated from the graduate school of Osaka Prefectural University and the graduate school of the University of Tokyo. Received PhD in engineering. After working at Architecture and Landscape Design Office, Ryo Yamazaki established studio-L in 2005. He is involved in community design helping local people to solve local problems. He has a number of projects related to community development workshops, including general planning creation with resident participation and grass-roots park management. He has won awards including the Kids Design Award for "Parent-and-Baby Notebook." Author of "Community Design" (awarded by the Real Estate Companies Association).

Tomohiko Yamanashi

Architect | Chief Design Officer/Senior Executive Officer, Architectural Design Department, NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD

• UNIT 17 : Public Facility, Civil Structure and Landscape

He graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts in 1984, completed the University of Tokyo's graduate school program in 1986, and joined Nikken Sekkei. He proactively promotes BIM, computational design, and the use of wood in urban architecture. His representative works include Jinbocho Theater (SD Review, JIA Young Architects Award), Mokuzai Kaikan (MIPIM Asia Special Jury Award), Hoki Museum (JIA Grand Prix, BCS Award), NBF Osaki Building (AIJ Annual Architectural Design Commendation), Chofu Campus Building No. 1 of Toho Gakuen College (AIJ Annual Architectural Design Commendation), etc. He is author of "Building Information Models" (Nippon Jitsugyo Publishing) and "The Condition of Architectural Masterpiece" (Nikkei Business Publications) among others.

Satoshi Yoshiizumi

Designer / Creative Director | Representative, TAKT PROJECT Inc.

• UNIT 01 : Life products (Accessories and Wearable) / Uniit Leader

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+.

Ai Yoshida

Architect | CEO, SUPPOSE DESIGN OFFICE Co.,Ltd.

• UNIT 16 : Construction/Interior Design for Industry and Commercial Facility

Born in 1974. Worked at SUPPOSE DESIGN OFFICE since 2001, then co-founded since 2014. Based in two locations in Hiroshima and Tokyo, work on a number of projects in Japan and overseas, from interiors to residences and complex facilities. Received many awards including the JCD Design Award 2016 Grand Prize. Recently, have been working in various fields centering on architecture, including directing and managing of new business, such like Sha-shokudo, Vantage point Properties and so on.

Hiroaki Watanabe

Industrial Designer | President, Plane Co., Ltd.

• UNIT 04 : Life products (Leisure and Hobby) / Uniit Leader

After graduating from Kuwasawa Design School and working at a business machine manufacturer, he moved to the U.S. He worked at Frog Design and Ziba Design before returning to Japan and establishing Plane Co., Ltd. He has been involved in manufacturing in various areas and scopes, both in Japan and internationally. He is also a part-time lecturer at Tama Art University.