Harves is a manufacturer of special lubricants used in automobiles, electric instruments, electronics, optical and office equipment. For more than a century, their business has been supporting the quality of Japanese products behind the scenes, and today their expertise could be applied to any industry, with infinite possibility for growth. We talked with CEO Tomonori Maeda to learn more about their high-quality lubricants such as the DRYSURF and HI-LUBE, as well as how they are facing new challenges and turning them into business opportunities like their aging care line and skin care products made with natural sparkling water.
Harves is a manufacturer of special lubricants used in automobiles, electric instruments, electronics, optical and office equipment. For more than a century, their business has been supporting the quality of Japanese products behind the scenes, and today their expertise could be applied to any industry, with infinite possibility for growth. We talked with CEO Tomonori Maeda to learn more about their high-quality lubricants such as the DRYSURF and HI-LUBE, as well as how they are facing new challenges and turning them into business opportunities like their aging care line and skin care products made with natural sparkling water.
With a well-established reputation and more than 60 years of experience, Takasago Electric is now a specialized manufacturer of miniature chemically inert valves and pumps with a worldwide reach that has designed over 10,000 valves. We sat down with Representative Director & Chairman Naoya Asai to learn more about how they are able to achieve their core competencies of customization, miniaturization, and integration, as well las their most recent R&D projects including research related to developing artificial organs with The University of Tokyo and their unique products like the Zero-Internal-Volume valve which can reduce dead volumes in fluidic channels in testing instruments.
With a well-established reputation and more than 60 years of experience, Takasago Electric is now a specialized manufacturer of miniature chemically inert valves and pumps with a worldwide reach that has designed over 10,000 valves. We sat down with Representative Director & Chairman Naoya Asai to learn more about how they are able to achieve their core competencies of customization, miniaturization, and integration, as well las their most recent R&D projects including research related to developing artificial organs with The University of Tokyo and their unique products like the Zero-Internal-Volume valve which can reduce dead volumes in fluidic channels in testing instruments.
Since their foundation in 1997, LIFULL has grown to become a company known for having a unique focus on the real estate related business, seeking solve social issues that hinder peace of mind and well-being. We had the pleasure to speak with President and CEO Takashi Inoue and learn more about their innovative solutions, such as their LIFULL HOME’S information service, and Revitalize Rural Japan project to tackle the vacant house problem. We also found out how the company is applying DX technologies to their business for the improvement of people’s lives and we got to hear about some of LIFULL’s exciting new projects for the future.
Since their foundation in 1997, LIFULL has grown to become a company known for having a unique focus on the real estate related business, seeking solve social issues that hinder peace of mind and well-being. We had the pleasure to speak with President and CEO Takashi Inoue and learn more about their innovative solutions, such as their LIFULL HOME’S information service, and Revitalize Rural Japan project to tackle the vacant house problem. We also found out how the company is applying DX technologies to their business for the improvement of people’s lives and we got to hear about some of LIFULL’s exciting new projects for the future.
Global Trust Networks assists the lives of thousands of foreigners in Japan while the country faces challenges like the labor shortage that comes with the declining birthrate, as well as the border restrictions imposed during the global pandemic. We talked with Representative Director and President Hiroyuki Goto to learn more about how they help develop a foreigner-inclusive society by acting as rent guarantor, providing living support services, and leveraging their expertise in real estate, while also offering support in areas such as employment, mobile communication, and credit cards.
Global Trust Networks assists the lives of thousands of foreigners in Japan while the country faces challenges like the labor shortage that comes with the declining birthrate, as well as the border restrictions imposed during the global pandemic. We talked with Representative Director and President Hiroyuki Goto to learn more about how they help develop a foreigner-inclusive society by acting as rent guarantor, providing living support services, and leveraging their expertise in real estate, while also offering support in areas such as employment, mobile communication, and credit cards.
Established in 1952, Nihon Gosei specializes in the production and sale of synthetic resin and molding materials. As the market moves with the times, so too does the company, with a focus on the next generation of products. We speak with president Hiroshi Tsukuemoto to learn about how Nihon Gosei has played an important role in the manufacturing supply chain, both domestically and internationally.
Established in 1952, Nihon Gosei specializes in the production and sale of synthetic resin and molding materials. As the market moves with the times, so too does the company, with a focus on the next generation of products. We speak with president Hiroshi Tsukuemoto to learn about how Nihon Gosei has played an important role in the manufacturing supply chain, both domestically and internationally.
Founded in 1981, SHiZCON had long focused on factory automation devices for the automobile sector centered in the Shizuoka Prefecture, where its head office is located. But recently the company opened a sales office in Yokohama to serve the medical, food, semiconductor, and other sectors, which is its latest step towards diversification into various other fields. And with a view to expanding outside of Asia, Kazuhito Unno, the company’s president and CEO, is living up to his own motto to live life with no regrets.
Founded in 1981, SHiZCON had long focused on factory automation devices for the automobile sector centered in the Shizuoka Prefecture, where its head office is located. But recently the company opened a sales office in Yokohama to serve the medical, food, semiconductor, and other sectors, which is its latest step towards diversification into various other fields. And with a view to expanding outside of Asia, Kazuhito Unno, the company’s president and CEO, is living up to his own motto to live life with no regrets.
Since 1957, Sekisui Kinzoku, better known as KATO, has been providing high-quality and accurate model trains for collectors and enthusiasts spanning multiple generations. In this interview, CEO Hiroshi Kato discusses KATO’s long history of bringing joy to hobbyists, how it is able to create such high-quality railroad models and the company’s successes, stemming from a dedication to ‘precision’, ‘reliability’ and ‘durability’.
Since 1957, Sekisui Kinzoku, better known as KATO, has been providing high-quality and accurate model trains for collectors and enthusiasts spanning multiple generations. In this interview, CEO Hiroshi Kato discusses KATO’s long history of bringing joy to hobbyists, how it is able to create such high-quality railroad models and the company’s successes, stemming from a dedication to ‘precision’, ‘reliability’ and ‘durability’.
Beginning as firm that manufactured thermal wave analyzers, Bethel has since evolved and diversified, providing customers with high-quality dental and medical products too. With their accumulated knowledge and experience, Bethel has managed to develop new products and technologies to combat a wide variety of market changes and demands. In this interview, President Junichi Suzuki, discusses the Bethel’s rich history, and the company’s drive for constant innovation.
Beginning as firm that manufactured thermal wave analyzers, Bethel has since evolved and diversified, providing customers with high-quality dental and medical products too. With their accumulated knowledge and experience, Bethel has managed to develop new products and technologies to combat a wide variety of market changes and demands. In this interview, President Junichi Suzuki, discusses the Bethel’s rich history, and the company’s drive for constant innovation.
PVC compounds are known for their versatility, and throughout its history, Showa Kasei Kogyo has been dedicated to developing PVC compounds of all shapes, sizes, and compositions to meet diverse needs. “We accept every request … we never say no,” in the words of president Shunichi Ikemoto. In this interview, we learn more about the company’s efforts to develop innovative materials in compliance with international and environmental standards—including halogen, lead, and cadmium-free compounds—as well as its international ambitions.
PVC compounds are known for their versatility, and throughout its history, Showa Kasei Kogyo has been dedicated to developing PVC compounds of all shapes, sizes, and compositions to meet diverse needs. “We accept every request … we never say no,” in the words of president Shunichi Ikemoto. In this interview, we learn more about the company’s efforts to develop innovative materials in compliance with international and environmental standards—including halogen, lead, and cadmium-free compounds—as well as its international ambitions.
KANTO YAKIN KOGYO (KYK) was established in 1957 and has developed into a company that designs, manufactures and sells industrial heat treatment furnaces. Starting with metal heat treatment furnaces, the company has been leading the market with its innovative technologies, such as aluminum brazing furnaces and carbon firing furnaces. The ultra-high temperature furnaces that KYK began developing over 30 years ago are now actively used by the world’s leading carbon fiber manufacturers as carbonizing and graphitizing furnaces. From the beginning, Mr. Shinichi Takahashi, President of K Y K , h a s b e e n working closely with major Japanese carbon fiber manufacturers to lead the technological development of ultra-high temperature furnaces.
KANTO YAKIN KOGYO (KYK) was established in 1957 and has developed into a company that designs, manufactures and sells industrial heat treatment furnaces. Starting with metal heat treatment furnaces, the company has been leading the market with its innovative technologies, such as aluminum brazing furnaces and carbon firing furnaces. The ultra-high temperature furnaces that KYK began developing over 30 years ago are now actively used by the world’s leading carbon fiber manufacturers as carbonizing and graphitizing furnaces. From the beginning, Mr. Shinichi Takahashi, President of K Y K , h a s b e e n working closely with major Japanese carbon fiber manufacturers to lead the technological development of ultra-high temperature furnaces.
