Judging Committee

Seiichi Saito

Creative Director | Panoramatiks Principal

Born in Kanagawa in 1975, 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). He returned to Japan after being selected as an artist for Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial 2003. After working as a free-lance designer, he established Rhizomatiks Co., Ltd. (present Abstract Engine Co., Ltd.) in 2006. Leading the internal architecture department Panoramatiks, he is working as a planning and implementation advisor on a number of projects for governments and corporations. He was the Creative Advisor of Expo 2020 Dubai Japan Pavilion and the EXPO Co-creation Program Director for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

Jin Kuramoto

Product Designer | Representative Director, JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO Inc.

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.

Yuko Nagayama

Architect | Executive Director, YUKO NAGAYAMA & ASSOCIATES

Born in 1975 in Tokyo. Completed studies at Showa Women’s University in 1998. 1998–2002, worked at Jun Aoki & Associates. Established Yuko Nagayama & Associates in 2002. Representative works: “Teshima Yokoo House,” “Central Garden – Goddess of The Forest,” ”JINS PARK,” “Japan pavilion for Dubai Expo,” “Tokyu Kabukicho Tower,” est. Awards received include L’Oreal Encouragement Award, JCD Design Award (2005), AR Award (2006), ARCHITECTURAL RECORD Award, Design Vanguard (2012), JIA Young Architect Award (2014), Yamanashi Cultural Prize of Architecture, JCD Design Award (2017) Silver Award, Tokyo Architecture Award (2018) Excellent Award, WAF Division Excellence Award (2022), etc. Plans are currently underway for the TOKYO TORCH project in front of Tokyo Station, the Panasonic Pavilion and the Women's Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai International EXPO.

01Accessories and Wearable02Personal Care03Stationery and Hobby04Household Goods05Home Appliances06Audio, Video Equipment07ICT Equipment08Equipment and Facilities for Manufacturing and Medical Care09Housing Fixtures10Furniture / Equipment and Facilities for Office and Public Space11Mobility12Housing (Detached House and Small Sized Housing Complex & Cohousing)13Housing (Medium to Large Sized Housing Complex & Cohousing)14Construction (Industry and Commercial Facility)15Public Facility, Civil Structure and Landscape16Media and Contents17System and Service18Initiative and Activity for Regional19Initiative and Activity for the General Public

UNIT 01Accessories and Wearable01-01Accessories and personal items01-02Accessories and personal items for professional use01-03Clothing

Tamae Hirokawa

Creative Director / Designer | SOMA DESIGN

Hirokawa 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. Co-developed the podium jacket for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics with ASICS. In the same year, as an invited artist of Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, she organized a new festival, "Tamae Hirokawa in BEPPU" together with citizens.

Shigeki Hattori

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

Born in Osaka in 1970, Hattori is the creative director and designer of graf, a collective of different industries that started up in 1997. He is involved in design and branding direction for architecture, interior design, and product design. He extracts concepts from design research, and sees the local community and social infrastructure as a part of that area. He aims to design from projects to programs, and from movements to culture.

Yoshiharu Hamada

Product Designer | Studio Galleryworks / Professor, Department of Product Design, Tama Art University

After working for a sports manufacturer, engaged in product development and brand-building works, he established Studio Galleryworks. Since 2018, he has been a Professor of Product Design at Tama Art University in the Department of Product and Textile Design. He is the project leader of ‘Suteru Design', which aims to build Circular Society. Since 2021, he has been a Research Supervisor for the ACT-X research area of Japan Science and Technology Agency.

Sae Honda

Designer, Jewellery Artist | Lecturer, Department of Industrial, Interior and Craft design, Musashino Art University

After graduating from Musashino Art University, Department of Industrial, Interior and Craft Design, worked at IDÉE before moving to the Netherlands. Honda completed her study at Gerrit Rietveld Academie in 2016 and she moved from the Netherlands to Japan, in 2021 where she has been internationally showcasing self-initiated works as well as commissioned work. Her work is in the permanent collections of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam and the Museum Arnhem in the Netherlands. Author of 'EVERYBODY NEEDS A ROCK' and 'Anthropophyta / Artificial Plant Gate' (published by torch press). Lecturing at Musashino Art University, Department of Industrial, Interior and Craft Design.

Catharina Widjaja

　 | Chair Permanent Committee for Europe (KADIN) & Chief Executive Officer of Alun Alun Indonesia

She is the CEO of Alun Alun Indonesia, a pioneer retail brand that promotes Indonesian artisan-made products, under the retail group MAP (Mitra Adiperkasa). In recognition of her contribution to the business sector, she was appointed chair of Permanent Committee for Europe at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN) 2021-2026. Ms. Widjaja was recognized as Global Trade Ambassador Indonesia by WIT-LA in 2019 and received TOP Leader on CSR Commitment by Business News Indonesia in 2018 and was nominated in the 2017 Telstra Businesswomen Awards. During Indonesia's Presidency at the G20 in 2022 she was also lined up for the G20 Alliance to become an advocate for the Empowerment and Advancement of Women's Economic Representation (G20 EMPOWER) to accelerate the leadership and empowerment of women in the private sector.Ms. widjaja has been the judge for Good design Indonesia since 2021. This year she was the chair of the judging panel.

UNIT 02Personal Care02-01Wellness and massage items02-02Sanitary goods02-03Beauty care equipment and instrument02-04Childcare goods and accessories02-05Household childcare items02-06Household nursing and rehabilitation equipment

Chiaki Murata

Product Designer, Design Producer | Representative Director, hers design inc. / Visiting Professor, Research Center for the 21st Century, Osaka Metropolitan University

He won over 200 international awards and was chosen as one of Newsweek's "100 globally recognized small and medium Japanese businesses". Operates a design think tank that supports planning and development from design thinking. Advocated S.S.FB method and Kansei value hexagon graph. In 2020, He established the "Hers Design Fund" to support startups that solve social issues through design investment. He is author of "Textbook for Social Design", "Design Thinking for Behavior", “The Potential of Sensibility Thinking”, and "Bugtori Design".

Kaori Akiyama

Product Designer | STUDIO BYCOLOR

Akiyama founded STUDIO BYCOLOR in 2013, a design office that effectively utilizes colors and materials. She graduated from the Department of Design Science of the Faculty of Engineering at Chiba University in 2002, and worked for an office furniture manufacturer in Japan until 2012. She has won iF Design Award, German Design Award, DFA Asian Design Gold Award, DIA Top100, Good Design Award and was also selected for LEXUS NEW TAKUMI PJ 2016. She is a part-time lecturer at the Department of Design Science of the Faculty of Engineering at Chiba University and the Department of Engineering and Design of the Faculty of Engineering and Design at Hosei University.

Shunsuke Ishikawa

Design Innovation | Founder, KESIKI INC. / Visiting Professor at Tama Art University, specializing in TCL

Graduated from Central St. Martins, London. Worked at Panasonic Design Company and PDD Innovations UK before joining IDEO Tokyo as a Design Director for its launch. Later, served as the Strategic Design Director at BCG Digital Ventures before assuming current position. Involved in numerous business creation and design management initiatives. Served as a judge for D&AD, Good Design Award, and various design selections nationwide. Author of the recent book “HELLO, DESIGN: Japanese and Design” (published by Gentosha). Currently the CEO of Wood You Like Company and Chief Design Officer (CDP) of Asahikawa City.

Keita Suzuki

Industrial Designer | CEO, PRODUCT DERSIGN CENTER

Suzuki is a designer, born in 1982. He founded the Product Design Center in 2012. Influenced by his grandfather, a renown art collector, he has gained big interests in the beauty of Japanese and Asian art and crafts since his childhood. He was later attracted by the field of product design with focus of people’s daily life and activities. Developing the idea of ‘steady innovation’, by which product design is seen as part of a historical time-line, he aims to move it forward with making a beautiful standards both in product and public design.

UNIT 03Stationery and Hobby03-01Stationery and office supplies03-02Teaching materials and educational supplies03-03Toys03-04Sporting goods03-05Leisure/Outdoor/Travel goods03-06Hobby goods and pet care supplies03-07Garden tools03-08Musical instrument

Makoto Hashikura

Product Designer | CEO, MAKOTO HASHIKURA DESIGN

Hashikura 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.

Yuma Harada

Designer | Representative, UMA /design farm

Born in Osaka in 1979. He graduated from studies as an architecture major in the design program of Kyoto Seika University’s Faculty of Art. Representative, UMA/design farm. Special Visiting Professor at Nagoya University of the Arts. Based in Osaka, at the center of projects related to culture, welfare and community, he aims to visualize philosophy and to create new experiences through graphics, space, exhibitions and planning and development. He also works on design through continued dialogues and experiments focusing on “Think Together, Make Together.” He is the author of “One Day Esquisse: Design class for finding ‘a point of view’ in thinking.”

Kazutoyo Yamamoto

Designer | Representative, dessence

Born in 1976. Founded dessence in 2005. Active in various fields such as architecture, product design, and corporate branding.

Laila Cassim

Art Director / Designer | General Incorporated Association SHIBUYA FONT

Through collaborative design, Cassim links creative activities of social welfare workshops with design to create social inclusion, financial independence for people with disabilities as well as engaging social understanding within the design and industry . SHIBUYA FONT, where she is art director is one such project, which has been accoladed with many awards such as GOOD DESIGN award in 2019 and Judge's Choice award at Japan Open Innovation Award in 2022. Cassim is also a Research Associate at Tokyo University and tutor at Kuwasawa Design School. As of April 2023 she is Specially Appointed Associate Professor of Nara Women's University.

Praseuth Banchongphakdy

Communication Designer | Founder and President, BlueGrass Design Group Co., Ltd

Established the oldest and largest design communication consultancy in Laos and Founding Associate of the Design Alliance Asia.

UNIT 04Household Goods04-01Kitchen goods, cookware, tableware and cutlery04-02Daily necessities04-03Cleaning goods04-04Emergency supplies04-05Bedclothes04-06Religious supplies

Shuko Yaginuma

Buyer | enfactory inc

Yaginuma joined "STYLE STORE", the online specialty store in 2006 after she worked at a department store in Tokyo. She has 17 years experience as a buyer while she plays her role as an advisor for product development and market development as well as a judge of various design competitions.

Tadahito Ishibashi

Product Designer | CEO, IDL corporation

Graduated from Chiba University's Department of Industrial Design in 1995. After working for a domestic electrical manufacturer and a business consulting company, founded IDL Co., Ltd. in 2005. Involved in design and consulting for domestic and international home appliances, information and communication equipment, furniture, and daily necessities. Selected as a designer for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's overseas dispatch program in 2010 and 2011. Also serves as a part-time lecturer at Hosei University's Department of Design Engineering.

Shizuka Tatsuno

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

Tatsuno is a Japanese native, born in 1983. After receiving Bachelor’s degree in Product and Furniture from Kingston University London, she 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 client planning, creative direction, graphic design, branding, art production and other consultation services, both locally in Japan and abroad.

Yu Yamada

Buyer | President, method inc.

Born in Tokyo. After working as a buyer at IDÉE SHOP in Minami Aoyama, he founded Method Co., Ltd. in 2007 and worked on various projects related to product launches and other tasks as a freelance buyer for both domestic and international goods. He currently serves as the Representative Director of Method Co., Ltd., Visiting Professor in the Craft and Industrial Design Department at Musashino Art University, and Chairperson of the Tokyo Business Design Award Jury. In 2013, "Discover Japan Special Issue: Lifestyle Specialty Stores" was released by Ei Publishing and in 2014, "Design and Sense: Method for Successful Shop Operations" was published by Seibundo Shinkosha.

Hyungkun Yoon

Director | Director, Korean Society of Design Science

The areas of interest are Japan, Korea, and China's design comparison and consumer sentiment analysis. An Analysis of Chinese Emotions on Automobile Design (Toyota), Samsung MP3's UIUX Emotional Analysis of Chinese People (Samsung), Korea Automobile Design Strategy in China (Hyundai-Kia) "Design that Changes the World" (2022, Adi Publishing Co., Korea), "Startup and Design" (2019, ShanghaiJiatong University Publishing Co., China). 2002 Korea Good Design Award for Excellence. Department of Life Design at Yonsei University in Korea (2000-2004) and Department of Industrial Design at Shanghai Jiatong University in China (2004-2020).

UNIT 05Home Appliances05-01Home appliances05-02Environmental appliances and equipment05-03Cooking appliances

Miyuki Tamai

CMF Designer | CEO, FEEL GOOD CREATION Inc.

After working in the Design Department of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. he established FEEL GOOD CREATION, the only company in Japan specializing in CMF design. The company provides direction, design, and consulting services for CMF design and worldview creation for a wide range of industries, including automobiles, home appliances, architecture, and interior design. She also focuses on the development of sustainable materials and the concept of a recycling society, utilizing CMF's knowledge and manufacturing network. She is the organizer of CMF TOKYO - SENSE, an activity to revitalize manufacturing in Japan, focusing on materials and processing. Part-time lecturer at Musashino Art University and Nagaoka Institute of Design.

Noriko Kawakami

Journalist | Associate Director, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT

1986, Kawakami joined editorial dept of AXIS. 1994, she became freelance journalist. 2007, Associate Director of 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT. She has assisted in numerous exhibitions, including Japanese Design Today 100 (Japan Foundation, 2014-). She had also was co-curator extensively, including for "Japon Japonismes. Objets inspirés, 1867-2018" (Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, 2018). She is Guest Professor in Department of Industrial, Interior and Craft Design, and concurrently Lecturer in Department of Scenography, Display and Fashion Design, Musashino Art University. She is also Lecturer at Nagaoka Institute of Design, and Kuwasawa Design School. She is a member of the Board Directors of Tama Art University.

Daisuke Kitagawa

Product Designer | Representative Director, DESIGN FOR INDUSTRY INC.

After working for a Japanese consumer electronics manufacture, Daisuke Kitagawa established DESIGN FOR INDUSTRY INC. in 2015. Based on the principle of creating "enrichment" that can be shared with everyone involved, he has been engaged in variety of fields, both at domestic and international, from furniture and daily necessities to traditional crafts, home appliances, robotics, advanced technology R&D, new material R&D, business development, and city branding. He always provides design and creative direction from the perspective of "comfortable innovation." He has won many awards, including the iF Design Award, Red Dot Design award, and German Design Award. He is a part-time lecturer at Kanazawa College of Art.

Hiroko Matsumoto

Design Director | Vice President, Director of Research Institute, Head of Department of Collaborative Design, Joshibi University of Art and Design

As Designer and Design Director at the Toshiba Design Center, Matsumoto undertook product development and mechanical design, including household appliances, audiovisual equipment, healthcare products, etc. and has received many awards both in Japan and overseas, including the Good Design Gold Award, and iF/Red Dot Design Award Gold Award. Currently, in addition to university administration as Vice President of Joshibi University of Art and Design, she is involved in many collaborative projects with local governments and companies as part of her education, strengthening her ability to identify and solve problems through design. Based on her experience in both business and education, she conceived of the Department of Collaborative Design, which will open in April 2023.

Satoshi Yoshiizumi

Designer | Representative, TAKT PROJECT Inc.

Yoshiizumi has conducted experimental independent research projects that shake up existing frameworks and has presented and been invited to exhibit in museums and design exhibitions in Japan and abroad. These include Milan Design Week, Design Miami, Musée des Arts Decoratifs de Paris, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, M+ Hong Kong, Kyocera Museum of Art Kyoto, and others. Using the results of his research as a starting point, he has materialized diverse projects with various clients to ""create other possibilities."" He was selected as ""Emerging Designers of the Year"" at the Dezeen Awards 2019 (UK), ""Swarovski"" at Design Miami/ Basel 2017 (Switzerland), and ""Swarovski"" at Design Miami/ Basel 2017 (Japan). Three of his works are in the collection of M+ in Hong Kong. He is a visiting professor at Tohoku University of Art & Design. Part-time lecturer at Musashino Art University.

Xiaoxi Shi

Industrial Designer | 2-LA LLC

Shi is founder and Creative Director of 2-LA Design. Multiple award winning and highly recognized designer, TEDx speaker and Tsinghua X-lab EiR. His 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-mark Best 100. he also won top10 Chinese designer in year of 2016.

UNIT 06Audio, Video Equipment06-01Audio equipment for personal use06-02Broadcast and sound equipment for professional use06-03Camera and peripherals06-04Video equipment

Tetsu Kataoka

Product Designer | President, KATAOKA DESIGN STUDIO

After working as Chief Art Director at Sony Corporation's Creative Center, Kataoka 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. He 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.

Daisuke Ishii

Creative Director | Head of Creative Center, Sony Group Corporation

Joined Sony in 1992 and heads the Sony’s Design Team as of 2021. Started his career at Sony as an industrial designer and designed products such as Handycam, Walkman®, and AIBO. With working experience in the EU design office, he headed the design team responsible for AI robotics such as the ‘aibo’ entertainment robot, the VISION-S prototype vehicle and ‘Airpeak’, a project for robotic drones, and other new business development projects and created not only products, but also services, brands, and communications comprehensively. Ishii has also served on the 2016/2021 iF Award jury, 2019/2022 DFA Award and 2022-23 Visiting Professor at the Politecnico di Milano.

Mihoko Hotta

Sustainability Business Designer | General Manager,Sustainability Consulting Office, DENTSU INC.

After working as product designer at major consumer electronics company and design director at telecommunications company. After that, manager of product branding, marketing and public relations for the Japanese market at global telecommunications equipment company. Hotta joined DENTSU INC. in 2016. Mainly in charge of sustainable business field. Domestic and global design awards received include iF Product Design Award, red dot design award, and GOOD DESIGN AWARD. Certified human-centered design professional and certified professional ergonomist.

Hiroaki Watanabe

Industrial Designer | President, Plane Co., Ltd.

After graduating from Kuwasawa Design School and working at a business machine manufacturer, Watanabe 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.

UNIT 07ICT Equipment07-01Smart phone and peripherals07-02Smart watch07-03PC and peripherals07-04ICT equipment for the general public07-05ICT equipment for professional use

Tetsu Miyazawa

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

After working as a designer at manufacturers in Japan and overseas, Miyazawa established &design co., ltd. in 2007. While collaborating with corporations with a focus on product design, his company also works as a manufacturer to develop its own products. He has won many awards, including the iF Gold Award, red dot design award "best of the best." He is a lecturer at Hosei University Faculty of Engineering and Design, and has also worked as a product design director at NTT DOCOMO, INC. since 2011.

Kenta Ono

Design Researcher, Industrial Designer | Professor, Design Research Institute, Chiba University

Professor, Design Research Institute, Chiba University. Ono is currently researching for system design, design theory in the system planning research unit. Receiving ME (1998) and Ph.D. (2001) from Chiba University, his previous experience includes Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Mitsubishi Telecom Europe S.A. (France) as interface designer.

Hisakazu Shimizu

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

As chief designer of Canon’s IXUS Digital series of digital cameras, Shimizu raised product branding to achieve top market share worldwide. Numerous accolades include Germany’s iF Design Award and Japan’s Good Design (G Mark) Award. He established S&O DESIGN in 2012. He employs and promotes original new “continuous design” 3D design method. He has been attracting attention for wide variety of projects, including his “Lovable Bad Design” research activities spotlighting the charms of insignificant things in everyday life, and his participation in the Setouchi International Art Triennale. Adjunct instructor at Tokyo University of the Arts / Kuwasawa Design School.

Eisuke Tachikawa

Design Strategist / Evolution Thinking Inventor | Founder, NOSIGNER / President, JIDA

Eisuke Tachikawa is a design strategist, an Associate Professor at Keio University, and the founder of NOSIGNER. In implementing social context—to create a beautiful future with social design, and structure design knowledge—to clarify different ways of thinking and increase innovators, we have continued design from a social perspective to realize various design projects related to social issues. He advocates “Evolutional Creativity,” a new educational method teaching the essence of creativity from the natural phenomenon of biological evolution. Some of his most renowned projects include Tokyo Bousai, PANDAID, and the basic concept of the Japan Pavilion for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. His renowned book “Evolutional Creativity” (Ama No Kaze, 2021) won the 30th Shichihei Yamamoto Prize.

Manfred Wang

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

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. He graduated with a Master of Industrial Design from Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design Germany in 1994.

UNIT 08Equipment and Facilities for Manufacturing and Medical Care08-01Working tools and instruments08-02Agricultural tools and equipment08-03Equipment and facilities for production and manufacturing08-04Medical equipment and facilities08-05Materials and parts08-06Manufacturing and production technique08-07Equipment and facilities for research and experiment08-08Other product for medical use and manufacturing

Takashi Shigeno

Product Designer | Representative, HERIO DESIGN LLC

Representative of HERIO DESIGN. With a goal of seeking and achieving optimal UX originated on design research, Shigeno conducts product design development across genres focusing on medical, health care and industrial equipment, and other various fields. In 2022, he established HERIO DESIGN to work on crosscutting new designs. He has won many awards, including the iF Product Design Award Gold Prize and Good Design Award. Previously. He has been a part-time lecturer at Tama Art University.

Shigenori Asakura

Industrial Designer | President, GK Industrial Design Inc.

After graduating from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Asakura 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.

Yoshiki Ishikawa

Public Health Researcher | Well-being for Planet Earth Foundation

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.

Ricca Tezuchi

Product Designer | Director, PROPELLER DESIGN

After graduating from Kuwasawa Design School and working at Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (now Panasonic Corporation) and IDEO Japan, established PROPELLER DESIGN in 2003. Started the store "ALL" in 2015. The store is located in the office and functions as a place to connect designers and users. Part-time lecturer at Kuwasawa Design School and Kyushu University.

UNIT 09Housing Fixtures09-01House lighting appliances09-02House air conditioning machines/fixtures09-03House building materials/fixtures09-04House interior materials09-05House exterior materials09-06Kitchen fixtures09-07Bathroom and wet area09-08House machines/fixtures

Naoki Terada

Architect/Designer | CEO, inter office ltd.

Terada completed the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA School) diploma course in the UK in 1994. He has designed and built brands for a variety of products, architecture and interior design. He founded Teradadesign Architects in 2003. He founded Terada Mokei in 2011. He opened Terada Mokei shop in 2013. He has assumed the post of COO at the Inter Office since 2018.

Toshikatsu Ienari

Architect | Founder/ Partner, dot architects / Professor, Kyoto University of the Arts Department Spatial Design

Established architecture firm, Dot Architects, in 2004. It is based in the Kitakagaya district of Osaka at Coop Kitakagaya, a self-styled “collaborative studio for practicing another society,” and which brings together people and organizations from across different fields and disciplines, including art, alternative media, archiving, architecture, area studies, clubs, and nonprofits. Its major projects include Umaki camp (2013, Shodoshima) and Chidori-Bunka (2017, Osaka). At the 15th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale in 2016, it was one of the exhibitors in the Japan Pavilion, which was awarded a special mention.

Manabu Tago

Art Director / Designer | Representative, MTDO Inc.

After being involved in household appliances and information equipment at Toshiba, then taking part in the startup period of REALFLEET CO., LTD (current: amadana), a household appliances venture company, and being responsible for design management, Tago 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.

Noriko Hashida

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

After graduating from the Department of Design, Tokyo University of the Arts, Hashida 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.

Carl Liu

Design Director | Design VP, Niu Technologies Inc.

Liu 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.

UNIT 10Furniture / Equipment and Facilities for Office and Public Space10-01Home furniture10-02Furniture for shop, office, public space10-03Display furniture for shop and public space10-04Equipment and facilities for public space10-05Kitchen equipment and facilities for professional use10-06Equipment and facilities for professional use10-07Building materials and equipment for commercial space

Nobuyoshi Yamazaki

Product Designer / UX Design Researcher | Professor, Faculty of Fine Arts Department of Design, Tokyo University of the Arts

Yamazaki graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. After working for a design consulting firm and as the head of NEC's design center, he has been in his current position since 2016. He has extensive experience in the design and management of new business creation for information equipment, industrial machinery, and public systems. He specializes in UX, UI, product, and design management. Currently, he is working on vision design and renovation of existing values, including industry-academia collaboration with design and art as a starting point. He also works as a corporate adviser on human resource development and organization design.

Mana Kobayashi

Interior Architect | Design office ima

Since 1998, Kobayashi 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. She was selected by ELLE DECO as one of the "50 Women Creators Active in Architecture and Design" in 2022.

Teruhiro Yanagihara

Designer | CEO, TERUHIRO YANAGIHARA STUDIO LTD.

Born in 1976, Yanagihara 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.

Takako Yoshida

Interior Designer | Representative at TAKAKO YOSHIDA DESIGN STUDIO / Professor at Concentration in Environmental Design, Department of Design and Craft, Joshibi University of Art and Design

After graduating from Kyoto City University of Arts, Yoshida worked at Yasuo Kondo Design Office. She established her own company, Takako Yoshida Design Studio in 1995.

UNIT 11Mobility11-01Passenger car, Passenger car-related instruments11-02Commercial vehicle, Commercial vehicle-related instruments11-03Motorbike, Motorbike-related instruments11-04Personal mobility and bicycle, Personal mobility and bicycle-related instruments11-05Railway, Shipping, Aircraft11-06Transportation system and service (logistics / physical distribution)

Masayuki Moriguchi

Mobility Journalist | CEO, MOBILICITY Co., Ltd.

Moriguchi gathers information on traffic conditions at home and abroad for magazine, radio and Internet presentations, and lectures. He also undertakes research and consulting to provide solutions to mobility related problems. He is a member of the Japanese Association for an Inclusive Society and the City Planning Institute of Japan. His publications include Transportation Revolution from Toyama, and MaaS Changes Regions, How to make sustainable regional transportation.

Yuki Uchida

Urban Designer | Senior Director, Re:public Inc. / President, YET / Co-Owner, A New Scale

Uchida graduated from Waseda University with a bachelors in Architecture and later received her masters in Sustainable City Design at Ferrara University in Italy. In 2013, she became a founding member of a Re:public Inc., which works with governments, companies, local citizens, and educational institutes to design innovation ecosystems with communities. She is also co-owner of A New Scale, an urban research collective. She conducts urban research activities with a focus on physicality, urban design, and art. Co-planned and edited the book "Ashiita no shigoto: Thinking with Asian Practitioners about Alternative Futures" (Kokuyo Co., Ltd.) She was appointed as a regional revitalization evangelist by the Cabinet Office in 2017.

Yoshiharu Sugawara

Creative Director | Vice President of GK Design Group Inc., President of GK Dynamics Inc.

After graduating from Rikkyo University with a B.A. in Business Administration and a B.A. in Automotive Design from Urban Design College, joined GK Design Group in 1991 and has been involved in designing various leisure mobility and power products for the Japanese, U.S., European and Asian markets. Has studied design management at GK Design International, Inc. in Los Angeles for 15 years. Currently, Vice President of GK Design Group, President of GK Dynamics, CEO of GK Design Europe in Amsterdam, and Director of GK Design International. A member of the jury for the Japan Good Design Award, the German iF Design Award, the Indian Design i-Mark Award, and others.

Kota Nezu

Creative Communicator | CEO, znug design,inc.

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 Gold 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.

Baonan Du

Product Designer | Cofunder / VP of Design, Singulato

Co-founder and Vice President of Design of Singulato, Former Chief Designer of PSA China Design Center. Before participating in the founding of Singulato, Du Baonan has been working in traditional industries. From automobile design to electronic digital product design, Du Baonan has rich experience in cross-border work. Graduated from the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts in 1996, now the Academy of Fine Arts of Tsinghua University. China Automotive Technology Research Center, MOTOROLA North Asia Center CXD, Senior designer of Shanghai GM Pan Asia Technology Center; Director of COOLPAD Innovation Design Center of Shenzhen Yulong Computer Communication Co., Ltd.; PSA Peugeot Citroen Group China Design Center, chief designer of Citroen.

UNIT 12Housing (Detached House and Small Sized Housing Complex & Cohousing)12-01Commercial/industrialized housing12-02Detached house12-03Small sized housing complex12-04Small sized cohousing / dormitory12-05Construction method for housing12-06Service and system for detached house and small-sized housing complex / HEMS(Home Energy Management System)12-07Interior for detached house and small sized housing complex

Yui Tezuka

Architect | President, TEZUKA ARCHITECTS

Born in Osaka, 1988. Graduated from the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology, and studied digital fabrication in the X-DESIGN area at the Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University. In 2017, he founded VUILD Corporation, aiming to "democratize architecture". His areas of expertise cover a wide range of design areas, from objects to activities, including digital fabrication and social design. His awards include SD Review Selected Prize (2018), SD Review Selected Prize (2019), Under 35 Architects exhibition Gold Medal award (2019), Good Design Gold Award and Finalist (2020), and Archi-Neering Design AWARD 2021 Grand Prize. He is the author of "Meta-Architect - Architecture for the Next Generation" (Spellplaats Publishing, 2022) and "Deconstructing the Architect" (VUILD Books, 2022).

Koki Akiyoshi

Architect / Meta-architect | CEO, VUILD, inc.

Erika Nakagawa

Architect | CEO, Erika Nakagawa Office

Nakagawa works on various architectural designs including private residences, offices and accommodation facilities by using a unique architectural method with large models. Her major works include Rhizomatiks Co., Ltd. office 2015 - 2019 and House Momoyama, etc. She has won the JIA New Architect Award 2011, the 15th Venice Biennale Architecture National Participations Special Commendation, Residential Architecture Prize 2017 Gold Prize, the 34th Yoshioka Prize, and others.

Teppei Fujiwara

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

Born in 1975 in Yokohama. He has been working not only as an architect, but has also been engaged in design for community and industrial revitalization, crossing boundaries into various domains, such as art and the performing arts. His main works include “KURKKU FIELDS,” “Inamura House and Gardens,” “Yoyogi Terrace,” Nasu-Shiobara-shi machinaka interchange center “kururu,” and “Reborn-Art Festival 2017.” He has won the Culture and Arts Encouragement Award of the Yokohama Cultural Award, the Encouragement Award of the Japan Federation of Architects and Building Engineers Associations Award, etc. He was also a member of the steering, selection and exhibition committees of the UBE Biennale (International Sculpture Competition).

Chiyi Chang

Design Director | Director, Taiwan Design Research Institute

CHANG is the current President at Taiwan Design Research Insititute，Board Member of the World Design Organization, and Professor at the Graduate Institute of Architecture at the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, he was Deputy governor of Taitung County Government, CEO at Taitung Design Center, Previously Vice Pres-ident for General Affairs in National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, the director of the Graduate Institute of Architecture in National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and the director of A+@ Architecture Studio, he has published several books including Contemporary Architecture: the Concept of Aesthetic, European Charm: New Architecture, and Contemporary Architecture of North American in Focus. He received his Master in Design Studies (MDes) from Harvard Design School in 1994 and his Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) from Ohio State University in 1992.

UNIT 13Housing (Medium to Large Sized Housing Complex & Cohousing)13-01Medium/large sized housing complex13-02Medium/large sized cohousing / dormitory13-03Service and system for housing complex/HEMS13-04Interior for medium to large sized housing complex

Yuka Komada

Architect | Director, Komada Architects’ Office

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.

Miho Iwatsuki

Architect | CEO, studio velocity

Born in 1977 in Aichi, Iwatsuki worked at junya Ishigami + associates. She established studio velocity in 2006. Representative works: “House in Chiharada,” “House Open to the City,” “Aichi Sangyo University Educational Center for Language and IT,” “Kowa Public Apartment Complex in Mihama,” “Office in Sanno,” “AWAZUKU HOUSE,” Awards received include SD review 2006, 2007 JIA Award, 2011 International Architecture Awards, JCD Design Award 2011 Gold Prize, AR HOUSE AWARDS 2013 Highly Commended, AIJ Young Architect Award for Selected Architectural Designs 2016, 2016 JIA Young Architect Award, Good Design Award 2015・2018, SD review 2018 Asakura Prize , etc.

Mari Tochizawa

Architect | Co-Founder, SALHAUS Inc.

Born in Saitama in 1974. After graduating from Tokyo University of Science Graduate School and working at Yamamoto Riken Design Workshop, co-founded SALHAUS with Kan Yasuhara and Masashi Hino in 2008. Works on creating "public spaces" through designing various types of buildings. Representative works include "Takata Higashi Junior High School in Rikuzentakata City", "Moriguchi City Library", "Ofunato Fire Station Sumida Branch", and "Yokohama High School". Awards include the Good Design Award Gold Award, the Japan Institute of Architects Award, the Wood Utilization Contest Best Award Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award, BCS Award, and the Housing Architecture Award.

Toshiharu Naka

Architect | President, Naka Arcthitects' Studio

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 Sato Omukai-san" (Chiba Prefecture's Cultural Architecture award, etc.), and the "Villa in Hakuba" (JIA Sustainable Architecture Award, etc.). He is the author of "Datsu-jutaku", "Two Cycles."

UNIT 14Construction (Industry and Commercial Facility)14-01Construction and environment for office and industrial facility14-02Interior for industrial facility and office14-03Construction and environment for commercial facility14-04Interior for commercial facility and shop

Yuri Naruse

Architect | CEO, NARUSE INOKUMA ARCHITECTS Co., Ltd.

Naruse co-founded Naruse Inokuma Architects in 2007. Their concept is to plan and design architecture with shared place. Her major works are LT Josai and Dance of light, and publications include “Designing Shared Place” and “Working As a Architect While Raising Children”. She has won many awards including Newcomer’s Prize of the Architectural Institute of Japan in 2015, the special recognition Award at the 15th Venice Biennale of Architecture and the Prime Minister’s Award at the Korea Public Design Awards.

Yoshihide Asako

Architect / Editer | President, PRINT AND BUILD

Born in 1972 in Kobe, Japan. Founded Takaban Studio in 2007, reorganized to PRINT AND BUILD in 2022 for design and editing. He co-established Contextures (currently Genron Co., Ltd.) with Hiroki Azuma in 2009, and left in 2012. Author of "TOKYO Interior Tour" (co-authored with Ryoko Ando). History of Department Stores" (co-authored with Takaya Kikuchi). Publications include "Design Today" by Takahiro Tsuchida. His research includes "TOKYO DESIGN TEN," "The Future of Public Toilets," and "Department Store Exhibition." His major works are "Gray" (2015) and "Hachinohe New Art Museum" (2021: co-design with Tetsuo Nishizawa and Junpei Mori).

Yuko Maruyama

Architectual Project Manager | CEO/COO, Yamashita PMC Inc.

After graduating from the Department of Housing at Japan Women's University, joined a major construction company and was responsible for design at the design department. After working for a real estate developer, joined YAMASHITA PMC in 2009 and has been engaged in building project management. At the same company, launched hotel project management services and handled the construction of numerous hotels in Japan and overseas. Also involved in the management of large-scale facilities such as sports facilities, offices, schools, hospitals, commercial facilities, museums, manufacturing and R&D facilities, broadcasting stations, and public facilities.

Tomohiko Yamanashi

Architect | Chief Design Officer, Senior Executive Officer, NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD

Yamanashi 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.

Ai Yoshida

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

Born in Hiroshima in 1974, co-founder of SUPPOSE DESIGN OFFICE. The company is based in two cities, Hiroshima and Tokyo. She has worked on various projects in Japan and overseas from interiors to residences and complex facilities. She has won many awards, including the JCD Design Award 2016 Grand Prize. Her major works include ONOMICHI U2, Public Toilet in Sendagaya, NOT A HOTEL NASU, etc. Lately, she has been working as a director and general manager of various new projects, including Vantage Point Properties and Sha-shokudo. In 2021, she established "etc inc." which focuses on spatial design and interior styling as a core business. She works in a cross-sectoral manner based around architecture.

Chee Su Eing

Specialist in Interior Architecture and Design | President, Founder and Director, Design Business Chamber Singapore | D’Perception

She is the Founder and Director of D’Perception, the parent company of a group of full-suite interior design companies in Singapore and Asia. She currently leads D’Perception Ritz, spearheading award winning interior architectural solutions in the residential, hospitality and social sectors. Over the years, Su Eing has dedicated increased attention to community projects and is a firm believer that talented industry players can give back meaningfully to the community in their areas of expertise. Taking a design thinking approach leads to true partnerships with.

UNIT 15Public Facility, Civil Structure and Landscape15-01Construction/space design for public facility15-02Interior for public facility15-03Landscape, civil engineering structures15-04Block and community development15-05Construction method for industry, commercial, public facility

Kaori Ito

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

Born in Tokyo. She 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."

Yasuyuki Kawanishi

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

Born in Nara in 1976, Kawanishi completed the Master's Programs at Chiba University, and studied at the Royal Danish Academy School of Architecture as a guest student. After working at AREP-SNCF the group of the French National Railway, he designed Nakamura Station for Tosa Kuroshio Railway (Good Design Award of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Watford Group Brunel Award, Japan Railway Award, Civil Engineering Design Grand Prize, JCD Award Rookie of the Year Award, and others), the resort train Echigo Tokimeki Railway SETSUGEKKA (SBID International Design Awards Public Space Design Winner, IDA International Design Awards GOLD Prize, and others), the high-speed vessel SEA SPICA (Good Design Award 2020 BEST 100 Good Focus Award, Ship of the Year 2020), WEST EXPRESS GINGA (Good Design Award 2021 BEST 100 Good Focus Award.) He is the president of ICHIBANSEN Co.,Ltd., which undertakes designs of mobility, architecture and communities comprehensively, as well as being a part-time lecturer at Chiba University and Kogakuin University.

Shunsuke Kurakata

Architectural Historian | Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University

Born in Tokyo in 1971, he graduated from Waseda University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Architecture, and earned a PhD in Engineering. Alongside researching the history of modern Japanese architecture, he is actively engaged in promoting the value of architecture to society. He has been involved in various architectural events such as the "IKE-FES Osaka," "Kyoto Modern Architecture Festival," and the Ginza Sony Park Project since their launch. He has written numerous books including "Yoshisaka Takamasa and Le Corbusier" and "Introduction to Architecture" (winner of the 2021 Good Design Award's Best 100).

Tatsuya Hiraga

Landscape Architect | CEO, Landscape Plus Ltd.,

Born in Tokushima in 1969. After graduating from the Department of Landscape Architecture, West Virginia University in 1993, he joined Nikken Sekkei. He established Landscape Plus in 2008. Currently, the company's CEO and Vice President of the Landscape Architects Union. He received the City Planning Society Award at Toshima Ecomusee Town, the Landscaping Society Award at Minami Ikebukuro Park, and the Cultural Honor Award from Toshima Ward in 2020 for its past activities. Based in Tokyo, he keeps practicing the creation of local value that is globally evaluated.

Kentaro Yamazaki

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

Yamazaki designed Itoman Gyomin Shokudo constructed by piling Ryukyu limestone with residents in Okinawa, Hakusui Nursery School stair-like building by utilizing a slope, Hospice in Shinfuji filled with common scenery and ambience. He has won many awards in Japan and overseas, including the JIA Architecture Award, AIJ New Architect Award, iF DESIGN AWARD Gold. Yamazaki aims to design buildings that are not sensational but accepted by people from children to older adults as a part of their lives. Yamazaki is a part-time lecturer at Kogakuin University, Tokyo University of Science, Hosei University and Waseda University.

Jian Liu

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

Liu 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.

UNIT 16Media and Contents16-01Media16-02Contents for the general public16-03Contents for business16-04Method for advertising/PR16-05Exhibition / display16-06Branding / CI / VI16-07Font16-08Packaging for the general public16-09Packaging for professional use

Daisaku Kawase

Producer | Representative, Days Inc.

Born in 1969, Kawase has a wide-ranging portfolio for NHK such as "Professional Work Style" and "Asa Ichi" before going independent in 2022. He has been producing programs such as "Ariyoshi no Okane Hakken Totsugeki! Kaneo-kun" and "Zoom Back x Ochiai," he has been involved in government and corporate projects. He co-produced a special program NHK x NTV 60 Challenges with Nippon Television Network Corporation and received many awards, including the Social TV Award. He is the representative director of FUKKO DESIGN, a general incorporated association, and the director of design-DesignMuseum, a general incorporated association. Producer of development strategy for Japan Marrow Donor Program. Weekly partner of Bayfm's "Shin Radio".

Yuri Uenishi

Graphic Designer, Art Director | Representative, Hokkyoku Inc.

Born in Tokyo in 1987, Uenishi graduated from Tama Art University and joined Dentsu in 2010. She then started working independently in 2021, established in hokkyoku co., ltd.. Her works cover various fields, including branding, campaigning, images, spaces, books and magazines. Her past works include the poster of the World Table Tennis Championships 2015, graphic design for the exhibition "The Year 2121: Futures In-Sight," LAFORET GRAND BAZAR SUMMER 2018 & 2019, and after, and magazine Kohkoku (published by Hakuhodo.) She has won many awards, including the Cannes Lions Gold, NYADC Gold, D&AD Gold, Tokyo ADC Award, and JAGDA New Designer Award.

Toshiyuki Konishi

Copy Writer / Creative Director | CEO, POOL inc.

The founder and CEO of POOL inc., a creative company he established in 2006. He is a copywriter and creative director who provides unparalleled creativity in all areas from advertising production and branding to urban development and building national strategies. He has worked on a number of blockbuster commercials such as “Iemon( for green tea drinks)”, “PlayStation”, and “Mono yori Omoide(meaning more Memories than Things, for car products )”. In 2017, together with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, he conceived the idea of ""Premium Friday"". In 2019, he produced ""THE THOUSAND KYOTO"" and ""GOOD NATURE STATION"" hotels in Kyoto, and ""GREEN SPRINGS"" in Tachikawa, Tokyo in 2020. He is the owner of “Hikiniku to Kome(meaning Ground Meat and Rice, the restaurant)” and also responsible for the Japan Pavilion at the Dubai World Expo as a creative adviser. He is the author of several books on communication, advertising and presentation skills.

Yasuharu Sasaki

Creative Director | Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Inc.

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.

Wataru Nozaki

Project Director | President / Chief Creative Officer, Smiles Co., Ltd.

Graduate of Kyoto University, Faculty of Engineering and the University of Tokyo, Graduate School. Worked at Idee Inc. and AXIS Inc. before joining Smiles in 2011. Engages in consulting and producing for new situations and venues, such as branding of in-house projects such as "100 Spoons," a bookstore with an admission fee called "Bunkitsu," and the public space "Yaesu Public" in Tokyo Midtown Yaesu. Major awards include "Good Design Best100" and "Good Focus Award [New Business Design]." Author of "Creating Only What You Want! Smiles' Marketing Based on 'Intuition and Empathy' That Produced Soup Stock Tokyo" (Nikkei BP).

Tnop Wangsillapakun

Design Director | Representative, TNOP DESIGN

He is the founder and design director of TNOP DESIGN, a communication design studio and branding consultancy based in Bangkok that strives to create a seamless blend of art and design. Tnop has collaborated with a diverse array of clients, including global brands like Corbis Images (USA) and high-profile contemporary artist Erwin Wurm (Austria), as well as local businesses such as The Commons, a new concept mall located in Bangkok's Thonglor district. In addition to his professional endeavors, Tnop is an active participant in the Thai design community. He frequently gives lectures, conducts workshops, and participates in art and design exhibitions throughout Thailand and beyond. Furthermore, Tnop is a full-time professor in the Master of Fine Art in Design program at Rangsit University's College of Design, and he has been a member of the prestigious International Graphic Design Association (AGI) since 2016.

UNIT 17System and Service17-01Application, software for the general public / apps for smartphones and tablets17-02System/service for the general public 17-03Insurance/financial service and system17-04Software for professional use17-05System/service for professional use17-06Social infrastructure system / infrastructure

Tasuku Mizuno

Lawyer | CITY LIGHTS LAW

Lawyer (Tokyo Bar Association.) Director of Creative Commons Japan and Arts and Law. Visiting professor at Kyushu University Global Innovation Center (GIC.) Part-time lecturer at Keio University SFC. External board member of note inc. and other corporations. Mizuno provides hands-on legal advice on business and management strategies for various entities from start-ups in various industries such as technology, creative, city/vitalization of local community to industrial giants and public institutions. His publications include "Designing Law: How Creativity and Innovation Can Accelerate Law" (Film Art Sha), as well as a series titled "A New Social Contract (or Something to Replace It)" (WIRED JAPAN).

Hisato Ogata

Design Engineer | Director, Takram

With takram since 2012, Ogata 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.

Hidetomo Nagata

Strategist | Executive Officer, Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.

Over 10 years of experience as a strategy consultant at IBM and PwC, specialize in new business strategy and service design for urban development including smart cities. Joined Airbnb Japan in 2016, contributed to creating sharing economy in Japan. Currently serving as an Executive Officer at MUJI, leading Social Good division. Graduated from the University of Tokyo (Faculty of Law), and was a Visiting Professor at Kyoto University of the Arts (2019-2022).

Chiaki Hayashi

Project Manager | CEO, Q0 Inc.

"Graduated from Waseda University School of Commerce and Boston University Graduate School majoring in Journalism. After working at Kao Corporation, Hayashi founded Loftwork in 2000. After retiring, he established Q0, Inc. on September 9, 2022 with the aim of ""creating a new relationship between rural areas and cities. Based in Akita, Toyama, and other regions, the company plans and implements collaborations and projects with local businesses and creative leaders, aiming to create designs for ""inherited regions"" that will represent the times. Hayashi is a member of the Good Design Awards Screening Committee, METI’s Industrial Construction Council Manufacturing Industry Subcommittee “Study Group on Competitiveness and Design”, and 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. "

Qiong Wu

Interaction Designer / Industrial Designer | Professor, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University

Wu published and presented over 40 papers in international seminars and core journals, over 20 of her design pieces have been on display at such important exhibitions as Ars Electronica in Austria, the Art and Science International Exhibition in China, and the National Art Exhibition in China. She has also been invited to give presentations at major design seminars, including ACM UbiComp, IEEE DRC, HCI International, the First World Conference on Display Industry, and International Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Digitization. She has served as PI of fourteen research projects at the provincial and ministerial level or higher, including projects conducted by National Social Science Fund of China, National Key R&D Program of China, National Science and Technology Support Program, Ministry of Culture, and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. In addition, she has worked closely with the Bank of China, the Palace Museum, the China Association for Science and Technology, Alibaba, Baidu, NetEase, Tencent, Huawei, Intel, Siemens, LG, Boeing, and Nokia, making clear the value of her research-based work.

UNIT 18Initiative and Activity for Regional18-01Initiative and activity for regional18-02Initiative and activity for community development

Ai Iishi

Urban Designer | Coordinator, Real Public Estate / Director, nest.inc

As a member of "Real Public Estate", a media that makes public space interesting, Iishi is involved in process design for creative use of public space, research, promotion of projects with local governments, and direction of "Public Space Reverse Proposal", a new matching event. She is also promoting a project to enhance the value of the area through the use of public space at Green Boulevard and Minami Ikebukuro Park (Toshima Ward). She is the author of "Project Study of Real Public Estate - Mechanism and Design of Public-Private Partnership - (Gakugei Shuppansha).

Motoko Tanaka

Ground Level Designer | CEO, Ground Level Inc.

Tanaka has been involved in developing architecture-related media as a writer and architecture-communicator since 2004. In 2016 she founded Ground Level Inc., and has since worked around Japan to build spaces, facilities, and towns that enable each person in a local community to play a small leading role in their town under the idea that creating a good ground level floor is essential to build a town. In 2018, she opened "Cafe Laundry" in Tokyo's Sumida Ward. This establishment won the award for "Design of Community Development" at the 2018 Good Design Award. Her publications include "My Public and Ground Level" (Shobunsha) and "1s Floor Revolution" (Shobunsha).

Dominique Chen

Information Studies Researcher | Professor, Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Waseda University

Born in 1981. Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Informatics. He has worked as a researcher at NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC] and co-founder of Dividual, Inc. before taking his current post. His research focuses on the relationship between technology, humans, and more-than-human worlds, as well as digital wellbeing. He is the author of many books, including "Japanese Modern Literature as Commons" (East Press) and “Words to Create the Future: To Connect our Misunderstandings” (Shinchosha). He has also translated “Positive Computing: Technology for Wellbeing and Human Potential” (MIT Press) and edited "To Create Our Well-Being: Philosophy, Practices, and Technologies" (both published by BNN Shinsha).

Katsuo Mizuguchi

Art Director | President, Hotchkiss Inc.

Graduated from Kanazawa College of Art and Crafts. Worked at Dentsu Inc. and founded Hotchkiss Inc. in 2012. Directs art direction for various brands including advertising, graphic design, and package design. Honorary visiting professor at Kanazawa College of Art and Crafts and professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design Graduate School (distance education). Authored "The 'Model' of Art Direction: 30 Rules to Make Design Communicate" (Seibundo Shinkosha) and "Please Teach Me Design, Mizumaru Anzai! - Mizumaru Anzai Book Cover Study Group" (Hotchkiss).

Jun’ya Yamaide

Artist | CEO, Yamaide Art Office Inc.

Born in 1970 in Oita, Japan. After working as an artist, he established BEPPU PROJECT in 2005 (until 2022) and has been involved in producing and managing various cultural and artistic projects, such as "Mixed Bathing World" (2009-2015) and "in BEPPU" (2016-), as well as implementing diverse initiatives to solve challenges faced by government, corporate, and regional entities with a creative perspective. He authored "BEPPU PROJECT 2005-2018" (2018) and received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Newcomer Award for the Arts in 2008.

Li-Chin Kuo

Curator, Community Planner | Founder, Co-create Planning & Design Consultancy

Born in Tainan, Taiwan and educated in Taipei, now settled in eastern Taiwan Taitung, curating variety local projects. Majored in anthropology and urban-rural planning, her position focus on the possibility of how local traditions could develop well by contemporary creative ways and local community participation. Founder of Co-create Planning & Design Consultancy Curator of Taitung Slow Food Festival, which won Good Design Gold Award of 2021 and Taitung Action Award – Jury Grand Award 2022. Planner and Moderator of Taitung Design Center at 2017 and 2021-2023. La Vie Creative Award -Most influential People of the year 2019.

UNIT 19Initiative and Activity for the General Public19-01Initiative and activity for the general public19-02Awareness improvement for individual and public19-03Awareness improvement, management method and Initiative for industry19-04Education/promotion/support method19-05Research and development method

Naoko Hirota

Design Director | CEO, Hirota Design Studio / Professor at Joshibi University of Art and Design

After graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts, Hirota has been involved in numerous product designs as a product designer. From a design management perspective, she works to solve issues from business schemes to product development in a single step, and conducts branding design aimed at creating corporate value. Hirota has been Director and Creative Director of Sumida Local Brand Promoting Committee, Chairperson of Tokyo Business Design Award (2019 - 2020). She won the Red Dot Design Award, iF Design Award, Good Design Award, and many others.

Miyuki Tanaka

Curator, Producer |

Under the theme of “disability as a perspective that redefines the world,” she produces exhibitions, performances, and various projects to interpret the way we perceive expressions with the audience including people with disabilities. Her recent projects include Dance Work in Progress with Creative Audio Descriptions (KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre and various venues, 2017-ongoing), the film NIGHT CRUISING (2019), the exhibition Rules? (2022), and the exhibition “Ways of Telling” (2022). In 2022, She conducted research on the disability culture in New York as a visiting scholar at New York University with a fellowship from the Asian Cultural Council.

Okisato Nagata

Planning Director | Director, N-ARK Inc / Co-President, Tetete Consortium / Co-founder, DESIGNART TOKYO

After working part-time at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, and at a design consulting company, became an independent creator advocating for "making things." Involved in manufacturing from multiple perspectives. Since 2012, launched the "Tetete Consortium" with volunteers and continues to hold events such as the "Tetete Business Meeting." In 2016, jointly launched DESIGNART TOKYO. In 2021, co-founded the ocean construction venture N-ARK. Dedicated to creating the next generation of manufacturing platforms.

Hiroshi Nishimura

Architect / Creative Director | Executive Director, WORKVISIONS Inc.

Nishimura graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, the University of Tokyo, and completed the master’s program at the Graduate School of Engineering. In 1999, He established WORKVISIONS Architects Office. In addition to architecture, renovation, civil engineering and landscape design, he also works on urban regeneration strategies throughout the country. He received the AIJ Prize(work), the Civil Engineering Society Design Award, the BCS Prize, the Brunel Award, the ARCASIA Architecture Award, the Public Building Award, and many others. Received the Grand Prize of 2009th Good Design Award at the Iwamizawa complex station building.

Kyoko Yokota

Project Organizer | CEO, Colabolabo Co., Ltd,

CEO of Colabolabo Co., Ltd / Executive Director (Japan Association for the International Horticultural Expo 2027, Yokohama). She is the Chief Executive Officer of Colabolabo Co., Ltd based in Tokyo, Japan. She is in charge of organizing the entrepreneurship programs in Ochanomizu University for the past 12 years. Colabolabo provides business support for female entrepreneurs, with more than 3,200 clients all over Japan. It manages a website "Women Presidents.net", where a database of female entrepreneurs is made available to whoever is interested in their businesses. Prior to setting up her own business in 2006, she had over 6 years of experience working for the human resources department of Recruit Co., Ltd., a leading advertising, publishing and HR company in Japan. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the Ochanomizu University, one of the oldest national women's universities in Japan. She is also involved in several committees, including a committee established by the Gender Equality Bureau of the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. She was selected to represent Japan at the APEC 2011 WES (Women and the Economy Summit) as one of the “Innovators of Japan".