Rising Collaboration to Promote AI-Assisted Imaging Diagnosis in Okinawa Prefecture by Ryukyu Kowa and LPixel

Collaboration to Enhance Healthcare in Okinawa

Ryukyu Kowa Co., Ltd., based in Naha City, Okinawa, has announced a strategic partnership with LPixel Inc., headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, to promote their cutting-edge AI-assisted imaging diagnosis series, EIRL (EIRL), within Okinawa Prefecture. This collaboration aims to address the pressing healthcare challenges faced by the region, particularly the increasing demand for effective imaging diagnostics in the context of a healthcare landscape marred by shortages of medical professionals and facilities.

Background of the Initiative

Okinawa, as an island region, has faced significant issues, including a lack of healthcare facilities and a disparity in the distribution of qualified medical personnel. Given the challenges experienced due to an aging population and a declining birthrate, the workload on existing healthcare providers has escalated. Consequently, maintaining a high standard of healthcare services for patients has become increasingly complex. By leveraging advanced AI technologies in imaging diagnosis, this initiative aims to alleviate the burden on physicians, minimize diagnostic omissions, and enhance the quality of medical care across the board.

Ryukyu Kowa has steadfastly pursued a vision to make Okinawa's healthcare system the best in the world since its establishment in 1963. The company has worked tirelessly to support medical professionals, healthcare institutions, and the wider community by providing top-tier medical equipment backed by a robust maintenance regime, managerial support, and efficiency optimization services.

LPixel, on the other hand, holds the vision of ensuring a healthy future for everyone through medical AI. Their EIRL series has been instrumental in preventing diagnostic oversights associated with critical illnesses such as lung and colorectal cancer. EIRL has already been integrated into over 1,000 medical facilities nationwide, and the inclusion of local partners like Ryukyu Kowa is critical to accelerating its adoption in regional healthcare systems.

Key Features of the Partnership

Through this collaboration, support will be provided to hospitals and clinics throughout Okinawa for the use and installation of EIRL products, enhancing the efficiency of healthcare delivery and quality. In light of the increasing demands on healthcare professionals, the integration of EIRL’s AI technology is expected to drive improvements in operational efficiency and diagnostic accuracy.

Comments from Leadership

President Kazuhiro Hata of Ryukyu Kowa remarked, "We hold great expectations for AI's impact on the medical field, especially in imaging diagnosis, as it is bound to become an essential ally moving forward. We are committed to reducing the workload on healthcare professionals in Okinawa while enhancing the quality of medical services through our collaboration with LPixel."

President and CEO Tomihisa Kamada of LPixel emphasized, "By joining hands with Ryukyu Kowa, we are confident in our capability to accelerate the adoption of AI-assisted imaging diagnosis in Okinawa, ultimately contributing to the health and well-being of the local community."

Insights into AI Imaging Technology

The rapid advancement of medical imaging modalities has led to a significant increase in workload related to medical image diagnostics. To address this, EIRL employs a proprietary algorithm to analyze various medical imaging data, including chest X-rays, CT scans, endoscopic images, and MRIs. This aims to provide a supportive environment that enables doctors to deliver efficient and accurate diagnoses.

The EIRL series, already adopted in numerous medical facilities across Japan, has processed over 12 million cases, underscoring its broad impact and acceptance in the healthcare sector by mid-2025, inclusive of trial facilities.

For further information, visit the EIRL product site.

About Ryukyu Kowa Co., Ltd.

Since its inception in 1963, Ryukyu Kowa has pursued excellence in creating better healthcare environments through three pillars: supporting healthcare professionals, supporting medical facilities, and supporting patients and society. The company provides direct support to patients via rental/sale of nursing supplies, home renovations, assistive device sales, and pharmacy services. Furthermore, Ryukyu Kowa assists healthcare institutions with state-of-the-art medical equipment installation, maintenance, and various management support services. More information can be found at Ryukyu Kowa's corporate site.

About LPixel Inc.

LPixel is dedicated to developing and implementing solutions that utilize medical AI, with a commitment to ensuring a healthy future for all. By collaborating with partners as a hub for open innovation, LPixel delivers innovative products that target challenges across various medical domains, including prevention, diagnosis, drug discovery, and surgical applications. The focus on contributing to image diagnostic AI with EIRL and analytics for drug discovery and academia with IMACEL illustrates their comprehensive approach. More details are available at LPixel's corporate site.

Conclusion

As Ryukyu Kowa and LPixel work to enhance the healthcare landscape in Okinawa, this initiative represents a cautious step forward in mitigating healthcare disparities, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can leverage technology for better patient outcomes.