#Japan #Tokyo #Disability Support #Assistive Devices #TechnoAid Association

2025 Needs-Seed Matching Exchange: Connecting Innovators and Users

The 2025 Needs-Seed Matching Exchange is now open for pre-registration, inviting participants to engage in a unique opportunity that bridges the gap between disabled individuals and development experts. This event promotes a space where users can express their thoughts and needs directly to the creators of assistive devices, facilitating the integration of real-life experiences into product development.

What is the Needs-Seed Matching Exchange?

The Needs-Seed Matching Exchange serves as a forum where disabled individuals and assistive device developers can freely exchange ideas. The primary goal is to transform user feedback into innovative solutions tailored to meet diverse needs. Attendees will have the chance to explore prototypes and devices slated for further improvement, making this event an invaluable occasion for obtaining insights and fostering collaboration.

Diverse Exhibitors

A total of 85 exhibitors from varied backgrounds will participate in this year's exchange, including manufacturers specializing in assistive technologies, academic institutions, research bodies, venture startups, and local small businesses. This diverse representation ensures a rich exchange of expertise and perspectives, beneficial to all attendees.

Range of Assistive Devices

The event showcases devices that cater to various disabilities, ensuring that a wide array of needs are addressed, including:

• - Physical disabilities
• - Visual impairments (including deafblindness)
• - Hearing impairments
• - Cognitive disabilities (e.g., aphasia)
• - Intellectual disabilities
• - Mental health conditions (including developmental disorders)
• - Others

The showcased devices will assist individuals in daily life, employment, communication, transportation, and expression of needs.

Registration for Tokyo Venue

Those interested in attending can register through the following link: Pre-registration for Tokyo Venue.
For information on the list of exhibiting devices, please refer to this Exhibitor List.

Who Can Attend?

The event welcomes anyone interested in assistive technology, including people with disabilities, their families, healthcare and welfare professionals, and stakeholders from the education, administrative, and corporate sectors. It is an excellent opportunity for individuals expressing concerns about accessibility to information or wishing to test devices firsthand.

Past Successes: Feedback from Participants

The previous exchange held in Osaka and Tokyo attracted around 1,200 participants, facilitating significant dialogue both in person and online. Feedback from attendees highlighted the value of direct conversations with developers, enabling them to communicate real-world challenges. Participants noted improvements in job possibilities and welcomed the advancements in assistive devices.

Planned Lectures and Related Programs

The Tokyo event will also feature informative sessions, such as the introduction of development grants, reports on the outcomes of developmental initiatives, symposiums, and practical workshops aimed at addressing societal needs. Further details will be continually updated on the official website and through press releases.

Media Coverage Invitation

Media representatives are welcome to report on the event, with arrangements available for interviews with exhibitors and participants, as well as coverage of device testing and lectures. Please contact us in advance for details regarding press registration.
Specific guidelines for media inquiries will be provided later.

Event Overview

For comprehensive information, visit the Event Overview Page. The venue will provide sign language interpretation, note-taking support, and assistance for individuals with aphasia.

Event Details

• - Web Event: October 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026, featuring webinars and a platform for participant inquiries.
• - Tokyo Venue:

- Dates: December 18 (13:00-17:00), 19 (10:00-17:00), 20 (10:00-16:00)
- Location: Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho (3rd Floor Exhibition Room)
- Address: 1-7-1 Kaigan, Minato City, Tokyo 105-7501
- Access: Five minutes on foot from the North Exit of JR Hamamatsucho Station or Tokyo Monorail; two minutes from the West Exit of Yurikamome Takeshiba Station; seven minutes from B2 Exit of Daimon Station on the Toei Asakusa and Oedo Lines.

Information Dissemination via Social Media

The TechnoAid Association is utilizing X (formerly Twitter) to share information about assistive devices from participating exhibitors. Ensure to follow us for exciting updates, including individual introductions of exhibiting companies.

Company Overview

• - Name: TechnoAid Association
• - Chairperson: Kouji Miura
• - Address: 4th Floor Central Plaza, 1-1 Kagurakashi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0823
• - Established: March 16, 1987
• - Website: TechnoAid Association

Contact for Inquiries

For inquiries related to this project, please contact:
TechnoAid Association Planning Department

• - Contacts: Udagawa, Takeda, Kagawa, Goto
• - Phone: 03-3266-6883

Join us at the 2025 Needs-Seed Matching Exchange and be part of a transformative experience in assistive technology development!