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Snowflake Unveils Winners of the Japan Data Drivers Awards 2025

On June 25, 2025, Snowflake Inc., a leader in AI data cloud solutions based in Tokyo, announced the winners of the fifth annual Japan Data Drivers Awards. This prestigious event honors companies that have harnessed the potential of data in innovative ways to tackle complex challenges and positively impact their organizations, communities, and society at large.

The Japan Data Drivers Awards feature various categories, each celebrating distinct achievements in data utilization across industries. The main award categories and recipients for this year include:

DATA DRIVER OF THE YEAR: NTT Docomo

NTT Docomo, Japan's largest telecommunications company, has been awarded the prestigious DATA DRIVER OF THE YEAR title for embodying the true spirit of data-driven innovation. The company has successfully integrated its data from various sectors, including telecommunications and lifestyle services, into a powerful analytical and marketing platform named DICE. This integration allows for flexible resource management and cost optimization.

Furthermore, NTT Docomo has created an environment where employees can conduct daily data analysis and make informed decisions using tools like Streamlit. They have also consolidated a big data infrastructure for mobile networks on Snowflake, enabling ongoing quality improvements and maintenance operations. Their commitment to data-driven management has accelerated industry standards and is recognized as a standout example in the Asia-Pacific region.

Award Comment

Yoshio Umezawa, Director of the Service Innovation Department at NTT Docomo:
“We are honored to receive the Data Driver of the Year award in Japan and the APJ region. Our extensive use of data on the Snowflake platform has allowed us to enhance operational processes and service quality. We will continue to foster a data-driven culture and focus on innovation to improve customer experiences.”

AI INNOVATOR: Gurunavi

Gurunavi has been recognized as the AI Innovator for swiftly adapting to rapid innovations in AI. The company transitioned its data analytics infrastructure from other cloud providers to Snowflake, achieving significant cost savings and operational efficiencies. By separating compute and storage, Gurunavi enhanced the overall stability and scalability of their systems. The promotion of in-house application development using Streamlit and the introduction of Cortex Analyst for self-service analytics were pivotal in accelerating company-wide data utilization.

Award Comment

Toshiaki Iwamoto, CTO of Gurunavi:
“I’m thrilled to receive the AI Innovator award. We’ve maximized our extensive data through Snowflake, eliminating silos and elevating the value of our information. Our next steps involve enhancing AI strategies to further boost innovation and drive our business forward.”

INNOVATION IN DATA ANALYTICS: Shizuoka Bank

Shizuoka Bank was awarded for its outstanding analytics strategy that maximizes the value of its data assets. The bank has focused on consolidating a wide range of operational data into a robust integrated platform, ensuring high security while flexibly adapting to shifts in customer needs.

Award Comment

Toru Suzuki, Group CIO of Shizuoka Financial Group:
“We are honored to receive the award for Innovation in Data Analytics. Our initiatives in building advanced analytics platforms and transitioning to cloud-based systems reflect our commitment to providing safe and sustainable management for our customers.”

DATA COLLABORATION: CCCMK Holdings

CCCMK Holdings was recognized for maximizing the value of its data assets through collaboration across its organizations and ecosystems. The company has consolidated data from a vast customer base of 130 million into Snowflake’s secure infrastructure, driving collaborative partnerships and industry-wide innovation.

Award Comment

Hiroki Nagai, Director of CCCMK Holdings:
“We thank everyone for the award in Data Collaboration. Through data integrity and robust management practices on the Snowflake platform, we are enabling advanced co-utilization with various partners.”

DATA FOR GOOD: JERA

JERA has been recognized for its significant positive impact on social issues and its mission to provide cutting-edge solutions to global energy challenges through data use.

Award Comment

Yasushi Gaitoku, CIO of JERA:
“I am honored to accept the Data for Good award. As JERA celebrates its 10th anniversary, we are dedicated to leveraging data to enhance operational efficiency and create new value in the energy sector.”

DATA EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR: AEON

Aeon Group’s CTO, Masaru Yamazaki, has been awarded for demonstrating exemplary leadership in developing a cohesive data strategy across the organization to eliminate silos and maximize data value. The company has adopted Snowflake as its common data infrastructure layer to enhance collaboration across over 300 affiliated businesses.

Award Comment

Masaru Yamazaki, CTO of AEON:
“I am grateful to be honored as the Data Executive of the Year. Integrating and sharing data within our organization is crucial to driving value. This recognition highlights our efforts to break down data silos for the betterment of the Aeon Group.”

DATA HERO OF THE YEAR: Toyota Motor Corporation

Maki Kawashima, Lead Architect at Toyota's Development and Manufacturing IT Promotion Division, has been honored as Data Hero of the Year for pioneering the use of data and AI for strategic resources to improve the organization’s data ecosystem.

Award Comment

Maki Kawashima:
“It is an honor to receive the Data Hero of the Year award. Our journey with Snowflake has transformed how we manage and utilize data, significantly enhancing our work culture. I look forward to overcoming current challenges and maximizing data's potential for the future.”

Snowflake continues to champion innovation by recognizing these leaders shaping data-driven futures across various industries. Their pioneering work sets a high standard for data utilization, necessity in today’s data-driven world. For more information on Snowflake’s advanced data solutions, visit snowflake.com/ja.