#Japan #Sony #Shinagawa #Rissho University #Sound Design

Discovering the Impact of Sound Design on Brand Value

Rissho University, based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has taken a significant step forward by launching the Rissho University Open Academy. This initiative emphasizes the importance of collaboration between academia and industry, aiming to connect universities with businesses and foster exchanges around skills, technology, and human resources in the community.

The inaugural seminar will feature prominent designers and engineers from Sony Group Corporation, showcasing their expertise in sound design. Unlike traditional notions where sound merely consists of a predefined audio clip, today’s sonic design adapts to the user’s actions and environment, ultimately enhancing brand value by fostering an emotional connection between consumers and products.

This seminar promises to provide insights that can spark new ideas for value creation in various industries. Participants will have the opportunity to engage not only in the presentations but also in interactive experiences designed to deepen understanding of how sound influences user perception and brand loyalty.

Event Details

• - Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
• - Time: 15:00 - 17:00 JST
• - Format: Hybrid (In-person & Online)
• - Venue: Rissho University Shinagawa Campus, Lotus Hall (4-2-16 Osaki, Shinagawa, Tokyo)
• - Streaming: Zoom Webinar
• - Capacity: 200 for in-person attendance, 300 online
• - Admission Fee: Free (Pre-registration required)
• - Target Audience: Open to all individuals interested

Program Outline

15:00 - 16:00

Keynote Session: “Technology that Moves the Senses: Sony's Innovations and Generative Sound Design”
Speakers include:

• - Junichi Nagahara - Creative Center, Sony Group Corporation
• - Yoshihide Fujimoto - Business Development Platform Division, Sony Group Corporation
• - Kei Takahashi - Interaction Technology R&D Division, Sony Group Corporation
• - Yuki Kobayashi - Creative Center, Sony Group Corporation

16:05 - 16:45

Panel Discussion: “The Value Generated by Sony’s Sound Design”
Panelists include:

• - Junichi Nagahara
• - Yukinobu Kitamura - President of Rissho University
• - Kazuyoshi Sato - Professor Emeritus, Rissho University

Facilitator: Seichiro Matsumura - Professor, Tokyo University of Technology, Faculty of Design

16:45 - 17:00

Experience Session: Aibo and Poiq interactive experience
(Note: This segment is exclusive to in-person attendees.)

Registration

To register, please visit the university's website and access the registration form at Rissho University News.

Collaborators

This event is made possible with the cooperation of Sony Group Corporation and the support of Shinagawa City, the Shinagawa Business Club Foundation, the Gotanda Valley Association, and the Gotanda Valley University.