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Seminar Announcement: Beyond Research

On February 25, 2026, Amana, a prominent creative communication company based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, will host a seminar titled 'Beyond Research: Redefining R&D for Competitive Advantage'. This event aims to explore the evolving role of research and development (R&D) in today’s shifting landscape, where the focus has moved from producing excellent research to creating social and market value.

Traditionally, R&D organizations have centered their efforts on conducting superior research as their primary purpose. However, the current climate is evolving. Society and the market are now asking 'What value does this research bring?' and 'How does it resonate with people's hearts?' This signifies a fundamental shift in the expectations of R&D organizations, which must now integrate creativity that fosters empathy and marketing perspectives that deliver value. R&D is transitioning from being merely a technical production space to becoming a platform that connects value to society.

The seminar will feature Yuko Nakanishi, the lead of Shiseido’s open innovation program fibona. Attendees will engage in dialogues aimed at exploring the methods of relating research with social needs and business opportunities. This special session, titled 'Beyond Research', invites participants to collaboratively contemplate the new role of R&D in transforming technology into empathy and motivating societal advancement.

Moderator Details

Name: Yuko Nakanishi
Position: Manager, Brand Value Development Research Institute, Shiseido Co., Ltd.
Background: After obtaining a Master's degree in Materials Science from Nagoya University, Yuko joined Shiseido. Her extensive experience includes developing formulations for skincare products, fundamental research on cosmetic bases, and setting research themes through design thinking. Currently, she is pivotal in shaping Shiseido’s R&D strategies and leading the fibona project.

Program Schedule

• - 18:00 – 18:10 | Opening - Redefining the “existential significance” of R&D in today's context.
• - 18:10 – 18:50 | Input Talk - Expanding R&D: Designing social connections for R&D.
• - 18:50 – 19:50 | Discussion & Workshop - What changes must R&D undergo to become a platform for societal value?
• - 19:50 – 20:00 | Closing Remarks
• - 20:00 – 20:30 | Networking Session (optional participation)

Note: Session content is subject to change.*

Recommended For

This seminar is ideal for:

• - Organizations looking to utilize their unique resources for new value creation.
• - Those facing expanded demands from various departments.
• - Individuals curious about the culture and systems of other companies' R&D departments.
• - Anyone interested in maximizing the potential of R&D organizations.

Event Overview

• - Date: February 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
• - Time: 18:00 – 20:00 (Networking 20:00 – 20:30)
• - Venue: Incubation CANVAS, Tokyo, 29F Kyobashi Edogrand, 2-2-1 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
• - Capacity: 50 participants (selection via lottery if oversubscribed)
• - Participation Fee: Free
• - Application URL: Click Here
• - Contact: TEL 03-3740-4011 (General) , E-Mail: [email protected]

About Amana Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1979 as a commercial photography company, Amana has since expanded into a leading visual production firm in Japan. The company offers a wide range of services, including still and moving images, CGI, and more, leveraging its extensive creative resources and knowledge gained from thousands of projects annually. Amana is dedicated to achieving creative transformations in communication that convey client value and inspire people. The company also supports clients in enhancing communication strategies and promoting digital transformation (DX) through a combination of proprietary solutions and offerings.

For more details, visit Amana Official Site.