#Japan #Tokyo #Kokushikan University #IJOOZ #Consumer Analysis

IJOOZ Corporation's Special Lecture at Kokushikan University

IJOOZ Corporation, known for its fresh orange juice vending machines, held its third special lecture at Kokushikan University on July 13, 2026. The lecture, initiated by Associate Professor Hideyuki Akaishi of the Faculty of Political Science and Economics, revolved around consumer analysis, emphasizing 'Data-Driven Management and Consumer Behavior.'

This event was a continuation of IJOOZ's previous lectures, which included discussions on 'The Economics of Pollution' and insights from IJOOZ's CEO Ryō Horiki on entrepreneurship and management principles. The recent session aimed to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications in the business world, utilizing real sales data, demand forecasts, location strategy, pricing, and IoT in management. An audience of approximately 70 students participated in this dynamic 90-minute lecture.

Bridging Academic Theory and Business Practice

The lecture was set up following a request from Associate Professor Akaishi, who noted the positive feedback received from the students during last year's discussions on IJOOZ's environmental initiatives and Ryō Horiki's entrepreneurial spirit. He highlighted the strong alignment between the content of the 'Consumer Analysis' lecture and IJOOZ's practical applications of data analytics and consumer behavior in business decision-making.

Akaishi expressed admiration for Horiki's broad interests and ability to articulate complex issues clearly across diverse fields such as environment, technology, and social challenges, which greatly enriches the student learning experience.

Fusing Data with Practical Insights

During the lecture, topics covered included:

• - Data-Driven Management
• - Consumer Behavior Prediction
• - Location Strategies
• - Demand Forecasting
• - Unit Economics
• - Sales Data Analysis using IoT
• - Operational Optimization
• - Repeat Purchase Strategies
• - Innovator Theory

IJOOZ shared its daily practices in management, revealing how economic and marketing theories taught in the classroom are applied in real-world scenarios. One compelling example involved demonstrating how sales figures can vary significantly based on the location of the vending machines within a commercial facility, highlighting that factors like customer stay time, wait time, psychological state, flow, and purpose of facility usage are pivotal in consumer behavior analysis.

To enhance the real-world perspective, business development representative Norihiro Kawamura joined Horiki on stage to share firsthand insights specific to the vending machine industry, from negotiation to creating sales environments, enlightening students on practical knowledge only available from field experience.

Engaging Student Curiosity

After the lecture concluded, over 60 questions were submitted by students covering topics such as:

• - Why is the price set at 350 yen?
• - Strategies for increasing repeat customers
• - Addressing orange price inflation
• - The impact of the yen's depreciation on business
• - Considerations for international expansion
• - Applications of AI and IoT
• - Product development challenges
• - Key indicators in data analysis
• - Entrepreneurship and management

This wide range of inquiries reflected a strong interest in understanding the nuances of business management and encouraged students to take a personal interest in corporate governance responsibilities.

Insights from Ryō Horiki, CEO of IJOOZ Corporation

Horiki emphasized to the students that 'data is not the answer itself but rather hints to derive the answers.' Drawing from his experience as a student at Musashi University, he shared that the true value of theoretical knowledge is realized only through active participation, experimentation, and continual validation. He believes in the importance of learning with the intent to apply knowledge in real-world practices.

Horiki articulated how the theories of consumer analysis and marketing can translate into effective business strategies, using real sales data and case studies. The integration of real-life insights from Kawamura further enriched the learning environment, providing students with a dual perspective of data and real-world operations in marketing.

Following the lecture, a number of profound inquiries emerged from students about pricing strategies, demand forecasts, international expansion, product development, AI applications, and entrepreneurship. These interactions inspired both the students and the IJOOZ team, who saw the event as a valuable opportunity to bridge academic learning with practical business realities.

About Associate Professor Hideyuki Akaishi

Associate Professor Hideyuki Akaishi specializes in environmental economics and microeconomics at Kokushikan University. He advocates for hands-on, project-based learning, collaborating with businesses and local governments to address social issues such as food waste, circular economies, and global warming.

IJOOZ Corporation extends heartfelt gratitude to Kokushikan University and Professor Akaishi for facilitating such invaluable educational opportunities. The company remains committed to contributing expertise from corporate activities to foster the development of the next generation of leaders through partnerships with educational institutions.