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| Toward forming an industrial chain cluster that produces futuristic digital electronic appliances that lead the way to new lifestyles for the next generation |
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The objective of this project is to use the concentration of globally recognized consumer digital electronics companies in Kansai to form an industrial chain cluster capable of producing next-generation digital electronic appliances that lead the way to new lifestyles; these futuristic products include information appliances, robots, next-generation environment-friendly products, and so on. |
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Futuristic digital electronic appliances, service robots, next-generation environment-friendly products, related components, materials and advanced manufacturing technology, contents and so on. |
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Entire Kinki region (Fukui, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara and Wakayama Prefectures) |
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Neo Cluster Promotion Consortium
URL: http://www.neocluster.jp/
Kansai Institute of Information System & Industrial Renovation (KIIS)
TEL: +81-6-6346-2981 FAX: +81-6-6346-2443 |
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Osaka Urban Industry Promotion
Center, Foudation
of Kansai Research Institute, Higashi-Osaka
Municipal Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Promotion Association,
NPO WATT
KOBE |
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| A network has been established that includes about 1,300 companies, 43 universities and public testing/ research organizations. We collaborate with the key organizations concerned as well as the Knowledge Cluster Initiative. |
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| The role of this project is to facilitate the making of groups of components or materials manufacturers that want to work on futuristic digital electronics related projects, and various industry support organizations in Kansai cooperate to support R&D by these groups. Additionally, such efforts as introductions to large corporations, technology evaluations, and the presentation of awards to outstanding companies are also made, thus promoting the formation of "the Futuristic Digital Electronics Cluster". |
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| We provide support to independent groups of companies focusing on creating projects that fall under specific themes. (These groups are called "specific communities.") We also provide assistance to smaller groups aiming to bring products or services to the market. (These groups are called "collaborative planning groups.") Other activities we carry out include the Digital Concept Partners (DCP) Project for matching up SMEs or venture companies with major IT corporations, technology evaluations upon requests by financial institutions, and the presentation of the Kansai Front Runner Award which rewards companies having promising products or services. |
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The object of the Kansai Front Runner Project (Neo Cluster) is to bring as many companies as possible into the forefront of the world's marketplace as leading businesses in the fields of manufacturing, IT. To this end, we have created a system that assists in creating new projects and products. This system includes our Digital Concept Partners (DCP) and technology evaluation programs.
During this fiscal year, we will adopt the Futuristic Digital Electronic Cluster as our new brand strategy, building on our activities in the past, and put our energy toward implementing important areas of this strategy.
In particular, we are aiming at building a number of collaborations with large corporations and leading medium-sized companies as well as working on overseas market development and inter-regional projects. We hope to thus impact the economy on a national scale in ways such as encouraging global digital consumer electronics manufacturers to concentrate in areas such as Osaka Bay. |
| Takao Horie |
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General Cluster Manager, Neo Cluster Promotion Consortium (Kansai Institute of Information Systems & Industrial Renovation) |
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| Number of new businesses launched: |
5,968 |
| Number of cluster cores formed: |
132 groups |
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| Number of new businesses launched: 8,000 businesses in 5 years |
| Number of cluster cores formed: 175 groups in 5 years |
| Increase in sales of cluster core companies: 25% in 5 years |
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Main Participants of the Project
Private companies (about 1,300 companies): ARCS Incorporation, Arkwright Soft Inc. QUATRE-i SCIENCE, SANYO Electric Co.,Ltd., SHARP Corporation, Thinktube Inc. Shinsei Electric Co.,Ltd., Sensing Kyoto, Chinougijutsu Co.,Ltd., MATRIX Inc., etc.
Related administrative organizations (8 organizations): Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture,
Osaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Kyoto Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Higashiosaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry, etc.
Universities and public examination and research institutes (43 organizations): Osaka University, Kyoto University, Kobe University, University of Hyogo, Ritsumeikan University, etc.
Financial institutions (18 organizations): Amagasaki
Shinkin Bank, Bank of Kyoto, Ltd.,
Shoko Chukin Bank, Hyogoken
Shinkumi Bank, Future Venture Capital Co.,Ltd., etc.
Others (90 organizations): TLO, NPO, etc. |
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| ACHIEVEMENT
EXAMPLE 1 |
Robot development, bringing together the
technological strength of SMEs
Chinougijutsu Co., Ltd. |
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Chinougijutsu is an engineering firm that uses next-generation robot-related advanced technologies to solve a wide range of issues that companies face such as cutting costs and improving quality.
They go to bat for companies that cannot solve problems internally or do not know who to turn to, introducing optimized solutions selected from a wide range of robotic technologies to create a total solution to the problem.
Because they select a development solution optimal in terms of technology and price using SMEs they are associated with, they can provide a superior product with a short lead time and at a low cost. For manufacturers strong in terms of technology but lagging in market development skills, they devise profitable projects for the company.
One example of a project they worked on is the LadyBird, a robotic vacuum cleaner. This product was developed along with a group company of West Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd. (formerly the Japan Highway Public Corporation) and a number of Kansai companies to make restroom cleaning easier at highway rest stops. This project received the Kansai Front Runner Award in 2009.
Turning a solution into a business has advantages for both users and the innovators, and is a model for regional revitalization.
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LadyBird, the robotic vacuum cleaner
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| ACHIEVEMENT EXAMPLE 2 |
Easy to install, the world's most advanced security software HyperTech Co. Ltd. |
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Vulnerabilities are constantly discovered in the software that controls encoding, smart card authentication, biometric authentication, USB dongles (plug-in protection devices) and network authentication, causing an unending cycle of theft and loss for companies.
To fight back, HyperTech developed CrackProof, software that guards against cracking (security hacking). Easy to install, CrackProof provides the highest level of tamperproof protection in the world, protecting where software is vulnerable.
Because of this product, HyperTech won the Kansai Front Runner Award in 2007, which has led to a remarkable improvement of HyperTech's goodwill. Additionally, HyperTech has received support from the Keihanna New Industry Creation & Interactive Community Center of the Foundation of Kansai Research Institute, one of the key organizations of the Kansai Front Runner Project, which has brought in new customers.
Since receiving that award, they have continued to actively work on further developments, receiving other awards including the Software Product of the Year 2008 Grand Prix.
CrackProof, Tamperproof security software |
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