IP Collegium Open Seminar Report
The IP Collegium Open Seminar was held in Tokyo as outlined below.
[Event Overview]
Title: Bridging Global Environmental Challenges and the SDGs through Environmental Technologies
Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
Venue: Toranomon Alcea Tower Conference Room
Participants: 31 IP Collegium members from 10 countries, along with more than 50 intellectual property professionals from Japan
The seminar was conducted in accordance with the program below.
By clicking on the presentation titles in the program, you can download the speakers’ materials (available only for presentations with sharing permission).
| Time | Title | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 13:30–13:35 | Opening Address |
Mr. Masaharu Kondo Chairman, Japan Institute for Promoting Invention and Innovtion (JIPII) |
| 13:35–14:05 | Introduction of the "YAMAHA Clean Water System" Providing Safe Drinking Water to Water-Scarce Areas |
Mr. Daiki Hasegawa Clean Water Group, Business Promotion Division Overseas Market Development Operation Business Unit (OMDO), Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd |
| 14:15–14:45 | Hinode Sangyo’s Approach to Sustainable Water Solutions Human Resource Development and Water Treatment Technology |
Ms. Kaori Fujita Director, HINODE SANGYO CO.,LTD |
| 14:55–15:15 | Water Challenges and Local Actions in Tana River County, Kenya (Video Presentation) | Mr. Felix K. Mumba (MIEK, RGE) Ag. County Director-Water Country Government of TANA RIVER (Kenya) |
| 15:15-15:30 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:30–15:40 | Young People’s Inventions for Future Water and Environmental Challenges (1) “Cyperusfilter”: Greywater Purification Using Plants (Video Presentation) |
Mr. Alessio Monteleone Ms. Sofia Biondi Mr. Francesco Santangelo (Italy) |
| 15:40–15:50 | Young People’s Inventions for Future Water and Environmental Challenges (2) "Device and Method for Zostera marina Germination/Cultivation" "Microplastic Collection Boat Designed to Protect Small Fish" |
Ms. Momoka Kadena Meiji University Hachioji High School |
| 15:50–16:40 | Panel Discussion | |
| Introduction Presentation | Mr. Yuichiro Kawamura Senior Advisor, Business Development, RPX Asia Corporation JIPA SDGs WG Subleader Mr. Shuichiro Imai General Manager, Intellectual Property Intelligence Department, Sustainability Management Strategy Division, Kurita Water Industries Ltd. JIPA SDGs WG Member |
|
| Panel Discussion | Facilitator: Mr. Kawamura, RPX Asia Ltd. Panelists: Ms. Fujita, HINODE SANGYO CO.,LTD Mr. Imai, Kurita Water Industries Ltd. Mr. Masashi Kanemaru Group Manager, Clean Water Group, Business Promotion Division, Overseas Market Development Operation Business Unit, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. |
|
| 16:40–16:55 | Closing Summary Connecting Today’s Efforts to Future Possibilities |
Mr. Naoto Kuji Principal, IP*SEVA Asia |
| 16:55-17:00 | Closing Address | Mr. Takao Ogiya Director General, Intellectual Property Research Center, JIPII |
In the first half of the seminar, Mr. Daiki Hasegawa of YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD introduced the YAMAHA Clean Water System, which achieves both high purification performance and sustainability. By adopting a simple structure that utilizes natural purification mechanisms, the system enables local communities to independently manage and maintain it.
Ms. Kaori Fujita of HINODE SANGYO CO., LTD presented case studies of technical cooperation in countries such as the Philippines and Morocco. She also highlighted the importance of human resource development and support, noting that initiatives such as the “ABE Initiative” and the acceptance of overseas interns have contributed to building trustworthy local partnerships.
At the conclusion of the first session, a video message from Mr. Felix K. Mumba, County Director – Water, County Government of Tana River, was presented. The video outlined the multifaceted challenges faced by the county, including severe shortages in water infrastructure, lack of sanitation facilities, limitations in supply capacity, and financial constraints caused by illegal water use and difficulties in maintenance and management.
Photo: Left – Mr. Hasegawa (YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD); Center – Ms. Fujita (HINODE SANGYO CO., LTD); Right – Mr. Mumba (County Government of Tana River)
In the middle session, under the theme of next-generation challenges in solving environmental issues, a video message from a high school team in Italy introduced a low-cost biofilter technology that purifies gray wastewater using plant roots (Cyperus) .
This was followed by a presentation from Ms. Momoka Kadena of Meiji University Hachioji High School (Japan). She presented her patented inventions, including a device that significantly improves the germination rate of eelgrass (a key component of blue carbon ecosystems), and a device that selectively collects microplastics without harming small fish. Their presentations received enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Photo: Left – Mr. Alessio Monteleone, Ms. Sofia Biondi, Mr. Francesco Santangelo (Istituto Tecnico Industriale “Stanislao Cannizzaro”); Right – Ms. Kadena (Meiji University Hachioji High School)
At the beginning of the panel discussion in the latter half, the facilitator, Mr. Yuichiro Kawamura of RPX Asia Corporation (Sub-leader of the JIPA SDGs Working Group), delivered an introductory presentation. Drawing on concrete data related to patent transfers, he explained the challenges of environmental technology transfer, the global risk of “water bankruptcy,” and the necessity of sustainable, revenue-generating business models to ensure continued social contribution.
Next, Mr. Shuichiro Imai of Kurita Water Industries Ltd. (JIPA SDGs Working Group member) introduced the company’s wide-ranging technologies, including water recycling in space and large-scale environmental conservation initiatives. He also shared insights from exploring collaboration with Kenya, emphasizing the importance of accurately understanding local needs.
The discussion then expanded to include Mr. Masashi Kanemaru (YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD) and Ms. Kaori Fujita (HINODE SANGYO CO., LTD), with the four panelists addressing the following topics:
*Challenges in obtaining local information and selecting appropriate sites
*Selection and management of reliable local partners
*The importance of a business-oriented mindset rather than a purely volunteer approach
*Key factors for business continuity within companies
Photo: Left – Mr. Kawamura (RPX Asia Corporation, Sub-leader of the JIPA SDGs Working Group); Right – Mr. Imai (Kurita Water Industries Ltd., JIPA SDGs Working Group member)
Photo: Panel discussion
At the conclusion of the seminar, Mr. Naoto Kuji, Representative (Principal) of IPSEVA ASIA, delivered a closing presentation titled “Connecting Today’s Efforts to Future Possibilities.” He proposed redefining intellectual property as a tool for collaboration in addressing global challenges and emphasized the importance of broader sharing. Looking ahead to the AI era and the post-SDGs landscape, he also offered insights into the future of intellectual property systems that contribute to human well-being.
Photo: Mr. Kuji (IPSEVA ASIA)
Through this seminar, it became clear once again that in order to connect the “needs side,” which faces environmental challenges, with the “seeds side,” which possesses technological solutions, it is essential not only to focus on the technologies themselves but also to build strong, locally rooted human networks.
This event brought together concrete and practical case studies, voices from on-the-ground international contexts, and innovative ideas from the next generation. As a result, it highlighted new possibilities for collaboration that transcend national borders and generations.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all participants for their valuable contributions.
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