[Okayama University] Launch of the 'Microbial Industry Co-Creation Core' – Researchers from Diverse Fields Gather to Build the Industries of the Future with Microbes

June 2, 2026
National University Corporation Okayama University

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

◆Overview

National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu) and Fujiwara Techno Art Co., Ltd. are jointly promoting the 'Microbial Industry Co-Creation Core' concept, which aims to create next-generation industries by leveraging the power of microorganisms. This concept was initiated after both parties engaged in discussions from the previous fiscal year, finding alignment in their vision to combine the university's diverse research capabilities with Fujiwara Techno Art's expertise in fermentation, brewing, and manufacturing using microorganisms, thereby creating a new industry-academia collaboration model from Okayama to the world.

To concretize this concept, an internal briefing was held on May 15, 2026, at the Co-Creation Innovation Lab KIBINOVE on the Tsushima Campus. On the day, approximately 90 faculty members, technical staff, administrative staff, and URA (University Research Administrators) from 7 graduate schools and 4 research institutes out of the university's 8 graduate schools and 5 research institutes participated, transcending fields such as life sciences, agriculture, engineering, information/data science, medicine/health sciences, environment, and humanities/social sciences. High interest was shown in this concept aiming for circular manufacturing from Okayama to the world.

This core focuses on the 'circulation' mechanism carried out by microorganisms. By combining traditional knowledge of fermentation and brewing with diverse knowledge from life sciences, engineering, information science, and humanities/social sciences, it aims to create new industrial and social systems in areas such as circular manufacturing, healthcare, environmental conservation, agriculture, and regional resource circulation. It also aims to build a new industry-academia collaboration model that looks toward social implementation and international expansion from research.

At the briefing, Ms. Kana Fujiwara, Representative Director and Vice President of Fujiwara Techno Art Co., Ltd., explained the company's business overview, focusing on the fermentation and brewing fields, and the direction of value creation using the power of microorganisms. The company handles the design, development, manufacturing, and sales of brewing machinery, food machinery, and bio-related equipment. The concept of expanding the technologies and knowledge cultivated in the fermentation and brewing fields into circular manufacturing and new industry creation was introduced.

Subsequently, Mr. Akira Imai, Director of the Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Headquarters of the university's Research and Innovation Co-Creation Organization, explained the purpose and future development of the 'Microbial Industry Co-Creation Core'. It was indicated that: ① This core will be positioned as the top-tier 'a. Premium Core' among the industry-academia collaboration cores (a. Premium Core, b. Leading Core, c. Challenge Core) to be established within Okayama University, covering the entire university; ② It aims to form a co-creation platform that integrates diverse knowledge—including engineering, AI/data science, sensing, quality design, ELSI/legal systems, economic viability, and social acceptance—in addition to microbial research, to connect research results to social implementation; ③ It is not merely a collection of research projects but will develop as a place to co-create industries themselves, viewing microorganisms as a foundational technology for next-generation industries.

Furthermore, a policy was shared to promote personnel exchange and mobility between the university and companies through industry-academia collaborative R&D, foster highly skilled R&D personnel centered on doctoral human resources, develop practical and hands-on educational programs for students, and create a system where researchers, engineers, and students can experience the entire process from problem-setting to social implementation alongside industry.

Additionally, Mr. Koji Hatanaka, Senior URA of the university's Research and Innovation Co-Creation Organization, answered pre-submitted questions and questions from the floor. Explanations were provided on participation formats, possibilities for joint research and external funding, student participation, collaboration with other universities and companies, and intellectual property handling.

After the briefing, a networking session was held on the first floor of KIBINOVE. President Yasutomo Nasu, who attended, stated in his greeting, 'I will lead this initiative from the front,' demonstrating the university's strong commitment to driving the concept forward. Participants interacted across their affiliations and specialized fields, actively exchanging opinions on new research collaborations using microorganisms as a common theme, joint research with companies, and developments toward social implementation.

This concept also contributes to the realization of the university's goal under J-PEAKS to become a 'research university that co-creates the future of the region and the planet and contributes to global innovation.' This core, which promotes circular manufacturing, environmental conservation, food and health, regional resource circulation, and social implementation through industry-academia co-creation starting from microorganisms, is expected to serve as a crucial co-creation platform that connects the university's research capabilities to social value and expands from the region to the world.

Okayama University is promoting co-creation activities that connect regional industrial bases, corporate technological capabilities, and university research capabilities towards realizing its Long-Term Vision 2050 of becoming a 'research university that co-creates the future of the region and the planet and contributes to global innovation.' Going forward, through the 'Microbial Industry Co-Creation Core,' the university will work on realizing a circular society, creating new industries, and fostering the next generation of human resources, starting from the wisdom learned from microorganisms.