Spring Imperial Decoration: Aku Koki Chairman Takashi Tanaka Awarded 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette'
Aku Koki Co., Ltd. announced that its Chairman, Takashi Tanaka, has been awarded the 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette' (for meritorious service in promoting small and medium-sized enterprises) in the Spring Imperial Decoration of Reiwa 8. His activities as a 'research and development-oriented small factory' for over 50 years, contributing to the development of Japanese industry, especially advanced medical technology, were highly recognized.
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Aku Koki Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ota-ku, Tokyo) is pleased to announce that its Chairman, Takashi Tanaka, has been awarded the 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette' (for meritorious service in promoting small and medium-sized enterprises) in the Spring Imperial Decoration of Reiwa 8.
■ Background of the Award
This award recognizes our company's more than 50 years of activities as a 'research and development-oriented small factory,' which has contributed to the development of Japanese industry and advanced medical technology.
In particular, our long-standing support for prototyping and improvement from the basic research stage in the development of highly advanced medical devices, including artificial hearts, has been recognized as a significant achievement that has fundamentally supported advanced medical care in Japan.
■ Contribution to Medical-Engineering Collaboration Support and SME Promotion | Aku Koki's 'Four Roles'
The history of Aku Koki is not merely the history of one company, but also a trajectory that has continuously supported the development of advanced medical care in Japan and the improvement of the status of small and medium-sized enterprises. This award particularly recognized the following three roles:
'Contribution to society' by long-standing support for the development of advanced medical care
'Contribution to the region' for expanding the base of manufacturing and developing small factories
Establishment of a 'co-creation business model' connecting academia and the manufacturing site
As a 'pioneer in SME promotion' that redefined the role of small factories
Our continuous technical activities and research support spanning several decades have contributed to the establishment of Japan's technological foundation. Furthermore, our unique characteristic of not being merely a manufacturing company but 'a presence that supports research and development,' connecting academia and manufacturing sites from the conceptual stage, was highly praised.
In addition, our strong network with over 50 cooperative companies, mainly in Ota-ku, and our active acceptance of factory tours and practical training from both Japan and abroad, conveying the joy and importance of manufacturing to the next generation, also led to this award.
■ On Receiving the Award - From Takashi Tanaka, Chairman of Aku Koki Co., Ltd., to Everyone
I am deeply honored to receive the 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette' for meritorious service in promoting small and medium-sized enterprises.
I always thought that a medal was something unrelated to a 'machikoba' (small factory) old man.
Receiving this medal is solely the result of the cooperation of everyone who has been involved with us.
Aku Koki Co., Ltd. was established in Ota-ku in 1969 by my father, Fumio Tanaka (who passed away in 2005).
'Aku Hisa' was taken from Aku, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture, where my father was born. From its inception, we collaborated with Waseda University's Tsuchiya Laboratory and Tokyo Women's Medical University's artificial heart development project from a manufacturing perspective.
This was a pioneer of what is now called 'medical-engineering collaboration.'
After completing graduate school in 1982, I worked as a trainee in the artificial organ department at the National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute (now the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center), with the cooperation of Mr. Mitsuo Umezu (from Waseda University's Tsuchiya Lab), who was then a researcher in the artificial organ department. Over four years, I was involved in the design and production of artificial hearts, driving devices, and blood circulation simulators, gaining knowledge and prototyping techniques related to medical devices, as well as a wide range of human connections.
In May 1986, I returned to Aku Koki and further expanded these medical-engineering collaborations.
In 2004, prompted by an inquiry from Mr. Akinori Kurita, an art teacher at Kagawa School for the Blind, the development of the 'Tactile Pen for the Visually Impaired' began. We proceeded with prototyping with colleagues in Ota-ku, and with subsidies from Ota-ku, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, it was commercialized in 2012. This led to our involvement in the development and manufacturing of equipment for the visually impaired.
We have handled various prototyping requests from customers in medical devices, precision instruments, and general industrial equipment, working with the motto 'manufacturing handyman,' utilizing our long-standing know-how and the cooperation of over 50 subcontractors, mainly in Ota-ku.
Our subcontractors are the 'lifeblood' of Aku Koki, and the first president always said, 'Never cause trouble for subcontractors!' (meaning payments are never late, and unreasonable demands are not made). This 'teaching' is still alive today.
Perhaps those who cooperate with us daily, our subcontractors, will be the happiest about this award.
Aside from work, we have actively conducted factory tours and practical training for elementary, junior high, and high school students from Ota-ku and other regions, focusing on 'expanding the base of manufacturing.'
We also receive many requests for 'Ota-ku Machikoba tours' from overseas, spanning more than 10 countries. By the way, greeting visitors with 'broken Japanese' in their native language is well-received. In May last year, Hiroshi Tanaka (my son) became president of Aku Koki, and under the slogan 'Venture Friendly,' we are further expanding our network and business.
As chairman, I am engaged in transferring my know-how to younger employees and continue to handle design work.
Finally, I would like to dedicate the last sentence of my 2011 doctoral dissertation 'Acknowledgements' to everyone who has cooperated with me for 44 years, from my time as a trainee at the National Cardiovascular Center in 1982 to the present:
Thank you・謝謝・감사합니다・Merci・Grazie・Gracias・Danke and Thank you (Arigato).
Chairman, Aku Koki Co., Ltd.
Takashi Tanaka
Profile of Takashi Tanaka
Keywords:
■ Background of the Award
This award recognizes our company's more than 50 years of activities as a 'research and development-oriented small factory,' which has contributed to the development of Japanese industry and advanced medical technology.
In particular, our long-standing support for prototyping and improvement from the basic research stage in the development of highly advanced medical devices, including artificial hearts, has been recognized as a significant achievement that has fundamentally supported advanced medical care in Japan.
■ Contribution to Medical-Engineering Collaboration Support and SME Promotion | Aku Koki's 'Four Roles'
The history of Aku Koki is not merely the history of one company, but also a trajectory that has continuously supported the development of advanced medical care in Japan and the improvement of the status of small and medium-sized enterprises. This award particularly recognized the following three roles:
'Contribution to society' by long-standing support for the development of advanced medical care
'Contribution to the region' for expanding the base of manufacturing and developing small factories
Establishment of a 'co-creation business model' connecting academia and the manufacturing site
As a 'pioneer in SME promotion' that redefined the role of small factories
Our continuous technical activities and research support spanning several decades have contributed to the establishment of Japan's technological foundation. Furthermore, our unique characteristic of not being merely a manufacturing company but 'a presence that supports research and development,' connecting academia and manufacturing sites from the conceptual stage, was highly praised.
In addition, our strong network with over 50 cooperative companies, mainly in Ota-ku, and our active acceptance of factory tours and practical training from both Japan and abroad, conveying the joy and importance of manufacturing to the next generation, also led to this award.
■ On Receiving the Award - From Takashi Tanaka, Chairman of Aku Koki Co., Ltd., to Everyone
I am deeply honored to receive the 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette' for meritorious service in promoting small and medium-sized enterprises.
I always thought that a medal was something unrelated to a 'machikoba' (small factory) old man.
Receiving this medal is solely the result of the cooperation of everyone who has been involved with us.
Aku Koki Co., Ltd. was established in Ota-ku in 1969 by my father, Fumio Tanaka (who passed away in 2005).
'Aku Hisa' was taken from Aku, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture, where my father was born. From its inception, we collaborated with Waseda University's Tsuchiya Laboratory and Tokyo Women's Medical University's artificial heart development project from a manufacturing perspective.
This was a pioneer of what is now called 'medical-engineering collaboration.'
After completing graduate school in 1982, I worked as a trainee in the artificial organ department at the National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute (now the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center), with the cooperation of Mr. Mitsuo Umezu (from Waseda University's Tsuchiya Lab), who was then a researcher in the artificial organ department. Over four years, I was involved in the design and production of artificial hearts, driving devices, and blood circulation simulators, gaining knowledge and prototyping techniques related to medical devices, as well as a wide range of human connections.
In May 1986, I returned to Aku Koki and further expanded these medical-engineering collaborations.
In 2004, prompted by an inquiry from Mr. Akinori Kurita, an art teacher at Kagawa School for the Blind, the development of the 'Tactile Pen for the Visually Impaired' began. We proceeded with prototyping with colleagues in Ota-ku, and with subsidies from Ota-ku, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, it was commercialized in 2012. This led to our involvement in the development and manufacturing of equipment for the visually impaired.
We have handled various prototyping requests from customers in medical devices, precision instruments, and general industrial equipment, working with the motto 'manufacturing handyman,' utilizing our long-standing know-how and the cooperation of over 50 subcontractors, mainly in Ota-ku.
Our subcontractors are the 'lifeblood' of Aku Koki, and the first president always said, 'Never cause trouble for subcontractors!' (meaning payments are never late, and unreasonable demands are not made). This 'teaching' is still alive today.
Perhaps those who cooperate with us daily, our subcontractors, will be the happiest about this award.
Aside from work, we have actively conducted factory tours and practical training for elementary, junior high, and high school students from Ota-ku and other regions, focusing on 'expanding the base of manufacturing.'
We also receive many requests for 'Ota-ku Machikoba tours' from overseas, spanning more than 10 countries. By the way, greeting visitors with 'broken Japanese' in their native language is well-received. In May last year, Hiroshi Tanaka (my son) became president of Aku Koki, and under the slogan 'Venture Friendly,' we are further expanding our network and business.
As chairman, I am engaged in transferring my know-how to younger employees and continue to handle design work.
Finally, I would like to dedicate the last sentence of my 2011 doctoral dissertation 'Acknowledgements' to everyone who has cooperated with me for 44 years, from my time as a trainee at the National Cardiovascular Center in 1982 to the present:
Thank you・謝謝・감사합니다・Merci・Grazie・Gracias・Danke and Thank you (Arigato).
Chairman, Aku Koki Co., Ltd.
Takashi Tanaka
Profile of Takashi Tanaka
Keywords: