JAXA-Certified Venture Tenchijin Wins Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the 10th Monodzukuri Nippon Grand Award
Tenchijin, a JAXA-certified space venture, won the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the 10th Monodzukuri Nippon Grand Award for its "Space Water Bureau," a system that uses satellite data and AI to assess water leakage risks. For one client municipality, the system improved leak detection efficiency by six times and reduced survey costs by 79%.
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- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 07:42
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 26, 2026 at 21:27 (1381h 44m after Published)
Tenchijin, Inc., a JAXA-certified space venture (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yasuhito Sakuraba), is pleased to announce that it has received the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the 10th Monodzukuri Nippon Grand Award, an event co-hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
About the Monodzukuri Nippon Grand Award
The "Monodzukuri Nippon Grand Award" honors individuals from various generations involved in "monodzukuri" (manufacturing), including mid-career professionals who are central to manufacturing and production sites, skilled veterans who have supported traditional and cultural techniques, and young talent who will lead the future, recognizing those who are deemed particularly outstanding.
This award has been co-hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology since 2005, and this marks its 10th iteration.
On this occasion, the four related ministries have selected winners for 8 Prime Minister's Awards (25 individuals). In addition, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has selected winners for 13 Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Awards (58 individuals, 1 organization), in addition to the Prime Minister's Awards mentioned above.
Quote: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry News Release｜Winners of the 10th "Monodzukuri Nippon Grand Award" Prime Minister's Award and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award Announced
Award Overview
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Awarded Project Name
Development of a Water Leakage Risk Assessment and Management System (Space Water Bureau) Utilizing Satellite Data and AI Analysis
Project Summary
In response to the societal challenge of aging water infrastructure, we developed the "Space Water Bureau," a water leakage risk assessment and management system that allows for easy identification of risk areas without requiring specialized knowledge of water pipes. The system evaluates the risk of water pipe leakage by using AI to investigate and analyze surface temperature, climate, and ground data from over 500 satellites owned by domestic and international space agencies like JAXA, NASA, and ESA, along with water pipe data held by water utilities. As an example of its implementation in a municipality, it achieved a six-fold increase in leak detection efficiency and a 79% reduction in investigation costs.
Winner's Comment:
On this occasion...