LIFESCAPES Appoints Masatake Hayashi as New Representative Director and President

LIFESCAPES Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "LIFESCAPES") announces that as of June 26, 2026, Junichi Ushiba, the current Representative Director and President, will step down, and Masatake Hayashi will assume the position of Representative Director and President.

Founder Ushiba will newly take on the role of Chairman of the Board, continuing to lead management and technology development.

Overview of the New Structure

Name

New Position

Previous Position

Junichi Ushiba

Chairman of the Board (Founder, BMI Developer) / Chairman

Representative Director / President

Masatake Hayashi

Representative Director and President / CEO

Vice President

Ryo Suzuki

COO & CMO

COO & CMO

Koji Morikawa

CTO

CTO

Background and Objectives of the Management Transition

LIFESCAPES was founded in 2018 with the aim of implementing the research results from Junichi Ushiba's laboratory at Keio University into society. To date, we have achieved implementation in over 70 medical institutions and private rehabilitation facilities. As our business scale rapidly expands both domestically and internationally, it is essential to achieve a high level of balance between "speed and creativity" in management, as well as "technology development and scientific proof."

Therefore, going forward, Masatake Hayashi will strongly drive business plans with swift decision-making as the Representative Director and President, while founder Junichi Ushiba, as Chairman of the Board, will focus on research and development of BCI foundational technology utilizing university research findings and on scientific proof.

Comment from Masatake Hayashi, Representative Director and President

Since its founding, LIFESCAPES has strived to deliver research results born at Keio University to the medical field, in pursuit of its vision to "contribute to creating a world where brain plasticity is enhanced and paralysis can be cured."

I am deeply grateful for the support from numerous patients, healthcare professionals, shareholders, and business partners that has allowed us to grow our business to this point.

Going forward, Chairman Ushiba will lead world-leading BMI/BCI research and the creation of scientific evidence at his primary affiliation, the university, focusing on the role of more rapidly converting research results into our company's business assets. As Representative Director and President, I will vigorously promote business growth and global expansion to deliver these results to those who need them as quickly as possible.

While cherishing our founding principle of delivering Japanese technology to the medical field, we aim to become a company that can offer new treatment options to individuals worldwide. We appreciate your continued support and guidance.

[Biography]

Completed the Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, and holds a Ph.D. (Science). After completing the Master's Program at the Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, joined DeNA Co., Ltd. as a new graduate. Promoted new business development, service planning, corporate sales, and alliance operations in the healthcare domain. During his tenure, obtained a Ph.D. (Science) from Keio University Graduate School. Joined our company in July 2021 to realize the social implementation of his research field. Researcher, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University.

Comment from Junichi Ushiba, Chairman of the Board (Founder, BMI Developer)

Our company is at a crucial juncture with rapid expansion both domestically and internationally.

By entrusting the role of Representative Director and President to Hayashi, who has poured his heart and soul into building the company's growth, we will further accelerate management decision-making.

As Chairman of the Board, I will swiftly convert cutting-edge research results from the university into our company's business and fulfill my responsibilities as an engine connecting academia and business. Please look forward to the new LIFESCAPES.

[Biography]

Obtained a doctorate at the youngest age in history and a tenure-track position at the youngest age. Presided over the first neuroscience laboratory in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the age of 35. Obtained permission to concurrently hold the position of Representative Director, the first in the Faculty of Science and Technology. Specializes in neuroscience, rehabilitation medicine, and data science. Author of over 100 peer-reviewed original English papers. Recipient of numerous awards, including the Young Scientists' Prize from the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Special Prize of the Nakatani Medical-Electronic Measurement Promotion Foundation.

About LIFESCAPES

LIFESCAPES is a medical startup originating from Keio University, engaged in the research and development of neurorehabilitation medical devices based on Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) technology and related services. We aim to solve unmet medical needs by providing innovative treatment options in the field of central nervous system disorders, including post-stroke upper limb paralysis.

Links

Official HP: https://lifescapes.jp/

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifescapes2018

Official LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifescapes-bci/

Official X: https://x.com/LIFESCAPES_BMI

Contact Information

Public Relations: Mai Aya (aya@lifescapes.jp)