NanoFrontier Inc. Representative Director Seiya Inoue Receives Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Encouragement Prize at JCI JAPAN TOYP 2026

NanoFrontier Inc. (Headquarters: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Representative Director: Seiya Inoue, hereinafter "NanoFrontier") is pleased to announce that its Representative Director, Seiya Inoue, has received the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Encouragement Prize at "JCI JAPAN TOYP 2026 (40th Youth National Honor Award)" sponsored by the Japan Junior Chamber, Inc.

Background of the Award

JCI JAPAN TOYP is a historic award program that has been conducted by the Japan Junior Chamber since 1987. It selects outstanding young individuals from across the country who are making a sustainable impact on society in a wide range of fields, including science and technology, business, environment, and international exchange. This year marks the 40th iteration.

Inoue was recognized for his contributions to addressing critical social issues in the fields of environment, energy, and information infrastructure. These include the rapid detection of PFAS water contamination, long-life battery materials independent of rare metals, and high thermal conductivity nanofluids that enable energy saving in data centers, all based on unique nanoparticle technology accumulated over 30 years at Tohoku University.

Furthermore, his establishment of a research and development automation pipeline combining AI agents, simulations, and robotics, demonstrating a new model of industry-academia collaboration as a Tohoku University-originated startup, and his contributions to regional revitalization through job creation for AI and science/technology professionals in Sendai and attracting investment to the region, amidst Miyagi Prefecture's severe situation of having the highest net outflow rate to the Tokyo metropolitan area for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024), led to this Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Encouragement Prize.

About JCI JAPAN TOYP 2026

"JCI JAPAN TOYP" is the "Youth National Honor Award" that the Japan Junior Chamber, Inc. has been conducting since 1987. Its purpose is to select outstanding young individuals aged 20 to 40 in a wide range of fields such as science and technology, business and entrepreneurship, culture, environment, and youth development, and to disseminate and support their activities nationwide. Award recipients are also eligible for recommendation as candidates for the JCI TOYP international selection.

Official Website: https://www.jaycee.or.jp/

Representative's Comment

"I am deeply honored to receive the prestigious Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Encouragement Prize. Our goal is to solve environmental and energy problems with the power of advanced nanomaterial technology and to expand these achievements from Sendai/Miyagi to the world. Miyagi Prefecture faces the harsh reality of having the highest net outflow rate to the Tokyo metropolitan area for two consecutive years. I believe that NanoFrontier's social implementation of Tohoku University's research results and the continuous creation of opportunities for AI engineers and scientists to thrive in Sendai is one answer to changing this trend. Encouraged by this award, we will further advance our efforts to establish a new model that challenges the world from a regional base."

(Seiya Inoue, Representative Director)

Representative's Profile

Seiya Inoue, Representative Director, NanoFrontier Inc.

Researched the total synthesis of novel organic compounds at the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Agriculture. After completing his master's program at the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the University of Tokyo, he researched protein reaction prediction using machine learning. During his studies, he gained experience in project management at an AI development venture, as a DD analyst at a real estate fund, and in supporting investee companies at a venture capital firm. After joining Microsoft, he was involved in supporting application developers and technical sales utilizing Azure. He then founded Catalis Partners Group, developing AI applications and SaaS businesses. In April 2025, he founded NanoFrontier Inc., a Tohoku University-originated startup, and continues in his current role.

Company Overview

Company Name: NanoFrontier Inc. Representative: Seiya Inoue, Representative Director Location: Room 215, Advanced Materials Research and Development Center for Industry-Academia Collaboration, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture Established: April 7, 2025 Business Activities:

Research and development, manufacturing, and sales of reagents and functional materials using organic nanoparticle technology

Contract manufacturing of organic nanoparticles and provision of related technologies

Granting of technology licenses and technical consulting in the field of organic nanoparticle technology

Official Website: https://nanofrontier.jp