Natsume Optics Engineers Receive Excellence Award at "Monozukuri Nippon Grand Award" Co-hosted by METI and Four Other Ministries
Natsume Optics Co., Ltd. engineers received the Excellence Award at the 10th "Monozukuri Nippon Grand Award," co-hosted by METI and four other ministries, for their high-precision X-ray mirror development technology, established through 13 years of industry-academia collaboration with the University of Tokyo. This technology, unique in Japan, fuses nanometer-level precision processing and electroforming transfer.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 23:00
Natsume Optics Co., Ltd. (Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, President & CEO: Kunihiko Hosoé) and Professor Hidekazu Mimura of The University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, along with a research group of seven members, have received the Excellence Award at the 10th "Monozukuri Nippon Grand Award," co-hosted by four ministries including 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. The awarded project is "Development of high-precision X-ray mirrors for exploring the nanoscopic world and the far reaches of the universe billions of light-years away." Their precision transfer technology, established through industry-academia collaboration that began in 2012, was highly acclaimed for being the only one of its kind in Japan.
**■ Award Overview**
* **Award Name:** The 10th "Monozukuri Nippon Grand Award" - Excellence Award
* **Organizer:** Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Co-hosted by 4 ministries)
* **Awarded Project:** Development of high-precision X-ray mirrors for exploring the nanoscopic world and the far reaches of the universe billions of light-years away.
* **Awardees:** Kentaro Hirakuri (Natsume Optics Co., Ltd.), Professor Hidekazu Mimura (The University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology), and a total of 7 people.
* **Announcement Date:** March 5, 2026 (Thursday)
* **Awardee Affiliated Institutions:** Natsume Optics Co., Ltd. / The University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology
**■ About the Awarded Technology**
X-rays are essential for observing the internal structures of materials that are invisible under a microscope, and for observing high-energy phenomena in the universe. However, X-rays cannot be bent by conventional lenses, requiring a special method called "grazing incidence reflection," which reflects them off mirror surfaces at very shallow angles.
To perform this reflection accurately, the shape accuracy of the mirror surface must be controlled at the single nanometer level (1 nanometer = 1 billionth of a meter). Our research group has fused three technologies – "processing," "measurement," and "electroforming transfer" – at the nanometer level, based on the ultra-precision glass processing technology that Natsume Optics has cultivated over many years. This has enabled us to establish a mass production technology for high-shape-accuracy X-ray mirrors, which was previously difficult to achieve.
The developed X-ray mirrors have a track record of delivery to synchrotron radiation facilities supporting advanced research in life sciences, materials, and environmental sciences. Furthermore, they were the first Japanese mirrors to be installed on NASA's solar observation rocket "FOXSI-4," receiving high praise from research institutions both domestically and internationally.
**■ 13 Years of Industry-Academia Collaboration with The University of Tokyo**
Natsume Optics and Professor Hidekazu Mimura's group at The University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology began joint development of soft X-ray optical elements in 2012. Through the research process, the three technologies of processing, measurement, and electroforming transfer were elevated to ultra-high precision at the nanometer level, successfully realizing a new type of high-precision rotating X-ray mirror. High-efficiency soft X-ray focusing performance was also confirmed at the large synchrotron radiation facility SPring-8.
Based on these research achievements, to further advance the technology and educate young researchers, an endowed research division for "Advanced Optical Element Manufacturing Science" was established in April 2023 at The University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, funded by a donation from Natsume Optics. Research is being conducted on the development of nanometer-precision manufacturing processes and manufacturing automation through the introduction of robots and AI, further deepening industry-academia collaboration.
**■ Award Ceremony and Commemorative Lecture Held**
On March 26, 2026, an award ceremony was held at the Natsume Optics Technology Center (Iida City, Nagano Prefecture). Mr. Norihiko Shimura, Director of Industrial Affairs of the Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, attended and presented certificates of commendation to the seven award recipients.
At the ceremony, Kentaro Hirakuri and Professor Mimura gave commemorative lectures representing the awardees. Hirakuri reflected on the development trajectory, stating, "The application of polishing technology cultivated within the company became a major breakthrough." Professor Mimura spoke about his history of engagement in optical element research for a quarter of a century since 2002, leaving a message for the younger generation: "It is important to actively engage with new technologies and fall in love with them."
**■ Future Outlook**
Following this award, Natsume Optics will move forward with establishing a stable supply system for high-precision X-ray mirrors. While continuing industry-academia collaboration with The University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, we will work to create a system that can reliably deliver the optical elements required by research sites, from microscopes to space telescopes.
**■ About Natsume Optics Co., Ltd.**
Since its founding in 1947, Natsume Optics has been based in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, engaged in the research and development and manufacturing of high-precision optical elements and optical units. For fields requiring nanometer-level precision, such as semiconductor manufacturing, advanced science, and X-ray analysis, the company provides world-leading optical technology, ranging from optical components to optical units and optical systems. As a solution company creating the future with optical technology, it continues to contribute to the advancement of human science and technology.
* **Company Name:** Natsume Optics Co., Ltd.
* **Location:** 3461 Kanae Kamichaya, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture
* **Representative:** President & CEO Kunihiko Hosoé
* **Established:** 1947
* **URL:** https://www.natsume-optics.co.jp
**■ Related Link**
* Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Press Release: "The recipients of the 10th 'Monozukuri Nippon Grand Award' Excellence Award have been decided."
**■ Award Overview**
* **Award Name:** The 10th "Monozukuri Nippon Grand Award" - Excellence Award
* **Organizer:** Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Co-hosted by 4 ministries)
* **Awarded Project:** Development of high-precision X-ray mirrors for exploring the nanoscopic world and the far reaches of the universe billions of light-years away.
* **Awardees:** Kentaro Hirakuri (Natsume Optics Co., Ltd.), Professor Hidekazu Mimura (The University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology), and a total of 7 people.
* **Announcement Date:** March 5, 2026 (Thursday)
* **Awardee Affiliated Institutions:** Natsume Optics Co., Ltd. / The University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology
**■ About the Awarded Technology**
X-rays are essential for observing the internal structures of materials that are invisible under a microscope, and for observing high-energy phenomena in the universe. However, X-rays cannot be bent by conventional lenses, requiring a special method called "grazing incidence reflection," which reflects them off mirror surfaces at very shallow angles.
To perform this reflection accurately, the shape accuracy of the mirror surface must be controlled at the single nanometer level (1 nanometer = 1 billionth of a meter). Our research group has fused three technologies – "processing," "measurement," and "electroforming transfer" – at the nanometer level, based on the ultra-precision glass processing technology that Natsume Optics has cultivated over many years. This has enabled us to establish a mass production technology for high-shape-accuracy X-ray mirrors, which was previously difficult to achieve.
The developed X-ray mirrors have a track record of delivery to synchrotron radiation facilities supporting advanced research in life sciences, materials, and environmental sciences. Furthermore, they were the first Japanese mirrors to be installed on NASA's solar observation rocket "FOXSI-4," receiving high praise from research institutions both domestically and internationally.
**■ 13 Years of Industry-Academia Collaboration with The University of Tokyo**
Natsume Optics and Professor Hidekazu Mimura's group at The University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology began joint development of soft X-ray optical elements in 2012. Through the research process, the three technologies of processing, measurement, and electroforming transfer were elevated to ultra-high precision at the nanometer level, successfully realizing a new type of high-precision rotating X-ray mirror. High-efficiency soft X-ray focusing performance was also confirmed at the large synchrotron radiation facility SPring-8.
Based on these research achievements, to further advance the technology and educate young researchers, an endowed research division for "Advanced Optical Element Manufacturing Science" was established in April 2023 at The University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, funded by a donation from Natsume Optics. Research is being conducted on the development of nanometer-precision manufacturing processes and manufacturing automation through the introduction of robots and AI, further deepening industry-academia collaboration.
**■ Award Ceremony and Commemorative Lecture Held**
On March 26, 2026, an award ceremony was held at the Natsume Optics Technology Center (Iida City, Nagano Prefecture). Mr. Norihiko Shimura, Director of Industrial Affairs of the Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, attended and presented certificates of commendation to the seven award recipients.
At the ceremony, Kentaro Hirakuri and Professor Mimura gave commemorative lectures representing the awardees. Hirakuri reflected on the development trajectory, stating, "The application of polishing technology cultivated within the company became a major breakthrough." Professor Mimura spoke about his history of engagement in optical element research for a quarter of a century since 2002, leaving a message for the younger generation: "It is important to actively engage with new technologies and fall in love with them."
**■ Future Outlook**
Following this award, Natsume Optics will move forward with establishing a stable supply system for high-precision X-ray mirrors. While continuing industry-academia collaboration with The University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, we will work to create a system that can reliably deliver the optical elements required by research sites, from microscopes to space telescopes.
**■ About Natsume Optics Co., Ltd.**
Since its founding in 1947, Natsume Optics has been based in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, engaged in the research and development and manufacturing of high-precision optical elements and optical units. For fields requiring nanometer-level precision, such as semiconductor manufacturing, advanced science, and X-ray analysis, the company provides world-leading optical technology, ranging from optical components to optical units and optical systems. As a solution company creating the future with optical technology, it continues to contribute to the advancement of human science and technology.
* **Company Name:** Natsume Optics Co., Ltd.
* **Location:** 3461 Kanae Kamichaya, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture
* **Representative:** President & CEO Kunihiko Hosoé
* **Established:** 1947
* **URL:** https://www.natsume-optics.co.jp
**■ Related Link**
* Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Press Release: "The recipients of the 10th 'Monozukuri Nippon Grand Award' Excellence Award have been decided."
FAQ
What does this award signify?
It signifies that Natsume Optics' nanometer-level precision optical technology has won Japan's top technology award, validating its technical prowess and credibility internationally.
What are the specific applications of the awarded technology?
It is used in synchrotron radiation facilities supporting advanced research in life sciences, materials, and environmental sciences, as well as NASA's solar observation rockets.
What are the results of the industry-academia collaboration?
Through 13 years of collaboration, Japan's only precision transfer technology was established, enabling mass production of high-precision X-ray mirrors that were previously difficult to achieve.