Okayama University Holds 2nd General Meeting for "SX Platform," an Advantageous Research Equipment Rental/Lease Service with No Installation, Maintenance, Repair, or Removal Costs – Osaka Metropolitan University Newly Joins
Okayama University held the 2nd general meeting for its "Shared Transformation (SX) Platform," a research equipment rental/lease service aimed at improving research environments by providing access to advanced analytical instruments without the burden of purchase and maintenance costs. Osaka Metropolitan University recently joined the platform, highlighting its growing impact in fostering industry-academia collaboration and refreshing Japan's research infrastructure.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 08:05
- 🔍 Collected: March 31, 2026 at 09:01 (55 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 13:30 (508h 29m after Collected)
March 30, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
National University Corporation Okayama University
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/
◆ Overview
Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City, President: Yasutomo Nasu) held the second general meeting of its "Shared Transformation (SX) Platform," a research equipment rental (lease) platform, on March 13, 2026, in a hybrid format both on-site (Tsushima Campus of the university) and online. In addition to Okayama University, Japan Electron Co., Ltd. and ORIX Rentec Corporation participated, with Shimadzu Corporation attending as an observer.
The current state of research equipment in Japan, particularly at national university corporations, is very severe. It is difficult not only to purchase expensive analytical instruments but also to secure funds for their maintenance and management. The SX Platform is a new initiative built through industry-academia collaboration to solve these problems and enable more researchers to use cutting-edge analytical instruments. By expanding choices from the traditional "buy" to "rent/lease," the platform, launched on September 18 last year, is greatly contributing not only to improving researchers' research environments but also to enhancing the skills of technical staff.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Hironori Sato, Vice President (in charge of Research and Industry-Academia Co-creation), Vice President (in charge of Academic Affairs), and Senior URA of Okayama University, reported that Osaka Metropolitan University had newly joined the platform amidst vigorous activities such as the platform's launch, website creation, online briefings, and symposiums. He also explained that the platform is related to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's (MEXT) "Advanced Research Infrastructure Refresh Project (EPOCH)" and has received numerous inquiries.
During the meeting, lively discussions were held on identifying issues, proposing initiatives for better service provision, and expanding the organization in the next fiscal year.
Regarding this meeting, Mr. Shinichi Watanabe, Advisor (in charge of Special Mission Management Strategy) of Japan Electron Co., Ltd., commented on future prospects: "The SX Platform is not our company's platform, but was established with like-minded individuals to contribute to the refresh of Japan's research infrastructure. We are deeply grateful that Osaka Metropolitan University has joined us this time. We also feel encouraged that Shimadzu Corporation attended this meeting, strengthening our steps towards co-creation beyond corporate boundaries. As mentioned by Dr. Hironori Sato, Vice President, Vice President, and Senior URA, MEXT's Advanced Research Infrastructure Refresh Project (EPOCH) feels like the last chance to refresh Japan's research infrastructure, and we, as companies, feel a great responsibility. We want to operate the SX Platform firmly with everyone so that we do not 'repeat the same path as before'."
This initiative is being implemented as part of the MEXT "Regional Core and Characteristic Research University Strengthening Promotion Project (J-PEAKS)" (implementing body: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science), which Okayama University has adopted. However, it is being pursued not just because it is a J-PEAKS initiative, but with a proactive stance to refresh Japan's research infrastructure and form a group of open research universities.
National University Corporation Okayama University
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/
◆ Overview
Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City, President: Yasutomo Nasu) held the second general meeting of its "Shared Transformation (SX) Platform," a research equipment rental (lease) platform, on March 13, 2026, in a hybrid format both on-site (Tsushima Campus of the university) and online. In addition to Okayama University, Japan Electron Co., Ltd. and ORIX Rentec Corporation participated, with Shimadzu Corporation attending as an observer.
The current state of research equipment in Japan, particularly at national university corporations, is very severe. It is difficult not only to purchase expensive analytical instruments but also to secure funds for their maintenance and management. The SX Platform is a new initiative built through industry-academia collaboration to solve these problems and enable more researchers to use cutting-edge analytical instruments. By expanding choices from the traditional "buy" to "rent/lease," the platform, launched on September 18 last year, is greatly contributing not only to improving researchers' research environments but also to enhancing the skills of technical staff.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Hironori Sato, Vice President (in charge of Research and Industry-Academia Co-creation), Vice President (in charge of Academic Affairs), and Senior URA of Okayama University, reported that Osaka Metropolitan University had newly joined the platform amidst vigorous activities such as the platform's launch, website creation, online briefings, and symposiums. He also explained that the platform is related to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's (MEXT) "Advanced Research Infrastructure Refresh Project (EPOCH)" and has received numerous inquiries.
During the meeting, lively discussions were held on identifying issues, proposing initiatives for better service provision, and expanding the organization in the next fiscal year.
Regarding this meeting, Mr. Shinichi Watanabe, Advisor (in charge of Special Mission Management Strategy) of Japan Electron Co., Ltd., commented on future prospects: "The SX Platform is not our company's platform, but was established with like-minded individuals to contribute to the refresh of Japan's research infrastructure. We are deeply grateful that Osaka Metropolitan University has joined us this time. We also feel encouraged that Shimadzu Corporation attended this meeting, strengthening our steps towards co-creation beyond corporate boundaries. As mentioned by Dr. Hironori Sato, Vice President, Vice President, and Senior URA, MEXT's Advanced Research Infrastructure Refresh Project (EPOCH) feels like the last chance to refresh Japan's research infrastructure, and we, as companies, feel a great responsibility. We want to operate the SX Platform firmly with everyone so that we do not 'repeat the same path as before'."
This initiative is being implemented as part of the MEXT "Regional Core and Characteristic Research University Strengthening Promotion Project (J-PEAKS)" (implementing body: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science), which Okayama University has adopted. However, it is being pursued not just because it is a J-PEAKS initiative, but with a proactive stance to refresh Japan's research infrastructure and form a group of open research universities.