Rikkei Co., Ltd. Establishes Industry-Academia Co-creation Hub "Rikkei AI Lab" at Ritsumeikan University
Rikkei Co., Ltd. has established "Rikkei AI Lab" at Ritsumeikan University's Osaka Ibaraki Campus to promote DX and nurture AI talent. This hub will drive AI research, education, and social problem-solving projects, aiming for global contribution centered in Japan and Vietnam.
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- 📰 Published: April 6, 2026 at 19:00
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Rikkei Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director President: Bui Quang Huy; hereinafter "Rikkei") announced the establishment of "Rikkei AI Lab," an industry-academia co-creation hub, within Ritsumeikan University's Osaka Ibaraki Campus (OIC) on April 3, 2026.
In recent years, while the importance of AI and data utilization has grown in promoting digital transformation (DX) in Japanese companies, challenges remain, including a shortage of personnel for practical application and the difficulty of transitioning from validation to implementation.
Rikkei has supported corporate DX promotion through AI development, ERP implementation, and system development. However, to solve the issues that have become apparent through these efforts, we believe that building a co-creation foundation through industry-academia collaboration is essential, not just through corporate efforts alone.
Furthermore, in October 2025, Rikkei concluded an "Agreement on Cooperation and Collaboration" with Ritsumeikan Corporation. Through this agreement, we aim to contribute to society by addressing global social issues and nurturing the next generation of innovative talent who will embody this mission, transcending national borders.
Based on these circumstances, we have now established the "Rikkei AI Lab" at Ritsumeikan University. In accordance with the spirit of the agreement, "Rikkei AI Lab" will serve as a hub to promote co-creation initiatives for the realization of the following:
* Implementation of education and research projects in AI fields.
* Development of innovative talent.
* Formation of social problem-solving projects.
* Global contribution with Vietnam and Japan as hubs.
This hub will also function as a core base for our company's AI strategy, under the leadership of Pham Quang Khang, Vice President and CACO (Chief AI & Consulting Officer) overseeing Rikkei's AI and consulting domains.
Notably, four out of our six founding members are Ritsumeikan University alumni, making this initiative particularly significant for our company, given our deep relationship with the university.
**Regarding Social Problem-Solving Co-creation Projects**
Social problem-solving co-creation projects will be conducted as practical, enterprise-課題-driven projects within Ritsumeikan University's framework for industry-academia collaboration and social co-creation. By integrating Ritsumeikan University's research and educational infrastructure with Rikkei's practical knowledge and technical expertise, we aim to move beyond mere research.
In recent years, while the importance of AI and data utilization has grown in promoting digital transformation (DX) in Japanese companies, challenges remain, including a shortage of personnel for practical application and the difficulty of transitioning from validation to implementation.
Rikkei has supported corporate DX promotion through AI development, ERP implementation, and system development. However, to solve the issues that have become apparent through these efforts, we believe that building a co-creation foundation through industry-academia collaboration is essential, not just through corporate efforts alone.
Furthermore, in October 2025, Rikkei concluded an "Agreement on Cooperation and Collaboration" with Ritsumeikan Corporation. Through this agreement, we aim to contribute to society by addressing global social issues and nurturing the next generation of innovative talent who will embody this mission, transcending national borders.
Based on these circumstances, we have now established the "Rikkei AI Lab" at Ritsumeikan University. In accordance with the spirit of the agreement, "Rikkei AI Lab" will serve as a hub to promote co-creation initiatives for the realization of the following:
* Implementation of education and research projects in AI fields.
* Development of innovative talent.
* Formation of social problem-solving projects.
* Global contribution with Vietnam and Japan as hubs.
This hub will also function as a core base for our company's AI strategy, under the leadership of Pham Quang Khang, Vice President and CACO (Chief AI & Consulting Officer) overseeing Rikkei's AI and consulting domains.
Notably, four out of our six founding members are Ritsumeikan University alumni, making this initiative particularly significant for our company, given our deep relationship with the university.
**Regarding Social Problem-Solving Co-creation Projects**
Social problem-solving co-creation projects will be conducted as practical, enterprise-課題-driven projects within Ritsumeikan University's framework for industry-academia collaboration and social co-creation. By integrating Ritsumeikan University's research and educational infrastructure with Rikkei's practical knowledge and technical expertise, we aim to move beyond mere research.