Connecting Kansai's Unique Technologies to the Next Generation: The Forefront of Manufacturing in Osaka and the Kansai Region

The Kansai area, centered around Osaka, has long been a major hub for small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises and local factories, serving as a vital foundation for Japanese manufacturing. However, in recent years, an increasing number of companies are facing a challenging business environment despite their superior technical capabilities, due to labor shortages, aging populations, and business succession issues. In response, there is an accelerating movement to move away from individual-dependent manufacturing by utilizing digital technology and automation equipment. Transformations starting from the factory floor, such as visual inspection by AI, visualization of equipment via IoT, and work automation by robots, are progressing in various locations.

Against this backdrop, "[Kansai] Nepcon Japan" and "[Kansai] Factory Innovation Week" will be held from May 13 to 15, 2026, at Intex Osaka, bringing together "next-generation manufacturing solutions" that utilize cutting-edge technologies such as AI, IoT, and robotics.

Event Overview

◆ [Kansai] Nepcon Japan / [Kansai] Factory Innovation Week 2026
Dates: May 13 (Wed) – 15 (Fri), 2026, 10:00 – 17:00
Venue: Intex Osaka
Organizer: RX Japan Ltd.
Number of Exhibitors: 620 (planned)
Official HP: https://www.nepconjapan.jp/osaka/ja-jp.html / https://www.fiweek.jp/osaka/ja-jp.html

< Featured Products (Selection) >

■ AI Replacement Services for Human Skills "Usable on the Floor"

[Kansai Company]
AI Visual Inspection & Quality Control for Manufacturing: "Mekiki Byte"
Problem: Lack of inspectors, inconsistent judgments. Solution: AI handles it. Mekiki Byte addresses the limits of visual inspection such as "difficulty in recruiting," "only veterans can judge," and "fatigue-induced oversights."
1. AI standardizes judgment criteria by learning veteran know-how.
2. Stable full-unit inspection without fatigue.
3. End-to-end support from AI model construction to operation.
Exhibitor: Hutzper Inc.

[Kyoto Prefecture]
3D Virtual Factory x Safety Education: "Miseruba"
Miseruba provides safety education using 3D virtual factories. It offers an interactive experience where users learn safety rules and accident cases through quizzes in a faithful 3D reproduction of an actual factory.
Exhibitor: ArchiTech Inc.

■ Latest Technologies from Kansai: Award-winning Power Sensors

[Osaka Prefecture]
Decarbonization DX Solution via Power Sensors: "IoT Power Sensor Unit"
Recipient of the Excellence Award at the 36th Small and Medium Enterprise Excellent New Technology and New Product Awards. This world-first power sensor can be installed in 15 seconds without electrical work, measuring integrated power consumption, active power, and apparent power per line or device.
Exhibitor: SIRC Co., Ltd.

[Kansai First Appearance / Kansai Company]
Bin Picking Robot: "Thinker Model A"
This robot promotes automation by quickly picking items that were previously difficult, such as transparent materials, flexible/fragile parts, or items on wobbly trays. Provided as a package including a collaborative robot, 2D camera, and specialized software to reduce setup time.
Exhibitor: Thinker Inc.

[Kansai Company]
Vacuum Lifter for Heavy Loads: "Easy Lift"
Features remarkably smooth operability. Using unique vacuum technology, heavy loads can be controlled with "one finger" as if they were weightless. This allows women and seniors to be immediately effective on floors that previously relied on strong men, reducing the risk of lower back pain and accidents.
Exhibitor: Nihon Verity Co., Ltd.