Building an Ecosystem for Disruptive Discoveries and Inventions
The General Incorporated Association STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (hereinafter referred to as “SS-F”), located in Setagaya, Tokyo, (Chairman: Takanori Takebe), and Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Mitsui Fudosan”), located in Chuo, Tokyo, (President and CEO: Masanobu Komoda), will collaborate on activities for the discovery and support of the next-generation of researchers. Mitsui Fudosan will fully back SS-F’s initiatives. Both organizations will work together to establish an environment that allows researchers to tackle challenging themes with creative freedom.
Main Collaboration Activities
- Comprehensive Support for Research Activities in the Field of Science
SS-F will provide promising researchers with support programs, including assistance with academic paper publication and operational planning, providing events for cross-disciplinary exchange, opportunities to build networks with investors and the industrial sector, and assistance in streamlining non-research related tasks. Mitsui Fudosan will fully support SS-F’s activities by providing “space,” “opportunities,” and “funding.”
2. Building an Ecosystem for New Industry Creation in the Kannai Area of Yokohama
Activities are planned to center around a new industry creation hub to be developed in the Kannai area of Yokohama. Mitsui Fudosan and SS-F will collaborate to establish a support system for research from the ultra-early stage, aiming to stimulate researcher-driven inventions and build an ecosystem for the creation of new industry.
What is People-Centric Science?
“People-Centric Science” is a concept proposed by SS-F that suggests disruptive inventions (breakthrough discoveries and inventions) are sustainably generated through the creation of shared value brought about by human creativity, new perspectives born from human connections, and the inclusion of others who resonate with, and are inspired by, these discoveries.
Comments from SS-F and Mitsui Fudosan
Takanori Takebe, Founder/Representative Director of SS-F
Special Professor, Advanced Medical Science Research Center, Yokohama City University / Professor, Department of Advanced Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University / Deputy Director, Organoid Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (USA) / Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology
This collaboration is of great significance in realizing SS-F’s vision of “People-Centric Science.” By leveraging the innovation community that Mitsui Fudosan has nurtured and utilizing their expertise in community management, we hope to foster trust in human creativity, generate new perspectives through human connections, and continuously create new shared value. We believe that this will establish a positive cycle that advances the framework of People-Centric Science to create a better world.
Yurie Omi, Development Planning Group, Development Planning Department, Mitsui Fudosan
I resonated with Dr. Takebe’s sense of urgency regarding the status of research in Japan and his strong desire to create a new framework for supporting researchers. By discovering and supporting the raw talent that will shape the future from an early stage, we believe that new research outcomes will emerge from Japan, and we are excited to work closely on this initiative together. Additionally, the Kannai area of Yokohama, where SS-F’s activities are expected to be centered in the future, is a city with a rich history of incorporating cutting-edge culture from both domestic and international sources since the opening of its port, which has continually fostered innovation. From this historically significant area, we aim to create new industries and share them with the world.
[Message of Support] Shinya Yamanaka, Director and Professor, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University / Chairman, Kyoto University iPS Cell Research Foundation / Senior Investigator, Gladstone Institutes (USA)
I believe that any research, if it is truly original, holds value. That’s why I want young researchers to avoid imitating others or repeating past work. True innovation can only be found in uncharted territories. I fully support SS-F’s efforts, which will enable young people with clear visions for the future to conduct research freely, try new ideas, and produce groundbreaking discoveries.
About STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (SS-F)
SS-F is a Japan-based organization aimed at building a system that promotes the sustainable generation of disruptive discoveries and inventions by focusing on the power of people in science. SS-F seeks to revitalize Japan’s scientific research, promoting freedom in research activities of scientists to enable them to create discoveries and inventions that will change the world and contribute to human society.
SS-F’s core concept, known as “The Stellar Model,” focuses on three key pillars:
- Stellar Inventors: Discovering outstanding next-generation researchers
- Investment: Creating an environment that enables creative freedom in research
- Inclusive Community: Fostering a highly diverse community
Representative Director: Takanori Takebe
Director: Tomoyasu Kato (Executive Officer, Development Planning Department Manager, Mitsui Fudosan)
Establishment Date: December 20, 2021
Chairman’s Profile: Takanori Takebe
Graduated from Yokohama City University School of Medicine. In 2013, he became the first in the world to successfully create a human liver organoid (mini-liver) with vascular structures from iPS cells. He is also actively promoting the concept of “Street Medical,” which seeks to update medical practices by incorporating design and art methods.
Awards:
- 2014: Belz Prize
- 2016: New York Stem Cell Foundation Robertson Investigator Award (USA)
- 2018: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Prize
- 2019: Japan Academy Award for Academic Encouragement
- 2020: NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (USA)
About Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
Mitsui Fudosan is a comprehensive real estate company headquartered in Nihonbashi, Chuo, Tokyo, engaged in a wide variety of business including office buildings, commercial facilities, and housing sales. Its philosophy, symbolized by the “&” mark, represents the values of “coexistence and symbiosis,” “connection of diverse values,” and “realization of a sustainable society.”
In 2018, Mitsui Fudosan established its long-term group management policy, “VISION 2025,” with six key goals focused on promoting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management:
- Realization of a super-smart society through urban development
- Creation of a society where diverse talents can thrive
- Ensuring a healthy, safe, and secure lifestyle
- Creating new industries through open innovation
- Reducing environmental impact and generating energy
- Continuous improvement of compliance and governance
SDGs: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The SDGs are international goals adopted at the United Nations Summit in 2015, aimed at achieving sustainable development by 2030. The framework consists of 17 goals and 169 targets, calling for coordinated efforts by various stakeholders to address global challenges.
This project has special emphasis on the following two SDGs:
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Goal 17: revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development
