Contents
IDJ’25 report
1. The overview of the IDJ’25
Innovation Discovery Japan (IDJ) is a tech trek to Japan in which MIT students and researchers visit technology-oriented Japanese companies and research institutes. IDJ was established in 2017 by Japanese students at MIT to foster connections between MIT and Japan by introducing MIT students and faculty to Japanese technologies, businesses, and cultures. The ninth trek, IDJ ’25, took place on Jan 27 – 31, 2025.
2. The example of the Company Reports
Capcom
Participant’s Opinions and Thoughts:
Capcom set a new standard for how well a company can prepare for and engage with visitors, especially students eager to learn about the gaming industry. The tour was thoughtfully structured, giving us a well-rounded look at both the technical and creative sides of game development. With a background in computer science and software engineering, I was particularly intrigued by Capcom’s RE Engine. Seeing how it enables rapid prototyping and supports multi-platform game development highlighted just how crucial software is in modern game design. Overall, the visit to Capcom was both inspiring and insightful. Their commitment to pushing technological boundaries while creating engaging, immersive storytelling truly stood out. Getting an inside look at their development process in such an interactive way was an absolute privilege.
The tour with Capcom was one of my favorites throughout the entire IDJ trip, as the hosts were very well-organized and prepared, offering an enlightening look into the various components and technologies that go into making a video game, which I had rarely considered while playing games. The sheer amount of technologies, gadgets, soundboards, and tools used across all the studios highlighted the immense effort behind their games, and their demonstrations were as engaging as the games themselves. Additionally, it was impressive how the tour emphasized the importance of their proprietary RE Engine, an in-house developed tool that sets them apart from more common engines like Unity, showcasing how all the technologies and studios work together to create a polished final product.
teamLab
Participant’s Opinions and Thoughts:
An introduction to teamLab’s approach to interactive storytelling and digital ecosystems provided a unique perspective on how they bridge the gap between art, engineering, and human interaction. For instance, we learned about a project that simulates natural phenomena, such as a digital cloud installation that disperses upon touch, mimicking the fragility and regenerative nature of real clouds. This idea of “art as a living entity” resonated deeply with me, as it challenges the conventional static nature of art. Overall, their ability to blur the lines between physical and digital reality is truly inspiring, and I left with a deeper appreciation of the interplay between creativity and computation in modern interactive design.
I was surprised to hear about the solutions side of the company. These projects make it clear that while they mainly create art, the members of teamLab are still engineers that excel at finding practical solutions in line with their own vision. I particularly liked their collaboration with Hayakita School, which aimed to recreate the interactions children get in larger cities and to expose them to people of different walks of life. Their proposed solution was to provide different public facilities within the school, like libraries, kitchens, study spaces, etc. that residents can also freely use, allowing children to get a similar kind of exposure without leaving the school. The solution they chose concurs with the company’s theme of breaking borders, creating continuity, and fostering community.
TIER IV
Participant’s Opinions and Thoughts:
Visiting TIER IV provided unique insight into the autonomous vehicle industry and the company’s distinct approach to innovation. One of the most striking aspects of TIER IV’s strategy is its support of open-source technology, a bold decision that sets it apart from many competitors. While other autonomous vehicle companies develop proprietary systems, TIER IV’s use of the Autoware open-source software stack fosters collaboration across the industry. It is an interesting contrast to closed models as it prioritizes adaptability and accessibility for everyone.
The discussion on legal frameworks was particularly insightful. We explored the regulatory landscape governing autonomous vehicles, including the stringent safety standards and compliance requirements that must be met before these vehicles can be deployed on public roads. The conversation also touched on the evolving nature of these regulations as governments worldwide grapple with the rapid advancements in autonomous driving technologies. As these regulations continue to develop, adhering to legal frameworks remains a critical factor in ensuring the safe and ethical deployment of autonomous vehicles.
Synspective
Participant’s Opinions and Thoughts:
Synspective’s approach to SAR data commercialization is both ambitious and strategically distinct. While many satellite companies focus on hardware sales, Synspective differentiates itself by concentrating solely on data-driven solutions. This aligns well with the increasing demand for real-time, actionable insights across industries. The ability to monitor subtle land deformations, detect environmental changes, and track infrastructure shifts makes their technology highly valuable in risk assessment and decision-making processes.
Having worked in the satellite communications industry for several years, I was delighted to see Synspective innovating and offering competitive solutions in the SAR technology space. The advent of reusable launch vehicles and decreased launch costs has made space accessible to more players. This will enable companies like Synspective to launch even more satellites, thus reducing the revisit times and making the all-weather, day-and-night imaging capabilities even more attractive for current and future customers.
