Contents
IDJ’24 report
1. The overview of the IDJ’24
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 build networks between MIT and Japan by exposing MIT students and faculty to Japanese technologies, businesses, and cultures. The eighth trek, IDJ ’24, took place on Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2024.
2. Demographics
IDJ’24 participants came from diverse fields and programs within MIT, allowing them to learn from each other as well as from the companies. SDM students (Yutaro Watanabe, Ayako Yukawa, Kentaro Numa, Yosuke Fuji, Naofumi Aoshima, Hiroki Ogasawara, Tomonoshin Aoki, and Suto Sadami) organized the company visiting tours. The participants’ demographics are as follows.
3. The example of the Company Reports
teamLab
Participant’s Opinions and Thoughts:
I really enjoyed the TeamLab office visit. The intersection of art and technology has always fascinated me, but so rarely do I see it integrated into a single company. It was especially interesting to learn about the company setup and approach to art installations, and then later the week, enjoy one of their art museums for ourselves. The office discussion put into perspective the level of effort, thought, care, and experimentation that went into the exhibit. Hearing the themes from the presenter in the office and then experiencing how the light, sound, scent, and sensation of the rooms themselves connected to that theme was a wonderful experience, end to end.
One comment during the presentation struck me immediately and I plan on sharing it back with my colleagues. Someone asked if the art exhibits went unexpectedly from how they plan. His response was along the lines of, “end users are constantly surprising us. Which I think is a good thing. If we could always predict what the end users will do, that means they could probably predict what we are thinking. And that makes for less interesting art.” It struck me because my work in comparison is constantly trying to predict the end user’s behavior so we can create a path of less resistance for them. A key difference between art and commercial development.
It was fascinating to listen and witness a more relaxed work culture at TeamLabs vs some of the other company visits that had more traditional Japanese work cultures of hierarchy, uniforms, and promptness. TeamLab employees were showing up at various times throughout the day, no business casual attire, and the presenter shared that they are intentionally non-hierarchy. I appreciated that they specifically crafted a role title of “activator” to avoid the baggage of authority associated with titles like project manager or team lead.
Nissan
Participant’s Opinions and Thoughts:
My visit to Nissan’s Technical Center in Atsugi turned out to be remarkably engaging, despite initial disappointment from a change in plans that excluded a visit to their test track due to scheduling conflicts with executives. The center showcased Nissan’s commitment to innovation, particularly through their advanced driving simulator. This impressive machinery allows engineers to realistically assess car performance before a physical prototype is developed, providing Nissan with a significant advantage in the automotive industry. As a mechanical engineer, witnessing such a large-scale simulator in action was a fascinating experience.
Another standout aspect of the visit was exploring Nissan’s approach to value engineering. It was intriguing to observe various car components from multiple manufacturers, understanding that Nissan’s aim is not to imitate but to surpass competitor designs for their future models. This insight into their design philosophy was enlightening.
The visit felt exceptionally VIP, complete with a full camera crew documenting our tour and concluding with a personal interview. This level of attention made the experience even more memorable. I left the center inspired by Nissan’s forward-thinking approach and hopeful for future opportunities to contribute to their innovative endeavors.
Kyoto Fushioneering
Participant’s Opinions and Thoughts:
Coming from a background in the fission industry, my visit to Kyoto Fusioneering was nothing short of enlightening. The company’s innovative focus on supplying key components rather than direct electricity generation presents a fresh and strategic approach to harnessing fusion energy. Their emphasis on gyrotrons for plasma heating and the intricate details of thermal and fuel cycles resonated deeply with my understanding of nuclear processes, showcasing a clear path forward in the fusion domain. The technical presentations were particularly engaging, offering a level of detail and sophistication that, to me, highlighted the potential of fusion technology to complement and eventually surpass traditional fission-based solutions.
The enthusiasm and expertise displayed by the Kyoto Fusioneering team were infectious, underscoring their commitment to not just advancing fusion technology but doing so in a way that is sustainable and impactful. Their business model, focusing on empowering other fusion developers through critical components and systems, reflects a collaborative spirit that is essential for the industry’s success. Despite the complexity of the subject matter, I found the session to be highly accessible and informative, providing valuable insights into the advancements and challenges in the fusion energy landscape.
Moreover, the opportunity to engage directly with the company’s specialists during the Q&A session allowed for a deeper appreciation of the nuances of fusion technology. It left me with a profound sense of optimism about the future of energy generation, firmly believing in the critical role that companies like Kyoto Fusioneering will play in our transition to cleaner, more sustainable power sources. Their work not only aligns with global energy goals but also paves the way for significant advancements in how we approach and implement nuclear technology.
Capcom
Participant’s Opinions and Thoughts:
The Capcom tour was by far my favorite company visit of the entire IDJ 2024 trip. From the very beginning, it was incredible how much they personalized the presentation to MIT and IDJ. Their presentations were tailored to the audience and extremely professional. They had a famous character from RE4, Chris Redfield, do the monolog for the Foley sound stage, and even included a personalized shoutout to Chris Pilcavage. I loved how interactive and hands on each stage of the process was. For the Foley sound stage, we got a firsthand demonstration of how they replicated campfire sounds, and then they allowed us to try it ourselves before incorporating a student’s voice into a clip of a Street Fighter move. Playing around with the RE engine was also very rewarding, and it’s amazing to see how quickly and easily they can create virtual worlds. If my personal circumstances were different, I think working as a video game developer for Capcom would be an amazing experience. Each section was interactive and educational, and I really enjoyed seeing how much pride the Capcom developers take in their work. Despite the advent of AI, the Capcom developers believe they add a human element to their games, and I would be inclined to agree. They even highlighted areas of the video game production processes that I would likely overlook, such as the sound and music. They have an incredible sound studio where they demonstrated the difference between Stereo and Dolby surround sound, and I was in awe at the difference. Every facet of their work is innovative and different than what I thought occurs behind the curtain of video game development. My favorite section was probably getting to play their latest Resident Evil 4 in virtual reality. It’s so interesting to see how all of the individual parts work behind the scenes and then getting to play the final product firsthand. I would highly recommend Capcom to all future IDJ participants and for those who may be interested in employment in this sector.
