-Center for Exploratory Research-
WITH the spread of information and communication technology, the progress of globalization, the diversification of peoples’ values, and other factors, an era of drastic change has arrived where the processes that create knowledge and value are undergoing tremendous changes, and the ideal situation of the economy and society and the structure of industry are changing rapidly. The Center for Exploratory Research has the mission of “pioneering new frontiers through visiondriven exploratory research.” It is working to sketch out the form that the society of the future should take in this era of drastic change and is striving to achieve this society through open innovation. In particular, the center is promoting a focus on research and development toward realizing a human-centric “Super Smart Society” (Society 5.0) as advocated by the Japanese government, a society that delivers both economic growth and solutions to societal issues. The center is working on developing the technology to form the seeds of innovation as well as advancing the construction of an open innovation platform for nurturing these seeds.
General Manager, Center for Exploratory Research, Research & Development Group, Hitachi, Ltd. Dr.Yamada is a member of the Chemical Society of Japan and the Society of Nano Science and Technology.