LEVANES Corporation, on behalf of the City of Sendai, is promoting the Sendai-Tohoku Expansion Program (STEP), which supports startups from Sendai and Tohoku to take on the challenge of solving global issues. As part of this program, a series of global business seminars ("Learn from the Pioneers of Global Expansion! series) are held from August to December.

5th: Global Business Seminar
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025, 16:00-17:00
Place: Urbannet Sendai Chuo Building 4F/Conference Room B
Title: Collaboration with Research Institutes to Obtain Local Evidence
Organized by: City of Sendai, Operated by: Riverness Inc.
Special Presentation: Mr. Hideaki Itami, Director, Asia Region, Platinum Bio Co.
Moderator: Yuko Ueno, General Manager, Group Development Business Division, Liverness, Inc.

Adaptation to Local Culture" and "Fostering a Global Mindset in the Organization" to Pioneer Overseas Expansion

Mr. Hideaki Itami, Director, Asia Region, Platinum Bio Corporation, took the stage and learned important points from the trajectory of global expansion starting from genome editing and bio-DX technology. The seminar provided practical insights from three perspectives: 1) penetration of advanced technologies in halal culture, 2) mindset change to break the stereotype of "from Japan," and 3) parallel development in the market according to the technology and the challenge.

⸻ 1. halal and step-by-step approach to learn locally

Dealing with Muslim culture was often the first thing that could be understood by conducting a site visit to Malaysia. Therefore, the introduction of the technology was done in stages. Considering the psychological hurdles to genome editing, we began by providing the technology to the palm industry. Then, with an eye on future food product development (e.g., allergy-reduced eggs), the company is considering acquiring halal certification.

⸻ 2. "Why from Japan?" Breaking down stereotypes

The most difficult task was to change the mindset of employees to "start with Japan. By thoroughly accepting interns from Malaysia and accompanying them on overseas business trips, collaboration with foreign countries became a "routine" activity. Gradually, the atmosphere within the company changed dramatically, and it became commonplace to look overseas. The company fostered a global perspective, where the objective is to solve social issues, and the location does not have to be Japan.

⸻ 3. proceed with parallel projects based on local issues

Overseas expansion will not be conducted in "North America after Asia," but rather simultaneously. The company is simultaneously developing the most suitable markets according to the technology and local issues: Southeast Asia for the algae business, where the climate is suitable, and North America for the allergy-reducing eggs, where the market receptivity is high. In addition, in Southeast Asia, it is necessary to start with a basic explanation of genome editing, while in Europe and North America, it is necessary to change the business model and the way of talking about the technology, since the discussion will be about specific applications and costs based on the premise of the technology.

This was a practical session that presented a global perspective from the time of the company's founding and specific strategies to support it. In particular, his approach to local culture and regulations, and above all, his efforts to raise awareness within the company when introducing technology, was a great inspiration to all companies seeking to expand overseas.

Click here to see the past implementation reports.

Session 1 Lecturer: Mr. Kengo Suzuki, Co-founder and Executive Fellow

Session 2 Lecturer: Mr. Shingo Akao, President, Ball Wave Corporation

Lecturer: Mr. Ken Matsui, CEO and Representative Director, ugo Co.

Lecturer: Mr. Hong-Kyung Min, President of Liberaware, Inc.

The sixth session on Saturday, November 8, inviting Mr. Yota Takakura, CEO of INOCA Corporation, will be held under the theme of "What will change when you create a subsidiary? What will change when you create a subsidiary?

RIVERNESS will do its utmost to support the process of startups facing real local challenges and growing through the fusion of business and research. We look forward to welcoming all deep tech startups who want to join the challenge of "changing the world with the power of deep tech.

*Non-startup companies entering this program are also free to attend.

Researchers, private companies, and government officials are encouraged to attend.

To apply, please register at the following page.

Upcoming events

Inquiries regarding this matter
RIVANES Corporation (Attn: Mai Inoue, Saito)
TEL：03-5227-4198 E-mail：[email protected]