TOPPAN Holdings Co., Ltd.
TOPPAN Holdings begins collaboration on digital technology R&D with CTA, Embassy of Canada in Japan
Collaborating with Canadian companies in the digital creative field to co-create new expressive content
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TOPPAN Holdings, Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hideharu Maro; hereinafter referred to as TOPPAN Holdings) is working with the CTA (Canadian Technology Accelerator) of the Canadian Embassy in Japan, TCS (Trade Commissioner Service), and digital technology. We will begin collaboration regarding R&D.
Through CTA’s Canadian Startup Support Program, TOPPAN Holdings will co-create with Canadian companies, focusing on the production of new expressive content using digital technology and the field of spatial production.
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Kazunori Sakai, Representative Director and Executive Vice President of TOPPAN Holdings (left) and Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Federal Government of Canada (right) (C) TOPPAN Holdings Inc.
■Background
Technological innovations related to digital content have progressed, and by fusing the virtual and real, it is now possible to create rich expressions that appeal to the five senses, such as not only images but also sounds, smells, and temperature. The various digital contents used are attracting attention around the world.
Under these circumstances, the Canadian federal government has been rolling out the CTA program (*2) worldwide since 2013, with the aim of supporting the growth of Canadian technology companies in the international market. We support technology and co-creation
collaboration between local and Canadian companies at five locations. Furthermore, in Montreal, Quebec, there are many creative studios with strengths in the fields of public art (*3) and spatial production, and the digital content created there has received high praise in the fields of expression such as messages and stories. Masu. In addition to the world’s most cutting-edge technology companies in the fields of AI and quantum, it also attracts companies with creative
expressiveness in various fields such as movies and games.
Meanwhile, the TOPPAN Group is transforming its business portfolio through “Digital & Sustainable Transformation” with the aim of realizing a sustainable society and increasing corporate value. Among them, TOPPAN Digital Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Kazunori Sakai, hereinafter referred to as TOPPAN Digital), which promotes the DX business strategy of the entire group, aims to create new business fields by utilizing digital technology. I am. For example, by utilizing technology (color management system: CMS) that uniformly expresses differences in basic colors and color gamuts used in displays, printers, and printing presses, we can accurately display them in the medical field, cultural property archives, and VR content. This enables color reproduction.
Furthermore, we have established TOPPAN DIGITAL SANDBOX (R) (*4), a trial and experimental space that incorporates cutting-edge technology and creates the seeds for new businesses, and are promoting the development of new businesses that utilize digital technology. Utilizing the CTA program of the Canadian Embassy in Japan, TCS, TOPPAN Holdings has begun a comprehensive collaboration on digital technology R&D, focusing on the production of new expressive content and spatial production areas that utilize digital technology. We will co-create with Canadian companies.
Prior to the start of this collaboration, Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development of the Canadian Federal Government, announced on October 31st that she would like to visit “NIPPON GALLERY TABIDO MARUNOUCHI(R)” (Tokyo), a co-creation base of the TOPPAN Group.・Chiyoda Ward) (*5) Minister Mary Ng discussed collaboration and cooperation with Canadian companies with Kazunori Sakai, Representative Director and Executive Vice President of TOPPAN Holdings, and welcomed the TOPPAN Group’s further activities and increased presence in Canada. I did.
■ Overview of comprehensive collaboration
Cooperation items:
1. Collaboration in the pursuit of new expressions, such as content production and spatial production using digital technology, and application of digital twin technology to creative fields.
2. Collaboration such as mutual presentations for co-creation between Canadian companies and the TOPPAN Group during the CTA program held in Japan
3. Medium- to long-term collaboration with R&D human resources through specific PoC projects
Implementation period: November 1, 2023 to March 31, 2025
■ Future plans
By collaborating with Canadian companies mainly in the digital creative field, we aim to realize a prosperous society by producing new content, creating spatial productions, installations, and experiences that combine digital technology.
*1 LED wall
Video equipment that can be customized into various shapes and sizes by combining LED panels. Used for backgrounds, spatial effects, indoor and outdoor content expressions, etc. in movie and drama productions. *2 CTA program
One of the focus programs of the Canadian federal government’s Ministry of Global Partnerships. We have supported 1,100 Canadian startups, raised a total of C$750 million in capital, and created more than 1,100 partnerships with Canadian and international companies. We support carefully selected Canadian tech startups to enter Japan and expand their business.
https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/tcs-sdc/cta-atc/index.aspx?lang=eng *3 Public art
Art and cultural works installed in indoor and outdoor public spaces rather than art galleries and museums.
*4 TOPPAN DIGITAL SANDBOX(R)
A base for prototyping and experimentation opened in November 2021 as a place where employees can create new value from both backcasting and forecasting perspectives while experiencing the latest digital technology, and create seeds for new businesses. We have created an environment where you can freely conduct prototyping and experiments, including local 5G base stations, high-speed communication lines, digital equipment, and machine tools.
Release: https://www.holdings.toppan.com/ja/news/2021/11/newsrelease211112_1.html *5 NIPPON GALLERY TABIDO MARUNOUCHI(R)
A base co-created by TOPPAN Holdings with various partners in order to become a tourism-oriented nation. We use cutting-edge expression technology to communicate to the world the appeal of national treasures, important cultural properties, and tourist assets located throughout Japan.
*Product and service names mentioned in this news release are trademarks or registered trademarks of each company.
*The information contained in this news release is current as of the date of announcement. It is subject to change without prior notice. that’s all