How businesses and universities should each approach industry–academia collaboration to help bolster Japan’s competitiveness
Industry–academia collaborations are initiatives where businesses and universities work together through joint research and talent exchange to help solve challenges faced by society and business. In the medium-term management plan announced by the azbil Group in May 2025, the company has placed two concepts at the core of its management strategy: “Evolution,” meaning transforming itself by adapting to a changing environment, and “Co-creation,” meaning working collaboratively with external companies, universities, and other public, private, and academic partners to generate new value by leveraging each party’s respective strengths. When we address on-site challenges through automation while pursuing sustainable business expansion through the azbil Group’s unique business model, we position industry–academia collaboration not merely as an activity, but as a management method for tackling social issues while simultaneously achieving business growth. Professor Takao Someya leads initiatives in this regard as Director General of the Division of University Corporate Relations at the University of Tokyo. He spoke with Kiyohiro Yamamoto, Director, Representative Corporate Executive, President and Group CEO of Azbil Corporation about the approach that businesses and universities should take when acting in industry–academia collaborations.
