Japanese Technology Excellence

Japanese Technology Excellence - Challenges & Prospects in Silicon Valley, The U.S. & The World

JETRO's Business Innovation Center Helps Companies Realize Their Full Potential

October 2012 --- For Japanese start-ups and small-to-medium sized companies in the high-tech industry, the U.S.-Japan Business Innovation Center (BIC) can be a gateway to the U.S. markets. Located in the Silicon Valley, JETRO's BIC has supported more than 80 Japanese companies in successfully expanding their businesses to the U.S. These companies offer a wide variety of products and services but all of them share the features of originality and quality. Two outstanding examples of this are Taica North America Corporation, a specialist in unique technologies such as their multifunctional silicone gel, αGEL© (Alpha GEL), and CSE Secure Systems, Inc., the developer of a matchless one-time-password security authentication system, SECUREMATRIX©. JETRO interviewed both companies to understand how their businesses have accelerated in the U.S. thanks to their distinctive "born in Japan" products and services.

αGEL: The Possibilities Are Endless
Taica North America Corporation (San Jose, CA)

The visual image of falling eggs is a trademark of Taica Corporation, registered in Japan and / or other countries.

© CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.

By moving to the BIC in 2012, Taica hopes to extend their networks with various U.S. companies producing high quality products such as semiconductors, medical devices, defense and aerospace equipment and sport shoes as well as industrial and consumer goods. The possible applications for the αGEL are so endless that it is impossible to narrow it down to a target market. In many cases, consumers are not even aware of the integral role αGEL plays in the functionality of everyday devices. For example, αGEL is used in Casio's popular G-SHOCK watches. G-SHOCK are world-renowned for their unbeatable durability and shock resistance. Recognizing the enhanced features of αGEL, in 2010 Casio decided to implement it in their newest line of innovative G-SHOCK. Other common applications of the αGEL include hard disk drives (HDD), sport shoes, computers, digital steel cameras (DSC), solid state drive (SSD), oxygen concentrators, dish washers, and smartphones.

Mr. Kanai holding a big pad of αGEL in his BIC office
(Photo by JETRO)

As they begin to settle into their new San Jose office space at the BIC, Taica is steadily moving forward with their expansion in the U.S. Currently Taica is pursuing partnerships with engineering companies who have broad networks in the U.S. "Our goal is to leverage their sales and technical resources to reach out to more customers and respond to their needs in a timely manner," Mr. Kanai concluded.

SECUREMATRIX, A Solution For Customers Who Value Data

Mr. Itaru Nishimura opened CSE's U.S. subsidiary at the BIC in November 2011, he was determined to see the success of its world-class SECUREMATRIX, a unique, patented matrix authentication solution, in Silicon Valley. SECUREMATRIX is a two-factor, token-less authentication solution, combining patterns and images to form a one-time single use password (OTP) for remote access to secure information. Customers and partners alike consistently praise CSE's unique system for being highly secure, cost effective and easy to use. Unlike other authentication systems, SECUREMATRIX does not require extra devices -- a huge advantage to improving cost and functionality. While other systems require companies to spend tens of thousands dollars quarterly on token devices due to loss, damage or other technical problems, SECUREMATRIX users can securely access their information from anywhere in the world without the worry of a lost, forgotten, or broken token. Originally designed to meet the needs of its demanding Japanese customers, SECUREMATRIX has achieved extraordinary success. By focusing on the needs of the users and incorporating their feedback, CSE has developed an innovative and incredibly secure system.

Easy-to-remember SECUREMATRIX authentication
© CSE Co.,Ltd.

Since their expansion into the U.S. market, SECUREMATRIX has been deployed by U.S. companies such as JWAY Group and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. CSE has also expanded their opportunities by partnering with proven global companies and network device vendors such as Juniper Networks, WatchGuard Technologies, Array Networks, Devicenet USA, Macnica Networks USA and SYSCOM. Now, their business is picking up speed thanks to their new partnership with Citrix© Systems, Inc., the leader in enabling mobile workstyles and powering cloud services. SECUREMATRIX will be integrated with next generation of Citrix© NetScaler© SDX. The product will be upgraded to a two-factor authentication solution in order to meet U.S. guidelines. This collaboration is a big milestone for CSE, who is excited to see their Japan-born technology successfully implemented into a major U.S. system. Mr. Nishimura noted, "I had been going through a long tunnel since 2009, but finally I saw a bright light at the other side of the tunnel. This partnership has surely added a lot of credibility to our technology and I expect our business will pick up momentum." (For more details please read CSE's press release: http://www.csessi.com/latest-news/)

Mr. Nishimura in his office
(Photo by JETRO)

CSE will be at the JETRO's Japan Booth in the upcoming Cloud Expo (November 5-8, 2012, Santa Clara, CA) and showcase their system solutions.

Considered the Mecca of tech companies, Silicon Valley is filled with everything from venture capital firms, large enterprises and start-ups to highly-skilled engineers, notable universities, innovative professionals and the media. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, JETRO's BIC was established in January 2001 to connect Japanese high-tech companies with the excellent resources offered in the area, particularly U.S. business and development partners, sales and distribution channels, and venture capital and private equity firms. As JETRO's only innovation hub in the world, the BIC provides free business acceleration assistance including ready-to-use office space, conference rooms, and a variety of other services (e.g. market research assessments and legal/financial services). Mr. Masashi Nakazono, Executive Director of BIC, explained, "Small-to-medium and venture companies in Japan have to look at global markets to grow their business. These companies have the potential to have great success in world markets if they seize the moment." Silicon Valley is the perfect place to find such an opportunity. It is the center of the innovation and if you are successful here you can become internationally successful. "That's why JETRO operates the BIC here," Mr. Nakazono continued, "Challenge and risk are inseparable, but you should never be afraid of taking a risk if you want to grow your business. The BIC continues to support companies willing to take on such challenges in order to realize their full potential."

© JETRO

To learn more about the participating companies and their technologies, please visit our Cloud Expo event information site. A free pass is available for JETRO guests. Please look for the special promotion code on the website. If you are interested in meeting with the Japanese participating companies, please contact: bicsupport@jetro.go.jp.

As of October 1, 2012, twelve Japanese companies are using JETRO's temporary office space at BIC. Their technologies vary and their business models may be different, but they share the same goal: to be internationally successful.

Taica North America Corporation (San Jose, CA)
URL: www.taica.co.jp/english/
Contact: Mr. Yasuhiro Kanai (kanai@taica-na.com)
Japan Headquarters: Taica Corporation

CSE Secure Systems, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA)
URL: www.csessi.com
Contact: Mr. Itaru Nishimura (nishimura@csessi.com)
Japan Headquarters: CSE Co.,Ltd.

U.S.-Japan Business Innovation Center (BIC)
URL: www.jetro.org/working_with_japanese_startups_and_smes
ADDRESS: 10 South Third St., 3rd Floor, San Jose, CA 95113
TEL: 408-351-3369 FAX: 408-351-3357
Contact: bicsupport@jetro.go.jp

JETRO's Japan Booth @Cloud Expo
November 5 (Mon) - 8 (Thu), 2012
@Santa Clara Convention Center (Santa Clara, CA)
URL: www.jetro.org/event/japan_booth_at_cloud_expo_2012
Contact: bicsupport@jetro.go.jp