ima Inc.

PHILOSOPHY

Business Concept

Drawing lines to craftmanship and amazing people scattered throughout Japan;
interlacing these lines into a connective surface
and transforming into a three-dimensional system.
The system, autonomous, stimulates collaboration.
ima’s mission is to combine beautiful products, born from the artisans,
with leading-edge technology and new ideas;
serve as the connective fabric and cultural engineer to protect tradition
and promote exquisite craft throughout the world.

SERVICE

Supporting the introduction of “Awasake”,
High-class sparkling Japanese Sake,
ima serves as the secretariat of
Japan’s General Incorporated
Awasake Association.

In the same way that Champagne is distinguished from sparkling wine by its origin, tradition and craftsmanship; Awasake of Japan offers connoisseurs the most exquisite sparking sake experience.
In order to introduce the true Awasake experience to the world, ima led the formation of Japan’s General Incorporated Awasake Association in 2016 and facilitated the introduction of Awasake overseas at several events and receptions. Still, to this day, ima serves as the secretariat for the Awasake Association.

Japan Awasake Association

Refined flavors born from
the tradition of “takumi” and crystalized
in the finest of Japanese cuisine.

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Cultural

The soul of Japanese artisanship at the heart of both
traditional fine craftsmanship and
modern technological innovation.

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Engineering

Construct a system of culture inheritance

In the world of traditional industry, techniques and philosophies have been passed-on through word-of-mouth between master and pupil, protecting quality within confined closed spaces.
This master-pupil relationship in the world of the artisan has functioned as a medium that connects tradition to the next generation.
In the present time where the borderlines of countries and time have vanished, the master-pupil medium is exposed to new tool, technology.
A new era begins where people and technology collaborate to support the inheritance of culture from generation to generation.
ima, Inc. constructs systems combining cultural inheritance with leading-edge technology to protect and promote traditional craft.

Connecting creative ideas and resources,
we support the creation of innovative
businesses and projects.
Business creation consulting

There are many remarkable “takumi” that are underappreciated in Japan. ima collaborates with artisans, towns, and organizations to uncover these hidden gems, expose their true value, and bring exciting new products and businesses into the world.

Projects: Consulting for Panasonic Corporation regarding the launch of their new business.

NEWS

2019.04.05

"cafeglobe", one of the famous online media in Japan, posted about "AI-Sake" and "AI Art" become commonplace

On April 5th, 2019, our session about "Possibilities of Socially Implementing AI" was featured by "cafeglobe", one of the famous online media in Japan, and published as a series of articles, titled "LIFE after 2045 / Singularity and My Future". Please check the link here.

2019.04.04

"cafeglobe", one of the famous online media in Japan, posted about "AI-Sake" is a media connecting craftsmen and craftsmen

On April 4th, 2019, reproduction of "sake making" where lack of successors was scolded and trial of "AI sake" betting revival featured by "cafeglobe", one of the famous online media in Japan, and published as a series of articles, titled "LIFE after 2045 / Singularity and My Future". Please check the link here.

2019.04.03

"cafeglobe", one of the famous online media in Japan, posted about AI is a means of "traditional industry update"

On April 3rd, 2019, our activity of "cultural engineering" featured by "cafeglobe", one of the famous online media in Japan, and published as a series of articles, titled "LIFE after 2045 / Singularity and My Future". Please check the link here.

2019.02.18

"AI Mural／Mural in Roppongi" will be exhibited in Media Ambition Tokyo 2019

ima Inc. has developed an AI mural painter “AI Mural／Mural in Roppongi” to exhibit in Media Ambition Tokyo 2019, together with the design labo inc..
Dates：Feb 23rd 〜 Mar 3rd
venue：Roppongi Hills, Tokyo City View
Concept：Artificial Intelligence has learned fine arts. A new form of modern art has been created as Artificial Intelligence paints murals. The oldest art form recorded by mankind is “wall-paintings”, hence, we have decided to begin AI ART starting from the wall. AI has learned from the paintings in Lascaux created by the Cro-Magnon people over twenty thousand years ago; seeing what was drawn and what was expressed. After this process, AI then scans and selects iconic contemporary symbols and begins drawing using a pen plotter. Just like Cro-Magnon people chose symbols from their own territory for the themes depicted on the walls, Artificial Intelligence, on its own, scans the internet for the symbols and subjects it wants to paint on the wall. Please enjoy the new Art created by AI, a development which has begun to erode a creative field with terrific force.

2019.1.12

"Weekly Diamond", one of the famous economic magazines in Japan, posted about AI - Sake project

On Jan 12th, 2019, "Weekly Diamond", one of the famous economic magazines in Japan, posted about AI - Sake project. The article focused on the backgrounds and goals of the project, together with comments from Nanbu Bijin, which is collaborating with the project, and whose sake are well known in Japan. Please check the link here.

2018.12.21

Ecommerce website “awasake senmonten” OPEN

awasake senmonten (awasake specialty store) has gone live. Recognized by the Official awasake Association, the site offers an unprecedented platform to compare and purchase different types of awasake. Please check it out; we look forward to your continued support.

2018.12.20

AI-Sake project is now at data taking stage

As an "AI-sake" project, we developed an AI device that inherits the art of Japanese Sake professional maker, Touji, and acquired data under the cooperation of Nanbu Bijin, Iwate prefecture. Please check this article on Iwate Nippo's posted article.

2018.12.20

TSUKUBA STARTUP DAY with around 400 attendee, Ami Miura joined as an advisor of Tsukuba city

At TSUKUBA STARTUP DAY held at Tsukuba International Conference Hall on December 20, 2018, our company representative Ami served as a Tsukuba city advisor, as a jury of the pitch contest and a moderated panel discussion with Tsukuba City Mayor. Please check "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" article posted on this page.

MEMBER

三浦亜美

Ami Miura

Founder, CEO
Cultural Engineer
Artist

Ami Miura is founder and CEO of ima Inc., the company she created in 2013 to spread awareness of Japan’s unique umami and takumi culture to the world. She is also Lead Advisor to the Tsukuba City Startup Initiative since 2017.
After launching and selling her first tiny startup as a university student, Ami embarked on a yearlong backpacking trip around the world.
Upon returning to Japan, she joined SunBridge, a leading Tokyo-based accelerator, working closely with the founder on the Japanese market entry of leading US SaaS companies and various programs to support the startup community in Tokyo and Kansai.
Ami is the founder and secretary general of the Japan Awasake Association and an adivisor to ShuR, a sign-language social venture.

古森崇史

Takashi Komori

CTO

At university in Fukuoka, he majored in nondestructive inspection of metallic materials and recognition by computer vision. While studying, he also participated in an embedded development venture.
His professional experience includes acting as the Chief Engineer and Manager for a company developing embedded systems.
Based on a wide-range of knowledge in engineering including software, electronic, mechanical, organic chemistry, etc., he developed many devices used for research at numerous universities.
In 2014 he joined AI venture ABEJA, Inc. filling important roles such as Development Team Manager and Technology Specialist.
He created human recognition algorisms and a management system for IoT devices.
In 2017, he joined ima, Inc.; starting with AI-SAKE, he is responsible for the technology used in every project.

吉富愛望アビガイル

Megumi Avigail Yoshitomi

Corporate Strategy Division

Graduated from Department of Physics, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University.
Enrolled in the physics course of the Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo.
At the undergraduate age, conducted research on applying equations of state from nuclear physics to helium 3 system as quantum many body calculation.
At graduate school, conducted experiments on helium 3 system at mK temperature in laboratory at low temperature physics.
While attending the graduate school, worked as internship for cross board human resource industry and virtual currency / block chain industry.
Participated in virtual currency and block chain investment & consultation company, as who is responsible for president's secretary, sales, counterparts for overseas customers, project management for overseas projects, etc.
Participated in ima Inc. in 2018 as Strategic Management Officer.

向井智香

Chika Mukai

Designer
Cup Yoghurt Research Society

After graduating from University, she held exhibitions as a video artist in both Japan and internationally.
She then completed her master’s degree and split her time lecturing at Universities and working for a web production company based in Kyoto.
Subsequently, she relocated to Tokyo, opened a Tokyo office for her company, and transitioned to working as an independent designer.
After successfully leading the renewal of ima’s website, she committed herself to ima as a designer in 2018.
Individually she actively participates in the “Cup Yoghurt Research Society” (カップヨーグルト研究会) partaking in Tumblr reviews, and encouraging the popularization of yoghurt though workshops and lectures.

鳥居敬司

Keiji Torii

Adviser

Keio University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
In 1971, joined Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, Ltd., then studied in London and Switzerland obtaining a MBA degree.
After Worked in Hong Kong, stationed in NY from 1993 to 2002, first as SEVP of CIT Group Inc. one of the largest finance companies in US, then as Managing Director and General Manager of New York Branch of Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, Ltd.
Recently served as Director & Deputy President of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.
Also serving as Director Auditor of ITOCHU Corporation and Director of Tokyo Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Ltd.

櫟木明

Akira Ichiki

Independent Director

After graduating from university, he obtained his MBA through a major bank.
His colorful professional experience includes; director in the management department of a publicly listed company, investment and M&A planning and execution, holding executive positions at several different venture firms, carrying out large-sum financial fundraising, as well as selling-off operating segments and businesses.
Currently as the CFO of Yahoo! JAPAN’s wholly-owned subsidiary Z CORPORATION, he is the administrator of the investment fund and the director of back office operations.
While engaging in hands-on management and operational support for the companies within the portfolio, he lectures at GLOBIS business management graduate school, and actively participates on the board of directors for numerous venture companies.

アレンマイナー

Allen Miner

Adviser
Founder/Chairman and CEO, SunBridge

Allen Miner, Founder and CEO of SunBridge, is one of Japan’s leading venture capitalists and angel investors with significant experience in internet, enterprise software, entrepreneurship and international business development.
He and his firm were early backers of many innovative Japanese startups including Macromill, ITMedia and G-Mode and have been instrumental in the Japan market success of Salesforce.com, Concur, Marketo, Demandware and others.
Through The Miner Foundation, he provides funding, guidance and support to a variety of organizations furthering social innovation and entrepreneurship in Japan and at Stanford University.
Upon his graduation from Brigham Young University, Mr. Miner joined Oracle Corporation in 1986, where he subsequently founded and helped lead Oracle Japan. He has been recognized by Forbes and Always On as one of the world’s 100 top technology investors.

COMPANY

Company Name: ima Inc.
Founder, CEO: Ami Miura
Message from Founder: When I travelled the world as a lone backpacker in my youth, I encountered an untold variety of experiences, people and thoughts.
From those days filled with moments of joy, fear, and solitude, the importance of now gradually became apparent.
I realized that the sense of now is identical to the sense of being alive.
With faith in our inspiration, team ima faces each moment with intensity and purpose creating delightful things that make our world more interesting.
That is who we are.
Established: 2013
Address: Sankee White Bldg. 3F,
2-29-12 Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 110-0016
Contact: +81 3-5846-8737 / info[at]i-ma.jp

ima