Member

Ami Miura

Founder, CEO / Kigeika(a blend of entrepreneur and artist)

She started her own business in the field of education as a student. After transferring her business, she went backpacking and experienced culture and art from all over the world. After returning to Japan, she worked as a venture capitalist, assisting foreign-invested companies to expand their business in Japan.
In 2013, she founded ima with the aim of socially implementing the skills of artisans in traditional Japanese culture and the aspirations of researchers. By using business, technology, and art to create new relationships, including with the government, she is working to create a system to pass on traditions and new technologies to the next generation. She also works as a government-related advisor, university faculty member, and artist.

Yasutaka Uchida

Director

Graduated from the Graduate School of Physical Education at Tsukuba University, specializing in Sports Management. In high school, he played soccer and placed 3rd in the National Sports Festival. After working at the Tsukuba City Office for a total of 11 years in the Welfare, Smart City, Administrative Management, and Industrial Promotion sections (including 2 years on secondment to the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan), he joined ima. He manages the entire project and mainly works on joint projects between the government and companies.

Junya Miki

Partner

Graduated from the Graduate School of Science at the University of Tokyo, majoring in Earth and Planetary Science. After completing his studies, he engaged in usability and UX design consulting. He then worked in human resources, recruitment, public relations, and corporate planning before joining ima. He is mainly in charge of facilitation, structuring and organizing information.

Shuto Umezono

Consultant

Graduated from Osaka University with a Master’s degree in Physics. After working in UX design consulting as a new graduate, he joined ima with experience in human resources, recruiting, and setting up overseas operations. His hobbies include horse racing, mahjong and traveling.

Manabu Inouchi

Consultant

Graduated from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tokyo, majoring in General Systems Studies. While in graduate school, he participated in the founding of an Internet marketing venture company. After experiencing system development, consulting services, and management infrastructure construction such as organizational strategy, human resources, and corporate planning, as well as organizational and business reform, capital alliance, and PMI, he joined ima.

Takashi Komori

Full-Stack Engineer / Technical Project Manager

With 9 years of embedded systems development and 4 years of commercializing AI and image processing solutions, he has served as a Technical Advisor and CTO, overseeing technology strategy for new business initiatives and product development, including the AI-sake project. His strength lies in providing end-to-end support across hardware, software, cloud, and AI—from proof of concept through mass production and operations. He drives business success from both technical and business perspectives, covering requirements definition, implementation, and team building.

Junto Ohki

Social Design Specialist

In 2008, while a sophomore at university, he founded ShuR Co., Ltd. as President, a company providing sign language services via video conference system. In 2020, he was a committee member for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, contributing to the “Act on Facilitation of the Use of Telephones for Persons with Hearing Impairments, etc.” He has awarded numerous domestic and international accolades, including being named to Forbes 30 Under 30 World, an Ashoka Fellow, a Rolex Awards Young Laureate, and a Good Design Award. He has served as a committee member for Kanagawa Prefecture, Taito City, and others. Currently, he is active as an Associate Professor at Globiz Professional University. In 2025, he joined ima. He holds an M.A. from the University of Tsukuba and a B.A. from Keio University.

Chika Mukai

Web Designer / Front End Engineer / Yogurt Mania

She has visited dairy farms and dairy manufacturers all over Japan and reviewed about 3,000 kinds of yogurt (as of September 2024). She communicates the appeal of yogurt through social media posts and mass media appearances. Additionally, she founded an organization that connects small and medium-sized dairy manufacturers across Japan and engages in public relations activities. Her book, “The Yogurt Book”.

Marie Sekine

Hospitality Manager

She has worked as a flight attendant for foreign and domestic airlines and as a receptionist at a foreign five-star hotel, where she developed her hospitality mindset over many years. In addition, she worked as a chef’s assistant and is a certified sommelier and fermentation meister. Her hobbies include traveling for architecture and art.

Yuka Ito

Senior Planner

Graduated from the Department of History and Culture, Faculty of Letters, The University of Tokyo. After starting her career in planning and sales at an interior materials manufacturer, she returned to her hometown in the Kansai region to pursue new opportunities. Since then, she has worked closely with startup CEOs, gaining broad experience in corporate planning, heading administrative divisions, launching new businesses, serving as a full-time corporate auditor, managing industry-academia collaboration communities, and handling public relations. Her hobbies include watching Takarazuka Revue performances and listening to music, particularly idol groups and rock bands.

Miho Muramatsu

Planner

Graduated from the Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University. Specialized in steel materials. During her college years, she spent most of her time developing rockets and is a certified model rocket instructor. She is also currently developing and selling an educational toy called “Tegmy”. Her hobby is visiting shaved ice shops.

Ayano Okamura

Planner

Graduated from Tsukuba University.While in university, she launched a cubesat project. After graduating, she founded a human resources venture company. She has experience in recruitment across a wide range of industries, including consulting, retail, food service, and IT, and currently provides career support to science students.

Takashi Funaoka

Center Director

Takashi Funaoka was born and raised in Fukuyama City. He dedicated 39 years to public service at the Fukuyama City Hall, where he specialized in urban development and university collaboration for over 15 years. His deep affection for the region is reflected in his wide-ranging community involvement, including volunteer work in Japanese language education, environmental initiatives, and his role as a probation officer. With a wealth of experience and a compassionate perspective, he fosters new relationships that shape the future of the city.

Takaya Yamamoto

Coordinator

Takaya Yamamoto is a native of Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture. After studying psychology at Doshisha University, he contributed to regional revitalization through public-private partnerships at Fukuyama City Hall. Since leaving government service in 2024, he has worked as a coordinator connecting municipalities, businesses, and local communities. With a strong sense for human insight and a gentle photographer’s eye, he cultivates collaborative relationships that support the development of social innovation.

Ryoma Tanimoto

Researcher

Ryoma Tanimoto is from Fukuyama City and holds a master’s degree in Urban Management from Fukuyama City University, with a focus on urban sociology. He has been involved in community development since the fifth grade and conducted academic research on the challenges facing neighborhood associations today. His lifelong mission is to understand and build the human connections that enrich civic life. Combining academic knowledge with on-the-ground experience, he works closely to address the evolving needs of local communities.