HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies is a project dedicated to showcasing the diverse technological expertise and creative manufacturing capabilities of Higashiosaka to both domestic and international audiences. By combining the region’s exceptional technical expertise with fresh perspectives and innovative thinking, this initiative aims to develop solutions suited to contemporary needs while revitalizing local industry. The connections and creations born here become FACTORs — catalysts and building blocks—forming a platform that generates new value and possibilities for the future. From “Higashiosaka, the City of Manufacturing” — with its over 300-year history and approximately 6,000 business establishments — we are reaching out to the world anew to share our distinctive strengths.
Digital Leaflet (PDF)
Higashiosaka: A World-Class Manufacturing City
Higashiosaka is recognized as one of the world’s leading manufacturing cities, with the highest density of manufacturing establishments in Japan. Through the development of its small factories and workshops, this region has inherited diverse technical capabilities that contribute to both domestic and international industries while supporting people’s daily lives.
Carrying forward technologies that trace their lineage to the Edo period, a new generation of business successors is now working with fresh vision. In 2017, with the aim of generating high-value-added products and enhancing the city’s brand value, the municipal government began discussions with external product designers (the project’s Director and Creative Director). Informed by insights gained from design seminars for companies and factory visits, a medium to long-term business plan was developed — from establishing designer connections to business planning, product development, and promotion — launching collaborative design projects between companies and designers.
Project Framework
HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies is a city-led project aimed at fostering regional brand creation and civic pride by connecting companies with designers to generate new products and future business opportunities. In this initiative, designers (the Project Director and Creative Director) propose medium to long-term business plans and specifications to the administration, creating original specifications and effective team building. The creative team extends beyond creative output to engage in business planning, specification development, and support for company-designer collaborations. This framework has achieved “new design creation in government projects,” breaking the long-held norm that government projects must be limited to single-year terms. The continuous operation by a consistent creative team has enabled coherent production and built internal trust.
Creative Team
Project Direction: Maki Hirakawa（HIRAKAWA DESIGN STUDIO INC.）
Creative Direction + Design: Daisuke Kitagawa（DESIGN FOR INDUSTRY INC.）
Art Direction + Design: Ken Okamoto, Yamato Iizuka（Ken Okamoto Design Office Inc.）
Videograph / Compose: Noriaki Okamoto
Photograph （Factory Photo）: Kenta Hasegawa（OFP Co.,Ltd.）
Photograph （Product Photo）: Mitsuru Sakurai（plana inc. MSPG studio）
PR: Miki Koike（HOW INC.）
Project Owner: Higashiosaka City
Project Implementation Process
HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies design projects are planned over two years rather than one year to optimize designer collaboration. The creative team accompanies all processes from business strategy development to market entry. A distinctive feature is that all stakeholders participate in factory tours of participating companies at the project’s outset to share information. During development, progress-sharing sessions are held for all project members to deepen mutual learning and understanding. While exhibitions at trade shows aim for market entry, they also provide valuable opportunities to reflect on shared experiences and strengthen connections.
The Journey So Far
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Trade Show Exhibitions
Trade show exhibitions serve as platforms for companies to introduce new products developed through designer collaboration and promote themselves. The creative team manages and supports exhibitions to ensure effective presentation. Exhibiting as an overall project rather than individual companies functions as a space for building stronger relationships both within and outside the project, while raising awareness and brand value for both the participating companies and Higashiosaka City.
JAPAN SHOP +Plus
OHARA CO., LTD.×Gen Suzuki
FACTOR 02
KYOWAKOGYO CO.,LTD.×Jin Kuramoto
FACTOR 03
Nimbari Kousakusho Co., Ltd. ×Daisuke Kitagawa
FACTOR 04
Hokusei Industry Co., Ltd.×Tomoya Tabuchi
INTERIOR LIFESTYLE
FACTOR 01
FACTOR 01 OHARA CO., LTD.×Gen Suzuki
Gift Show LIFE×DESIGN
KYOWAKOGYO CO.,LTD.×Jin Kuramoto
FACTOR 05
Koushi Chemical Indsutry Co., Ltd.×Wataru Kumano
FACTOR 06
Sanko-giken Co., Ltd.×Yuhei Imai
FACTOR 07
MONJU INC.×Ryuichi Kozeki
Online Seminars
At the completion of design projects, online seminars present the background and processes behind each product and business development. Presentations by designers and company representatives are archived to share learning with a wider audience.
HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies Phase One Design Project Online Seminar:
“The Future Through Government-Design Collaboration: Creating Corporate and Urban Brand Value”
OHARA CO., LTD.×Gen Suzuki
FACTOR 02
KYOWAKOGYO CO.,LTD.×Jin Kuramoto
FACTOR 03
Nimbari Kousakusho Co., Ltd. ×Daisuke Kitagawa
FACTOR 04
Hokusei Industry Co., Ltd.×Tomoya Tabuchi
Maki Hirakawa, Project Director, HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies
Daisuke Kitagawa, Creative Director, HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies
［Organizer] Higashi-Osaka City
［Cooperation] Japan Institute of Design Promotion
HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies Phase Two Design Project Online Seminar:
“The Future Through Government-Design Collaboration: Creating Corporate and Urban Brand Value”
Koushi Chemical Indsutry Co., Ltd.×Wataru Kumano
FACTOR 06
Sanko-giken Co., Ltd.×Yuhei Imai
FACTOR 07
MONJU INC.×Ryuichi Kozeki
Maki Hirakawa, Project Director, HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies
Daisuke Kitagawa, Creative Director, HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies
［Organizer] Higashi-Osaka City
［Cooperation] Japan Institute of Design Promotion
Expanding Collaboration
HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies’ initiatives include educational activities for local elementary, middle, and high school students, helping them understand their community’s distinctive characteristics and explore potential career paths. Educational materials about manufacturing-related work are distributed to elementary school students to explore local career possibilities. As part of these activities, middle and high school students attend ‘Community Co-creation Classes,’ featuring talks about the region’s unique industries and creative opportunities.
Community Co-creation Classes:
“The Future Created by Manufacturing Companies and Design: Creative Spirit and Challenge in Higashiosaka”
Takashi Tanaka, Representative Director, Sanko Giken Co.
Maki Hirakawa, Project Director, HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies
Daisuke Kitagawa, Creative Director, HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies
Community Co-creation Classes:
“The Future Created by Manufacturing Companies and Design: Creative Spirit and Challenge in Higashiosaka”
Maki Hirakawa, Project Director, HIGASHIOSAKA FACTORies
PLAY MOVIE