Makers-Lab Toyohashi in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture is a makerspace run by Science Create Co., Ltd., a public-private (third sector) organization based in the area. The lab was opened in 2015 within Toyohashi Science Core, a center promoting industry-academic collaboration and supporting the creation of new industries in the Higashi-Mikawa region. As a lab that allows anyone to put their fabrication skills into practice, Makers-Lab Toyohashi is seeking to breathe new life into local industry.

COVID-19 vaccinations are progressively being rolled out throughout Japan. To ensure that the process is conducted smoothly, signage for venue guidance and warnings are essential. Roland DG manufactures and sells wide-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters that are used to produce large-format signs with excellent visibility and were used recently to assist with efforts at mass vaccination centers in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, where the company’s head office is located.

Signboards are the main line of business for POPBOX in Asakusa, Tokyo. As a specialist in the signboard industry, they also manufacture various fixtures and sell cutting sheets for promotional media. Three of Roland DG's TrueVIS VG2-540 wide-format printer/cutters are being used by POPBOX, so we had a chat with supervisor Makoto Tanabe (in photo above) to find out more.

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Seagull Co., Ltd. in Okayama, Japan has recorded growth in online sales of original smartphone cases and leather accessories printed with Roland DG’s LEF series UV printers.

The large Co-startup Space & Community FUSE is located in Hamamatsu City, Japan, where Roland DG headquarters is based. It runs a co-working space and fabrication studio that are jointly operated by startups and local companies. Roland DG’s UV printer and other devices are used in the fabrication studio.

The pandemic inspired Angela Bernal, who works at Roland DGA, Roland DG’s U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary, to start a home-based business with the easy-to-use BT-12 desktop direct-to-garment (DTG) printer.