Innovation by Serendipity — the lab that designs for the unplanned

What was discussed

The session discussed whether chance discoveries can be designed as a mechanism for encounters rather than relying only on individual qualities. Practices were introduced such as addressing one another without being bound by titles and inviting people who can advance collaboration to informal occasions such as drinking parties. On the other hand, the view was also presented that the encounter of different technologies cannot itself be created intentionally, and that the only way is to raise the probability by increasing exposure and the number of trials. The possibility that measuring and optimizing grades and results narrows diversity and makes outstanding results less likely was also discussed.

About this session

Is innovation invention, or fusion? The sharpening world of research knowledge has entered a stage where new results come not from invention alone, but from fusing knowledge that had been divided field by field. We bring together top players who carry out this fusion-driven innovation in research, in technology, and in industry, and discuss whether it can be made reproducible.

Speakers

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  Keisuke Goda

  The University of Tokyo / Tohoku University　Professor, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo / International Distinguished Professor, Institute for Medical Innovation, Advanced Institute for Research, Tohoku University

  He studied physics at the University of California, Berkeley and took his PhD in physics at MIT. After working on quantum enhancement of gravitational-wave detectors at LIGO, he worked on optical imaging, laser spectroscopy, biomedical engineering and microfluidics at UCLA. He has been a professor at the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo, since 2012. Combining quantum optics, nanotechnology, microfluidic chemistry and data science, he develops techniques for molecular imaging, spectroscopic measurement and for making serendipity more likely. He is concurrently an International Distinguished Professor at Tohoku University.

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  Shutaro Takeda

  Keio University　Associate Professor, Graduate School of Media Design, and Director of the Fusion Industry Research Center, KMD Research Institute

  He became a researcher after working for the United Nations and with the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, and specialises in fusion engineering and sustainability science. He was a programme-specific associate professor at Kyoto University and co-founded the fusion startup Kyoto Fusioneering. Since 2022 he has been an associate professor at the Graduate School of Media Design, Keio University, researching plant design, power systems and the socio-economics of fusion energy, and as director of the Fusion Industry Research Center he works to connect academia, industry and policy.

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  Yuko Sasahara

  NTT DOCOMO Ventures　President, CEO and CCO

  She joined NTT DOCOMO in 1995 and worked on planning and specifying the i-mode service and its handsets, and on handset line-ups and UI and design strategy. From 2014 she ran a new-business programme supporting internal entrepreneurs. Since 2021 she has led NTT DOCOMO Ventures, working on co-creation with startups and venture investment. After further lifestyle business development at NTT DOCOMO, she became its President, CEO and CCO in July 2025. She holds an MIT Sloan Fellows MBA.

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  Makiko Shinoda

  ModeratorYeLL Inc.　Director

  After reading economics at Keio University she joined the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan. She went on to McKinsey & Company, Novartis Pharma and Nestlé Nutrition, and from 2008 served as director and chief financial officer of Hobonichi, leading the company to its listing in 2017. Following a year away from work she became a director of YeLL Inc. in 2020, where she supports companies pursuing organisational change through online one-to-one conversations with people from outside the firm. She teaches in the Faculty of Entrepreneurship at Musashino University and sits on a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry study group on human capital management. She holds an MBA from the Wharton School and a master's degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University.