Soulful Innovation: How Ikigai Inspires the Future of Making

This talk explores the intersection of Japanese craftsmanship (monotsukuri), purpose-driven living (ikigai), and entrepreneurial spirit in the age of digital fabrication. Dr. Naoki Hamanaka will share his journey of using additive manufacturing—specifically 3D printing—to design and produce affordable, customized assistive devices that enhance quality of life. Drawing on real-world examples, he will illustrate how technology can embody empathy, creativity, and social impact, inspiring a new generation of engineers and innovators to pursue entrepreneurship with purpose and soul. Speaker Naoki Hamanaka, Founder of FabLab Shinagawa, and Representative of Hamanaka Design Studio