TOMODACHI Alumni Highlight: Hisashi Kojima, from TOMODACHI Next Generation Summit 2025
This month’s alumni highlight features Hisashi Kojima, one of six speakers at the TOMO Voice Speech Contest during the Next Generation Summit 2025. Hisashi is an alumnus of the TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program 2017. He is a doctoral student in information science at Saga University, where he studies search engine technologies. Inspired by his hobby of playing piano, he is developing a product called “Pianura” that allows people to enjoy the piano visually as well.
When I first heard the theme “My Derukui Network,” I thought about the shiny My grades were good, and I actively participated in events to improve myself. However, through the TOMODACHI experience, my mindset shifted and I realized it was not all about having good grades.I’m a doctoral student at Saga University. When I was an undergraduate student, I participated in the TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program 2017.
The participants had different backgrounds, came from different fields, and had different ways of thinking. I realized that an environment where people from diverse backgrounds can speak freely often leads to productive and meaningful conversations. Their opinions gave me new insights and contributed to my personal growth.The experience led me to join the Nakayama Laboratory, where the policy is to encourage students to pursue their individual interests, with the professor providing support along the way. The Nakayama Laboratory is my “Derukui Network.”
In the laboratory, there were various senior students who had presented at international conferences, applied for patents, or even started their own businesses.I have been developing a search engine that specializes in mathematics since my master’s program. As you know, mathematics can be very challenging. However, Google and other search engines are not made to help me understand the mathematical concepts at a master’s program level. At the time, tools like ChatGPT didn’t exist. That’s why I decided to create a search engine for mathematics. However, the scale of building a search engine was too large for one person, so I decided to turn it into a business.
I participated in a business plan contest and explored the commercial potential of my research. These activities were demanding, and I wanted to refresh myself, so I started playing the piano as a hobby last April.While playing the piano, I thought, “It would be fun if illustrations matching the songs were printed on the keys.” I shared my business idea, Pianaura, with another piano-playing member of the Nakayama Laboratory, and we really clicked.The lab members encouraged me to take on challenges, such as presenting at an international conference, applying for a patent, and starting a business. I’m no longer afraid of trying something new.
That’s why, despite my background in IT, I was able to take on the challenge of starting a business in the piano industry, a domain unrelated to my expertise. The Nakayama Laboratory, my Derukui Network, supported me to bring my idea to life.
This article was transformed from his speech script by Nina Takanami on September 1, 2025. Nina is currently an intern with the TOMODACHI Alumni leadership program.
