What is MaOI Project

To contribute to the future ideal of healthy longevity and quality living, the MaOI Project aims to create a global hub in Shizuoka Prefecture for sustainable development in the marine industries—also known as the blue economy—by promoting marine businesses and protecting the marine environment.
Shizuoka Prefecture is home to fascinating marine resources such as Suruga Bay, an area blessed with diverse marine environments and creatures. By promoting innovation through marine biotechnology and other areas of blue tech, the prefecture is working to create and promote diverse industries that make use of the area’s rich marine resources. Through initiatives related to this project, we will contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

Industrial Applications and R&D

Fisheries

Introduction of bio and digital technologies at aqua-farming production sites, with the aim of creating appealing products, conserving energy, and reducing production costs.

  • Persons involved in aqua-farming
    (existing and new entrants)

  • Providers of digital/bio technologies
    (research institutions, including universities,
    private companies, etc.)

Food Products

Creation of functional food and functional processed food products utilizing functional ingredients derived from marine resources, and development of high value-added products.

  • Persons involved in the production
    and sale of food products
    (existing and new entrants)

  • Researchers of functional ingredients and
    businesses capable of engaging in commercialization
    (research institutions, including universities,
    private companies, etc.)

Drug Discovery

Utilize new functional substances derived from marine resources to create pharmaceutical and cosmetic products that contribute to health and longevity, and introduce these to the market.

  • Persons involved in production and
    sale of pharmaceuticals and
    cosmetic products

  • Research institutions,
    including universities,
    private companies, etc.

Others (Environment, Energy, Water, Agriculture, etc.)

Development of new energy resources and reduction of food loss utilizing the characteristics of microalgae, and the development of resource management technologies utilizing sensor devices.

  • Sensor device
    start-up companies

  • Research institutions,
    including universities,
    private companies, etc.

Examples of other industries in the blue economy

Shipbuilding, marine-related infrastructure, maritime trade, marine biotechnology, desalination, marine energy, information-communication technology.

Subsidies

Shizuoka Prefecture has launched a subsidy system to promote commercialization and R&D in marine-related industries.
As an entity that promotes marine-related projects, the MaOI Institute supports the use of these subsidies by providing consultation services and engaging in communication activities.

R&D Support: “Seed is Creation and Research Consignment”; upper limit of 10 million yen/year (within three years)

【Examples】
Structural analysis of biodegradable microplastics from deep sea environments
Isolation of carotenoid-producing microorganisms and their application for the development of new supplements

R&D Support: “Grant for Businesses Engaged in the Development and Promotion of Marine Technologies”; upper limit of 10 million yen/year (within two years; subsidy rate: 2/3)

【Examples】
Development of sensor devices to improve the culturing techniques of Salmon establishment of the inland aquaculturing method using the devices

Commercialization Support: “Grant for Businesses Promoting the Commercialization of Marine Open Innovation Projects”; upper limit of 20 million yen/fiscal year (within three years; subsidy rate: 2/3)

【Examples】
Development of the new moisturizing cosmetics made from Suruga Bay ingredients
Development of the new trout aquaculturing technique “Ajiage” by controlling osmotic pressure to improve the quality and brandization of the products
Development of the electrolysis-mediated technique to increase the productivity of closed circulation-type inland aquaculture
Development and Commercialization of the seasoning made from fermented blue mackerel as a new Shizuoka brand
Development project of functional food that can contribute to the cognition function maintenance for the aging society

We will drive research and promote industries within Shizuoka Prefecture. In addition of it, we will stimulate tourism and other marine-based urban development, personnel training, disseminating information, and will contribute to the world.

What is MaOI Institute

The MaOI Institute is a central organization in promoting Shizuoka Prefecture’s Marine Open Innovation Project, and undertakes activities in three main ocean-related fields.

Promotion of the blue economy

  • Operation of the MaOI Forum, a membership network bringing together industry, government, academia, and finance
  • Matching and commercialization support for research seeds and corporate needs
  • One-stop research support service, intellectual property management, and startup support

Development and operation of a marine R&D hub

  • Creation and use of a library and database of marine resources
  • Use and management of research facilities, equipment, etc. (joint laboratories, shared equipment, etc.)
  • Collaboration with universities, research institutes, and existing platforms to promote R&D and industrial applications

Promotion of collaboration between individuals and organizations associated with the ocean

Project Hub: MaOI-PARC

The Marine Open Innovation Practical and Applied Research Center (MaOI-PARC) is located in the Shimizu Marine Building, and functions as the project’s central facility and an R&D hub. It contains shared laboratories and collaboration and research rooms which can be used by universities, research institutes, and corporations. In the future, we are looking at setting up rental laboratories which can be occupied by corporations and other groups.

Overview of the MaOI Institute

Name
Marine Open Innovation Institute
Address
2F Shimizu Marine Bldg., 9-25 Hinode-cho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka 424-0922
Tel
+81-54-340-1800
Fax
+81-54-340-1801
Email
info@maoi-i.jp
Established
July 1, 2019 (Funded 100% by Shizuoka Prefecture)
Board members, etc.
President:
Tadashi Matsunaga (Advisor of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology [JAMSTEC])
Director-in-General:
Takashi Gojobori (Distinguished Professor of Bioscience, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)
Director/General Producer:
Masahiro Hashimoto (Professor at Hosei University, Professor Emeritus at Tokyo Institute of Technology) And others
Business Overview
  • Collection, analysis, and provision of information
  • Interaction and collaboration between industry, academia, government, and finance
  • Development of innovative technologies and commercialization
  • Surveys and R&D
  • Development of sales channels and improvement of sales potential
  • Human resources development

Access

Car
  • Approx. 15 mins. (3 km) via Shimizu Marine Road from the Shimizu IC on the Tomei Expressway
  • Approx. 10 mins. from National Route 1 and Shizuoka Prefectural Route 407 (Minamikansen)
Public transport
From JR Shimizu Station or Shizuoka Railway Shin-shimizu Station, take a Miho Yamanote Line bus (100 yen) to Verkehr Shimizu Port Terminal Museum, from where it is an approx. 3 min. walk

Shimizu Marine Parking

Open
24 hours
Closed
None
Price
  For the first 60 mins. For each additional 30 mins.
Cars 200 yen 100 yen
Buses 600 yen 300 yen
*Vehicles exceeding 2.6 meters in height (incl. load) will incur bus prices.
Capacity
Parking lot for 570 cars ( 4 bus parking spaces )