Tokyo, Japan; At the 2025 Intellectual Property (IP) Achievement Awards, Rigaku Corporation, a global solution partner in X-ray analytical devices and a Group company of Rigaku Holdings Corporation (headquarters: Akishima, Tokyo; CEO: Jun Kawakami; hereinafter “Rigaku”) was honored with the METI Minister’s Award, in the category for “corporate use of IP rights (patents).”
The IP Achievement Awards honor companies that use IP rights systems effectively, thereby contributing to their smooth operation and development; and individuals who contribute to the development and widespread use of IP systems, as well as to public awareness of the systems. This occasion marked the first such award for Rigaku.
Reasons for Award
(1) A pioneer in X-ray analytical devices
Rigaku hold a great number of original core technologies and acquires patents globally and on a large scale. Through their comprehensive roster of patents, Rigaku enhance their competitive position and had secured world top-class market share in the field of X-ray analytical devices. Moreover, the Company leverage their patent portfolio to create new markets, such as the market for devices that inspect semiconductor crystals for defects.
(2)A Company-wide IP strategy
Rigaku have established an IP Committee. Composed of the representatives of each Division and Research Center and chaired by the Director of the X-ray Laboratory, the Committee advances the Company’s IP strategy and IP activities from a Company-wide perspective.
(3)Brand strengthening through the IP mix
Rigaku advance an “IP mix” strategy, combining their patent portfolio with high-operability designs and trademarks such as series names. This strategy has enabled Rigaku to establish a solid brand for performance and operability, including SmartLab1, the global standard in X-ray analysis.
1 SmartLab is a registered trademark of Rigaku Corporation.
Remarks by Jun Kawakami, CEO of Rigaku
Rigaku Corporation is deeply honored to receive the METI Minister’s Award at the IP Achievement Awards. Since its development in 1952 of the high-luminosity X-ray generator, a world-first, original technology, Rigaku has worked hard to contribute to its valued customers as a specialist in X-ray technology. Encouraged by this award, Rigaku will redouble its efforts in technology development, working with customers worldwide to create innovation “to improve our world by powering new perspectives.”
The Award
METI Minister’s Award, 2025 IP Achievement Awards, Corporate Excellence in Use of IP Rights Systems, etc. (Patent Office website) ※Japanese website
Related Press Releases
・December 4, 2024: Rigaku X-ray Products Win 2 Awards for Excellence in the Regional Invention Awards for the 2nd Consecutive Year ※Japanese (language)
・October 16, 2023:Rigaku X-ray Technologies Win 2 Awards for Excellence in the Regional Invention Awards ※Japanese (language)
About the Rigaku Group
Since its establishment in 1951, the engineering professionals of the Rigaku group have been dedicated to benefiting society with leading-edge technologies, notably including its core fields of X-ray and thermal analysis. With a market presence in over 90 countries and some 2,000 employees from 9 global operations, Rigaku is a solution partner in industry and research analysis institutes. Our overseas sales ratio has reached approximately 70% while sustaining an exceptionally high market share in Japan. Together with our customers, we continue to develop and grow. As applications expand from semiconductors, electronic materials, batteries, environment, resources, energy, life science to other high-tech fields, Rigaku realizes innovations “To Improve Our World by Powering New Perspectives.”
For details, please visit rigaku-holdings.com/english