ICC Director, Prof.Uzawa Received the WIPO Prize at the 2025 National Commendation for Invention for "Invention of a rigid wing sail with height adjustment for wind assisted propulsion ships [Wind Challenger]" — Attended the award ceremony [1 July 2025]
On July 1st,2025, the ceremony for the 2025 National Commendation for Invention was held at The Okura Tokyo (Tokyo) in the presence of a member of the Japanese Imperial Family, Princess Hanako, who is the aunt of Emperor of Japan.
Prof. Kiyoshi Uzawa (Director of ICC) and Mr. Kazuyuki Ouchi (CEO of Ouchi Ocean Consultant Inc./ Visiting Professor of Kanazawa Institute of University), who received the WIPO Prize as inventors at this year's National Commendation for their invention of “a rigid wing sail with height adjustment for wind-assisted propulsion,” attended this ceremony.
Picture of award ceremony
From left: MOL Executive Fellow Mr. Makoto Yamaguchi,
MOL Executive Vice President Mr. Hirofumi Kuwata,
(Inventor) Ouchi Ocean Consultant, Inc. CEO Mr. Kazuyuki Ouchi, and Innovative Composite Materials Research & Development Center, Director Prof. Kiyoshi Uzawa
- Winning themes
"Invention of a rigid wing sail with height adjustment for wind assisted propulsion ships" -
Award winnersInventors
Ouchi Ocean Consultant, Inc. CEO Kazuyuki Ouchi
Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Innovative Composite
Materials Research & Development Center Director Kiyoshi UzawaInvention Implementation Achievement Award recipients
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. President & CEO Takeshi Hashimoto
Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. President Makoto Yamaguchi
The National Commendation for Invention, established in 1919, are highly prestigious awards that aim to contribute to the development and advancement of science and technology in Japan. It is an annual concours held by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation with the support of the Japanese government, and after the strict evaluation of countless entries and recommendations by way of a rigorous screening process, the awards are designated for presentation.
"Invention of a rigid wing sail with height adjustment for wind assisted propulsion ships" received the WIPO Prize, which is awarded to technologies that contribute to the promotion of international intellectual property. This award is an international honor granted by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) to inventions that demonstrate high levels of technical originality and social contribution.
▶ Please refer to the related press releases below.
●May 27,2025：https://www.kanazawa-it.ac.jp/kitnews/2025/0527_uzawa.html
