-Driving innovation and accelerating commercialization through technology integration and co-creation-

TOKYO— Toshiba Corporation will establish a new Corporate Laboratory (hereinafter, “Soken”) on April 1, 2025. This initiative consolidates three corporate labs that have led long-term technology strategies and fundamental research, and two technology development labs that have been responsible for applications directly linked to Toshiba’s business operations. Under the new structure, seven specialized research & development (R&D) and technology centers will be set up.

The integration allows Toshiba to redefine its R&D mission in order to address global challenges, strengthen collaboration among R&D units and business divisions, and enhance co-creation with external partners. It fully aligns with Toshiba’s Revitalization Plan, announced in May 2024, which identifies the creation of innovative technologies and their rapid commercialization as a core management strategy. Soken will also focus on cultivating the next-generation technical talent that will support Toshiba Group’s continuing growth.

Toshiba Group is committed to tackling major global challenges, including the achievement of carbon neutrality and a circular economy, building infrastructure that everyone can enjoy, and building a society connected by data. To meet these objectives, it is essential to combine internal and external expertise to advance research, development, and social implementation of technology. As a corporate group, it is crucial for Toshiba to align R&D themes with business and management strategies. At the same time, the ability to integrate diverse technologies across divisions and collaborate with external partners has become increasingly important for business development and innovation.

The reorganization integrates five existing R&D organizations into Soken, including the Corporate Research & Development Center, Corporate Manufacturing Engineering Center, and Digital Innovation Technology Center, which have focused on advanced technology, production technology, and digital technology, respectively. It will also consolidate Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation’s Energy System Research and Development Center and Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation’s Infrastructure Systems Research and Development Center which carry out research in energy and infrastructure technologies. These laboratories have made significant contributions to Toshiba’s technological strengths with numerous innovative products, features, and breakthrough technologies, while also supporting business productivity and quality improvements.

Under Soken, seven new R&D and technology centers will be established to drive research and innovation across multiple business domains. The Energy Systems R&D Center, Infrastructure Systems R&D Center, and Advanced Devices R&D Center will focus on business-oriented technological advancements, while the AI Digital R&D Center, Digital Innovation Technology Center, Production Innovation Technology Center, and Materials & Frontier Research Center will take a cross-disciplinary approach to R&D, production, and digital transformation. AI and digital technologies are becoming increasingly central to Toshiba’s business, and the AI Digital R&D Center and Digital Innovation Technology Center will play a key role in accelerating Toshiba’s digital transformation (DX) by working in close collaboration with other centers to develop next-generation digital services and solutions. 

The Digital Innovation Technology Center, together with the Production Innovation Technology Center will drive the development and company-wide implementation of technologies that enhance productivity and quality across hardware, software, and business processes, contributing to business growth. Additionally, the Materials & Frontier Research Center will take on disruptive innovation projects beyond Toshiba’s existing business domains, including research in quantum computing. 

Under the new organization, Toshiba will enhance on-site R&D functions at key business and production sites. Additionally, the company will expand co-creation activities through “Innovation Palette”, an　R&D facility opened in January 2024,  designed to foster collaboration with businesses and society. By promoting interdisciplinary teamwork, external partnerships, and open innovation, Soken will also play a key role in nurturing the next generation of engineers and researchers who will drive the company’s long-term growth.

Toshiba has a long history of pioneering world-first and Japan-first technologies, including the Japanese word processor and NAND flash memory. The former Corporate Laboratory, also known as Soken, operated from 1969 to 1992 and played a key role in these groundbreaking innovations. By reviving the name, Toshiba reaffirms its commitment to solving social challenges through technology and to accelerating corporate growth. The company will leverage its diverse talent, research culture, and creativity to co-create innovative technologies with customers, partners, and society. Through this initiative, Toshiba will drive business growth and fulfill its corporate philosophy: "Committed to People, Committed to the Future."