The growth of neurotechnology in Japan requires more than advanced devices. It also depends on companies that can bridge research, technology, and real-world applications.
Hacosco is one of those companies. Known for developing VR and AR content and platforms, Hacosco has long focused on making emerging technologies more accessible to society. Recently, they expanded their activities into neurotechnology space, exploring both research and consumer applications using EEG-based brain sensing devices.
Hacosco works closely with research institutions and companies to build an ecosystem around brain data—covering data acquisition, visualization, and practical applications.
This article explores how Hacosco’s initiatives are helping shape the emerging neurotechnology landscape in Japan.
It has been more than six years since Hacosco launched its neurotechnology initiatives. Their activities are centered around two key areas: consumer applications and research use.
Traditionally, EEG devices were specialized instruments used primarily in laboratories. However, advances in noise reduction and signal processing technologies have made it possible to use EEG devices in more practical, everyday environments. Brain signals are gradually shifting from being seen as “specialized research data” to becoming actionable information that can support real-world applications.
That said, awareness of neurotechnology in Japan still lags some other countries. For many people, the idea of “measuring the brain” can feel unfamiliar or even intimidating. At the same time, many brain-training and relaxation tools now exist as smartphone apps that require no hardware. This naturally raises an important question:
While EEG technologies have potential medical applications, the primary use cases in Japan today remain research and consumer wellness. For now, their priority is simple: enabling more people to experience technology and understand its possibilities. That foundational awareness is essential for building the market.
Among the many EEG devices available today, one of the key reasons Hacosco selected the solutions from Neeuro was the strength of the scientific evidences.
Neeuro’s collaboration with Singapore’s national research agency “Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)”, along with a growing body of published research, provided a level of credibility that was important for researchers and partners in Japan.
For researchers, analyzing raw EEG data from scratch can be time-consuming and technically demanding. When consistent indicators such as attention and relaxation are provided in structured formats, the barrier to experimentation and development becomes significantly lower.
In addition, the pricing of wearable EEG devices allows them to complement—rather than replace—high-end clinical EEG systems. Their ability to deliver real-time feedback also makes them practical for interactive applications.
For Hacosco, adopting Neeuro SenzeBand2 was not simply a product decision. It was a strategic choice grounded in scientific evidence and usability.
Since introducing technology, one area that has seen particularly strong interest is the SDK (Software Development Kit).
Using the Neeuro OS SDK, developers can build their own applications using the SenzeBand2, enabling solutions tailored to the Japanese market.
Currently, most inquiries in Japan come from research institutions seeking access to raw EEG data for independent analysis. At the same time, there is growing interest from game developers, wellness and counseling applications, and technology companies exploring new interfaces.
Use cases continue to expand, including:
What was once primarily laboratory technology is gradually reaching broader audiences. Visualization of concentration and relaxation levels is beginning to support everyday performance improvement and stress management.
However, Japan also faces unique challenges. Awareness of neurotechnology remains relatively low, and institutions sometimes require time to understand how EEG devices can be integrated into existing environments. In fields such as e-sports and competitive sports, for example, there may be resistance to adopting tools that appear to take time away from traditional training.
Even so, the increasing diversity of inquiries clearly signals a growing underlying demand for neurotechnology in Japan.
One of Hacosco’s current priorities is straightforward:
Increase the number of people who have access to EEG devices.
Once users have the device in their hands, new ideas naturally emerge—how to analyze the data, how to build new applications, and how to integrate brain data into existing systems.
From there, demand for SDK development and new applications begins to grow, gradually forming the foundation of a broader ecosystem.
As specific use cases become clearer, the sophistication of applications will continue to evolve. Brain data is already finding potential applications across research, education, art, healthcare, and performance optimization.
Neurotechnology remains a developing field. But even in Japan, the focus is slowly shifting—from simply measuring the brain to using brain data in meaningful ways.
Hacosco is a technology company led by neuroscientist Naotaka Fujii, who serves as CTO. The company began by developing VR headsets and expanded into neurotechnology in 2020. In 2023, Hacosco became part of the Dai Nippon Printing group.
Dr. Fujii also organizes the BrainTech Consortium, a community that brings together more than 2,700 startups, researchers, and technologists working at the intersection of neuroscience and advanced technology.