Exploring the Boundless Frontiers of Tactile Informatics with a Visionary Innovator
In the dynamic world of innovation and enterprise, few individuals carve out a niche as intriguing and transformative as Yasuhiro Suzuki. Yasuhiro’s journey from a high school French horn enthusiast to a vanguard in tactile informatics speaks volumes about his perseverance and the eclectic path of his career. Initially deterred by his inexperience in music and challenges in scientific studies, Yasuhiro embraced a senior musician’s advice to study science to understand music better. Despite failing university entrance exams initially, his unyielding spirit saw him through a liberal arts program and later a decisive pivot to graduate school for information science, refusing a secured job offer to follow his twin passions: music and science.
Yasuhiro’s brainchild, Tactileology, blossomed from his deep connection with his wife, a pioneer in tactile design. Together, they ventured into the uncharted waters of tactility and sensitivity informatics, crafting prototypes that eventually gained substantial traction among users and experts alike. This venture, initially viewed as unconventional, rapidly grew into a cohesive endeavor with the formation of Tactile DX Lab, attracting talents from various fields. With an expanding team that includes international artists and marketers, Tactileology not only creates innovative products used in music and art but also champions new expressions of tactile experiences, overseen by the Tactile Association Japan, which Yasuhiro chairs.
Yasuhiro’s approach to business and problem-solving is refreshingly unconventional. He eschews the traditional valorization of effort and perseverance, opting instead for strategies that leverage enjoyment and minimal exertion. This philosophy, as he explains, not only makes challenges more manageable but also paves the way for ‘luck’ through enjoyable and effortless action, a testimony to his belief in aligning business practices with personal ease and satisfaction.
Fueling Yasuhiro’s relentless innovation is his profound curiosity about the world. His work is driven by a fascination with algorithms and informatics capable of performing what might seem like miracles, all aimed at enhancing human happiness. This intellectual curiosity extends beyond mere scientific achievement; it is about harnessing the power of technology to fundamentally alter human interactions and capabilities.
Distinctively, Yasuhiro eschews the competitive fervor of the proverbial ‘rat race.’ He aspires to be a ‘tiger’—a pioneer, steering clear of competition by venturing into unexplored territories of innovation. His ambition is not just to succeed but to redefine the landscape of his field, leaving the competition to those who thrive in it while he continues to explore new horizons.
The concept of tactile communication, especially, is a personal and professional milestone for Yasuhiro. “After years of experience as a scientist, I have realized that everything on this planet communicates through “tactility,” from molecules and cells to animals. However, humans rely mainly on language and have underdeveloped tactile communication,” he explains. His creation, the Tactile Score, is a new language that enables nuanced tactile communication among humans, a revolutionary step toward enhancing how we connect and interact. His ultimate ambition is to develop technologies that allow direct tactile communication with molecules and cells, potentially transforming the beauty and healthcare industries.
Yasuhiro’s professional journey is distinguished by several prestigious accolades that underscore his profound impact in the academic and commercial sectors. In 2017, he was honored with the Kyoto University President’s Award at the Kyoto University Interdisciplinary Research Idea Contest, an acknowledgment that served as a pivotal springboard for the broader application and market success of his projects.
In 2024, Yasuhiro received the Outstanding Leadership Award at the Health 2.0 Conference, a recognition that has significantly catalyzed the domestic and global growth of his ventures. Additionally, starting in 2025, Yasuhiro is set to extend his influence into academia as he begins teaching Tactileology at the Open University of Japan, the nation’s largest academic institution accessible to the public, where he will further disseminate his pioneering ideas and foster new generations of innovators.
For Yasuhiro, leadership transcends the creation of followers. He views his role as a leader to be one of setting a vision that prioritizes societal and consumer needs, inspiring his team to embrace challenges with conviction. His definition of leadership focuses on fostering more leaders rather than followers, emphasizing the importance of visionary goals over hierarchical success.
In sharing his insights, Yasuhiro encourages others to recognize and leverage their innate talents effortlessly. His message is clear: by focusing on our natural strengths and delegating weaker areas to those more skilled, we can all achieve greater success and personal fulfillment.
Yasuhiro Suzuki’s story is not just about the intersections of science, art, and business but showcases the power of following one’s passion through the synergy of curiosity, innovation, and strategic ease.
