iQ Lab Embarks on a New Era as a Japan-Born Future-Creation Think Tank
iQ Lab, originally established as the think tank division of Imago Inc., has officially incorporated as “iQ Lab Inc.” in 2025. This significant transition follows six years of dedicated joint research and various investigative and verification projects conducted at Kyushu University’s Itoshima Campus.
The newly independent entity is poised to broadly deploy its intellectual assets and social implementation expertise, which have been cultivated through extensive research into the values, behaviors, and technological receptiveness of younger generations—often referred to as ‘future consumers.’ Concurrently, iQ Lab has forged a comprehensive business alliance with Imago Inc., an organization already deeply linked with Kyushu University through an organizational partnership. This collaboration aims to establish an innovative business model that integrates the functions of a think tank with those of a consulting firm, driving the creation of future markets and societal advancements from Japan.
A Journey from Research Division to Independent Innovator
Since its inception in 2019, iQ Lab has been at the forefront of diverse research initiatives. These have included in-depth analysis of youth values, behaviors, and lifestyle contexts, as well as research and development in the mobility sector and the intersection of AI and UX. Large-scale verification experiments within the Kyushu University area have also been a cornerstone of its activities.
Operating under a joint research agreement with Kyushu University, iQ Lab has served as a hub where researchers and students, from doctoral candidates to undergraduates from both Kyushu and Tokyo Universities, collaborate on projects aimed at envisioning and realizing next-generation societies. The division’s work was intimately connected with Imago’s consulting and UX design services, integrating market analysis, consumer insights, service design, new business planning, prototype development, and student-participatory verification experiments. This synergy has provided crucial support for the next-generation strategies of prominent companies, including various NTT Group entities and JCB.
The decision to incorporate stems from a strategic vision to autonomously deepen its research frameworks and to establish more expansive, long-term verification platforms. By transitioning from a division to an independent corporation, iQ Lab is enhancing its capacity to strategically address themes that look toward the ‘future consumer,’ while continuing its vital collaboration with Imago.
Charting the Course for Future Innovation
iQ Lab’s corporate transformation paves the way for several key initiatives:
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Accumulating Knowledge on Consumers and Technology: The core focus will remain on the values of ‘future consumers’—particularly young people. iQ Lab will conduct multifaceted and layered research into how cutting-edge technologies and services will transform society and what kinds of futures are desired, systematically building its intellectual capital as a think tank.
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Deepening Verification Fields and Accelerating Social Implementation: The organization plans to strengthen its verification platforms, primarily centered around the Kyushu University Itoshima Campus. This involves establishing new hub facilities that can be utilized for joint research with universities and collaborative projects with corporations. By systematizing the entire process—from initial investigation and analysis to prototyping, verification, evaluation, and ultimately, social implementation—iQ Lab aims to provide a robust foundation for creating highly implementable products and services.
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Integrating “Knowledge x Design x Implementation” with Imago: Through its alliance with Imago, iQ Lab will merge Imago’s established business and design consulting capabilities with its own research and verification functions. This integrated model will offer consistent value creation to a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including private companies, local governments, and academic institutions. Furthermore, it will bolster iQ Lab’s role as a think tank in developing future-oriented policies and designing institutional frameworks.
“This move represents a firm commitment to bridging academic rigor with real-world impact,” commented a representative from iQ Lab, highlighting the synergy between deep research and practical application.
This strategic evolution of iQ Lab into an independent corporation, coupled with its strengthened alliances, positions it as a pivotal player in shaping Japan’s future. By focusing on the intersection of youth culture and emerging technologies, iQ Lab is poised not only to forecast societal shifts but actively engineer solutions that resonate with the needs of tomorrow. This model of academic-corporate integration could serve as a blueprint for innovation, extending Japan’s influence in future-oriented research and development on a global scale.
For more information, please visit iQ Lab’s official website.
