Induction, I was assigned to yokohama institute (now optical communications research institute), engaged in research on optical fiber.My college major is high polymer chemistry, so don't understand "optical" and "communication" of related knowledge and insight, induction when feel nervous.But I see the face of The Times.At that time, the optical fiber cladding technology appeared a significant change, ultraviolet hardening resin gradually replace the previous thermosetting resin, in such an environment, I learned at college polymer synthesis knowledge to put to good use.Made of fiber composite technology is based on a variety of products, the first year I was entrusts with an important task, which is the relevant experts to develop ultraviolet hardening resin material and process.Spinning in the development of ultraviolet hardening resin (drawing) in the process of the process, I slowly but surely has made achievements, from the past, for example, will produce the speed of 50 m/min to 1300 m/min (experiment), etc., actually realized the pleasure of study.Then devoted to cable and its installation method, and set out to develop the technological base of existing optical communication line.I am now engaged in the business of intellectual property rights, starting working on stage, I was as a technical personnel to participate in various activities relating to intellectual property rights, including to provide competitive enterprise patent authorization, to participate in competition sponsored by the customer technology and carry out relevant measures, etc.I have accumulated knowledge and experience through these measures, posted to the intellectual property department in 1997, involved in the field of optical communication in patent disputes related work.

People had expected, in the second half of the 90 s, Japan's domestic optical fiber network installation is complete.This means that the company in the domestic fiber business will become very difficult.Therefore, we began to explore the market launch a career outside Japan.One of the market is the market in the United States.But at the time the world's largest optical fiber manufacturers, corning has become our "obstacle", the company through the patent litigation, shattered by the company in the late 80 s dream into the us market.For formal break into the American market, by sumitomo electric technology contribute to the world, throughout the 90 s, the company of many researchers in the field of optical communication has been committed to promote the related measures of intellectual property rights.Our competition for headed by corning company's technology has carried on the detailed investigation and research, continuously probe to obtain the patent of how to compete with them.After a long gestation period, the company in September 2000 as corning filed a patent infringement lawsuit.Our collaboration with the company business, research, and legal, went to the United States, constantly negotiate with each other, encouraging results were obtained.From the cause of the "using the patent right of freedom" point of view, the response is a big achievement for the litigation.Only using the patent and other intellectual property rights, can directly restrict competition in the market the company's business.In addition, the compete with European and Japanese domestic company authorization signed interaction and so on after the contract, the company's global business activities are no longer limited.Through the optical fiber to the patent lawsuits and negotiate, we rediscover the "intellectual property rights can change market environment to let their company in the dominant position", and understand the business strategy and intellectual property strategy integration after the importance of the project and implementation.

In 2006, I went back to r&d department is responsible for the optical fiber technology development, and then was assigned to study governance headquarters, is responsible for the company's overall research topic of budget and process management.Through this business, I understand the sumitomo electric has a variety of technical and business models, including a company as a whole, manufacturing site and the division and so on.Then, I in the work of intellectual property rights to use the knowledge and insights.

Since 2012, I have served as a minister of intellectual property rights.Between 90 s and '00 s, including the company, many Japanese manufacturing companies in emerging markets such as China has experienced significant failure related intellectual property rights strategy.Competitor in this period for domestic enterprises or Europe and the United States, in the technical development of competition at the same time, according to Japan's domestic and European and American markets for a large number of patent applications.I think this is the Japanese technology outflow of backwardness to emerging countries such as China a big reason of the enterprise.In addition, the company focus on technology development, is committed to product quality and the function such as technical advantages as weapons to expand business, but after 10 s, just rely on technical strength has been more and more difficult to achieve differentiation.Now mass consumer market is concentrated in emerging countries around the world and value have been paid much attention by the market.In such an environment change, the intellectual property department of the business must also make a change.I think for the enterprise's sustainable development, it is necessary to integrate a number of initiatives with business strategy and to be promoted, and these measures include: to protect the invention of products of the company's commercial secrets management, subject to commercial secrets publicly for exclusive rights (patents), in order to ensure the company's products market advantage and user convenience and sharing technology technology standardization.The 10 years so far, I have been based on the idea to carry out the work of intellectual property.Past activities of intellectual property value increase, based on the right to use, is now gradually attaches great importance to the quality of strategic applications.In addition, as part of the intellectual property rights activities, the company is focus on commercial secrets and standardized management, expanding the scope of the intellectual property related measures.In recent years, the business sector outside Japan open positions and to carry out standardization activities increased, so accordingly and support to the department for communication also increased, while the department from the viewpoint of intellectual property rights, strengthen the response.

In such intellectual property strategy, "change the Angle of view" is very important.The company has been offering our customers the most conform to the requirements of product.Although by providing information to grasp market trends and competitive environment is important, but in the current international relations and the rapid change of industrial structure, we must maintain a multi-angle perspective, which focus on broader social change, from the Angle of view of understanding of many factors affect the market.From my personal point of view, this is "based on the theory of thinking".Enterprise thinking, often in the company itself as the main body, think that everything in the swirling around the company, this is the "'" point of view.But just like the earth's rotation and revolution, the world also in change.Than within the company, we should attach importance to the external environment, understanding and grasp the trend, it is very important.I think including intellectual property professionals, it applies to many business people.In the future, I want to pour into the energy on the cultivation of talents.All enterprise goal is to make the company to win in the competition, and that is not confined to the intellectual property work.To achieve this goal, must do a good job in an a in set up the frame of thinking at the same time, I hope I will be so far the accumulation of knowledge and ideas all teach "swift horse".Sumitomo electric industries have other companies don't have the various technical and business.To earn profits from these technologies and business, continue to promote enterprise development, from the perspective of intellectual property rights, think about business strategy will bring great benefits.I hope young employees in a long-term perspective is the world trend, through various, including intellectual property, to explore, to think about a new era of business strategy.

Sano yu zhao
Minister of intellectual property rights

In April 1984
Sumitomo electric industrial co., LTD

In July 1984
Assigned to yokohama institute (now optical communications research institute)
Responsible for the optical fiber cladding material and spinning process development

In July 1997
Posted to the intellectual property department
Responsible for the application in the field of optical communication patent, licensing negotiations and litigation

In March 2006
Minister of optical communications research institute function of light materials applied research
Responsible for technical and application of optical fiber and its product development

In April 2009
Research governance based enterprise minister and NEXT leader
Responsible for the company's overall research subject evaluation and business support, new theme exploration

In April 2012
Minister of intellectual property rights

(external)
From 2016 to 2017
Japan's executive director of the association of intellectual property rights
From 2018 to 2020
Same as above, deputy director
From 2012 to 2016
Osaka invention association director
Since 2017
Same as permanent members of