Okuma Diamond Device

About Okuma Diamond Device

Okuma Diamond Device Inc. is a deep-tech firm focused on the commercialization of diamond semiconductor devices, which are anticipated to become a foundational technology for next-generation industries. The company was established in March 2022 by CEO Naohisa Hoshikawa, a serial entrepreneur, in collaboration with Junichi Kaneko, an associate professor at Hokkaido University, and Hitoshi Umezawa, a senior researcher at Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). Hoshikawa, an alumnus of Hokkaido University, had previously founded a successful business but sought to create a technology-centric company with global impact. His search led him back to his alma mater in 2016, where he discovered the work on diamond semiconductors and dedicated six years to understanding the technology and building relationships before officially launching the company.

The company's inception was significantly influenced by the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, which created a pressing need for electronics capable of functioning in high-temperature, high-radiation environments. This challenge served as the catalyst for over a decade of research by Japanese institutions, including AIST and Hokkaido University, laying the groundwork for Okuma's technology. The company’s name, “Okuma,” is a direct reference to the town in Fukushima where the stricken nuclear plant is located, symbolizing its commitment to the region's recovery and the decommissioning project. Okuma is developing what it calls the "ultimate" semiconductors using synthetic diamonds, which offer superior performance in terms of high power, high frequency, and thermal conductivity compared to existing materials like silicon. These properties make them ideal for analog devices that control power and handle frequency conversion.

Okuma operates on a B2B model, targeting sectors where conventional semiconductors fall short. The initial and most defined market is providing radiation-tolerant devices for the decommissioning of the Fukushima plant, specifically for monitoring systems. Beyond this, the company targets the satellite communications, radar, and post-5G (B5G/6G) base station markets, where diamond semiconductors' ability to handle high power and frequency efficiently in a compact form is crucial. The business strategy involves establishing a vertically integrated manufacturing system, from substrate design to the final amplifier assembly. To fund this, the company has successfully raised significant capital, with a cumulative total of approximately 6.7 billion JPY as of late 2024. A key milestone is the construction of the world's first dedicated diamond semiconductor factory, set to begin in 2024 and become operational by 2026 in Okuma, Fukushima.