Yoichi Ochiai

落合 陽一 — Media Artist / Researcher / Entrepreneur

https://ochyai.dev  |  Google Scholar: h-index 29, 3321 citations

Research Interests

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI); Digital Nature / Computational Nature; Acoustic Levitation & Holography; Computational Holography & Aerial Display; Computer Graphics & Interactive Techniques; AI-driven Accessibility & Diversity (xDiversity); Wave Control Technology; Media Art & Computational Art; Generative AI

Education

Ph.D. (Interdisciplinary Information Studies)2013/04 - 2015/04
University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies
Dissertation: “Graphics by Computational Acoustic Fields” (Advisor: Jun Rekimoto)
First shortened completion in the Graduate School
M.A. (Interdisciplinary Information Studies)2011/04 - 2013/03
University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies
B.A. (Media Arts, Science and Technology)2007/04 - 2011/03
University of Tsukuba, School of Informatics, College of Media Arts, Science and Technology

Current Positions

Associate Professor, University of Tsukuba (Faculty of Library, Information and Media Science)2017/12 - present
Associate Professor, University of Tokyo (Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, Dept. of Complexity Science and Engineering, Digital Nature Division)2025/12 - present
Director, R&D Center for Digital Nature, University of Tsukuba2020/06 - present
Founder, Chairman & CEO, Pixie Dust Technologies, Inc.2015/02 - present
Project Manager, MITOU IT Human Resources Program, Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA)2022/07 - present
Director, XR Consortium2015/05 - present
Director, Mitou Foundation2015/05 - present
Visiting Professor, Kansai University2025/04 - present
Visiting Professor, Osaka University of Arts2017/04 - present
Specially Appointed Professor, Digital Hollywood University2020/04 - present
Honorary Visiting Professor, Kanazawa College of Art2023/04 - present
Visiting Professor, Kyoto City University of Arts2021/04 - present

Previous Positions

Signature Pavilion Producer (null² Signature Pavilion), Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai2020/07 - 2025/11
Cultural Envoy, Agency for Cultural Affairs2020/04 - 2022/03
Advisor to the President, University of Tsukuba2017/04 - 2019/03
Assistant Professor, University of Tsukuba2015/05 - 2017/11
Research Intern, Microsoft Research2014/06 - 2014/09
JSPS Research Fellow DC1, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science2013/04 - 2015/04
Director / Researcher, jiseCHI inc2011/07 - 2015/04
Visiting Professor, Digital Hollywood University2017/04 - 2020/03
Visiting Professor, Kanazawa College of Art2020/04 - 2023/03

Selected Awards (30 of 65)

AMD Lifetime Achievement Award — Association of Media in Digital2026
BEST FACULTY MEMBER 2025 — University of Tsukuba2026
Japan Spatial Design Award 2025 Silver — Japan Spatial Design Award2025
Kukan Design Award 2025 Silver Prize — 2025
MEXT Minister's Award for Science and Technology - Science and Technology Prize (Public Understanding) — Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology2025
Minister of Education Science & Technology Award (Understanding Promotion Division) — Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology2025
Pen Creator Award 2025 — Pen2025
Taipei Design Award 2025 Grand Prix — Taipei Design Award2025
WIRED Innovation Award 2025 — WIRED2025
ASIAGRAPH Master Award — AsiaGraph2024
ASIAGRAPH Takumi Award — ASIAGRAPH2024
CES Innovation Award 2024 — CES2024
Buzzword of the Year - 'Generative AI' — U-Can / Jiyukokuminsha2023
Buzzwords-of-the-year — jiyu_kokuminsha2023
CES Innovation Award 2023 — CES2023
MEXT Minister's Award for Science and Technology - Young Scientists' Prize — Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology2023
Young Global Leader 2022 — World Economic Forum2022
40 Under 40 Art and Tech — Apollo Magazine2021
Good Design Award — Japan Institute of Design Promotion2021
Innovators Under 35 Japan 2020 — MIT Technology Review2021
MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 Japan — MIT Technology Review2021
PMI Future 50 — Project Management Institute2021
Agency for Cultural Affairs Media Arts Festival - Jury Selection (Entertainment) — Agency for Cultural Affairs2020
Digital Content EXPO (DCAJ Chairman Award) — Digital Content Association of Japan2020
Digital Content EXPO Innovative Technologies 2020 — DCEXPO2020
Ibaraki Tech Plan Grand Prix (Company Award) — Ibaraki Prefecture2020
72nd Dentsu Advertising Award - Innovative Approach Grand Prize & Special Prize — Dentsu2019
Augmented Human 2019 1ST BEST PAPER AWARD — 2019
Augmented Human 2019 Best Paper Award — Augmented Human Conference2019
Augmented Human 2019 HONORABLE MENTION — 2019

Selected Publications (50 of 263)

  1. Kengo Tanaka, Xiyue Wang, Hironobu Takagi, Yoichi Ochiai, Chieko Asakawa. “MotionBuddy: Exploring Tactile-Based Motion Learning with a Tabletop Humanoid Robot for Blind People.” HRI, 2026. doi:https://doi.org/10.1145/3757279.3788660
  2. Miki Okamura, Shuhey Koyama, Li Jingjing, Yoichi Ochiai. “OnomaCompass: A Texture Exploration Interface that Shuttles between Words and Images.” , 2026. doi:https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2601.04915
  3. Yusuke Koroyasu, Takayuki Hoshi, Yoshiki Nagatani, Daichi Tagami, Yoichi Ochiai, Tatsuki Fushimi. “Reversible vertical positioning of acoustically levitated particle using a spiral reflector” arXiv, 2026. doi:10.48550/arXiv.2601.04595
  4. Kengo Tanaka, Xiyue Wang, Hironobu Takagi, Yoichi Ochiai, Chieko Asakawa. “Touching Movement: 3D Tactile Poses for Supporting Blind People in Learning Body Movements.” TEI, 2026. doi:https://doi.org/10.1145/3731459.3773325
  5. Kengo Tanaka, Ayaka Tsutsui, Yoichi Ochiai. “A Comparative Evaluation of GenAI-Assisted Tactile Graphics from the Perspective of Totally Blind Professionals in Tactile Graphic Supervision” ASSETS 2025, 2025.
  6. Xanat Vargas Meza, Zhexin Zhang, Yoichi Ochiai. “An exploration in digital techniques to read Ainu textile patterns” Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 2025. doi:10.1108/JCHMSD-05-2022-0083
  7. Kazuya Izumi, Shuhey Koyama, Yoichi Ochiai. “AnimeGaze: Real-Time Mutual Gaze Synthesis for Anime-Style Avatars in Physical Environments via Behind-Display Camera” arXiv, 2025.
  8. Yuto Asano, Kenta Yamamoto, Tatsuki Fushimi, Yoichi Ochiai. “Conditional neural holography: a distance-adaptive CGH generator” Optics Express, 2025. doi:10.1364/OE.547343
  9. Zhijie Liu, Shieru Suzuki, Tatsuki Fushimi, Yoichi Ochiai. “Design and evaluation of a voltage-controlled current source for galvanic vestibular stimulation research” HardwareX, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00647
  10. Yoichi Ochiai, Takashi Shimizu. “Digital Nature Revisited: A Ten-Year Synthesis of Art, Technology, and the Evolution of "Nature": Reimagining Post-Truth Ecologies Through Art, Algorithm, and Animism.” , 2025. doi:https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2511.07986
  11. Yoichi Ochiai, Takashi Shimizu. “Digital Nature Revisited: A Ten-Year Synthesis of Art, Technology, and the Evolution of 'Nature'” arXiv, 2025.
  12. Karen Furuta, Jingjing Li, Tatsuki Fushimi, Yoichi Ochiai. “Discipline Together with the Self in Kendo: Exploring "Qi" through Mixed Reality and Autoethnography.” , 2025. doi:https://doi.org/10.1145/3736776
  13. Karen Furuta, Jingjing Li, Tatsuki Fushimi, Yoichi Ochiai. “Discipline Together with the Self in Kendo: Exploring 'Qi' through Mixed Reality and Autoethnography” Proceedings of the ACM on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, 2025. doi:10.1145/3736776
  14. Kazuki Yamaguchi, Yuga Tsukuda, Yoichi Ochiai. “Drawing Space with Rain: The Umbrella as a Flow Interface” NIME 2025, 2025.
  15. Koki Nagakura, Tatsuki Fushimi, Ayaka Tsutsui, Yoichi Ochiai. “Dynamic Caustics by Ultrasonically Modulated Liquid Surface” Scientific Reports, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-16190-3
  16. Ryogo Niwa, Yoichi Ochiai, Tatsuki Fushimi. “Event Topology-based Visual Microphone for Amplitude and Frequency Reconstruction” arXiv, 2025. doi:10.48550/arXiv.2510.17092
  17. Carl Stone, Yusuke Koroyasu, Yoichi Ochiai, Atsushi Kaneko, Bruce W. Drinkwater, Tatsuki Fushimi. “Experimental and Numerical Study of Acoustic Streaming in Mid-Air Phased Arrays” arXiv, 2025. doi:10.48550/arXiv.2503.21271
  18. Yuto Asano, Naruya Kondo, Tatsuki Fushimi, Yoichi Ochiai. “From Geometry to Culture: An Iterative VLM Layout Framework for Placing Objects in Complex 3D Scene Contexts” arXiv, 2025.
  19. Shengdi Xiao, Jingjing Li, Tatsuki Fushimi, Yoichi Ochiai. “Generative artificial intelligence-guided user studies: an application for air taxi services” Behaviour & Information Technology, 2025.
  20. Yuga Tsukuda, Naoto Nishida, Jun Lu, Yoichi Ochiai. “Insect-Computer Hybrid Speaker: Speaker using Chirp of the Cicada Controlled by Electrical Muscle Stimulation” arXiv, 2025.
  21. Naruya Kondo, Yuto Asano, Yoichi Ochiai. “Instant Skinned Gaussian Avatars for Web, Mobile and VR Applications” SUI 2025, 2025.
  22. Ichiro Matsuda, Komichi Takezawa, Katsuhito Muroi, Kensuke Katori, Ryosuke Hyakuta, Jingjing Li, Yoichi Ochiai. “Knowing Ourselves Through Others: Reflecting with AI in Digital Human Debates” arXiv, 2025.
  23. Naruya Kondo, Yuto Asano, Yoichi Ochiai. “Mirrored Billboards for Safe and Format-Agnostic Asset Sharing in Social Public Metaverses” VRST 2025, 2025.
  24. Chinatsu Ozawa, Tatsuya Minagawa, Yoichi Ochiai. “Photographic Conviviality: A Synchronic and Symbiotic Photographic Experience through a Body Paint Workshop” arXiv, 2025.
  25. Kazuya Izumi, Akihisa Shitara, Yoichi Ochiai. “See-Through Face Display for DHH People: Enhancing Gaze Awareness in Remote Sign Language Conversations with Camera-Behind Displays” ETRA 2025, 2025.
  26. Soma Mochizuki, Yoichi Ochiai, Tatsuki Fushimi. “Spatial Sound Modulation through Manual Reconfiguration of Phased Plate” Applied Physics Letters, 2025. doi:10.1063/5.0271959
  27. Maya Grace Torii, Takahito Murakami, Shuka Koseki, Yoichi Ochiai. “Suzume-chan: Your Personal Navigator as an Embodied Information Hub” arXiv, 2025.
  28. Yoichi Ochiai, Toshiharu Igarashi. “Taste Augmentation of Wine by Artificial Climate Room” Augmented Human Research, 2025.
  29. Kensuke Katori, Yudai Tanaka, Pedro Lopes, Yoichi Ochiai. “Vestibular Stimulation Enhances Hand Redirection” UIST 2025, 2025.
  30. Yoichi Ochiai. “null2: Boundary-Dissolving Bodies and Architecture towards Digital Nature” arXiv, 2025.
  31. Tatsuki Fushimi, Daichi Tagami, Kenta Yamamoto, Yoichi Ochiai. “A digital twin approach for experimental acoustic hologram optimization” Communications Engineering, 2024. doi:10.1038/s44172-024-00160-0
  32. Jingjing Li, Xiaoyang Zheng, Ikumu Watanabe, Yoichi Ochiai. “A systematic review of digital transformation technologies in museum exhibition” Computers in Human Behavior, 2024. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2024.108407
  33. Sakura Shiomi, Eriko Terazawa, Maya Torii, Takahito Murakami, Yoichi Ochiai, Yuki Kanazawa, Hisayo Okayama. “Analysis of posture, gait, and lumbar burden during pregnancy simulation jacket wearing” Journal of Nursing Science and Engineering, 2024.
  34. Chinatsu Ozawa, Tatsuya Minagawa, Yoichi Ochiai. “Can AI Generated Ambrotype Chain the Aura of Alternative Process?” SIGGRAPH Asia 2024 Art Papers, 2024.
  35. Yuto Asano, Kenta Yamamoto, Tatsuki Fushimi, Yoichi Ochiai. “Distance-adaptive unsupervised CNN model for computer-generated holography” SIGGRAPH 2024 Posters, 2024. doi:10.1145/3641234.3671051
  36. Kenta Yamamoto, Ayaka Tsutsui, Yinan Zhao, Ippei Suzuki, Kengo Tanaka, Yusuke Koroyasu, Yoichi Ochiai. “Documentary Film of Low Vision Boxing: Collaborative Design of Adaptive Kickboxing Experiences” CHI Extended Abstracts 2024, 2024.
  37. Koki Nagakura, Tatsuki Fushimi, Ayaka Tsutsui, Yoichi Ochiai. “Dynamic Acousto-Caustics in Dual-Optimized Holographic Fields” SIGGRAPH 2024 Emerging Technologies, 2024.
  38. Sho Nakamura, Tatsuki Fushimi, Yoichi Ochiai. “EMSJUMP: Electrical Muscle Stimulation as a Wearable Training Tool for Take-off Phase of Ski Jumping” SIGGRAPH 2024 Posters, 2024. doi:10.1145/3641234.3671055
  39. Tomoya Matsumura, Ryo Iijima, Takahiro Miura, Masaki Matsuo, Yoichi Ochiai. “Establishing a Community-Driven Digital Library for the Visually Impaired” ASSETS 2024, 2024. doi:10.1145/3663548.3688524
  40. Maya Grace Torii, Takahito Murakami, Yoichi Ochiai. “Expanding Horizons in HCI Research Through LLM-Driven Qualitative Analysis” arXiv, 2024.
  41. Takumi Yokoyama, Kazuya Izumi, Tatsuki Fushimi, Yoichi Ochiai. “Floating on the Boundary: Perceptions of Reality in a Half-Digital Half-Physical Bunny” Proceedings of the ACM on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, 2024.
  42. Ayaka Tsutsui, Tatsuki Fushimi, Takahito Murakami, Ryosei Kojima, Kengo Tanaka, Yoichi Ochiai. “HIFU Embossment of Acrylic Sheets” CHI 2024, 2024.
  43. Akihisa Shitara, Miki Namatame, Sayan Sarcar, Yoichi Ochiai, Yuhki Shiraishi. “HaptStarter: Designing haptic stimulus start system for deaf and hard of hearing sprinters” International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 2024.
  44. Ayaka Tsutsui, Kenta Yamamoto, Yinan Zhao, Ippei Suzuki, Kengo Tanaka, Yoichi Ochiai. “Low Vision Boxing: Participatory Design of Adaptive Kickboxing Experiences with Low Vision Person” ASSETS 2024, 2024. doi:10.1145/3663548
  45. Yusuke Koroyasu, Yoichi Ochiai, Takayuki Hoshi, Tatsuki Fushimi. “Mid-Air Single-Sided Acoustic Levitation in High-Pressure Regions” arXiv, 2024. doi:10.48550/arXiv.2412.15539
  46. Akinori Ikeda, Kazuya Izumi, Kensuke Katori, Hirokazu Nosato, Kenji Kobayashi, Shieru Suzuki, Suguru Kandori, Michiko Sanuki, Yoichi Ochiai, Hiroyuki Nishiyama. “Objective evaluation of gaze location patterns during cystoscopy and AI-assisted lesion detection” Journal of Endourology, 2024. doi:10.1089/end.2023.0699
  47. Kazuya Izumi, Ryosuke Hyakuta, Ippei Suzuki, Yoichi Ochiai. “See-Through Face Display: Enabling Gaze Communication for Any Face - Human or AI” SIGGRAPH Asia 2024 Technical Communications, 2024.
  48. Kazuya Izumi, Ryosuke Hyakuta, Ippei Suzuki, Yoichi Ochiai. “See-Through Face Display: Mutual Gaze Communication in Remote Conversations with Transparent Display” arXiv, 2024.
  49. Pixie Dust Technologies, Yoichi Ochiai. “iwasemi RC alpha: Acoustic metamaterial noise reduction” CES Innovation Award 2024, 2024.
  50. Tomoya Matsumura, Yoichi Ochiai. “A Comparison of Digital Libraries for the Visually Impaired in the United States and Japan” HCII 2023 (LNCS), 2023.

Solo Exhibitions (31)

null-an: noise as silence = silence as noise, Azabudai Hills, Gallery & Restaurant Butaiura
Yoichi Ochiai: Beauty of Natural Resolution End to End / Transformation of Material Things / Digital Nature, GYRE
Weightless Reminiscences: The Sonority of Machines in Reversed Gravity, BiVi Shin Sapporo
Ubiquitous Existence of Bodies, Interwoven Time and Space, Kusakabe Mingeikan
Transformation of Material Things into a Living Forest, Daigoji Temple
Tenzon kaeruttey?, Kirishima Open-Air Museum
Smooth Ontology and Resonating Objects, Nakanoshima Museum of Art
Sehnsucht nach Masse 2019, amana square
Ruminating with the Spirituality, Leica Store Ginza
Rinkou Suru Reisei, The Shop Yohji Yamamoto
Resonance of Null: Interconnection of Sunyata in Digital Nature, Kiyoharu Art Colony / Ando Tadao Museum of Light
Reminiscence of the Unknown, Shibuya Modi
Re-Digitalization of Waves, Osaka Kansai International Art Festival
Phantom Resonance: Nocturnal Assembly of Ethereal Beings and Digital Nature, Daigoji Temple
Phantom Resonance of nulled cherry blossoms, Shibuya Sakura Stage
Perspective of Umwelt, Time and Space, Kitakyushu Museum of Life and Travel
Null's Tetralemma: Stories of Humans Reduced to Symbols, Kusakabe Mingeikan
Null Soku Ze Shiki Shiki Soku Ze Nuru, Hankyu Men's Building
Nakedness and Materiality, Kitamura Photography Studio
Media and Mingei, Kusakabe Mingeikan (Folk Museum)
Japanese Technium Exhibition, Yahoo! JAPAN Office
Imago et Materia, ART & SCIENCE gallery lab AXIOM
Image and Matter, DNP Gallery
Hare Tokidoki Leica - Tokyo, Leica Gallery Tokyo
Hare Tokidoki Leica - Kyoto, Leica Gallery Kyoto
From null, all phenomena randomly emerge, On Sundays & Light Seed Gallery
Do Tenugui Dream of Cracked LCDs?, Hosotsuji Ihee Museum
Divine Duality: Sushi, Null, and the Eel Dragon in Edo's Cyclical Time and Space, BAG - Brillia Art Gallery
Digital Nature, Existence from null to null: Encoded Eternity, Kusakabe Mingeikan
Bukka: Transformation of Material Things, Experimental Gallery, Hong Kong Arts Centre
Animistic Randomness from the Divine Null, Kusakabe Mingeikan

Books (27)

Matagi Drive (マタギドライヴ). PLANETS. ISBN 9784911149041.2026
Generative AI Even a Cat Can Understand (猫でもわかる生成AI). Fusosha Publishing. ISBN 9784594098995.2025
How to Raise Children by Turning 'What They Love' into Lifelong 'Strengths' (「好き」を一生の「強み」に変える育て方). Sunmark Publishing. With Hiromi Ochiai. ISBN 9784763141644.2025
National Goshuin Grand Encyclopedia (全国御朱印大図鑑). SB Creative. With Hidema Shimizu. ISBN 9784815612702.2025
Waves and Scenery (波と景). KADOKAWA. ISBN 9784041126509.2025
Yoichi Ochiai x Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum Collection 2021-2025 (落合陽一×日下部民藝館 作品集2021-2025). Fusosha Publishing. ISBN 9784594100735.2025
Edited by Yoichi Ochiai: The Future Changed by Generative AI (落合陽一責任編集 生成AIが変える未来). Fusosha Publishing. ISBN 9784594621568.2024
The Human Condition of 2035 (2035年の人間の条件). Magazine House. With Jun Rekimoto. ISBN 9784838775248.2024
Is ChatGPT God or Devil? (ChatGPTは神か悪魔か). Takarajimasha. With Shu Yamaguchi, Yukio Noguchi, Tomohiro Inoue, Takayuki Fukatsu, Hideki Wada, Kiyohiko Ikeda. ISBN 9784299047366.2023
Sunny, Sometimes Leica (晴れときどきライカ). Bungeishunju. ISBN 9784163917429.2023
The Challenge of xDiversity's Possibilities (xDiversityという可能性の挑戦). Kodansha. With Yusuke Sugano, Tatsuya Honda, Ken Endo, Keisuke Shimakage, Akitoshi Shitara. ISBN 9784065305898.2023
Reading to Forget (忘れる読書). PHP Institute. ISBN 9784569843339.2022
The Prophesied World (予言された世界). Shogakukan. With Nobuhiko Ochiai. ISBN 9784093888776.2022
Zoom Back x Ochiai (ズームバック×オチアイ). NHK Publishing. With NHK 'Zoom Back x Ochiai' Production Team. ISBN 9784140818855.2022
Thinking Methods for Reading Half a Step Ahead (半歩先を読む思考法). Shinchosha. ISBN 9784103538318.2021
Yoichi Ochiai at 34: Facing Aging (落合陽一 34歳、「老い」と向き合う). Chuohoki Publishing. ISBN 9784805883877.2021
Work Style 5.0 (働き方5.0). Shogakukan. ISBN 9784098253715.2020
Japan Evolution Theory (日本進化論). SB Creative. ISBN 9784797399868.2019
World Atlas of 2030 (2030年の世界地図帳). SB Creative. ISBN 9784797399950.2019
A Textbook for Learners and Educators Living in an Era of Lifelong Learning from Age 0 to 100 (0才から100才まで学び続けなくてはならない時代を生きる学ぶ人と育てる人のための教科書). Shogakukan. ISBN 9784093886451.2018
Digital Nature (デジタルネイチャー). PLANETS. ISBN 9784905325093.2018
Japan Revitalization Strategy (日本再興戦略). Gentosha (NewsPicks Book). ISBN 9784344032170.2018
Job Atlas 10 Years from Now (10年後の仕事図鑑). SB Creative. With Takafumi Horie. ISBN 9784797394573.2018
Nippon 2021-2050 (ニッポン2021-2050). KADOKAWA. With Naoki Inose. ISBN 9784041071861.2018
Survival Strategy for the Super AI Era (超AI時代の生存戦略). Daiwashobo. ISBN 9784479795612.2017
To the Friends Who Will Create the Future World (これからの世界をつくる仲間たちへ). Shogakukan. ISBN 9784093897648.2016
The Century of Magic (魔法の世紀). PLANETS. ISBN 9784905325055.2015
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