From the Sumitomo/Society Interface

Meidensha’s game app Gesui Okoku (Sewage Kingdom), launched in April 2026, was born from the passion of a diverse group of coworkers from across the company who wanted to turn what they love into their work. Presented in a story-driven format, the game offers an engaging way to learn about the mechanisms and challenges of sewage treatment. Bakuchimon characters modeled on microorganisms battle swarms of polluted life forms, purifying the wastewater in the process. Every detail has been carefully crafted, from scenarios based on real-world expertise to system designs aimed at the efficient operation of sewage treatment facilities.

In 2023, Akitoshi Nakagawa of the Research & Development Group decided to enter the company’s internal business idea contest, the MEIAN Challenge, with a proposal for a project unrelated to his regular work. A gaming enthusiast himself, Nakagawa came up with the unconventional idea of turning sewage treatment into a video game. But he quickly realized that he could not develop the idea alone. In search of collaborators, he began reaching out across departmental lines. Expanding his network beyond colleagues he knew directly, he asked employees throughout the company: “Does anyone here like games or anime?” Eventually, eight people joined the team. They were based at sites including Nagoya, the Tokyo headquarters, Numazu, and Ota, and came from a wide range of departments, including human resources, intellectual property, design, and factory operations.

The eight team members held numerous online meetings and creative sessions. Each contributed their own strengths with genuine enthusiasm. Members skilled in illustration and music production, for example, created promotional visuals and music for the presentation. “For a few seconds after our presentation ended, the entire venue fell silent,” Nakagawa recalls. “I think the audience was simply astonished by the idea. In the internal vote, we received more than twice as many votes as the runner-up, which ultimately led to the release of the game.”

At the heart of new business creation lies a spirit of challenge driven by personal passion. The synergy created through collaboration across departmental boundaries opened up new possibilities and value. The project was launched immediately after the contest, and the app was developed through collaboration between enthusiastic Meidensha employees and external creators, including app and game developer Clover Lab. “Through this challenge, I realized that if you seriously think about how to connect what you want to do with your work and pursue it with passion, the company is willing to embrace your new ideas,” says Nakagawa. “The experience gave me confidence.” Regardless of age or position, the courage to take on new challenges can bring fresh energy and perspectives.