Japanese engineer grows with SZ's maker culture

Editor’s note:

From May 12 to 14, the China Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka will host “Shenzhen Week.” To mark this occasion, Shenzhen Daily and EyeShenzhen, a multilingual information and news platform, are publishing a special series of articles about Japanese people in Shenzhen. The collection features diverse perspectives and unique “Shenzhen Stories” from Japanese corporate executives, chamber of commerce leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and community volunteers. This is the first story.

Video and photos by Lin Jianping

Since relocating to Shenzhen in 2018, Japanese engineer Masakazu Takasu has taken on the role of supporting Switch Science, a Japan-based distributor of open-source hardware tools and components, in expanding into the local market and fostering cooperation with the city’s startup and maker communities.

Takasu, also an advocate of "maker culture," has witnessed Shenzhen’s evolution from a cost-efficient manufacturing hub to a city where products stand out for their creativity and quality.

Masakazu Takasu at an interview with Shenzhen Daily. 

Recalling his first visit to Shenzhen in 2014, Takasu noted that the city’s main advantage was the cost competitiveness of hardware components. “But today, what attracts global buyers is Shenzhen’s unique blend of high-quality and advanced technology. Here, you’ll find cutting-edge products that aren’t available at other exhibitions,” he said. 

He noted that Shenzhen’s technological and innovative progress between 2023 and 2024 has been remarkable. One sign of this growth is the significant increase in robotics developers among Switch Science’s clients.

Takasu in Huaqiangbei, Futian District. 

To create interactive robotic products, an increasing number of companies and individuals are sourcing innovative components — from new motors to development boards and sensors — from China, especially Shenzhen. 

As part of his daily work, Takasu seeks out potential customers and connects with local startup and maker communities.

A photo of Takasu (L) and his friend, taken in Huaqiangbei 10 years ago. 

He sees that the city’s transformation focuses on translating inventive concepts into tangible solutions rather than relying on traditional mass production, and this is what he believes to be the essence of maker culture — a spirit that is rapidly spreading throughout Shenzhen. 

In addition to his work with Switch Science, Takasu is an associate professor at Waseda University, where he conducts research and lectures on the city’s innovations. He also published a book in Japanese in August 2020 that details Shenzhen’s innovation practices and the city’s potential for emerging hardware manufacturing industries. 

Takasu in Huaqiangbei.

Takasu said he enjoys life in Shenzhen a lot. Even on his days off, he likes to attend science and technology events and expos. “The open and friendly atmosphere in Shenzhen makes these events enjoyable,” he said. 

Talking about the ongoing Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, Takasu has arranged to visit the expo which showcases cutting-edge innovations from around the world. He especially recommends the null² Signature Pavilion, designed by Japanese researcher Yoichi Ochiai. The pavilion presents the concept of “computational nature,” envisioning a future where nature and technology seamlessly merge. 

“It’s a topic that resonates deeply with Shenzhen, a city experiencing rapid growth in both technology and society,” said Takasu.