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Ryuzo Kijima 

基島 隆蔵 / 17 years old / email: ryuzo.kijima[at]yobouinc.co.jp / Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook

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News

• NeuroHealth received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the 6th Startup Junior Award., 3/1, 2025

• NeuroHealth was awarded the Grand Prize in the 68th Obunsha National Science of Arts and Sciences Competition (Startup Division)., 12/14, 2024

• I received the Grand Prize at the Bourbon Yoshida Memorial Foundation Literature and Peace Award., 12/10 2024 

• NeuroHealth is backed by STATION Ai, HAKOBUNE and MARUI Group., 12/10 2024

• I was awarded an Honorable Mention Award at this year's Global Scientist Award., 11/10 2024

• I was honored as the best presenter at the 88th Annual Convention of the Japanese Psychological Association. , 10/10 2024 

• NeuroHealth will be supported by Aichi Prefecture, STATION Ai, and Mizuho Bank. , 9/27 2024

Affiliation

Biography: 

Born in Singapore. Founded NeuroHealth, an AI-powered telephone service aimed at preventing geriatric mental disorders, at the age of 16. Subsequently conducted fundamental research on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) at the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Medicine. After engaging in the launch of new mental health-related businesses at DeNA, research on AI agent at the Matsuo Institute, and product development for mild cognitive impairment detection at IGSA Inc., a startup originating from the Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, currently serves as the Founder and CEO of Yobou Inc., a University of Tokyo-born product collective developing businesses such as asset-based senior residences, aiming to anticipate social precursors with a focus on "prevention."

Furthermore, acts as the Founder and General Partner of LocalHost Japan, Japan’s first student-led venture capital firm. Previously, founded U.S.-Japan Connector, the first online platform under Stanford University’s SPICE program to serve as a bridge between Japan and the United States.

Ryuzo Kijima knows he’s in his first chapter, learning from others and honing his skills.

Biography(Short):

My name is Ryuzo Kijima, and I am a senior at La Salle High School in Japan. I am a researcher in neuroscience and psychology, the CEO of a healthcare and social innovation startup, and a venture capitalist. Ryuzo Kijima knows he’s in his first chapter, learning from others and honing his skills.

Background:

Based on my own experience and that of a friend with obsessive-compulsive disorder, I began researching psychology and neuroscience. Later, recognizing the significant gap between real-world social issues and cutting-edge research, I started a business in a healthcare and social innovation field and began working with a venture capital firm specializing in deep tech. Ryuzo Kijima knows he’s in his first chapter, learning from others and honing his skills.

Education, Research

• La Salle High School, 2023.4-2026.2

• The University of Tokyo, Good Life on Earth (The University of Tokyo and TOYOTA Mobility Foundation), 2024.9-2027

• Graduate School of Letters, Waseda University, Miyata Laboratory, 2024.3-

• Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Student at HVTSP, 2025.6-

• Stanford University, Stanford e-Entrepreneurship, 2024.10-2025.2

• The University of Tokyo, Global Science Campas, 2024.7-2025

• The New York Academy of Sciences, Junior Academy, 2024.9-2025

• Interdisciplinary High School Research Program, 2024.7-2025

• N High School Research Club, 2024.6-

• Stanford University, Stanford e-Japan, 2024.2-2024.8

• Columbia University, Summer School, Neuroscience, 2024.7-2024.8

• Inspirit AI Scholar, 2024.2-2024.7

• Summer Program by ISA (Harvard University x New York Film Academy), 2023.7-2023.8

• Shimane University, Global Science Campas, 2024.7-2024.8

Experience

• Yobou Inc., Founder and CEO, 2025.1-

• NeuroHealth, Founder and CEO, 2024.9-2025.3

• The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners, Research Assistant, 2024.8-

• Matsuo Institute, Researcher, 2025.3-

• DeNA, Intern, 2024.10-2025.2

• IGSA, Intern, 2024.8-

• Matsuo-Iwasawa Lab at The University of Tokyo, Intern, 2024.11

• Mentabuddy, Co-Founder, 2024.10

• LocalHost(LocalHost Japan), Partner and Japan Lead(Founder and General Partner), 2024.11-

• Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Student at HVTSP, 2025.6-

• International Youth Neuroscience Association Japan, Founder/Director, 2024.9-

• Makers University U-18, Member, 2025.3-

• iGEM Grand Tokyo, Wet Researcher and Head of Entrepreneurship Division, 2024.4-2025

• U.S.-Japan Connector, Founder, 2024.4-2025

• Product Geeks in Japan, Contributor, 2024.9-

• Marui Group, Future Accelerator Gateway, 2024.12-2025.3

• HAKOBUNE, Incubation Program, 2024.11-2025.3

• STATION Ai, STAPS and Startup Member, 2024.7-

• okke, Intern and writer, 2023.4-2025

• WHO Research Centre for Health Development, Researcher Intern, 2024.7-2024.8

• La Salle High School, Christmas Basket Bazaar, Vice President at Construction, 2024.4-2024.11

• La Salle High School, Class Representative, 2023.4-2025.3

• La Salle High School, Deputy Dormitory Director, 2022.4-2023.3

Volunteer

• Zen2.0, Stuff, 2024.8-

• GreenHearts, An international cooperation organization at The University of Tokyo, Stuff, 2024.2-

Publications

• “The Social Impact of University-Based Startups: A Comparative Analysis of Japan and the United States”, Ryuzo Kijima and Irene Bryant*, Stanford e-Entrepreneurship 2025 Fall Thesis Journal, Stanford University, 2025.2 *Instructor and Curriculum Designer, Stanford e-Entrepreneurship

• “Nattokinase Overproduction and Establishment of Genetic Engineering Technology in Bacillus subtilis var. natto”, The 47th Annual Convention of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan, 2024.11

• "Psychological Research in Japan and the United States: Insights and Suggestions for U.S.-Japan Relations", Ryuzo Kijima and Waka Takahashi Brown*, Stanford e-Japan 2024 Spring Thesis Journal, Stanford University, *Instructor and Manager, Stanford e-Japan, Stanford University, 2024.10

• "Proposals for Addressing Mental Health Issues in Japan", Monthly "Manabu", Rodo University, 2024.12

• "Effects of Mindfulness Practice Combined with Virtual Reality and Binaural Beats on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Tendencies", Ryuzo Kijima and Hiromitsu Miyata*, Proceedings of the 88th Annual Convention of the Japanese Psychological Association, The Japanese Psychological Association, *Professor at Graduate School of Letters, Waseda University, 2024.10

• "To be able to bridge research and social implementation, Japan and the international community. High school student working without borders. [Ryuzo Kijima, age 16]", Notable Teenage Names, Shogakukan, 2024.9

• "16 Years Old and Conducting Research at the University of Tokyo?! A Super High School Student Presents his Business to Tomoko Namba and Yuka Iwasaki of YOUTRUST [Delight Pitch]", Delight Ventures and DeNA, 2024.8

• "okke" Articles, okke, 2023.4-

Speaker

• Special Lecture, Life is Tech! Spring Camp 2025, The University of Tokyo, 2025.3

• N High School Research Division Special Presentation, 2025.3

• STATION Ai Pitch & Meet, 2025.2

• Demo day, HAKOBUNE Startup Contest, 2025.2

• Presentation at LEAPDAY 2024, 2024.12

• Presentation at the National High School MY PROJECT AWARD 2024 Regional Summit, 2024.12

• Presentation High School Student Presentation at The 47th Annual Convention of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan, 2024.11 

• Presentation at 7th Global Scientist Award, 2024.11 

• Student Presentation at The 88th Annual Convention of the Japanese Psychological Association, 2024.9 

• STAPS Pitch, 2024.9 

• Delight Pitch, 2024.7 

• One Young World Student Pitch, 2024.7 

• Stanford e-Japan Program (Stanford University) Information Session Representative Presenter, 2024.7

Awards / Honors

• Grand Prize, 2024 N High School Research Club Final Presentation, 2025.3

• Entrepreneur Award (Grand Prize), Marui Group Future Accelerator Gateway, 2025.3

• Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award, Startup Jr. Award 2024, 2025.2 

• Finalist, Startup Jr. Award 2024, 2024.12

• AlphaDrive Award, LEAPDAY 2024, 2024.12

• Grand Prize, 68th Obunsha National Science of Arts and Sciences Competition(Startup Division), 2024.12

• Grand Prize, 2nd Bourbon Yoshida Memorial Foundation Literature and Peace Award, 2024.12

• Excellent Award, Shikoku University Intercultural Essay Contest, 2024.11

• Honorable Mention Award, 7th Global Scientists Award, 2024.11

• Excellent Award (Essay), 24th Work Experience Seminar Essay and Creation Contest, 2024.10

• Finalist at Startup Division, Obunsha National Science of Arts and Sciences Competition, 2024.10

• Best Presenter at Presentation Session, The 88th Annual Convention of the Japanese Psychological Association, 2024.10

• LEAPDAY Award Winner at STAPS, STATION Ai, 2024.9

• Grand Prize (STATION Ai Award) Winner at STAPS, STATION Ai, 2024.9

• Global Finalist at Africa Month Kobe Business Idea Contest, Kobe Prefecture, 2024.9

• Scholarship recipient of The Exploration and Creation Scholarship, MIRAI Lab, 2024.9

• Finalist at One Young World Student Pitch, One Young World Japan, 2024.9

• Selected for Presentation Competition at The 88th Annual Convention of the Japanese Psychological Association, The Japanese Psychological Association, 2024.9

• Special Award, International Olympiad of Social Sciences, 2024.8

• Nominate for Tokyo Startup Gateway First Stage, Tokyo-to, 2024.7

• Delight Pitch Namba President Award, Delight Ventures and DeNA, 2024.7

• Japan delegate, World Economics Cup 2024 Asia Cup, World Economics Cup, 2024.7

• Full scholarship recipient for Neighbors Camp, 2024.7

• Winner of the IEO Japan Special Selection, Business Case, The International Economics Olympiad, 2024.2

• 2nd place in the Prefectural Competition of the Japan Science Competition, Kagoshima-Prefecture, 2023.10

• American Bowl 6th place, The Japan-America Society, 2023.10

• Youngest person to pass Financial Planner Level 3,  Japan Financial Planners Association, 2022.10

• Youngest person to pass the Law Exam Basic, Japan Federation of Legal Research Foundation, 2022.10

Organizations

• Member, MACC, Matsuo Laboratory, The University of Tokyo

• Member, Kyoto University Entrepreneur Club

CV (PDF)

Last update: 04/28, 2025

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