Manufacturing-focused staffing services provider Nisso Kosan Co., Ltd. has taken an equity stake in Tokyo-based metaverse developer Urth Inc. The two companies formalized the agreement during a signing ceremony at Nisso Kosan's headquarters on September 24. The partnership aims to combine Urth's spatial design and extended reality development expertise with Nisso Kosan's deep understanding of factory operations and customer network.
Background and Strategic Goals
Urth operates under the mission of creating a society where every individual can shine and the vision of delivering the power of spatial design to everyone. The company has developed its metaverse service metatell by combining architectural design knowledge with technology. According to the partners, spaces can communicate value that words and video alone cannot fully convey.
Nisso Kosan brings long-standing expertise in manufacturing staffing, including engineer dispatch, manufacturing dispatch, recruiting, and contract manufacturing. Through the equity participation, the two firms plan to jointly develop and deliver services addressing recruitment, training, and internal communication challenges in manufacturing. Their shared objective is to help factory workers focus on front-line tasks while strengthening the competitiveness of Japanese manufacturing.
Planned Initiatives and Division of Roles
For recruitment, the partners will explore virtual reproductions of factory floors and working environments so job seekers can understand specific tasks and workplace culture before applying. For training, extended reality content will allow workers to repeat procedures and access updated teaching materials that reflect changes on the production floor. For internal communication, the companies plan to design spaces where employees across different sites and roles can share field conditions and knowledge.
Nisso Kosan will use its customer touchpoints and deep understanding of factory challenges, while Urth will handle service proposals, sales, and construction activities. The partners will validate field needs and gradually define specific offerings and target segments over time. This structured approach is intended to ensure that new services reflect real manufacturing conditions and practical requirements.
Executive Perspectives
Urth CEO Tanaka Daiki said the company believes space can convey the appeal of workplaces and the knowledge and skills of people in ways that text and video cannot. He expressed intent to expand the possibilities of applying that power to recruitment, education, and internal communication together with Nisso Kosan. Tanaka added that the initiative should create an environment where workers can concentrate on their core responsibilities and contribute to strengthening Japanese manufacturing.
Nisso Kosan President and Executive Officer Kenji Fujino stated that the group has supported manufacturing under its founding philosophy of developing and utilizing people. He noted that the medium-term management plan prioritizes new value creation and expansion into new services and business areas. Fujino said the capital participation will combine Urth's technical capabilities with Nisso Kosan's customer base to accelerate digital transformation and create broader value.
About the Companies
Urth Inc. was founded on January 20, 2020 and is headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, operating a metaverse business through its metatell service. Nisso Kosan Co., Ltd. was founded on February 3, 1971 and is headquartered in Yokohama, offering manufacturing-oriented staffing services such as engineer dispatch, manufacturing dispatch, recruiting, and contract manufacturing. Together the companies plan to integrate spatial technology with industry knowledge to serve manufacturing clients.
The capital participation represents a strategic effort to address persistent labor-related challenges in manufacturing through immersive digital experiences. By merging Urth's metaverse and extended reality capabilities with Nisso Kosan's field expertise and client relationships, the collaboration targets practical improvements in how factories attract, train, and connect their workforce. The companies will now focus on validating on-site needs and gradually rolling out services that support a more focused and competitive manufacturing sector.