Who we are
Mercari R4D is a research organization that focuses on the marketplace of the future in order to implement our findings practically and provide new value to the world.
R4D stands for Research and 4 D’s: Development, Design, Deployment, and Disruption. Our goal is to create new value through research and development designed to be deployed in our future society while introducing disruptive ideas and technologies.
Our assets
Organizational structure
In order to provide an environment where researchers can focus on R&D, we have created two separate sections: the R&D and the Head Quarter. The R&D conducts research and development and works on implementing its findings practically, as part of the world at large. The Head Quarter works on creating the foundation needed for Mercari's technological innovations to gain trust from society.
Head of Research
In April 2022, Mercari established the post of Head of Research. This supervisory role is tasked with leading the planning and promotion of R&D strategies related to Mercari R4D and the development of new collaborators. We will strengthen our R&D promotion system to further accelerate deployment.
Advisory Board for Research and Development
The R4D Advisory Board is an organization established in September 2019 in which external experts provide advice and recommendations in order to strengthen our decision-making process. The Board provides an impartial third-party perspective on research topics conducted within R4D and discusses issues such as R4D’s future structure.
R&D Ethics Review Committee
At Mercari R4D, we believe it is essential to take a mid- to long-term approach to R&D and to consider the ethical and social implications of taking our findings out into the world. We have created the R&D Ethics Review Committee to ensure that the necessary discussions based on our Ethical Principles for Research Activities take place before research begins.
Timeline
- 2019Created the Ethical Principles for Research Activities as well as the Regulations for the Review Committee for Research Ethics
- 2019Established the R&D Ethics Review Committee
- 2020Began conducting joint research on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI) with Osaka University’s Research Center on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI Center)
- Sep 2020 – Mar 2021Revised our Ethical Principles for research and development, as well as created and provided training for researchers and members of the R4D Ethics Review Committee
- Jun 2021Revised the Ethical Principles for R&D
