Noriyuki Kojima and Jungo Kasai, the founders of Kotoba Technologies, combine deep technical expertise with rich cultural insight.
Kojima, a seasoned leader with years of experience in AI and language technology, combines business acumen with a deep interest in communication systems.
Kasai, with a PhD in NLP and stints in both academia and research labs, complements him perfectly as CTO. Together, they share the importance of language and how it plays an important role to connect people across borders.
Bridging Language Gaps with Culturally Intelligent AI
The idea for Kotoba Technologies was born out of a simple realization—while technology was advancing rapidly, it still struggled with the nuance, tone, and cultural context of human language.
The founders saw a gap in how traditional AI handled multilingual environments and Asian languages in particular. They envisioned a platform that understood while translating. A system that could preserve meaning, context, and cultural integrity—especially in business-critical communications.
Kojima and Kasai’s Bold Leap to Redefine Language AI
Leaving behind secure roles in established institutions, Kojima and Kasai took the leap into entrepreneurship with one goal: to build world-class language AI that respects and reflects human nuance.
It was a courageous pivot—moving from research and consultancy into product-building. But they believed the future of communication, especially in Asia, deserved better tools—designed from the ground up with a multilingual-first mindset.
Precision-Built AI, Born in Tokyo
Kotoba Technologies began in a modest workspace in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The early team was lean but driven. They focused on building proprietary NLP models tailored for Asian languages, fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) to handle industry-specific vocabulary and tone.
Instead of chasing scale from day one, the team worked closely with a handful of early clients, iterating fast, and staying laser-focused on performance and precision.
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Challenging Giants and Winning Trust
The journey wasn’t without its hurdles. Language AI is a crowded and competitive space, and breaking out from the noise required patience and persistence. Building models that could truly understand context across languages demanded years of research and refinement.
They also faced skepticism—especially from companies who were used to relying on big Western players for NLP solutions. Convincing clients to trust a homegrown alternative meant proving Kotoba’s models weren’t just comparable—they were better, culturally aware, and highly customizable.
The Moment Everything Clicked
Kotoba Technologies’s breakthrough came when a major Japanese financial institution adopted their platform for internal multilingual documentation. The feedback was clear: it was the first time the tone and formality of translated content actually matched the original intent.
Word spread. Other industries—from legal to healthcare—started taking notice. What began as a quiet bet on cultural nuance became a conversation about AI done right.
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Where Momentum Met a Clearer Mission
Soon, Kotoba Technologiesexpanded its product suite. They rolled out APIs for enterprise integration, launched real-time speech-to-text solutions, and began developing cross-border communication tools for global teams.
They grew the team, brought in multilingual linguists, and opened collaborations with universities and research labs. The mission was clear: scale responsibly, and always keep the human context in focus.
Kotoba Technologieschampions inclusive AI communication
For Kojima and Kasai, language should never be a barrier to innovation, collaboration, or understanding.
By building tools that empower people to express themselves clearly and authentically—no matter the language—Kotoba is creating impact across industries, cultures, and geographies. Their vision: To lead the world in culturally intelligent AI communication from Asia outward.
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Designing AI with Empathy, Curiosity, and Purpose
Both founders lead with humility and curiosity. At Kotoba Technologies, leadership is rooted in active listening and valuing users and team members. This approach shapes a collaborative, research-focused culture that is aligned with a clear mission.
Engineers work alongside linguists, designers co-create with users, and every product is shaped by one guiding principle: helping people communicate better.
The journey of Noriyuki and Jungo with Kotoba Technologies reflects the power of vision, resilience, and strategic thinking, showcasing how stepping out of one’s comfort zone can lead to remarkable success.
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What does Kotoba Technologies do?
Kotoba Technologies specializes in language-driven AI solutions, offering tools for real-time translation, natural language processing, and multilingual communication.
Who are the founders of Kotoba Technologies?
Noriyuki Kojima and Jungo Kasai are the founders of Kotoba Technologies.
Where is the headquarters of Kotoba Technologies?
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo is the headquarters of Kotoba Technologies.
When was Kotoba Technologies founded?
Kotoba Technologies was founded in 2023.
