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Our History

Since the company’s founding in 1945, we have contributed to the local economy as Iwate Prefecture’s number one integrated manufacturer of prosthetic devices, orthotic braces for medical purposes, and wheelchair seating systems. Our founder, Hiraga Mataemon, as a result of an injury when he was 14 years of age, underwent an above-knee amputation. After training in Tokyo, he began a business in Iwate Prefecture manufacturing prosthetic and orthotic devices.

With first-hand knowledge of the difficulties of being an amputee, he made many improvements from the standpoint of the user, so much so that the “Mataemon prosthetic leg” became treasured by a great many users within and beyond Iwate Prefecture.

In 1965, the company was passed to its second president, Hiraga Kunizo, who focused on introducing leading-edge technologies. The company became the first in Iwate Prefecture to be authorized to manufacture exoskeletal prosthetic legs. The company also contributed to the advancement of the industry through the introduction of wheelchairs and seating systems, and other innovations.

Taro Kemmoku, our current president, who assumed the post in 2014, aims to utilize the company’s technological assets to make further contributions to society beyond our original business of manufacturing and selling prosthetic and orthotic devices. We are currently taking orders from outside the prefecture for contract manufacturing based on our advanced manufacturing technologies, while also developing ordering systems for medical institutions based on our IT technologies, and developing and selling software for the manufacturing industry.

Company Overview

Company Name	P.O. Innovation Co., Ltd.
President	Taro Kemmoku
Established	April 1, 1945
Capital	10 million yen
Address	1-397-2 Sakuramachi, Hanamaki City, Iwate 025-0084
Tel	0198-23-4091
Fax	0198-23-4031
Number of employees	28 (15 nationally licensed prosthetists and orthotists)
Licensing	Licensed to manufacture exoskeletal prosthetics (first company in Iwate Prefecture)
Products and Services	Prosthetics: upper extremity, lower extremity Orthotics: cervical and trunk corsets, medical supporters, insoles, knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFO) for cerebral vascular accident (CVA), and other orthotics Wheelchair seating systems, car seats IT & Education Service: Software (orthopedic ordering system, hygiene management, manufacturing management, etc.) Consulting and seminars

President Taro Kemmoku

Ph.D. (Medical Science, Orthopedic Surgery),
CPO（Certified Prosthetist & Orthotist）

Social Activity Record (Committee Activities)

Japan Orthotics Prosthetics Association, expert advisor on orthotics for medical treatment (current), Tohoku chapter training committee member (past)
The Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics trustee (current), bulletin editorial member (past)
The Japanese Academy of Prosthetists and Orthotists director; North Japan chapter training committee member (past)
Japanese Society for Foot Care and Podiatric Medicine, Tohoku chapter director (current)
Japanese Society for Foot Care and Podiatric Medicine, rehabilitation section expert advisor (past)

Awards

2013 The Japanese Academy of Prosthetists and Orthotists Best Paper Award (technical report category)
2014 The Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics Kazuo Tsuchiya Best Paper Award