Research and Development
R&D
R&D Policy
TENTIAL’s R&D Policy for Realizing a Conditioning-Centric Lifestyle
TENTIAL R&D is our research and development organization dedicated to turning our vision into reality: supporting people in realizing their full potential every day through proven technologies. Drawing on scientific knowledge and real-world insights, we pursue advancements in materials, product structures, and functionality. Through rigorous quality evaluations and the accumulation of scientific evidence, we develop reliable products and services that people can trust. By collaborating with research institutions and experts both within and outside the company, we continue to explore new possibilities in conditioning and contribute to improving people’s life performance.
Message from the Head of R&D
Our goal goes beyond simply conducting research and developing products. We aim to bring conditioning—long considered standard practice in the world of athletes—into everyday life and create a society where everyone can realize their full potential.
To achieve this, we develop products that genuinely support better health based on scientific evidence and rigorously validate their effectiveness. But our responsibility does not end when a product reaches the customer. We continue to examine whether our products are truly helping address people’s health challenges. We then bring the insights gained through this process back to society, helping create an environment where conditioning becomes a natural part of everyday life.
From research to products, and from products to society. Through the power of R&D, we will continue to take on the challenge of creating a society that embraces health.
Kenta Funayama
Executive Officer, Chief R&D Officer (CRO) / Marketing Authorization Holder General Manager for Medical Devices
Chair, Voluntary Standards and Certification Review Committee, Sleep Healthcare Association (SHA)
Kenta Funayama earned his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Tokyo, where he conducted basic research in neuroscience. He then joined the R&D division of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, where he worked on drug discovery research projects in the field of central nervous system disorders and led the planning and execution of collaborative research with academic institutions in Japan and overseas.
In 2020, he earned an MBA from Shizenkan University. After supporting the Representative Director and CEO on corporate strategy in the Corporate Planning Department, he joined TENTIAL in May 2022. He became Head of Corporate Strategy in November 2022 and was appointed Executive Officer and Chief R&D Officer (CRO) in August 2023.
He currently oversees TENTIAL’s R&D activities while also serving as the Marketing Authorization Holder’s General Manager for Medical Devices. In addition, as Chair of the Voluntary Standards and Certification Review Committee of the Sleep Healthcare Association, he works to promote the healthy development of the sleep healthcare market.
TENTIAL’s R&D Activities
(1) Development of Functional Products: Our company focuses on solving customer health issues and develops new products that incorporate health functions into everyday items, taking into account market conditions, competitive environment, and trends.
(2) Acquisition of Scientific Evidence for Functional Products: When developing new products, we pursue functions and effects that meet customer needs. To market products with demonstrated functionality, we plan various experiments and tests tailored to each product's characteristics and acquire data, collaborating with external experts as necessary.
(3) Joint Research with Academic Institutions and Hospitals: Our company actively conducts joint research with academic institutions such as universities and research facilities, as well as specialized institutions such as hospitals and experts, to acquire highly reliable scientific data.
(4) Technology and Material Development for Discovering Tools to Recharge the Body: We are engaged in information gathering and development of new technologies and materials to create new functions and effects that promote and maintain customer health, as well as functions that surpass existing products.
(5) Research on Conditioning: We conduct research on the conditioning of professionals such as athletes and business executives, as well as the general public. By disseminating these findings as research reports through our corporate website, press releases, and other media, we engage in educational activities regarding 'conditioning'.
(6) Fulfillment of Responsibilities as a Medical Device Manufacturer: Our company has obtained a Class II Medical Device Manufacturing and Sales License (License No.: 13B2X10608) after examination by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, and we have established a system for in-house medical device registration. This enables us to not only submit notifications for General Medical Devices (Class I) but also to perform medical device certification registration for Controlled Medical Devices (Class II) in-house, thereby fulfilling our responsibilities as a medical device manufacturer and distributor.
Development Framework and Quality Assurance
Guided by our vision of “Empowering through Conditioning,” TENTIAL focuses on two core initiatives: conducting research to develop capabilities that make conditioning simple and accessible, and creating products that embody these capabilities. To support people who challenge their limits, we first focus on identifying health issues that arise in everyday life. We then conduct ongoing research to determine which products can deliver the greatest value by incorporating conditioning functions. Through this process, we create products with unique, value-added solutions that reflect TENTIAL’s distinctive expertise and deliver meaningful impact to our customers.
To deliver quality that our customers can trust with confidence, we adhere to rigorous standards throughout product development. In August 2024, we obtained a second-class marketing license for medical devices and have since been strengthening our quality management system, building robust in-house capabilities to ensure reliability at every stage.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of our R&D. We prioritize partnerships with a wide range of experts and professionals to identify which functionalities truly provide value to our customers and the scientific evidence that supports them. To achieve this, we involve external specialists throughout our development process and gather robust data. In addition, we actively engage in joint research with academic institutions and medical organizations to obtain essential scientific evidence that underpins the effectiveness of our products.
Building on these collaborations, we have established a systematic approach to incorporate customer feedback into ongoing product development, enabling us to continuously provide customers with enhanced and meaningful experiences.
To deliver quality that our customers can trust with confidence, we adhere to rigorous standards throughout product development. In August 2024, we obtained a second-class marketing license for medical devices and have since been strengthening our quality management system, building robust in-house capabilities to ensure reliability at every stage.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of our R&D. We prioritize partnerships with a wide range of experts and professionals to identify which functionalities truly provide value to our customers and the scientific evidence that supports them. To achieve this, we involve external specialists throughout our development process and gather robust data. In addition, we actively engage in joint research with academic institutions and medical organizations to obtain essential scientific evidence that underpins the effectiveness of our products.
Building on these collaborations, we have established a systematic approach to incorporate customer feedback into ongoing product development, enabling us to continuously provide customers with enhanced and meaningful experiences.
R&D Overview
SELFLAME®︎
A special fiber made from a proprietary blend of ultra-fine ceramic powder. It promotes blood circulation by re-emitting your body's natural heat.
How SELFLAME® Promotes Blood Circulation and Helps Address Fatigue
SELFLAME® is made from multiple ceramic minerals that are ground into microscopic particles and blended in a proprietary ratio. These particles are then incorporated into the fibers, allowing the fabric to absorb far-infrared energy emitted by the body and re-radiate it toward the skin.
This process helps promote blood circulation, allowing SELFLAME® to help address fatigue while you sleep.
An Optimal Blend of Multiple Minerals
SELFLAME® functional fibers are made from multiple finely ground minerals blended in an optimal ratio. Through extensive testing of different combinations, we developed a proprietary blend designed to deliver the highest level of performance.
A Variety of Fabrics to Suit Different Lifestyles
To accommodate a wide range of lifestyles and preferences, SELFLAME® functional fibers are incorporated into multiple types of fabrics. This allows customers to choose from a diverse selection of materials suited to different occasions and needs. Today, we offer one of the most extensive product lineups in the fatigue-recovery pajama and recovery wear category. Every product is carefully sewn and finished at trusted partner factories in Japan and overseas. From the meticulous selection and development of materials to the final product, we remain committed to consistently high standards of quality.
Sleep Conditioning Technology ®︎
TENTIAL's proprietary technology maintains optimal temperature and humidity in the sleep microclimate through a unique blend of temperature-regulating fill and moisture-control layers. (Patent pending)
(Patent pending)
The special structure of bedtime socks
During sleep, wearing socks is not recommended because they prevent heat dissipation and thus hinder the lowering of core body temperature. By making the toe section a mesh knit, we achieved 1.5 times the breathability of standard socks, creating socks that are wearable while sleeping. (Patent pending)
Academic Presentations and Publications
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The Impact of Functional Duvets with Sleep Conditioning Technology™ (featuring temperature and humidity control) on Sleep Structure and Thermoregulation
The 48th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Sleep Research
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The Impact of Far-Infrared Blood Circulation Promoting Garments on Sleep Structure, Thermoregulation, and Autonomic Nervous System Function
The 45th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Sleep Research and the 30th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Chronobiology
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Solving Health Challenges Through the Power of Conditioning
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“Obtaining a License Is Not the Finish Line” Why TENTIAL Is Fully Committed to Medical Device Management
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Supporting Better Sleep Through Material Innovation—Behind the Development of BAKUNE Fabrics
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What Makes the Ideal Sleepwear? — The Materials and Design Behind BAKUNE Dry Pro
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