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Shaping the Future - Next-Generation Research:Naoya Sogi
April 9, 2026
Creating Original Technology Using Vision-Language Models
Naoya Sogi
Assistant Manager
Cyber-Physical Intelligence Research Laboratories*
After completing a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering, Sogi joined NEC in April 2022. He is working on improving image search performance using vision-language models (VLMs). His dedicated efforts in research have led to five papers being accepted at flagship international conferences. He has also established a strong track record at domestic conferences in Japan. Bridging basic and applied research, he is also engaged in Proof of Concept (PoC) projects aimed at commercialization.
- *This article is based on an interview held in March 2026.
The Visual Intelligence Research Laboratories (as it was called at the time of the interview) was later renamed to Cyber-Physical Intelligence Research Laboratories as a result of organizational restructuring.
Five research papers at flagship conferences in the three and a half years since joining NEC
I majored in computer science at university, where I worked on research to improve the accuracy of image recognition before joining NEC. I chose NEC because I had seen their researchers actively presenting at academic conferences in areas close to my own research. Another reason was the breadth of NEC’s business, which gave me the impression that NEC has a strong presence in infrastructure, including the networks that support people’s daily lives. I wanted to work on applied research with real-world impact.
After joining NEC, I started research on VLMs, which were just beginning to attract attention at that time. Specifically, my research focuses on methods to improve the performance and usability of image search by applying VLMs. I have developed a technology that searches images with a fine-grained understanding of their content, as well as a technology that controls the diversity of search results. I am also engaged in R&D and PoC projects that apply these technologies to assess damage and overall conditions in disaster-stricken areas. (Related press release)
These technologies have been published in research papers presented at the European Conference on Computer Vision (ECCV) and the IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS) in 2024, and the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI) in 2025.
While I had told the company before joining that I wanted to continue writing research papers, I did not expect to publish as many as I actually have. NEC Laboratories also provides an environment that encourages publishing, and other researchers are actively writing and submitting research papers as well.
An inspiring environment where you can learn just by chatting
NEC is a magnet for researchers from different backgrounds, including physics and mathematics. With such varied expertise, everyone brings different knowledge and ways of thinking, making it fascinating to learn something new just from casual conversation. Another strength is the open atmosphere that welcomes conversation—being able to consult or discuss with colleagues when you are stuck is a true blessing in research.
The same goes for my peers who joined in the same year. There are slightly more than ten of us, each with a different specialty. Listening to their ideas and perspectives—things I had never encountered before—led us to organize a reading group. Now we pick a book, discuss it together, and share new findings and insights.
We also frequently collaborate with experienced senior researchers who bring deep expertise. Conducting research alongside leading experts who are at the forefront of international conferences and institutions is truly inspiring.
Aiming to create original technologies, not just combining existing ones
My research aims to create something genuinely original, not just combining existing technologies. While you can create new things by combining what already exists, I personally find great joy in producing something truly new that no one has achieved before. The company as a whole is not content with incremental engineering; it is committed to creating original technologies and fosters a culture that embraces such challenges. Of course, NEC places strong emphasis on research that connects to business. That said, an environment that encourages such ambitious research is both supportive and reassuring for researchers. I would like to continue my R&D efforts to provide new perspectives and findings.
- *The information posted on this website is the information at the time of publication.
A day at work
Message to my past self in my school days
Private column
I am currently into chocolate and wine. I’ve started wanting to make them myself, not just enjoy them. I’ve begun making chocolate from scratch by roasting raw cocoa beans and attending hands-on winemaking workshops at wineries. The only problem is that chocolate and Western sweets tend to be high in fat, which has been affecting my workout routine. So, recently I’ve also become interested in wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), which are lower in fat, as well as green tea. I’d like to visit a wagashi and green tea workshop someday.
