Japanese Noise Control Technology: How Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Are Transforming Infrastructure Markets with Custom Solutions
Introduction
Why can a Japanese company with 20 employees supply noise control technology to Toyota and Kansai Electric Power? The complete picture of Japanese acoustic technology solving noise problems faced by 1 billion people worldwide through small and medium-sized enterprises' "field-oriented custom design"
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 1 billion people worldwide are exposed to noise levels harmful to health, and noise from traffic, construction sites, and factories threatens residents' health through sleep disorders, stress, and increased cardiovascular disease risk. In urbanising regions, effective noise control measures are required within limited budgets and space, yet standardised soundproofing products provided by major Western manufacturers face the challenge of being unable to fully address conditions that differ from site to site.
Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises are responding to this challenge with a distinctive approach. Armed with custom design through complete made-to-order production, patented lightweight multi-layer structure technology, and environmentally conscious materials with recyclability rates exceeding 95%, companies with approximately 20 employees are supplying noise control technology to major corporations such as Toyota Motor Corporation and Kansai Electric Power. Behind this lies a business model that provides optimal solutions for each site, handling everything from on-site surveys to design, construction, and after-sales follow-up in an integrated manner. With products that are lightweight and slim yet possess high performance across a wide frequency band of 500 to 2,000 Hz, these companies have accumulated achievements in significantly reducing urban noise, and enquiries are increasing for their solutions to noise problems that cannot be resolved with off-the-shelf products in overseas infrastructure projects.
This article will explain the three differentiating factors of Japanese acoustic technology (multi-layered approach, evolution of materials science, and strengths of small and medium-sized enterprises), and through the specific technologies and construction cases of Nisshin Tech Co., Ltd. and Bull and Bear Corporation, will clarify the concrete business opportunities for overseas buyers and project managers when partnering with Japanese companies.
Chapter 1: Characteristics of Japanese Noise Control Technology
The reason Japanese noise control technology is valued in overseas markets lies not simply in "making sounds quieter" but in a comprehensive approach of "fundamentally solving noise problems". Compared with standardised soundproofing products provided by major Western manufacturers, solutions developed by Japanese companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are differentiated in that they achieve both flexible design according to site conditions and high effectiveness in limited spaces.
Meanwhile, the overseas noise control technology market has a different structure from Japan. In Europe and the United States, large-scale projects based on the EU Noise Directive and American regulatory standards are central, with major manufacturers such as Rockwool and IAC Acoustics mass-producing standardised products. The Asia-Pacific region, including China, accounts for 35% of the global market, but specialises in low-cost mass supply and tends to prioritise mass production over customisation.
In the United States, small and medium-sized enterprises such as Memtech Acoustical provide turnkey engineering analysis similar to Japanese companies, but primarily for large commercial projects. Whilst Germany's Schütte conducts custom design compliant with DIN standards, standard panels from major companies predominate in the overall global market, and fully custom solutions led by small and medium-sized enterprises as in Japan are rare.
The reason Japanese noise control technology attracts attention overseas lies precisely in this difference. Small and medium-sized enterprises with approximately 20 employees can respond to challenges that cannot be solved by compliance-oriented mass-produced products, through their agility in addressing individual needs at each site and their multi-layer lightweight structures optimised for confined urban spaces.
Multi-Layered Approach Controlling Noise at Three Stages: Source, Propagation, and Reception
The characteristic of Japanese noise control technology lies in an approach that optimises noise countermeasures by dividing them into three stages.
Source control suppresses the sound of the machinery and equipment themselves that generate noise. This is a method that directly addresses the sources where sound is generated, such as factory machinery, air conditioning equipment, and heavy machinery at construction sites.
Propagation control is a technique that physically prevents sound from travelling through space. It uses noise barriers, sound-absorbing panels, enclosures (soundproof covers), and similar means to block or absorb sound energy. Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises have accumulated proprietary know-how in material technology and structural design in this field, and have developed products that demonstrate high effectiveness even in limited installation spaces.
Reception-side control reduces noise in spaces where sound is received, that is, in spaces where people live and work, such as residences and offices. These are measures that ultimately lower the noise levels people experience, such as enhancing the soundproofing performance of windows and walls, or placing sound-absorbing materials indoors.
By combining these three countermeasures according to site conditions, efficient and economical noise reduction is achieved.
Aluminium Multi-Layer Structure Technology Achieving High Performance at Half the Weight of Steel
The competitiveness of Japanese soundproofing products is underpinned by technological innovation in materials science. Conventional soundproofing materials were generally heavy, thick, and required large spaces for installation. However, Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises have achieved high soundproofing performance whilst being lightweight and slim through the development of proprietary multi-layer structure technology and special sound-absorbing materials.
Soundproofing panels using aluminium as the primary material are significantly lighter compared with steel products, and can reduce transportation costs and the burden of installation work. A patented three-layer structure enables efficient sound attenuation. Because they demonstrate high effectiveness across a wide sound frequency range of 500 to 2,000 Hz, they can address various types of noise, from factory machinery sounds to traffic noise.
Design technology to achieve maximum effectiveness in limited spaces is also important. In urban factories and residential areas, space available for installing soundproofing equipment is limited. Because Japanese products possess high sound insulation performance and sound absorption performance whilst being slim, effective noise countermeasures are possible even in narrow spaces.
Aesthetic design that does not compromise appearance can also be cited as a characteristic. Because aluminium products are resistant to rust and corrosion, they require little maintenance and can preserve a beautiful appearance over long periods.
Many Japanese companies conduct product development with an emphasis on sustainability, such as using recyclable materials at rates exceeding 95%.
Complete Made-to-Order Production and One-Stop Capability Enabling Companies with Dozens of Employees to Supply Major Corporations
Japanese noise control technology is often supported by small and medium-sized enterprises with dozens of employees.
Field-oriented custom design capability is an important differentiating factor. Noise problems have different conditions at each site, whether factories, construction sites, transport infrastructure, or residential areas. Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises adopt a complete made-to-order production system and provide optimal solutions for each site by handling everything from on-site surveys to design, construction, and after-sales follow-up in an integrated manner.
Quality control through in-house integrated production is also a strength. Many companies maintain their own factories and uphold high quality by managing everything from design to manufacturing in an integrated manner. Because they do not rely on external outsourcing, they can also flexibly adjust delivery times and respond to specification changes.
Agile technological innovation and customer response is a characteristic unique to small and medium-sized enterprises. The proximity between management, engineers, and field personnel enables rapid reflection of customer feedback into product development. When confronting new noise problems, there is flexibility to develop new products applying existing technologies in short timeframes.
Chapter 2: Case Study 1 - Nisshin Tech Co., Ltd. (Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture)
Noise Barrier Specialist Manufacturer Serving the Entire Kanto Region: Strength in Complete Custom Design
Nisshin Tech Co., Ltd. is a specialist manufacturer of soundproofing and sound-absorbing products based in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture. Its main business is the design, manufacture, and construction of noise barriers, sound-absorbing walls, and sound insulation and absorption panels, and it provides services covering the whole country, centred on the Kanto region. Its flagship product, "Eco Sound Panel", is valued in the market as a soundproofing solution that can address diverse noise sources, including factories, mechanical car parks, railways, and air conditioning machinery.
Two-Layer Structure with Sound Absorption on Source Side and Sound Insulation on External Side Suppresses Reflected Sound Pressure Rise
The greatest characteristic of Eco Sound Panel lies in its proprietary sound absorption and insulation structure. By adopting a two-layer structure with sound absorption specification on the source side and sound insulation specification on the external side, it processes sound energy efficiently.
This structure enables suppression of reflected sound pressure rise. Ordinarily, because noise barriers reflect sound, sound pressure rises on the source side and noise can conversely be amplified. Eco Sound Panel achieves effective noise reduction as the sound-absorbing layer positioned on the source side prevents sound pressure rise due to internal reflection.
Excellent weather resistance designed for outdoor use is also an important characteristic. It possesses water resistance and durability, and maintains performance over long periods. The fact that it achieves significant noise reduction compared with conventional methods is the reason it is adopted in many projects.
Integrated Response from Consultation to Construction Supervision: In-House Factory Production Without External Outsourcing
Nisshin Tech's greatest strength is its complete made-to-order production system. Rather than selling standardised products, it conducts complete custom design suited to site conditions. It proposes optimal specifications according to individual requirements such as the type of noise, position of sound sources, installation environment, and budget.
Provision of one-stop service is also a characteristic. It handles all processes in an integrated manner, from consultation, on-site survey, design, construction, construction supervision, to after-sales follow-up. Customers do not need to liaise with multiple contractors, and the locus of responsibility is also clear.
Abundant achievements also serve as grounds for reliability. It possesses construction achievements addressing diverse applications, including factory noise, mechanical car parks, construction sites, air conditioning machinery, and railways. The know-how accumulated at each site is utilised to improve design precision in new projects.
In-house factory production enables thorough quality control and flexible response to delivery times. Because it does not depend on external outsourcing, it can manage the entire manufacturing process and can also respond swiftly to specification changes according to customer requirements.
Numerous Achievements in Factories, Mechanical Car Parks, Railways, and Air Conditioning Machinery
In factory noise barriers, noise countermeasures for manufacturing facilities are implemented. They address various noise sources within factories, such as press machinery, cutting machinery, and conveying equipment, and reduce noise impact on surrounding residential areas.
Mechanical car park noise barriers contribute to solving noise problems in residential areas. Mechanical car parks generate large machinery sounds when vehicles ascend and descend. By installing Eco Sound Panels, noise damage to neighbouring residents is reduced and the residential environment is protected.
In railway noise barriers, consideration for residences along railway lines is achieved. Train running sounds and whistle sounds are reduced, and the living environment along railway lines is improved.
Air conditioning machinery noise barriers demonstrate effectiveness in reducing outdoor unit noise. Air conditioning outdoor units for buildings and commercial facilities often operate 24 hours a day, and noise impact on surroundings becomes problematic. By installing Eco Sound Panels, noise from outdoor units is effectively suppressed.
These achievements demonstrate the practicality and reliability of the solutions Nisshin Tech provides.
Chapter 3: Case Study 2 - Bull and Bear Corporation (Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City)
Supply Achievements to Toyota, Denso, and Kansai Electric Power with 20 Employees
Bull and Bear Corporation is a specialist manufacturer of soundproofing panel systems with its head office in Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City. Established in 1990 as an affiliated company of Bull Ironworks Corporation, despite having approximately 20 employees, it possesses supply achievements to major companies including Toyota Motor Corporation, Denso, Kansai Electric Power, and Takenaka Corporation. Its specialist field is the development, manufacture, and construction of the aluminium soundproofing panel system "Bull Sound System".
Patented Ultra-Lightweight Aluminium: Wide-Band Response from 500 to 2,000 Hz with 95% Recyclability
Q-on Panel is centred on proprietary patented technology. Through multi-layer structural design, a mechanism that efficiently attenuates sound has been realised.
The fact that it is made of ultra-lightweight aluminium is a significant advantage in practical terms. It is substantially lighter compared with steel soundproofing panels, reducing the burden of installation work and lowering transportation costs as well. Even when retrofitting to existing buildings or equipment, the load on structures is small, so in many cases reinforcement work is unnecessary or can be minimised.
Wide-band response performance is also a characteristic. Because it demonstrates high effectiveness in the sound frequency range of 500 to 2,000 Hz, it can address various types of noise, such as machinery sounds, traffic noise, and air conditioning sounds. This frequency band overlaps with the sound range to which the human ear is most sensitive, and therefore has the advantage that actual noise reduction effects are easily perceptible.
Development of special sound-absorbing materials is also an important technological element. By conducting optimal design in combination with more than 250 types of aluminium section materials, products suited to the noise characteristics of each site are provided.
In terms of environmental consideration, the material composition is more than 95% recyclable. Even after the product lifecycle ends, materials can be reused, contributing to waste reduction.
Optimal Design for Each Site with Over 250 Types of Aluminium Section Materials: Rust-Free, Rot-Free Long Life
High customisability is an important differentiating factor for Bull and Bear. Panel structure, thickness, surface treatment, and other aspects are adjusted according to the type of noise and the shape of noise sources. Rather than combining standard products, a system is in place to design optimal specifications for each individual project.
Beautiful appearance and high maintainability are also valued. Aluminium material possesses the characteristics of not rusting and not rotting, and preserves aesthetic appearance even when installed outdoors over long periods. Because maintenance work is almost unnecessary, lifecycle costs can be reduced.
Because it possesses incombustibility and water resistance, it can be used both indoors and outdoors. Installation locations are not limited, including outdoor equipment in factories, around machinery indoors, and office spaces.
Abundant supply achievements serve as proof of technical capability and reliability. Adoption continues at major companies with strict quality control, such as automobile manufacturers, electric power companies, and construction companies.
Addressing Diverse Applications from Factory Machinery, Power Generation Equipment, Office Booths, to Solar Power Facilities
In factory noise countermeasures, it addresses industrial machinery that generates high noise levels, such as presses, crushers, and compressors. By installing soundproofing panels around machinery, the working environment within factories is improved and contribution is made to protecting employees' hearing.
In soundproofing for large outdoor equipment, noise from large equipment such as cooling towers and generators is reduced. Because this equipment often operates 24 hours a day and noise impact on surroundings easily becomes problematic, effective soundproofing countermeasures are required.
The office soundproof workbooth "be Base" is a product aimed at improving the acoustic environment in open offices. It provides quiet spaces where individuals can concentrate on personal work or web conferences, contributing to improved office productivity.
Noise countermeasures for solar power generation facilities are also addressed. Solar power generation power conditioners can generate characteristic high-frequency sounds during operation, which become noise problems at facilities close to residential areas. Installation of Q-on Panel solves this problem.
These diverse construction cases demonstrate the versatility and adaptability of Bull Sound System.
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Technical Capability and Agility Are the Key to Solving Overseas Noise Problems
Japanese noise control technology possesses competitiveness in the international market through a distinctive approach combining advanced materials science with field response capability. From the cases of Nisshin Tech Co., Ltd. and Bull and Bear Corporation introduced in this article, strengths unique to small and medium-sized enterprises have become clear.
The solutions these companies provide—flexible custom design through complete made-to-order production, proprietary patented technology, environmentally conscious materials with recyclability rates exceeding 95%—address site-specific noise problems that cannot be solved by standardised mass-produced products. The fact that companies with approximately 20 employees are adopted by major corporations such as Toyota Motor Corporation and Kansai Electric Power demonstrates the high level of technical capability and reliability.
In the current situation where more than 1 billion people worldwide are exposed to harmful noise levels, demand for noise countermeasures is increasing in urbanising emerging countries. The field-oriented design capability, quality control through in-house integrated production, and agile technological innovation and customer response that Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises possess can contribute to solving noise problems at overseas infrastructure projects and manufacturing facilities.
The integrated response system from consultation to design, construction, and after-sales follow-up, effectiveness across the wide sound frequency range of 500 to 2,000 Hz, and characteristics of high performance whilst being lightweight and slim are suited to projects seeking maximum effectiveness with limited budgets and space.