Yamaha wins Good Design Grand Prize at 2026 awards

The Japan Institute of Design Promotion has announced the winners of the 2026 Good Design Awards. Yamaha Corporation received the prestigious Good Design Grand Prize for its EAD50, a drum expansion module equipped with a dedicated microphone. The device allows drummers to capture high-quality stereo sound and intuitively control acoustic tones, bridging the gap between traditional instruments and digital sharing.

Other notable winners include the “Ideacube Kichijoji Project” by Ideahaus Co., Ltd., a residential development in Kitakyushu recognized for its community-focused design and integration with local park environments. Additionally, the “Kaigara Shoten” project, a collaboration between EXIDEA Co., Ltd. and the Japan Financial Economic Education Promotion Organization (J-FLEC), won for its innovative approach to teaching children the value of money through physical books in a cashless era.

The 2026 awards evaluated 5,111 entries from approximately 45 countries and regions, selecting 1,484 winners across various categories including products, architecture, and services.