That aspiration was front and center on January 29, when Daikin U.S. Corporation President Yoshiyuki Uemura joined executives from some of the world's leading organizations at the WELL 2026 Flagship Summit in New York City. Hosted by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for driving market transformation through healthy buildings, organizations and communities, the event brought together global leaders to explore the future of sustainability and well-being in the built environment. 
As a featured panelist in a fireside chat moderated by IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon, Uemura shared the stage with Martin Boden, CEO of Global Strategic Accounts from Sodexo. Under the banner of the WELL Executive, a platform stood up by IWBI and sponsored by Daikin that explores how leaders take care of their people, their stakeholders and customers and, most importantly, how they take care of themselves, the conversation focused on why indoor air quality matters, and the emerging technologies that are reshaping indoor environments. Uemura also reflected on Daikin’s public education efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At Daikin, we believe that quality air is foundational to comfort,” said Uemura. “Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. That’s why every day, Daikin is guided by our mission to develop advanced indoor air solutions that operate quietly, reliably and efficiently, from our advanced inverter technology to some of the world’s leading air filtration products. We operate at the forefront of our industry, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Through our collaboration with Aurelia Institute, we’re already looking ahead to the next 100 years, with exciting plans to test the next generation of IAQ technology under the harshest conditions in space.”
Daikin's Indoor Air Quality Leadership
Daikin's participation in the Summit comes on the heels of several significant milestones that underscore our commitment to indoor air quality:
It Starts with Our Own People
In October 2025, Daikin's Washington, D.C. office achieved WELL Certification at the Platinum level - the highest distinction awarded by IWBI. This certification isn’t just a plaque on the wall - it’s proof that Daikin products and design approaches can support great, indoor environments. By putting Daikin’s purpose into practice in our own workplace, we strengthen the trust of our employees, partners, and customers alike.
The office features a multi-stage filtration system, where outdoor air is filtered twice - first through MERV 13 and then MERV 11 filters. Indoor air is also continuously recirculated to maximize indoor air quality. Additionally, sorbent-laced filtration media capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and CO₂, allowing the office to maintain fresh, odor-free indoor air without the need for additional outdoor air intake. The office also promotes physical movement through fully adjustable desks, chairs, and monitor arms, as well as on-site gym access, bike commuting facilities, and nearby parks for breaks and exercise.
Efficiency Without Compromise
For too long, building operators faced a tradeoff: improve air quality or reduce energy use. In November 2025, Daikin Applied acquired an exclusive license to Sorbent Ventilation Technology® from enVerid Systems Inc., a breakthrough air-cleaning technology that can capture volatile organic compound (VOCs), ozone, and CO₂ while reducing outdoor air ventilation requirements by as much as 80 percent. It is currently the only technology independently tested and validated to meet all contaminant requirements in ASHRAE Standard 62.1 - advancing both decarbonization goals and indoor air quality.
Protecting People from What They Can't See
Our air filtration expertise is strengthened through AAF International, the world's largest manufacturer of air filtration solutions. With nearly a century of innovation, including HEPA filters that supported NASA's Apollo 11 mission, AAF International operates across 22 countries, providing filtration solutions for applications ranging from residential HVAC systems to pharmaceutical cleanrooms, data centers to nuclear facilities.
Smarter Buildings, Improved Indoor Air Quality
You can't manage what you can't measure. In March 2025, Daikin Applied invested in Poppy, a key partner in equipping building owners and engineers with the tools and technology to visualize air performance, reduce energy waste and lower carbon emissions while maintaining superior air quality. Poppy is at the forefront of clean airflow and energy management technologies, delivering insights that drive operational savings. The company’s patented real-time air-tracing and ventilation optimization solutions comply with ASHRAE Standard 241 through a new test method recently introduced to the industry, helping commercial building owners reduce energy costs while complying with key standards for safe and sustainable indoor air management.
Perfecting the Air, Even Beyond the Planet
Looking ahead, Daikin is collaborating with the Aurelia Institute to research and develop HVAC solutions for space environments - exploring groundbreaking approaches to air and water management that will benefit both orbital habitats and buildings here on Earth.
Continuing the Conversation
Following the Summit, Daikin was proud to host a private reception at our New York City office, bringing together industry, academic, and business thought leaders for an evening of continued conversation. Guests enjoyed a tour of our showroom and an intimate dinner where the dialogue on building performance and the future of indoor air quality continued well into the evening.
Events like the WELL Flagship Summit remind us why this work matters. The air we breathe shapes the lives we lead, and Daikin is honored to be part of a community committed to making optimal indoor environments the standard, not the exception.