Deloitte Venture Support Co., Ltd.

With over 17 years of experience based in London, Singapore, and Tokyo, he has extensive expertise in the financial and technology sectors as well as post-merger integration (PMI). He has held key positions at global financial institutions such as Société Générale Securities and BlackRock Advisors, and also has experience founding a startup.

Currently, he leads the Cross-Border Innovation Team at Deloitte Tohmatsu Japan, where he works across domestic and international markets to drive innovation. His work includes promoting open innovation, supporting VC and startup entry into the Japanese market, assisting with fundraising, and helping Japanese companies expand overseas. He holds an MBA from Hitotsubashi University and the Yale School of Management.

Associate Professor, Waseda University

He graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tokyo with a major in International Relations and joined the Bank of Tokyo (now MUFG Bank). His career includes roles as a consultant at the World Bank, Visiting Researcher at the Institute of Developing Economies, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry, METI), Research Associate at the Center on Japanese Economy and Business, Columbia Business School, and academic positions at the University of Saskatchewan and Ritsumeikan University.

He has been in his current position since 2011. He earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University. He is the Director of the Waseda Institute of Innovation and Finance, Representative Director of the Japan Effectuation Association, an Outside Director of Scale Out Inc., and was an Inamori Fellow (2008–2009). His research specialty is finance for innovation.

Partner, Panova Inc.

He has extensive experience and a strong track record across a wide range of industries, from portfolio management to IT, telecommunications, and AI/DX. He has led numerous projects in Japan, the United States, and Europe, including strategy development, M&A, and the promotion of 5G and AI/DX initiatives, through roles at Nippon Life Insurance, SoftBank, U.S.-based Sprint, and IBM Consulting.

He played a key role in leading Sprint’s corporate turnaround strategy, demonstrating hands-on leadership at the forefront of global management. He holds a Bachelor of Laws from Kyoto University and an MBA from Stanford University. Having been educated across Japan, Germany, and the United States, he is a globally minded strategist fluent in seven languages. Currently, he serves as an advisor to multiple startups and is deeply committed to supporting and mentoring young entrepreneurs.

Founder & CEO, DAO Inc.
Representative Director, Japan Regional Web3 Collaboration Association

He leads “Region Link,” an initiative connecting young people with local communities across more than 50 regions in Japan and around the world, supporting business idea creation and real-world implementation.

By applying Web3 and DAO technologies to regional development and education, he focuses on designing co-creation communities, supporting projects with local governments and corporations, and nurturing young talent. Guided by the theme “Creating the future through questions,” he works nationwide as a bridge between education, regional revitalization, and startups.

Representative Director, FREA Inc.

He completed a master’s degree in the Graduate School of Engineering at Hiroshima University and was recognized as an outstanding student and thesis author at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. During his graduate studies, he led an environmental restoration project in collaboration with the University of the Philippines, working closely with local government agencies and companies.

After graduation, he joined Nikkatsu Corporation, where he was responsible for international sales and overseas market development for Japanese films. Drawing on his global experience and second language acquisition theory, he currently provides science-based English education programs and supports the overseas expansion of Japanese companies. He employs local staff in more than 10 countries worldwide and has established a local subsidiary in Malaysia, where he also operates food and beverage businesses.

Co-Founder & Co-Representative / Mentor, CePiC-SIH-LdxP

He holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Cornell University. His career includes service at Japan’s Ministry of Finance in roles spanning budget planning, taxation, financial affairs, and international finance, as well as assignments at the Japanese Embassy in Rome and as a Secretary to the Prime Minister. He was also seconded to Chatham House in the UK, the Ministry of the Environment during the G7, and the Financial Services Agency during the G20.

He has collaborated with organizations such as Junior Chambers and Chambers of Commerce on co-creation initiatives including “Common Earth Park” and “SDGs Innovation.” Through public–private exchange, he served as a Principal Researcher at the NRI Future Creation Center, leading Japan–China joint research projects and a strategic study group on recovery from the “triple shock” of COVID-19.

He has conceived and founded numerous initiatives, including CIIE.asia, the CePiC NTM Co-Creation AI Lab project, children’s city projects, SDGs Innovation HUB (SIH), and the Digital Rural City Support Network (Japan DX Regional Revitalization Support Group). He assumed his current role in April 2024. As an aspiring “Public Creator,” he is engaged in public creation efforts across local communities and the global stage. His major publications include From Chatham House to the World and The Essence of the SDGs: Pursuing Sustainability through Entrepreneurship and Finance.

Founder & CEO, FastGo Inc.
Grand Prize Winner, 3rd G-1 Startup Grand Prix

In his second year of university, he founded an art production company and experienced a successful business exit. He later took a leave of absence from university to enroll in 42 Tokyo, an engineering training institution. While studying IT himself, he co-founded FastGo, a fast-pass service for restaurants, together with fellow engineers.

Currently, he operates a PoC-focused contract development company, including providing back-office support for suisui, the leading company in the fast-pass industry. He is also planning to launch a business school for university students.