Programs - ILS2025 | Innovation Leaders Summit

1st Dec. 12:00 | 12:40

1st Dec. 12:00 - 12:40

Toranomon Hills 5F Main Hall

Online: Channel1

Keynote Speech

Lang: English (English-Japanese simultaneous interpretation available)

Keynote Address - India Startup Nation

This keynote explores how India’s innovation, digital transformation, and manufacturing renaissance are propelling its emergence as a global hub for economic growth and technological leadership, unlocking new frontiers across consumption, software, finance, deep tech, energy, and advanced industries.

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Pranav Pai│3one4 Capital, Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer

Pranav Pai is the Managing Partner at 3one4 Capital, an early-stage VC firm. The fund is ranked among India’s top VCs with investments in Licious, Darwinbox, Dhan and Tracxn (IPO). A Stanford graduate, he’s a pioneering voice in India’s venture ecosystem, shaping cross-border early-stage innovation networks.

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1st Dec. 13:00 | 13:50

1st Dec. 13:00 - 13:50

Toranomon Hills 5F Main Hall

Online: Channel1

Seminar

Lang: English (English-Japanese simultaneous interpretation available)

Exploring the "Next Big Thing" with Silicon Valley VCs:Playground & 15th Rock on the Future Map & Execution of Deep Tech

Wearable / XR (Extended Reality)
Automobiles / Mobility / Public Transportation
Semiconductors / Precision Machinery / Electronic Components / Batteries
Aviation / Space / Defense
Renewable Energy / Decarbonization / SDGs / Smart Grid

Jory from Silicon Valley deep tech VC "Playground" and Nakajima from "15th Rock" talk about what the "Next Big Thing" is. They unravel the future and explore practical business creation for Japanese companies.

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Jory Bell│Playground Global, General Partner

Jory Bell is a General Partner at Silicon Valley deep tech VC Playground Global. Attending MIT, Jory earned 3 degrees & developed deep-sea robotics. He then went to IBM & Apple before founding mobile computing pioneer OQO. Jory’s early Playground investments include Nervana Systems (acq. Intel), Velo3D (VELO) & Relativity Space. Jory currently leads Playground’s engineered biology practice & is on the boards of Ultima Genomics, Strand Therapeutics, Manifold Bio, Atomic AI & Amber Bio.

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Tetsu Nakajima│15th Rock. Founder & General Partner

Tetsu Nakajima is the Founder & General Partner of 15th Rock, focusing on "Human Augmentation" startups (AI, robotics, healthcare). He has 15+ years of VC experience at 15th Rock, Mistletoe (CIO), and INCJ, with successful exits (IPO/M&A). He started as a researcher at Toshiba (IEEE/Wi-Fi).

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1st Dec. 14:00 | 14:50

1st Dec. 14:00 - 14:50

Toranomon Hills 5F Main Hall

Online: Channel1

Panel Discussion

Lang: Only Japanese (no simultaneous interpretation)

Open innovation strategy and execution that produces results

Manufacturing / Production Processes / Manufacturing Equipment

Representatives from Fujitsu, Ricoh, and NTT Docomo, all involved in open innovation and corporate venture capital (CVC), will be speaking. The moderator will be a former senior venture capitalist from Sony Ventures. They will discuss the reasons why major manufacturing companies are engaging in open innovation, and the reasons why collaborations with startups sometimes fail to yield results. This session will explore successful and unsuccessful case studies, aiming to uncover the optimal strategies for open innovation and CVC.

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Keisuke Matsuo│Fujitsu Limited, Strategic Alliance Division Fujitsu Accelerator (Startup Alliance) Manager

After joining Fujitsu Ltd. as a new graduate, he was in charge of server marketing and contributed to achieving the top market share in Japan. After that, through Fujitsu's management strategy, he established "FUJITSU ACCELERATOR", an organization that promotes startup collaborations, and has achieved 120 collaborations to date.

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Masaharu Banno│Ricoh Co., Ltd., Corporate Planning Center Business Development Department Head

After joining Ricoh as a new graduate in 2008, he worked in the production department and was stationed in the UK before moving to corporate planning in 2020. He has been involved in M&A strategies and the implementation of business PFM, and has been in his current position since September 2021. In November 2023, he launched Ricoh's CVC, RICOH Innovation Fund, and is in charge of business development, including investment.

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Naoyuki Inagawa│NTT Docomo, Inc., Chief Innovation Evangelist

After joining NTT Docomo, he worked in technical positions, procurement, international business, and human resources before becoming president of Docomo Innovations in 2013. He promoted startup investment in Silicon Valley. In 2018, he led CVC as president of NTT Docomo Ventures. Since 2021, he has focused on creating new businesses through R&D, and has held his current position since 2023.

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(Moderator) Tadafusa Tomitaka│Tommy Venture Partners, CEO

At Sony, he designed the world's smallest and lightest 8mm camcorder, the CCD-TR55. As VP of Sony America, he was the head of research laboratories and a venture capitalist. As SVP of Sony Corporation Global Holdings, he was responsible for strategic planning for an R&D budget of approximately 500 billion yen and invested in venture companies. As VP of Sony China, he was the director of the China Research Institute and invested in Chinese startups. He was a senior venture capitalist at Sony Ventures Inc., and later went independent.

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1st Dec. 14:50 | 15:10

1st Dec. 14:50 - 15:10

Toranomon Hills 5F Main Hall

Online: Channel1

Keynote Speech

Lang: Only Japanese (no simultaneous interpretation)

Japan–China Innovation Alliances: Present Realities and Future Potential

Automobiles / Mobility / Public Transportation

Join us for a keynote by a partner from Tsinghua University’s venture arm—invested by global innovators like Sony and JSR—exploring cross-border innovation and investment dynamics between Japan and China.

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Donglei Liu│El Camino Capital, Partner

She graduated from Tsinghua University and completed her master's degree at the University of Tokyo. She has over 10 years of experience in investment management and a wealth of experience in the deep tech sector. She has led and participated in numerous projects, primarily focusing on AI, displays, and EVs. Leveraging her international network, she contributes to strengthening the global competitiveness of portfolio companies by providing comprehensive support from technology adoption to market expansion.

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1st Dec. 16:00 | 17:00

1st Dec. 16:00 - 17:00

Toranomon Hills 5F Main Hall

Online: Channel1

Seminar

Lang: Only Japanese (no simultaneous interpretation)

Three Leading Tech Startups Reveal the Realities of Collaboration — Why Do Startups Partner with Large Corporations?

Renewable Energy / Decarbonization / SDGs / Smart Grid
Logistics / Supply Chain
Food / Food Production / Agriculture / Fisheries

Teraform, which tackles agricultural challenges through soil-moisture retention technology for arid and farmland regions; ASTRA FOOD PLAN, a food-tech startup that transforms food loss into valuable ingredients; and Wead, an upcycling innovator promoting resource-circulation under the mission “Eliminate Throwing Away.” Although operating in distinct fields, all three startups have successfully formed collaborations with large corporations to scale their technologies and business models.
In this session, we explore why startups choose to partner with major enterprises, delving not only into the benefits of collaboration but also into the real challenges they face—differences in speed, decision-making processes, internal alignment, and other on-the-ground realities.
Through candid insights unique to startups, this session illuminates the key factors that enable large corporations to become “preferred partners” and the practical know-how required to build successful co-creation relationships.

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Satoshi Hidaka| CEO, Teraform

Teraform Inc. develops, manufactures, and sells SuperSponge, a bio-based soil water-retention agent. It enhances soil moisture-holding capacity, enabling crop cultivation even in drought- and arid-prone regions. With higher biodegradability than petroleum-derived products and a proprietary low-cost process, Teraform provides a sustainable water-resource solution for farmers worldwide.

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Chihiro Kano| CEO, ASTRA FOOD PLAN

After a career in planning and development for the food industry, he founded ASTRA FOOD PLAN in 2020. He developed a superheated steamer that dries and sterilizes food in just 10 seconds. He is working to solve the issue of hidden food waste by upcycling food waste into flavorful food powder "Gururiko®."

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Momoka Ikawa | CEO, wead Co., Ltd.

Graduated from the University of Tasmania in Australia. Developed "greevy," a microbial material for waste, and is working to revive agriculture and solve local issues by turning waste into resources. Through contract research and demonstration projects, he collaborates with various companies and local governments, aiming to realize a recycling-oriented society.

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(Moderator)Atsushi Morimoto | Director, Public Relations Department, Japan Finance Corporation

He joined the People's Finance Corporation (now the Japan Finance Corporation) in 1993. Since 2010, he has supported many entrepreneurs as the director of the Tokyo Startup Support Center of the corporation, and as the leader of the Startup Support Group in the Startup Support Department at headquarters, he was in charge of introducing a capital loan system for startups, as well as being involved in the planning and launch of the High School Student Business Plan Grand Prix.

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1st Dec. 17:00 | 17:50

1st Dec. 17:00 - 17:50

Toranomon Hills 5F Main Hall

Online: Channel1

Keynote Speech

Lang: English (English-Japanese simultaneous interpretation available)

How to Enter Japan and Communicate Effectively with Japanese People

This session explores the essential cultural insights and communication strategies needed to successfully enter the Japanese market. It highlights the importance of understanding language, etiquette, and values, providing practical approaches for building trust and achieving success in business relationships in Japan.
In the second half, This panel focuses on strategies for expanding business operations in Japan, covering key topics such as partnership building, marketing localization, regulatory compliance, and talent acquisition. Experts will share actionable insights on how international companies can achieve sustainable growth in the Japanese market.

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John Kojiro Moriwaka│CEO, Silicon Valley Ventures

John Kojiro Moriwaka empowers fast-growing startups, multinational corporations, family offices, venture capital firms, CVCs, accelerators, universities, and government agencies around the world.

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2nd Dec. 16:30 | 17:20

2nd Dec. 16:30 - 17:20

Toranomon Hills 5F Meeting Room1

Keynote Speech

The Importance of Family Offices - Is Japan Ready for the Next Wave?

A family office manages and grows wealth for entrepreneurs and families, focusing on long-term value and social impact. The U.S. leads in tech investments, Europe in education and culture, and the Middle East and Singapore benefit from supportive policies. In Japan, rising wealth and succession highlight the need for collaboration among founders, startups, and venture capital to shape the future.
This event is limited to executives of major companies and VCs. Those who do not fall into this category will not be able to participate.

\ NOW ON STAGE /

John Kojiro Moriwaka│CEO, Silicon Valley Ventures

John Kojiro Moriwaka empowers fast-growing startups, multinational corporations, family offices, venture capital firms, CVCs, accelerators, universities, and government agencies around the world.

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2nd Dec. 17:00 | 17:30

2nd Dec. 17:00 - 17:30

Toranomon Hills 5F Hall A1

Online: Channel2

Seminar

Lang: Only Japanese (no simultaneous interpretation)

Tokyu Land Corporation's Startup Co-creation Activities

Real Estate / Construction / Smart Home / Smart City

I will provide an overview of the startup co-creation activities that Tokyu Land Corporation is undertaking in the greater Shibuya area, and the value provided by the startup co-creation facility "SAKURA DEEPTECH SHIBUYA," which opened at Shibuya Sakura Stage in January of this year.

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Shotaro Koike│Tokyu Land Corporation, Assistant Manager

After joining the company as a new graduate in 2015, he worked in corporate planning and the development and operation of urban hotels. He has been with the Shibuya Business Headquarters since 2023. He has experience in formulating strategies for the wider Shibuya area and promoting the opening of large-scale complexes such as Tokyu Plaza Harajuku "Harakado" and Shibuya Sakura Stage, and this year he will be promoting startup co-creation work.

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3rd Dec. 11:00 | 11:50

3rd Dec. 11:00 - 11:50

Toranomon Hills 5F Main Hall

Online: Channel1

Panel Discussion

Lang: English (English-Japanese simultaneous interpretation available)

Challenges and Opportunities for Japanese Chemical Companies in Light of Global Innovation Trends

Materials / Chemistry

A senior partner at a global VC firm specializing in industrial innovation investments, the CEO of a US startup leading in Materials Informatics, and the former CEO of JSR Corporation will be speaking. They will discuss the pathways for reconstructing innovation that are needed for Japanese chemical companies in the future.

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Greg Mulholland│Citrine Informatics　CEO

Greg is an internationally recognized materials technology leader with invitations to speak at global conferences on six continents, a member of the World Economic Forum Future of Production Working Group, was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2015. He holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, an MPhil in Materials Science from Cambridge University, and Bachelors of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from NC State University where he was a Park Scholar.

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Markus Moor│Emerald Technology Ventures　Senior Partner, Chief Investment Officer

Markus Moor is a Senior Partner with Emerald Technology Ventures, a leading venture capital fund focused on industrial innovation investments. He currently serves on the boards of Enocean GmbH (leading smart home and IoT platform), SecurityMatters (industrial cyber security), Powerhouse Dynamics (building IoT and food safety) and Hydropoint Data Systems (360° smart water management platform). In the past he was among others involved in the investments in Pemeas (fuel cell MEAs sold to BASF), Cellex Power (fuel cell drive train sold to Plug Power), Hyradix (industrial gas production equipment sold to Eden Energy) and Evergreen Solar (solar modules NASDAQ listed).

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Toshihiko Omote │ Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. Managing Executive Officer / CTO

He joined Nitto Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (now Nitto Denko) in 1983. After serving as CTO and CIO, he explored and created new business opportunities as an Executive Fellow. He joined Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. in February 2022 and assumed his current position in April 2025. He is currently working with other members to promote the creation of new businesses for Mitsui Chemicals.

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Mitsunobu Koshiba │ Cdots G.K. CEO (The former CEO of JSR)

Joined Japan Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd. (now JSR Corporation) in 1981. Moved to the US in 1990 and worked hard to establish a position for the semiconductor materials business in the US market. Became Representative Director and President in 2009. Became Representative Director and Chairman in 2019 and served as Honorary Chairman until 2023. Founded a think tank (Cdots LLC) and runs the Economic Security Committee at the Japan Association of Corporate Executives.

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3rd Dec. 12:00 | 12:45

3rd Dec. 12:00 - 12:45

Toranomon Hills 5F Main Hall

Online: Channel1

Seminar

Lang: Only Japanese (no simultaneous interpretation)

Winning fundraising strategies for seed and early stage startups

Other

\ NOW ON STAGE /

Jun Kakegami│CFO Consultant

After graduating from Keio University and passing the Certified Public Accountant exam, he was in charge of M&A and business restructuring at a general electronics manufacturer. He then worked at Fast Retailing, launching the Japanese business of an overseas brand, and served as CFO at Kenko.com (listed on the Mothers market at the time). At Hotland, which operates Gindaco, he oversaw listing preparations and acquisitions, achieving the IPO. He currently serves as an external CFO, focusing on supporting various startups in fundraising and building management systems.

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Mitsuo Ueno | CEO of MM Consulting Co., Ltd.

He is a certified small and medium-sized business consultant and worked for the Japan Finance Corporation (formerly the National Life Finance Corporation) for 26 years, mainly in the loan screening business. He was responsible for providing loans totaling approximately 200 billion yen to 30,000 small and medium-sized businesses and 5,000 entrepreneurs. After going independent in 2011, he worked as a management consultant, providing support for starting businesses, fundraising support, and financial consulting, as well as giving lectures and writing.

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(Moderator) Hitomi Shibaki | Director of ILS

While attending university, he worked at "DREAM GATE" to support entrepreneurship, and grew the business by 2.5 times by holding nationwide seminars in collaboration with experts. Since 2014, he has been the director of the "Innovation Leaders Summit (ILS)", a large-scale open innovation event attended by over 20,000 people.

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3rd Dec. 13:00 | 13:50

3rd Dec. 13:00 - 13:50

Toranomon Hills 5F Main Hall

Online: Channel1

Seminar

Lang: Only Japanese (no simultaneous interpretation)

Business Co-Creation at Hokkaido F Village — A New Era of Collaboration between Regions and Innovation

Wearable / XR (Extended Reality)
Logistics / Supply Chain
Retail

Hokkaido F Village X (HFX) is pioneering a new model of regional innovation that unites sports, urban development, and technology. This session explores how HFX connects municipalities, corporations, and global startups to shape an ecosystem that drives innovation from the region to the world.

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Yasuhiro Saito│Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd., Head of Innovation and Investment / Chief of Public Policy Ofice

He serves as Head of Innovation and Investment at Yamato Holdings. Possessing extensive experience in public policy and investment, he oversees the company's corporate fund while also bringing considerable operational expertise gained from roles such as managing large-scale branches. He is driving new business development focused on strategic alliances with start-up companies.

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Tomo Kobayashi│Fighters Sports & Entertainment Co., Ltd.

He is in charge of the development and planning of "ESCON FIELD HOKKAIDO" and "Hokkaido Ballpark F Village," home stadiums of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He is promoting the development of the area as a tourist destination and urban development. Attracted by the idea of "creating a ballpark the world has never seen before," he left a megabank in 2020. He is 45 years old and from Hokkaido, with no baseball experience.

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Fumi Sato│Tokyu Land Corporation

Fumi Sato joined Tokyu Land Corporation (TLC) in 2008, initially working for office building development. After transitioning to the Overseas Business Department, Sato was stationed in New York in 2016, where he led a large-scale mixed-use development project and oversaw apartment acquisitions. Returning to Japan in 2021, Sato joined the Innovation Strategy Department, focusing on CVC investments in startups and internal entrepreneurship programs. He has held his current position since 2025.

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Masami Takahashi│Scrum Ventures, General Partner & COO

After graduating university, Masami joined Sony, working in Tokyo, Paris, and the San Francisco Bay Area, focusing on investment and acquisition opportunities. He then served as President of Uber Japan, where he launched Uber Eats, then later became General Manager of WeWork Japan. He holds a BA from the University of Chicago and an MBA from INSEAD. He also serves as a board member of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan.

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ILS2025 Time Table