Jim Aota has been with Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. since 2017 and currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer. He manages the Corporate Strategy Center, overseeing Sustainability, Corporate Planning, Digital Strategy, and New Business Development. He also holds the position of Chairman of Yamaha Motor Ventures.

Before joining Yamaha Motor, Jim worked at Mitsui & Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Detroit, New York, and London, focusing primarily on business development and investment/financing in the mining industry.

He received a PLD from Harvard Business School and graduated from the Faculty of Political Science at Keio University.

Biomimicry Japan Association was established to create a world where the global system can circulate and regenerate as interpreters of nature’s wisdom, based on our mission “(Re) Connect people with nature.” Mr. Azuma learned Biomimicry at a graduate school in the U.S. He became the first Japanese to be certified as a Biomimicry Specialist after participating in various fieldwork in Costa Rica and other countries. He has conducted training, lectures, writings, and workshops in various fields, including government offices, corporations, start-ups, students and children, urban development, and TV programs. In his private life, he is a fly fisherman who travels the world by fishing to explore the right relationship with nature.

Organizational Development Consultant, SYSTEMIC CHANGE Inc.
The Executive Master of Sustainability Leadership, Arizona State University
Biomimicry Specialist, Biomimicry3.8

Founder of Next (now LIFULL) in 1997, he developed the real estate and housing information service “HOME’S” (now LIFULL HOME’S) into one of Japan’s largest sites. The corporate message is “Make every LIFE FULL,” and the LIFULL Group deploys businesses not only in the real estate domain but also in areas addressing social issues such as regional revitalization and elderly care.
His ultimate personal goal is “world peace.” Through the NPO PEACE DAY, he aims not only for a state of negative peace, defined by the absence of war, but also for positive peace, which encompasses the absence of war and indirect violence (structural violence) caused by social structures such as poverty, hunger, oppression, and discrimination, to be realized globally. He also serves as the Representative Director of the Nasu Convalley Council, a Director of the New Economy Federation, and a Council Member for Well-being for Planet Earth.

Born in Tokyo in 1983, Ogura studied fermentation as a research student at Tokyo University of Agriculture, before starting a fermentation lab in Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. He holds workshops, creates picture books and animations, and develops products with brewers across the country with the aim of “using design to reveal the hidden workings of microorganisms.” His “Temaemiso no Uta” (“Song of the home-made miso”) won a Good Design Award 2014. He has also written “Fermentation Cultural Anthropology” (Kirakusha).

Dr. Kaneko was born in Hokkaido in 1980. He received his B.S. degree in engineering from Nagoya University, Japan, in 2003, and his M.S. degree in engineering from the same university in 2005. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in electronics and applied physics from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, in 2012.
In 2005, he joined Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (now Panasonic Holdings Corporation), where he has been engaged in the development of materials and devices. In 2015, he was assigned as an on-site manager at imec in Belgium. After returning to Japan in 2019, he took on the role of manager of the Perovskite PV team. He has held his current position since 2021.

Executive Deputy President Officer in charge of Engineering, Sales & Marketing, and Operations, Sony Corporation

Entered Sony Corporation since 1987 as a DDM system product design engineer. In 2009, after his carrier in U.S.A. and Europe, totaling 9 years as an engineering manager,　he was appointed at Deputy Senior General Manager of TV business Div., Home Entertainment Business Group. 2021 to present, Executive Deputy President of Sony Corporation.

Medical Doctor
CEO, Tenrai Inc.
Chief Chairman,Japan Association of Healthcare Initiative,Planetary Health Initiative
Sponsor/Co-researcher, Laboratory of Mathematical Engineering of Morality Emotions, Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Sirikhanate Sakulyong is the Founder and Chief Creative Director of Sapience, a pioneering biomimicry consultancy based in Thailand. With a mission to introduce biomimicry to Thailand through innovation and education, Sapience aims to inspire paradigm shifts and foster developments that harmonize human systems with nature.

Sirikhanate is a trained Biomimicry Professional, pending final certification from Biomimicry 3.8. Her expertise is rooted in a diverse background, with a Master’s in Biomimicry from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s in Industrial Design California College of the Arts.

Prior to Sapience, Sirikhanate honed her skills as a Creative Director at an industrial designer firm Hatch Duo. During her tenure, she earned recognitions including the Good Design, Spark Design, and IDEA Awards.

Sirikhanate’s work embodies a vision for a symbiotic future, leveraging biomimicry to inspire, equip, and create solutions that are as innovative as they are regenerative.

After earning a Ph.D. in Physics from Kyoto University, Daikichi Seki worked as a Data Scientist at Accenture’s AI Center. In this role, he initiated and oversaw industry-academia collaborations with Kyoto University and Kyushu University, developing and executing collaborative strategies. The outcome of his collaboration with Kyushu University led to the development of one of Accenture’s AI Powered services, a project he spearheaded and implemented for clients. In 2022, he co-founded aiESG.

Born in Wakayama in 1977. Graduated from the Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology and joined Kao Corporation in 2002. Engaged mainly in the development of oleochemical manufactuaring at the Material Development Laboratory and the Material Science Laboratory. During this period, he studied at the Faculty of Catalysis Research Center, Hokkaido University for one year in order to introduce solod catalytic surface analysis. After serving as director of the Material Science Laboratory, he was transferred to the ESG Global Action Promotion Department in September 2021, and assumed his current position in January 2025. The company is focusing on the promotion of ESG environment activities, including initiatives in climate change, zero waste, and water security activities.

Martin Rich, Co-founder & CEO of Future-Fit Foundation, is a sustainability and impact specialist with nearly 30 years’ experience in both mainstream and social investment.

Following a successful career in international finance working for UBS, JPMorgan, HSBC and Social Finance Ltd, he co-founded Future-Fit Foundation with a vision to create a truly sustainable future for all. He now works on the cutting-edge of sustainability, helping companies and financial institutions of all sizes address the radical transformation that the future demands of their business models.

Martin is Senior Independent Trustee and Chair of the Endowment Investment Committee for Access Foundation which manages over £100m of dormant account assets for the UK government. He is also a member of various investment and advisory committees, including for WHEB Asset Management, and is a former member of the Asset Allocation Working Group for the G7 Social Investment Task Force.

Martin holds two Master’s degrees with First and Distinction in Engineering from Queens’ College, Cambridge.

Naho founded MizLinx in 2021 while she was a graduate student. She was selected as a recipient of the Mitou Advanced Project in FY2021 by the Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan, and also selected as a Forbes JAPAN 30 UNDER 30 2023 award winner. She has a Master’s degree in Engineering from the Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University.

Michael Dupee is a corporate sustainability and innovation expert, educator, and entrepreneur, with over 25 years of experience across the consumer products, graduate education, investment banking, and ecotourism fields.
Michael served as both the first Vice President of Corporate Sustainability and the first Vice President of Sustainable Innovation at the former Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Keurig Green Mountain Inc. In these roles, he created and led an award-winning and internationally recognized corporate responsibility program, was named co-winner of the Best First Time Sustainability Report in North America by CERES, and deployed over $48 MM in strategic philanthropy, and developed innovative biomimetic and Base of the Pyramid projects. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters was named the #1 Best Corporate Citizen by CRO Magazine twice during his tenure.
He taught “Business Strategy for a Sustainable World”, “Sustainable Operations and Green Supply Chains”, and “Biomimicry as an Innovation Tool” in the Sustainable Innovation MBA program at the Grossman School of Business at the University of Vermont, one of the world’s leading Green MBA programs. He was recognized as Faculty Member of the Year in 2017 and as Best Adjunct Faculty Member in 2021.
Additionally, he has served as a Vice President at Goldman Sachs & Co., making and managing investments in distressed financial assets, co-founded an innovative and successful railbiking ecotourism venture, and acted as a Senior Advisor to a boutique consulting firm for their Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) practice.
Michael holds graduate degrees in law, business administration, and biomimicry. He is based in Vermont where he lives with his son, makes music, and both plays and coaches baseball.

Through Sustainable Brands, she and her team lead the global conversation about how 21st century brands can, and are delivering new business value through innovation for environmental and social purpose. In addition to overseeing direction and strategy at SB, she writes and speaks around the world on the shift in consumer demand and the opportunity for brands to respond by changing the way they think of and deliver against their role in society. She served as faculty for Harvard’s Leadership for Sustainability Exec Ed program, and is on the external sustainability advisory council for P&G. She was recently awarded the Hutchens medal from ASQ, (American Society for Quality) which recognizes exceptional leaders in social responsibility and sustainability.
Prior to launching Sustainable Brands Worldwide and parent company, Sustainable Life Media, in 2004,KoAnn founded and lead a boutique management consultancy focusing on helping enable breakthrough financial performance through purpose-driven leadership and improved organizational alignment.
Prior to that, she worked for 18 years in business-to-business media where she served in positions of increasing responsibility, launching and leading media properties including magazines, conferences, trade shows, and more for a wide range of markets, starting with natural resources (timber, paper, and mining) and ending with a variety of emerging technology sectors including digital video, computer game development and the web. During her tenure she garnered extensive experience launching and growing countless product brands, as well as driving a corporate brand effort and integrating it with a global product brand portfolio spanning many market sectors. She completed her media tenure as Senior Vice President of a multinational division of United Business Media, overseeing a $50 million division and a 150-person team.

Makiko Aizawa worked for two companies before joining Kao in 2007. After being involved in the operation of multiple corporate citizenship activities, from 2017 she continued to drive forward CSR projects in the Sustainability Promotion Division, which would eventually become the ESG Division. Currently, in her role in the ESG Global Strategy, she contributes to efforts in respecting human rights.

Joined McDonald’s Japan in 2007, working in marketing and supply chain. Since 2022, I’ve been leading the Zero Plastics Project, engaging with a cross functional team to promote the reduction of virgin plastics used for guest packaging in the Japan market with the aim of achieving global McDonald’s commitment “to source 100% of our primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled or certified materials by the end of 2025.”

Joined Sekisui House in 2005. After working as a sales representative for detached houses, assigned to the International Business Department and stationed in Eastern Europe and Asia, promoting the overseas real estate development business with a focus on local marketing and sales planning. In February 2021, joined the Communication Design Department, responsible for ESG communication, planned and executed communication focusing on environmental themes. In August 2022, moved to the Environmental Promotion Department, and assumed current position in February 2023. Promoting environmental initiatives such as CO₂ reduction in business activities, ESG information disclosure, biodiversity restoration, and Circular Economy.

Takayuki Ishikawa joined Nikken Sekkei in 1987 after graduating from graduate school at Kyushu University.
He specializes in urban development and urban planning.
Since joining Nikken Sekkei, he has been involved in architectural and urban-related projects.
In 2008, he moved to Nikken Sekkei Research Institute, where he has been engaged in consulting on the theme of “sustainable urban development”.
he has been creating projects of smart city and TOD in China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and Russia by urban development and infrastructure system packages.
In 2021, he reassigned to Nikken Sekkei and took charge of Innovation Design Center, where he promoted collaborative activities to solve social issues and operated the co-creation space “PYNT”.
Since 2024, he has also served as President of Nikken Sekkei Research Institute.
He is a professional engineer, urban planner and a regular member of the Japan Association of Urban Planners.

Born in Chiba Prefecture, Atsushi graduated from the School of Political Science and Economics, Meiji University, joined the Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited. and then shifted his career focus to the field of finance and was appointed CFO of Johnson & Johnson K. K. Medical Company in 2014. From 2016 to 2020, he served as CFO of QVC Japan, Inc. and Director of the Board of QVC Satellite, Inc. He then took the position as CFO and Director of the Board of Adecco Ltd. from 2020 to 2022, during which he acquired Master of Technology in Innovation for Design and Engineering at AIIT. Since 2023, he has been in the current position. As a corporate leader, with a firm belief that business and sustainability must go hand in hand, Atsushi pursuits his vision of creating a society in which every moment of people’s lives is filled with joy, and one in which people can live in harmony and be true to themselves.

I am a high school sophomore attending Jumonji High School in Tokyo, Japan. My areas of interest are the characteristics of living organisms and social issues.

In my first year of high school, I worked on devising and prototyping a new product, which I presented at the Quest Cup 2024 National Competition sponsored by Educa & Quest. It won the Grand Prize in the Small Start category.

In my second year of high school, I participated in very50’s MoG, a very practical exploration program, and stayed in Vietnam for 9 days. I worked on management issues faced by local entrepreneurs. I also participated in the “Sugamo Station Shopping Street Revitalization Project” as a community activity, learning about management and food development. At my high school’s festival, I created and sold dorayaki inspired by Japanese sweets from the shopping street.

Born in 2001. Spent his school years in Aichi Prefecture. Started self-taught research based on his interest in the energy field and climate change countermeasures when he was in junior highschool.
In 2022, he entered Hiroshima University’s Faculty of Integrated Arts and Science. While majoring in physics, he also studies chemistry, environmental finance, and energy economics. Committed to decarbonization in the energy sector, he engages in related activities inside and outside the university.
From 2023, he has interned at Green innovation as part of the YouTube project, and later expanded his activities to support environmental education, etc. From 2024, he worked as a student fellow at the Town & Gown Institute for Future Innovation at Hiroshima University, where he was involved in research for a model demonstration project for agrivoltaics. He was selected as a Japanese delegate for the ASEAN Youth Economic Forum. He is certified as a Basic-Level Advisor for Decarbonization.

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1979 and raised in Nakagawa Town, Tochigi Prefecture. A Neapolitan pizza craftsman. He began his culinary training at the age of 18 and traveled to France and Italy in 2002, awakening to Neapolitan pizza. After returning to Japan, he joined Y’s table corporation and won the grand prize at the Neapolitan Pizza World Championship in 2006, earning the title of “the best in the world.” He became independent in 2012 and opened “PIZZERIA GTALIA DA FILIPPO” in Shakujii Park, Nerima Ward. Recently, he has launched various projects such as community collaboration, support for medical professionals, and food development, actively engaging in activities beyond the restaurant framework.

In 2022, 2023, and 2024, he received a three-star sustainability rating from a UK organization. He won the grand prize at the FOOD MADE GOOD Japan Awards in 2023 and 2024, and in 2024, he received the BEST Social Award.

I am a second-year Kaetsu Ariake High School student and a member of SBnest’s 3rd cohort.

2024 Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge – Honorable Mention
2024 Made to Move Communities™ – National Champion
2024 World Scholar’s Cup – U.S. Global Round Participant
Born in the UK in 2008, I spent my early years at an international school in China before moving to Japan and joining Kaetsu Ariake High School.

My interest in regional revitalization started after visiting aging communities. Now, I am involved in projects in Kugenuma Kaigan, Hinohara Village, and Koto City, working with local residents and organizations for positive change. I aim to strengthen human connections, even in an urbanized world.

I am currently inquiring about an online platform enabling people to connect freely to foster innovation and well-being. My goal is to create a society where meaningful connections are more accessible.

My name is Rikuto Egawa, a first-year student at Hiroo Gakuen Highschool. Since childhood, I enjoy and love studying biology, especially in fields of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Neuroscience which is my recent interest. I love reading articles in a magazine called Newton, watching TED videos, and have always dreamed of conducting my own research and contributing to the world of medicine. In 2024, I went to Nepal for a medical volunteering program, founded a student (high school) organization for elementary children in spreading the values of culture from around the globe, joined a research support program called IHRP where I was able to conduct research beside a professor in Chiba University regarding diabetes, and around the end of the year, met Neuroscience and joined the management team of IYNA Japan (International Youth Neuroscience Association) that is currently held by high school and middle school students.

Operation/Support of the Non-Profit Organization IHRP

Born in Tokyo, currently a high school senior. Set to enroll in Keio University’s Faculty of Policy Management this spring. After spending a year in the United States as an exchange student, developed an interest in aviation fuel and began energy research as a third-term participant of IHRP. Presented research findings at Sustainable Brands 2024 last year. This year, actively participating as a member of IHRP’s operational team.

Joined Albatross Technology Inc in 2023. As the COO, mainly responsible for fundraising, PA/PR, and recruitment.
After joining Kawasaki Kisen, engaged in ship investment, IR, new business development, etc. In 2017, concurrently served as the chairman of the labor union executive committee. Subsequently joined A.T. Kearney, supporting clients with business due diligence and new business planning.
Have been involved in activities at the United Nations Forum and SVP Tokyo. Holds an MBA from IE Business School.

Emi is known as a governance, stewardship and corporate sustainability expert. She sits on the board of Musashi Seimitsu Industry and Daiwa Asset Management and is currently the CEO of Eminent Group Ltd.. Previously, she was the COO at Japan Catalyst, Inc. (2020-2022) and held various roles at Goldman Sachs Asset Management (2000-2020) and J.P. Morgan (1998-2000).
Currently, she sits on the Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance established by Japan Financial Services Agency and Study Group on Disclosure Policies for Non-financial Information by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Emi is also active in industry initiatives: a leader for the Japan Chapter of ISSB-SASB Fundamentals of Sustainable Accounting, steering member for Japan Stewardship Initiative as well as the chairperson for Future Design Initiative by Science and Finance (FDSF). She published her first book “Connecting Corporate Sustainability and Sustainable Finance” in July, 2023.

After joining UL Solutions, Kaori started working in the Marketing Department, focusing on branding and PR initiatives. After moving to the Business Development Department, she was responsible for finding potential opportunities in the Japanese market for introducing new UL services & solutions. Identifying a gap in the market, in 2019, Kaori transitioned to her current team focusing on promoting sustainability-related services and solutions. She has been instrumental to the rapid growth of this team. One of the team’s key offerings is UL 360, an industry leading SaaS ESG data management solution. Today, her team partners with a large number of companies and is committed to supporting data-driven ESG management by maximising the power of software.

Joined LIFULL in 2017. As Executive Officer and Group CCO, he oversees brand, design, marketing, and communications for a group of companies working to solve social issues. From 2023, he will serve as Vice General Manager and CMO of LIFULL HOME’S Business Division, and from 2024, he will also serve as Director of LIFULL senior, a group company.
He is also responsible for organizational development, including strategy development, training, and hiring for the creative, marketing, and sales organizations.
He has won more than 300 design and advertising awards in Japan and abroad, including the Cannes Lions Gold and the ACC TOKYO CREATIVITY AWARDS Grand Prix. He has served as a representative judge for the YouTube Works Awards 2022 Force for Good category and as a judge for the 2024 64th ACC TOKYO CREATIVITY AWARDS Marketing Effectiveness category.

Chris joined Merck in 2012 and has since held several pivotal roles. He has managed Asia Pacific Regional teams, overseeing Digital Strategy & Transformation, Commercial Strategy and Data Analytics, and Regional Marketing within the Life Science sector. In January 2020, he was appointed President Director for Merck Chemicals & Life Sciences in Indonesia. In May 2022, he assumed the position of President & Representative Director of Merck Ltd. Japan. Concurrently, he serves as the Country Speaker for Merck Group Japan, where he actively promotes DE&I initiatives, including the Women in Leadership program.

Kei Saika joined OMRON Corporation in 1998. Since then, he has been engaged in accounting for the electronic components business, as well as the establishment of subsidiaries and corporate venture capital initiatives.
In 2017, Kei became the Head of the Business Control Group, Global Strategy Headquarters, where he was responsible for managing company-wide performance indicators and addressing various management challenges.
Since 2024, he has held his current position. Additionally, as the leader of the Carbon Neutral Solutions business, Kei is working to balance social and economic value in the manufacturing industry by visualizing challenges related to carbon neutrality and providing solutions to address them.

After completing my Master’s in Environmental Studies, I started working in the corporate sustainability space. My 20 years of experience includes working for start-ups and large multinational companies in Japan, particularly in stakeholder communication using sustainability reports and employee engagement based on corporate purpose. In 2020, I enrolled at Monash University in Australia, where I obtained a Ph.D. in 2023 for my research on corporate purpose and sustainability. I joined Danone Japan in 2024 as a senior public affairs and sustainability manager.

CSR/SDGs Consultant
March 1976 Graduated from the University of Tokyo Faculty of Law.
April 1977　Joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (currently the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)
July 2005　Councillor, the Ministry of the Environment
August 2006　Councillor, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
July 2007　Director-General of the Kanto Regional Forest Office
March 2008　Retired the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
May 2008　Joined ITO EN, LTD.
July 2010　 Director of ITO EN, LTD.
July 2014　Managing Executive Officer of ITO EN, LTD.
April 2019　Retired as Advisor of ITO EN, LTD.
April 2020　Professor at Platform for Arts and Science, Chiba University of Commerce (current position)
June 2022　Outside Director of NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION (current position)
[Official HP] Hidemitsu Sasaya Official Site （https://csrsdg.com/）

Worked as Editor-in-Chief of Cooking Professionals at Shibata Shoten, then became independent. Currently working as a writer and editor specializing in food, cuisine, and restaurants. Since 2024, Editor-in-Chief of Cuisine Kingdom at JFLA Holdings Inc.

In 2010, Sustainavision Ltd. was established in the UK with the aim of serving as a bridge between Japan and Europe in the field of CSR and sustainability. Based in London, the company provides CSR and sustainability training and conducts related research for Japanese companies. Since 2012, it has been regularly organizing the “CMI Approved Certified Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Training” in Japan.
In March 2018, the Sustainable Restaurant Association Japan (SRA Japan) was founded in collaboration with the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). The organization aims to empower restaurants to take leadership in sustainability and to establish systems that contribute to making producers, consumers, and the entire food system more sustainable.
Currently serving as the Chair of the Consumer Approach Study Group within the Food Tech Public-Private Council of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Japan.

Ms Joyce Chau joined amfori as Country Representative in Greater China in June 2011. Her role is to promote responsible trade through sustainability services including business social compliance (amfori BSCI), environmental performance (amfori BEPI), quality management (amfori QMI) and responsible trade policy.
Since Jan 2019, she has been Director APAC and leads the APAC team to drive open and sustainable trade in the region with direct presence in Australia, Greater China, Bangladesh, India and Türkiye.
In around 30 years, Ms Chau’s major expertise is in public affairs, stakeholder and media relations crisis, and issues management related to sustainability, CSR, and supply chains. Before amfori, she was Senior Vice President of HSBC Corporate Sustainability APAC Office, Dell China’s Corporate Communications Director. She also worked for HKSAR Government Innovation and Technology Commission, HK Airport Authority and GS1. She holds a BSoSc in Communications and an MA in Translation.

Co-Representative and Chief Relationship Officer of NPO Greenz / Associate Professor at Musashino University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Sustainability

Born in Bangkok and raised in Tokyo. In 2006, founded the web magazine “greenz.jp”. Currently living a dual-location lifestyle between Isumi City, Chiba Prefecture, and Chofu City, Tokyo. Co-founded several initiatives in Isumi City, including the Isumi Local Entrepreneurship Project, the community currency “Mai”, Permaculture and Peace Dojo, and Transition Town Isumi, actively working on sustainable community development in the region. At Musashino University, researching “Regenerative Design Thinking”, a concept that fosters sustainability through relationships where life mutually nurtures life. Authored books include “Creating the Future You Want with Your Own Hands”, among others.

He began his career as a system engineer at an IT services company.

In 2005 he joined a SoftBank Group company, and in 2008 he became the CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) and head of the information systems department at Alibaba.com Japan Co., Ltd.

Since 2012, he has been involved in high-tech R&D as the leader of a research team studying fields such as parallel processing algorithms and computer graphics at SoftBank Corp.

Recently, he has been active in R&D into the digitalization of primary industries.

Joined Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. in 1987 and was assigned to the Okinawa Branch. After stationing in London, he was involved in Business Administration, mainly in corporate departments such as Corporate Planning Office, Procurement Dept., Group Management Promotion Dept., etc. In April 2023, he joined the Solution Sales Promotion Dept. to promote solution sales to solve important social issues such as tourism, regional development, and a prosperous planet by creating relationships and connections through transportation. Joined GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) in September 2023 and established a team dedicated to sustainable tourism in February 2024. Current position since July 2024.

Based in Amsterdam, originally from Tokyo, Masato Sezawa specializes in creating films and stories centered on sustainability, circular economy, and community resilience. His recent documentary “The Repair Café” was nominated for the Amsterdam Buurt Film Festival 2025, highlighting diverse values of repair in building sustainable societies.

Masato studied in Denmark, where his experiences with local initiatives deepened his understanding of environmental and social issues. He has also contributed to international projects such as coordinating the Japanese segment of the Danish documentary film “Life and Other Problems” (2024), the Opening Gala film at CPH:DOX 2024.

As a storyteller, Masato bridges local and global narratives, drawing from media work in the UK, France, and Italy. His work seeks to inspire audiences worldwide to take meaningful steps toward a sustainable future.

“Harumichi” is a Senior General Manager of the Sustainability Management Division at Suntory Holdings, a leading global food and beverage company based in Japan. His portfolio focuses on pursuing Suntory Group’s global water security agenda, including the catchment protection initiative and the water education program as Biodiversity and Water Sustainability Lead. Harumichi has 18 years of experience leading various research projects in the technology development and fundamental research divisions of Suntory Group. Before assuming his current role in 2020, he spent a year as a Principal Researcher at Suntory’s Institute for Water Science, where he led the development of the fundamental technologies necessary for Suntory to expand its water stewardship globally.

Graduated from the College of Liberal Arts at International Christian University, Kiyoko launched the monthly magazine “The Cuisine Press” in 2006 with the mission of “connecting producers, chefs, and eaters”. Since July 2017, she has been editor-in-chief of the magazine, and from 2021, she will continue to work as a web media to explore “better ways of eating” in the future, together with people who are taking action toward “the kind of society and future we want” with food as a starting point. Kiyoko is a member of the judging committee of “Ryori Masters,” a chef award program of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.

Futoshi Takashima is a founder / CEO of the General Incorporated Association “NEWHERO”, which approaches social issues from the creator’s point of view and runs a community that connects social activists and creators.
Futoshi is also a visual director/documentalist, specialized in bringing out and capturing ephemeral emotions and moments from individuals, and actively creates social-good content.
He efficiently applies visual expression and ideas which he cultivated through his experience in the advertisement industry, in the field that solves social challenges, and works on creating new stories that reach out to people’s hearts.
His major works are P&G’s “Mom’s Happy 1st Anniversary”” (ママも1歳、おめでとう) etc., which won awards both at home and abroad.

Joined Sanyo Scott (currently knowned as NIPPON PAPER CRECIA) in 1988. Working mainly as a sales for family care product such as tissue paper and toilet roll. And then worked in the R&D and Marketing division. Developed environmentally and logistic friendly products, as well as women’s friendly products that focus on reducing housework and negative minds. In 2015, worked on “Scottie 3 times long lasting toilet roll” and “Scottie fine reusable paper towel” which became a hit product. From June 2020, she became the first female director in the company. Also as a General Manager of the Sales Planning Division and the Marketing Department. In 2019, set up an in-house CSV project “Crecia Shared Value Project” and focusing on sending message of NIPPON PAPER CRECIA’s SDGs.

Masa joined SMBC (former Sumitomo Bank) in 1993.
After working in various areas such as real estate and aircraft finance,
corporate restructuring, and investor relations,
he served in London for 5 years from 2017.
Masa returned in April 2022 as the General Manager of the Corporate Sustainability Department, and assumed the current position in April 2023.

Invented the Bubble90, water-saving nozzle in 2009, winning the Product of the Year award. In 2010, he founded DG TAKANO, which quickly grew into a leading company in the industry. By 2019, he was recognized as one of Nikkei Business’ 50 Most Influential Japanese People. In 2023, DG TAKANO was featured in Forbes Japan, with its design management strategy receiving wide acclaim.
Masaaki is also the creator of the meliordesign series, which earned him the Marketer of the Year award and Japan’s Energy Conservation Grand Prize. In 2024, meliordesign received the prestigious Red Dot Design Award, garnering international recognition in the field of sustainable technologies.
The company is currently engaged in building the “city of the future” project in Saudi Arabia, developing resource-recycling infrastructure.DG TAKANO continues to thrive as a global company, combining innovation and social commitment.

After joining Cerespo Co., Ltd. in 1983, he was involved in a wide range of business activities, including sales and construction, and was appointed as a director in 2007.

Even after becoming a director, he has been actively involved in sales activities and site management nationwide, leading employees while promoting corporate management. In 2022, he was appointed as the CEO, a position he holds to this day.

As the top executive, he has demonstrated leadership in the implementation of the international standard ISO20121 (third-party certified) and promoting the company’s sustainable management.

Mr. Shogo TANAKA currently serves as director of Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Division at Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI) Japan since July 2022. After he joined METI in 2001, he was responsible for various policies including economic and industrial policy and energy policy until the current position. He also worked in JETRO Berlin from 2020 to 2022 in order to conduct a deep analysis of Germany and EU’s public policy.
He has a Master of Public Policy from University College London and Bachelor of Economics from University of Tokyo.

Hidetoshi leads corporate sustainability strategy, management and reporting advisory practices at PwC Japan and provides advisory services to multi-national companies in automotive, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, cosmetics, airlines, chemical, telecommunication, ICT and technology industry. He has also played an important role to lead several thought leadership initiatives in the field of corporate sustainability in PwC global network.
He has 9 years experience as an environmental specialist at a multi-national automotive company. He was in charge of development and implementation of environmental strategy and also conducted research projects including GHG accounting and ecosystem service review in collaboration with external stakeholders and opinion leaders such as United Nations University.

MSc in Environmental Technology -Imperial College London
MEng in Civil Engineering -Osaka University