Speakers
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Naohiro Nishiguchi
Startup Genome Japan
Naohiro Nishiguchi
Startup Genome Japan /President
Serial entrepreneur. He is the Head of Japan for both Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN). He is a professor at Sophia University and is working to revitalize Japanese society through the introduction of innovation management to existing companies and the development of a startup ecosystem. He is the only Japanese person to have been consistently involved in the formulation of the international standards for innovation management, ISO 56002/56001, for 10 years. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Sophia University and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University (MBA).
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Naoko Matsuda
bestat Inc
Naoko Matsuda
CEO of bestat Inc
BA in Economics and Ph.D, University of Tokyo. MA in Political Economy, Columbia Univesity. Dedicated in Inovation pollicy and Trade policy at Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan. While styding in Columbia Univesity, met Data Science and obtained Ph.D in Matsuo Lab thereafter. Supporting "contribution to the society by a technical innovation" has been always the mission in METI and inorder to realize it, founded bestat Inc in 2018.
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Naonobu Fuwa
JICA
Naonobu Fuwa
JICA
Nao FUWA launched and leads activities related to the enhancement of African startup ecosystems at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). As a JICA Expert for Innovation, Competition and Incubation, he supports the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation and the National Center of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (under the Nigerian government) to enhance regional startup ecosystems in Nigeria, and also organized the JICA NINJA Business Plan Competition in response to COVID 19 across 19 countries in Africa. He began his career in the capital markets division of an investment bank, then as a managing director of a tech start-up, before moving to Uganda as a husband to join JICA in Uganda and Ethiopia. He holds a M.A. in Financial Mathematics from Boston University.
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Naotaka Nishiyama
Tech Japan Co., Ltd.
Naotaka Nishiyama
CEO, Tech Japan Co., Ltd.
After obtaining his U.S. Certified Public Accountant qualification, he worked at Deloitte Tohmatsu Group, supporting the growth of venture companies. As the General Producer of Morning Pitch, he planned and managed numerous startup events both domestically and internationally. Subsequently, as the Asia Regional Director, he established an Indian team and facilitated many Japan-India business collaborations. In 2019, he founded Tech Japan and independently partnered with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), India's premier science and technology educational institutions, to develop and operate the only recruiting platform used within the campus. He promotes human resource exchange between Japan and India, serving as the chair of the "Working Group on Hiring Indian Talent in Japan," operated with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Indian Embassy.
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Naoto Okamoto
R-pro Co., Ltd.
Naoto Okamoto
R-pro Co., Ltd. CEO
Born in Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture, he aspired to become a professional baseball player until high school but changed course after setbacks. Guided by the motto “Be the regular player of your life,” he now works at R-pro, a company dedicated to SOCIAL BRANDING aimed at solving social issues and creating a kinder world for tomorrow. He is involved in operating “Nagono Campus” and serves as the head of the Tokai Branch of the Sharing Economy Association, Japan, participating in various projects centered on "environment," "education," and "co-creation."
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Naoto Oohitsu
Mizuho Bank
Naoto Oohitsu
Mizuho Bank Executive Advisor
Joined Mizuho Bank in 1988. Held various positions in M&A and MBO operations. Since 2013, dedicated to supporting startup companies. Appointed Executive Managing Officer in 2022. Currently serving as Executive Advisor to Mizuho Financial Group / Mizuho Bank from April 2024. Member of the Cabinet Secretariat 's "Startup Development Subcommittee," Committee Member of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Startup Finance Study Group," and Expert Member of the "J-Startup Review Committee." Supporting corporate growth, continuously striving for the future and industrial development of Japan.
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Natsuko Inukai
Wo-one Inc.
Natsuko Inukai
Wo-one Inc. CEO
Having worked as a PR representative at JR Nagoya Takashimaya, a department store in Nagoya Station, for 15 years, she successfully increased the number of TV interviews to nearly 500 per year, aiming to make it "Japan's most exposed department store." Her PR efforts for the Valentine's Day event "Amour du Chocolat" significantly contributed to 3 billion yen in sales. She has also made numerous media appearances, gaining attention for her passionate and persuasive communication style. Motivated by a desire to leverage PR to elevate the profiles of individuals and companies, she launched her own business in June 2023. She now provides support for companies in building internal PR capabilities and developing PR staff, and serves as a lecturer and advisor in the PR industry.
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Nguyen Huu Long
FPT Japan Holdings Co., Ltd.
Nguyen Huu Long
FPT Japan Holdings Co., Ltd. Executive Vice President
Graduating from the University of Tokyo with a bachelor’s degree in System Innovations, Nguyen Huu Long has decades of experience in IT industry in Japanese market. Mostly based in Tokyo, he is the founder and CEO of FPT Consulting Japan (FCJ) since 2019, specializing in Digital Transformation consulting and helping Japanese enterprises building their digital platform and services. FCJ reaches 300 consultants early 2023 and will continue to grow its digital force to 1,000 by 2025.He’s also served as Vice President of FPT Software and Senior Vice President of FPT Japan Holding, FPT Software’s largest overseas subsidiary.
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NIKO WOISCHNIK
Tech Open Air
NIKO WOISCHNIK
Tech Open Air CEO
Dedicated to developing Berlin's technology and startup ecosystem and connecting it with the world. Niko founded TechBerlin, the city's first English-language blog on technology and startups, as a side project while working in venture capital, sparking his interest in serving the tech ecosystem and enhancing entrepreneurship. He later founded Ahoy! Berlin, which was recently acquired by Knotel. Additionally, he founded Tech Open Air (TOA), a technology festival, and Openers, a communications agency for technology companies.
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nobodyknows+
musician
nobodyknows+
musician
Members: Crystal Boy, Yasuichiban?, Hokuroman Hanrice!!!, Nori Da Funky Sibiresus, DJ MITSU A hip-hop group consisting of 4 MCs and 1 DJ, based in Nagoya. In 2004, their first full album "Do You Know?" topped the Oricon charts for two consecutive weeks from its debut, becoming a huge hit, selling over 800,000 copies. They also appeared at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen with their signature song "Kokoro Odoru". They also became the first hip-hop artist to tour all 47 prefectures in Japan. In 2005, he released his second full album "5MC&1DJ" which includes "El Mirador - The Song of the Observatory", the song used in the Mode Gakuen national commercial and in commemoration of the Nagoya TV Tower being designated a registered tangible cultural property, and "Shiawasenaratewotatakou", the Japanese title song for Stephen Chow's film "Kung Fu Hustle". In 2007, he released his third full album "vulgarhythm", which includes the theme song "Hero's Come Back!!" for the anime "NARUTO Shippuden", and his greatest hits album "The Best of nobodyknows+" through Sony Music. In 2011, he moved to Sigma Sounds Studio in his hometown of Nagoya. He has collaborated with the Chunichi Dragons for several years during their championships, and has performed at many major festivals including TOKAI SUMMIT, as well as Nagoya's largest festivals, the Nagoya Festival and the Imaike Festival, focusing on revitalizing music culture in the Tokai region. He was appointed "Aichi Music Ambassador" by Aichi Prefecture (a position he still holds as of 2022).
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Noriya Tarutani
JETRO
Noriya Tarutani
Head of JETRO Startup
After joining JETRO, Noriya TARUTANI has dedicated over 20 years to supporting the global expansion of Japanese startups and the entry of international startups into Japan across Tokyo, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley. During he served as Executive Director at San Francisco office, Noriya collaborated with top-tier accelerators such as Berkeley SkyDeck and Techstars, as well as global VCs and CVCs, to launch programs focused on PMF validation, fundraising support, and partner and customer discovery. Additionally, Noriya contributed to promoting Japan’s startup ecosystem by organizing J-Startup pavilions at global events like CES and Disrupt SF. Since returning to Japan, Noriya has played a pivotal role in attracting overseas VCs and establishing initiatives such as Techstars Tokyo and Alchemist Japan, connecting global accelerators, VCs, CVCs, and major corporations to Japan's ecosystem. As of April 2023, Noriya oversees JETRO’s Japanese Startup Program, driving international collaboration
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Parisa Rose
The Los Angeles Tribune
Parisa Rose
Contributing Writer
Parisa is a visionary leader in the Creator Economy, celebrated for building vibrant communities, fostering authentic connections, and driving innovation at the intersection of technology and creativity. As a media host and thought leader, she captivates audiences by leading transformative conversations with industry pioneers and hosting high-profile red carpet events and virtual conferences. With expertise in community design, content strategy, and emerging technologies, Parisa empowers creators and their audiences to thrive in collaborative and innovative environments. Her work bridges the gap between creators and platforms, crafting data-driven strategies, optimizing user experiences, and refining monetization models to establish industry-leading hubs of creativity.A dynamic speaker, best-selling author, and human rights advocate, Parisa is a National Champion and 8x All-American Swimmer. She has been honored with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, one of the nation’s highest honors for civic contributions, in recognition of her extraordinary volunteerism and her role as a changemaker driving social justice and community impact. Her efforts have also earned her recognition as a trusted advisor to leading media and tech companies, where she helps shape strategies that redefine innovation and engagement. As a mother of two, Parisa brings resilience, creativity, and inspiration to everything she does. Whether mentoring creators, designing transformative programs, or hosting compelling conversations, she continues to shape the future of digital collaboration and community-building with passion and purpose.
