Yuki Goto

Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Cabinet Office Staff

After graduating from university, I worked at a materials manufacturer, where I was responsible for product development and quality assurance. In 2015, I joined the City of Nagoya, where I supported the creation of innovation for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Since 2020, I have been responsible for startup support, contributing to the launch of the Central Japan Startup Ecosystem Consortium as part of the development of a regional startup ecosystem.In 2023, I am seconded to the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, where I am responsible for promoting the Startup Ecosystem City Project and promotion of public procurement for startups.

Yuki Shirato

Techstars Tokyo, Managing Director

A founder of 3 startups, an operations executive, an advisor to 20 (pre-seed to series B) and angel investor to 50 startups (including a few unicorns). Former corporate attorney in New York, Toronto, Dubai / Abu Dhabi and Tokyo for ~10 years involved in 50+ billion USD worth in M&A, funds and corporate transactions. Founder of an angel network of 50+ angels, yakumi.co. Formerly a management consultant at Bain and also a trade negotiator. B.A., Univ. of Tokyo, M.B.A., Univ. of British Columbia / Duke Univ., J.D., Univ. of Toronto.

Yukihiko Hayashi

Aichi Television Broadcasting Co.,LTD. Executive Officer, Head of Content and News Production Department

Yuko Yamasaki

Samaria Inc. CEO

JAPANMEDIA is the platform that helps anyone become a world-class creator with AI.

Yumi Goda

MUFG Innovation Partners Co., Ltd. Strategic Investment Div. Senior Associate

Joined MUIP for Strategic Investment Division since July 2022. Prior to MUIP, Yumi worked for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) where she was enrolled in corporate sales for the first few years and then open innovation activities with startup company for new business development department. After working for SMBC, Yumi joined a startup company developing an urban model theme park as a founding member and experienced the launch of a museum in the entertainment area. Currently, she covers the US investment at MUIP.

Yumi Otsuka

As Chief Sustainability Officer at Toyota Motor Corporation,

As Chief Sustainability Officer at Toyota Motor Corporation, Yumi Otsuka is leading Toyota’s corporate mission “Producing Happiness for All” and commitment to helping build a sustainable society. She joined Toyota as one of the first female career-track administrative new recruits. Since then, she has consistently demonstrated leadership in promoting diversity and sustainability at the front line of transformation, including “Diversity Project,” “Mirai (future) Project,” and creation of motorsports business. She graduated from School of Law, Osaka University (Japan), and earned an MBA degree from Dartmouth College (USA).

Yusuke Tanaka

Givin' Back Inc Director / Pawnshop Inuyama Founder / Generative AI EXPO Executive Committee Founder

A pioneer in the field of generative AI and a leader based in the Tokai region, Yusuke Tanaka has been spearheading innovation. As the founder of the "Generative AI EXPO," held in Tokai cities like Nagoya and Inuyama, he has attracted over 3,000 participants. Collaborating with local governments such as Aichi Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, and Nagoya City, he is dedicated to solving regional challenges and promoting AI adoption. Leveraging his experiences at Tsinghua University, Toyota Group, and startups, he advances talent development and operational improvement. From Tokai to the national stage, he is a prominent social innovator connecting communities with technology in Japan's generative AI field.

Yusuke Tominaga

Whatever Co. Producer / CEO

Yusuke Tominaga is the CEO and co-founder of Whatever. His career in the creative industry began when he helped establish AID-DCC in 2000 while still a student at Ritsumeikan University. He founded dot by dot inc. in 2014 and Whatever in 2019, the latter being a joint venture with the creative agency PARTY New York, where he served as Executive Producer from 2018. In Aug 2019, joint-invested with Tohokushinsha Film Corporation and established WTFC, Inc., inaugurated as CSO.Having earned accolades from Cannes Lions, The Webbys, Japan Media Arts Festival and more, Yusuke's experience in creative production spans across advertising, experiential marketing, music videos, fashion, and TV.Outside Whatever, Yusuke is a shareholder and executive partner of the tech director collective—BASSDRUM. He actively invests in startup products such as COTODAMA's Lyric Speaker and Yummy Sake—a free service that employs AI as a tool to profile the ideal Japanese rice wine for each user at blind tasting sessions. He also operates a co-working space "Wherever" for creative companies in Tokyo to fulfill his goal of building professional network with creatives around the world.

Yuta Hagiwara

PREVENT Inc. / Founder and CEO

Graduated from the Graduate School of Medicine at Nagoya University, where research focused on "Developing an Online Cardiac Rehabilitation Program." Subsequently gained clinical experience as a physical therapist at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital. Founded PREVENT Inc. in 2016, aiming to innovate healthcare solutions. Achieved recognition in 2018 by receiving an award at the Japan Healthcare Business Contest. In 2020, PREVENT Inc. was selected for J-Startup CENTRAL, highlighting its global potential. In 2023, joined the Sumitomo Life Group to advance the social implementation of cutting-edge prevention programs.

Yuta Hattori

GOOD AID inc. director

Founded a pharmacy startup and developed a dispensing pharmacy, visiting nursing, and e-commerce business. We have created a pharmacy where people can self-medicate and have been working on medical and social issues through the pharmacy. We bought out to a listed company in January 2014.

Yuta Takayasu

Master’s Student (1st Year), Department of Computer Science, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo / CTO, Leacron Inc. / CTO, LoveMachine Inc.

Developed the “UNLEAK SHORTS,” a device designed to prevent menstrual leakage, and was selected for the Mitou IT & AD Program, earning recognition as a “Super Creator” in the Mitou IT initiative. Currently serves as CTO of Leacron Inc. (which they founded) and CTO of LoveMachine Inc., where they collaborate with Director Aramaki on research into animation production using generative AI, exploring innovative visual expressions. Their research findings were presented at the Feature Talk of SIGGRAPH ASIA.

Yutaka Oba

Senior Manager, Ecosystem Builder, NUS Enterprise Centre Director, BLOCK71 Japan

Joined Toyota Motor Corporation as a fresh graduate and worked in project management of new development vehicles. Mainly responsible for vehicles in the South East Asia region, and worked as a coordinator at the South East Asia RHQ (@ Thailand) from 2016-2017. After leaving Toyota Motor Corporation in 2021, entered the MBA (majoring in Entrepreneurship) at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Upon graduation in 2023, joined National University of Singapore / NUS Enterprise which is the innovation & Enterprise arm of NUS. Currently working as a Japan Centre Director for innovation among Japan x Southeast Asia, with a focus on BLOCK71 which is responsible for supporting start-up growth. Born in 1988, Bachelor in Economics from Kyoto University and Master of Business Administration from the National University of Singapore.