Over the past quarter-century, Japan has endured prolonged economic stagnation and deflation, with the Bank of Japan maintaining a zero interest rate policy. However, this year, the BOJ finally raised the policy rate to 25bps. Although a small increase in numbers, it signals a significant shift that global capital markets have strongly reacted to, once again recognizing Japan's economic presence.
Japan is currently facing a range of well-recognized challenges and opportunities, such as demographic shifts like population decline and aging, issues in the labor market, challenges in the capital markets like corporate governance, and emerging opportunities like Quantum Technology, which is gaining serious attention.
In this session, we aim to engage in a meta-cognitive discussion, not just about those identified issues and opportunities, but to uncover and recognize the deeper, fundamental triggers that Japan holds—much like how a "25bps" change rippled across the global landscape.
Session Agenda
13:00: Opening – Taiko performance by “Hibikiya”
13:05: Welcome by Sharanjit Leyl (Bath Spa University)
13:10: Welcome to JFF! by Pieter Franken (GFTN)
13:20: Panel 1 - Japan’s Economic Renaissance: The Future of New Financial Corridors
_Moderator: Sharanjit Leyl_
_Speakers: Ryosuke Ushida (Financial Services Agency of Japan), Makoto Shibata (FINOLAB Inc.), Shinichiro Yamazaki (SMBC), Sam Ghiotti (Habitto)_
13:45: Panel 2 - Transforming Japan: The Impact of Emerging Digital Infrastructures
_Moderator: Shoko Suzuki (UntroD Capital)_
_Speakers: Prof. Charles Smith (University of Cambridge), Atsushi Taira (The Edgeof), Tatsuto Fujii (Mizuho Financial Group / Mizuho Bank)_
14:10: Panel 3 - Investing in and from Japan: Unveiling Opportunities in Asset Management, Startups and South East Asia
_Moderator: Navin Suri (Elevandi)_
_Speakers: Kazuhiko Yoshimatsu (Tokyo Stock Exchange Inc. Singapore Branch), Takeo Shimotsu (MUFG), Rei Murakami (Kadan Capital), Sandeep Patil (QED Investors)_
14:40: Hitachi ESG Hackathon launch
_By Kojin Nakakita (Hitachi Asia Ltd.) and Taiki Sakata (Hitachi Ltd.)_
_with Special Guests - Sopnendu Mohanty (GFTN), Umang Moondra (APIX Platform)_
14:50: Networking Cocktail Reception, hosted by Hitachi Ltd.
15:28: Closing Riff and Ippon-jime
_Led by Takeshi Kito (GFTN) & Makoto Shibata (FINOLAB Inc.)_
15:30: Close
Insights Forum
Launchpad Room, Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Level 4
