新社会システム総合研究所 List of News Articles

[Key Lecture Content] 1. Recent Trends in National Resilience Cabinet Secretariat, National Resilience Promotion Office, Counselor Tomohiro Watase 1. What is National Resilience? 2. Framework for Promoting National Resilience 3. Past Efforts in National Resilience 4. Overview of the First Medium-Term Plan for Implementing National Resilience 5. Growth Strategies and Basic Policies in Disaster Prevention and National Resilience 6. Regional National Resilience Plans, Promotion of Private Sector Initiatives, etc. 7. Q&A / Business Card Exchange 2. Initiatives Regarding Infrastructure Management by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, General Policy Bureau, Public Works Planning and Coordination Division, Coordinator Takashi Tajima 1. Current Situation and Challenges Surrounding Infrastructure 2. Regional Infrastructure Group Regeneration Strategy Management (Group Management) Initiatives 3. Initiatives for Utilizing New Technologies 4. Strategic Shift in Management for Trusted Infrastructure 5. Q&A / Business Card Exchange

[Speaker] President and CEO of Energy Pool Japan Co., Ltd. Committee appointments as of July 2026: - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Working Group on Decentralized Energy Promotion Strategy - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Study Group on Next-Generation Decentralized Power Systems - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, ERAB Study Group - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Study Group on the Nature of Simultaneous Markets - Power System Operation Promotion Organization, Committee on Adjustment Capacity and Supply-Demand Balance Evaluation - Power System Operation Promotion Organization, Subcommittee on Supply-Demand Adjustment Market - Power System Operation Promotion Organization, Study Group on Future Power Supply-Demand Scenarios Mr. Ken Ichimura [Lecture Topics] October 27 (Tuesday) 1st Session: Learning About the Electricity Business and Capacity Market from Scratch 1. Fundamental Discussion: What is Power System Reform? 2. Learning About the Capacity Market from Scratch 3. Summary - Things I Would Like to Share About KW Value - 4. Q&A November 10 (Tuesday) 2nd Session: Learning About the Electricity Business and Supply-Demand Adjustment Market & Simultaneous Market from Scratch 1. Fundamental Discussion: What is Power System Reform? (Review of the 1st Session) 2. Learning About the Supply-Demand Adjustment Market from Scratch 3. Summary - The Future of Power Supply-Demand Adjustment Towards 2050 - 4. Q&A

[Speaker] Shinichi Isobe, Department Manager, Architecture Standardization, NTT Docomo, Inc. [Key Lecture Content] Discussions on the international standardization of 6G technology are progressing towards commercial services around 2030. In the 6G era, AI services are expected to be commonly used in people's lives, with numerous physical AIs and robots actively participating in industries, society, and daily life. It is anticipated that AI will also be utilized in network control, leading to labor-saving and efficiency improvements. In this seminar, we will introduce the latest standardization trends at 3GPP, the international standardization organization for mobile communication technology, while also presenting NTT Docomo's technical considerations and demonstration experiments aimed at 6G, focusing on the envisioned world and use cases. [Lecture Items] 1. Evolution of 5G 2. Standardization towards 6G and trends in Japan 3. NTT Docomo's initiatives towards 6G 4. Others 5. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Speaker] KPMG Consulting Co., Ltd. Executive Officer Partner / KPMG Sustainable Value Services Japan ESG Governance Services Lead Partner Ms. Misa Kimura KPMG Consulting Co., Ltd. Senior Manager Mr. Yu Nakagawa KPMG Consulting Co., Ltd. Senior Consultant Mr. Naoto Matsumoto [Presentation Topics] 1. Trends in the Utilization of Intangible Assets - From disclosure to utilization - From formality to substance - From short-term thinking to long-term thinking 2. The Past and Future of Intellectual Property × Intangible Assets - Why can't intellectual property be utilized? - Why are intangible assets important? - What should the ideal management look like? 3. Practice of Intellectual Property × Intangible Assets - Visualize intellectual property and intangible assets, and develop a strategy for differentiation and corporate growth - Build a system to realize the strategy and review the processes - Advance implementation through KPIs linked to corporate value enhancement - Co-source management processes and transition to planning and strategy 4. Q&A / Business Card Exchange *Please note that the content of the program may change depending on the situation. Thank you for your understanding.

[Instructor] Kensuke Ikeda Research Promotion Manager, Network Technology Research Department Grid Innovation Research Headquarters, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry Public Relations Group, Science Communicator (Concurrent Position) [Key Lecture Content] At the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, we are planning the TOWER LINK (Transmission tower based Optical and Wireless Extremely Reliable Link) concept, which applies new communication technologies such as all-optical networks (APN) and millimeter-wave terahertz waves to transmission towers, aiming to build a highly reliable and low-latency communication network. TOWER LINK will be constructed over existing power facilities and will function as the nervous system of increasingly complex power networks, supporting stable power supply. Furthermore, it will be capable of providing communication lines suitable for the collaboration and integration of information communication and electricity. In this seminar, we will introduce the features of TOWER LINK from the perspective of communication technology, the new value created by the fusion of information communication and electricity, and the envisioned use as a foundation supporting inter-industry infrastructure collaboration in a declining population society.

[Speaker] Toru Takahashi, President and CEO, New Charnetworks Inc. [Key Message] Corporate value is determined not only by current profits but also by expectations of which growth ecosystems a company will participate in and what roles and power it will hold within them. Corporate R&D must transform into a department that envisions that future and designs the necessary functions, technologies, business models, and value chains. [Agenda] Chapter 1: Transition to an Expectation Economy and the Corporate R&D's Responsibility for Corporate Value Chapter 2: From Industry-Specific Markets to Cross-Industry 'Ecosystem Markets' Chapter 3: Designing Your Company's Role and Value Creation Model within Growth Ecosystems Chapter 4: Setting Research and Development Themes from Future Business Domains and Future Ecosystems Chapter 5: 'Technology Marketing Strategy' as a Premise for Research and Development Themes Chapter 6: Portfolio and Stage-Gate Based on Technology Marketing Strategy Chapter 7: Transformation of Corporate R&D Organizations for a New Era [Q&A / Business Card Exchange]

[Speaker] Mr. Tohru Takahashi, President and CEO of New Charnetworks Inc. [Key Message] Core technology does not directly create customer experience value. Core technology becomes a competitive advantage only when it is designed as a core function that generates customer experience value within an ecosystem business model. [Key Lecture Content] With the spread of AI and IoT, competition among companies is shifting from individual products to ecosystem business models where multiple companies, customers, and society collaborate to create value. In this change, having excellent core technology alone is not enough to build a competitive advantage. What is important is to position your core technology as a core function that generates customer experience value within the ecosystem business model, and to design everything from products and services to the value chain, intellectual property, standardization, branding, and alliances as a cohesive whole. In this seminar, we will systematically learn a new technology marketing strategy to sustainably enhance corporate value, centered around the "Technology Marketing Strategy Model for the Cyber-Physical Era."

[Instructor] Yumiko Akita, Director of Management Planning Department, Management Planning Office, Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. [Key Lecture Content] The business environment surrounding energy and electricity is undergoing significant changes due to advancements in GX, DX, and AI, geopolitical risks, inflation, and aging infrastructure. In this lecture, we will explain how to interpret these environmental changes, develop strategies, and concretize them into management plans, using Kansai Electric Power Group's "Kanden Transformation toward 2040" as a case study. While tracing the process of translating strategies based on changes in the business environment into management plans, we will introduce how, as a management planning officer at Kansai Electric Power, we have thought from various perspectives and engaged in discussions with relevant departments and management to formulate management plans, providing insights for considering one's own management plans.

[Speaker] Hiroto Takagi, Partner at Bayside Energy Insights [Key Lecture Content] As we enter 2026, lithium prices have sharply rebounded from last year's lows, prompting major battery and automotive companies, including CATL and GM, to invest in and enter the sodium-ion battery market. With China accounting for over 80% of global lithium-ion battery production, there is a growing movement to diversify supply chains and stabilize raw material costs, which is raising global interest in sodium-ion batteries. This lecture will provide an overview of the background for the rising interest in sodium-ion batteries, explain the technical features such as battery composition and variations in cathode materials, and outline the business strategies of key players like CATL, BYD, and Peak Energy, as well as the policy trends in various countries. From the perspectives of technology, market, and policy, we will explore the changes that sodium-ion batteries will bring to the energy storage market.

[Lecturer] Senior Researcher, International Economic Research Institute, Inc. Mobility Researcher in China, Mr. Osugi Ryo [Key Lecture Content] Chinese cars are attempting to change vehicle manufacturing through EV and SDV development. Major manufacturers in China have achieved early development, sales, and implementation through product differentiation. In particular, within the vehicle interior space, they are advancing the precision of usability with keywords such as technology, comfort, originality, and safety. In this seminar, we will understand the business structure of Chinese manufacturers (OEMs and suppliers), their planning, development, and design philosophies and initiatives, as well as the current state of their procurement systems and supply chains. By organizing the "strengths" of these Chinese manufacturers, we will grasp the planned targets for the fiscal year 2026, their progress, and the latest trends, in order to gain insights into what Japanese companies should focus on moving forward.

[Speaker] Mr. Kimihiro Horiuchi, President and CEO of Data Driven Consulting Inc. [Key Lecture Content] We are confident in the strategies created in collaboration with our internal elite and external consultants. However, we are not achieving the results we desire. Many companies facing such challenges share a common issue: a lack of execution power to realize their strategies. On the other hand, when we talk about increasing execution power, it involves complex factors such as sales, human resources, organization, and marketing, making it difficult to find effective solutions. In this lecture, we will introduce a method for building an organization with overwhelming execution power by thoroughly refining the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle, which should be practiced by everyone, aimed at business owners and middle management who are struggling with such concerns.

[Lecturers] SOMPO Institute Plus Inc. Research Department, City Mobility Area, Senior Researcher Toyoshi Okada Senior Researcher Kazuta Fukushima [Key Lecture Content] As population decline and aging progress, regional revitalization and urban development have become important themes not only for local governments but also for companies. In recent years, there have been movements where companies engage in regional issues and urban development beyond their existing businesses, such as Toyota's Woven City, Nagasaki Stadium City, and East Japan Railway Company's redevelopment of station areas and urban development along railway lines. This lecture will organize how companies can apply their strengths to regional issues from the perspectives of public transportation, station area redevelopment, life services, and tourism. Furthermore, it will explain the necessary points to consider when examining business opportunities, such as understanding regional issues, public-private partnerships, sustainability, and balancing public interest.

[Speaker] RAUL Co., Ltd. President and CEO Kenji Eda, Director of the Energy Information Center [Key Lecture Content] With the expansion of renewable energy adoption, there is growing interest in Virtual Power Plants (VPP) that utilize small grid-connected storage batteries, as well as storage batteries for homes, stores, and businesses, solar power generation, and electric vehicles (EVs). This lecture will clarify the differences between low-voltage grid-connected storage batteries and VPPs, the structure of equipment and operations, the structure of revenue generation, and the roles of key players from the basics. Furthermore, we will discuss overseas examples from Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, explaining the differences with Japan and key points for commercialization. Without delving deeply into complex systems or technical details, we will clearly introduce practical perspectives on entry methods, challenges and risks, and future market outlooks. [Lecture Items] 1. Basic overview of low-voltage grid-connected storage batteries and VPPs 2. Structure of equipment and business for low-voltage grid-connected storage batteries 3. How storage batteries and VPPs generate revenue 4. Overview of VPP and aggregation business 5. Case studies of storage batteries and VPPs overseas 6. Challenges of commercialization, entry methods, and future outlook 7. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Speaker] Yuto Noro, Partner Attorney at TMI General Legal Practice [Lecture Topics] 1. EU Digital Regulations and the EU Cyber Resilience Act (1) Recent important EU digital regulations and the EU Cyber Resilience Act (2) What is the EU Cyber Resilience Act? (3) Problematic cases 2. Scope of Application of the EU Cyber Resilience Act (1) Products with digital elements (2) Logical or physical data connections placed on the market / direct or indirect (3) Important products / critical products 3. Specific Regulations of the EU Cyber Resilience Act (1) Obligations of manufacturers (2) Obligations of importers (3) Obligations of distributors 4. Practical Responses to the EU Cyber Resilience Act (1) Methods of practical response (identifying target products / gap analysis / implementation) (2) Examples of practical responses (technical implementation / documentation implementation / operational implementation) 5. Q&A / Business Card Exchange

[Speaker] Mr. Takaki Miyazaki, President and CEO of NTT Circulast Corporation Director Ms. Saori Koga [Key Lecture Content] Resource circulation is becoming increasingly important from the perspectives of decarbonization and resource security, with rising expectations particularly for non-ferrous metals such as copper. However, there is a challenge in that the "flow of goods" supporting resource circulation and the "flow of information" conveying their value are disconnected, leading to insufficient communication of characteristics such as the origin of recycled materials and environmental impact, resulting in the circulation value not being properly recognized and evaluated in the market. In this lecture, we will introduce the background behind the establishment of NTT Circulast by NTT and Mitsubishi Materials, as well as the business concept that connects the flow of information and goods. Additionally, we will discuss future prospects for realizing a market where circulation value is chosen, taking into account trends in international standardization (ISO).

[Instructor] Hiroyuki Sakai, President of MANAGEMENTIVA Co., Ltd. (Former Community Manager of Real Madrid CF) [Key Lecture Content] The 2026 Soccer World Cup, held in North and Central America with the United States as a sports business powerhouse, concluded with great success. However, it is also true that events occurred behind the scenes that far exceeded imagination. Many new trends in activities were confirmed around the local stadiums. What has changed in business, and how? Was it successful or not? What hints can we gather for the future? Which aspects should the Japanese sports industry adopt? Furthermore, the relationship with politics that attracted attention. It has been said that this should ideally be separated... Using the World Cup as a case study, I will discuss the latest business situation.

[Speaker] Taku Ito, Partner, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto Foreign Law Joint Enterprise Yoshifumi Nagakubo, Senior Associate [Key Lecture Content] Ten years after the liberalization of the electricity market, the environment surrounding electricity retail operations has dramatically changed. In response, sales methods and contract management have evolved in various ways. The focus of monitoring by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Electricity and Gas Market Surveillance Commission has shifted from merely confirming compliance with the obligation to provide written documents to substantively monitoring the content of explanations and information provided according to sales methods, as well as the appropriateness of contract procedures. Revisions to the retail sales guidelines have also been frequent. In this lecture, a lawyer who has led practical work at the forefront of national system design and transaction monitoring will explain the authorities' focal points and changes in practice based on rich experience and the latest guidance cases. Additionally, practical issues that can be confusing will be examined through case studies, including the design of pricing menus, renewable energy labeling, methods for price revisions, the use of electronic methods in place of written document delivery, agency management, and the termination of retail supply contracts. Key points for thoroughly reviewing compliance systems will be clearly explained.

[Lecturer] Specially Appointed Professor Ryuichi Okumura, Graduate School of Business Concept [Key Lecture Content] With generative AI, information gathering and writing have become easier. However, to conceptualize new businesses, it is increasingly important for humans to consider "what to question" and "how to think." In this lecture, we will focus on two of the seven thinking methods introduced in "Organizing Thoughts, Idea Generation Drill": "Reversing Meaning" and "Associating Similarities." Not only will we present case studies, but we will also demonstrate real-time interactions with generative AI to visualize the thinking process and provide an experiential learning opportunity for anyone to reproduce the method of idea creation. [Lecture Items] 1. Why is "thinking ability" important now? 2. Business ideas are born from the back-and-forth between "concrete ⇔ abstract." 3. Thinking Method (1) Reversing Meaning 4. Thinking Method (2) Associating Similarities 5. Considering new businesses with generative AI as a sparring partner [Live Demonstration] 6. Thinking habits that can be practiced from tomorrow 7. Q&A

[Speaker] Kazuyuki Iwata Director and Chief Strategy Officer, REDER Inc. Fellow, Nicomobi Inc. Former Executive Officer, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. [Key Lecture Content] As environmental regulations become stricter worldwide, the automotive industry is said to be in a once-in-a-century transformation period centered on carbon neutrality. While BEVs are a promising solution, high prices, limited range, and charging infrastructure constraints have become bottlenecks for widespread adoption, forcing companies to rethink their strategies. In this context, creating added value that goes beyond merely replacing traditional internal combustion engine vehicles is essential for the proliferation of BEVs. This lecture will view electric vehicles as "moving batteries" and explain the value of electrification and the potential for social implementation through examples of V2X technology that integrates stationary mobility into social infrastructure and detachable batteries. [Lecture Topics] 1. Environmental Regulations and Social Conditions 2. Challenges of BEVs = Challenges of Batteries 3. Innovation and Business Transformation 4. Introduction of Startup Challenges 5. Q&A / Business Card Exchange

[Speaker] Jun Otsuka Vice President and Representative Director, Suining Co., Ltd. Executive Officer in charge of Comprehensive Infrastructure Services, Infronia Holdings Co., Ltd. [Key Lecture Content] The government is promoting public-private partnerships related to water (Water PPP), and full-scale projects are beginning to be implemented nationwide. Additionally, in response to the Yashio incident, there is ongoing development of systems for further strengthening aging infrastructure measures and expanding frameworks for the integration of water supply and sewage systems, which is becoming increasingly important. As the Suining and Infronia Group, we are responding to concession projects for water supply and sewage systems, moving towards Level 3.5, and adapting to various business schemes such as public-private investment companies. Furthermore, we address a wide range of areas from management to asset management, renovation and repair, and maintenance within the group, covering everything from water treatment plants and processing facilities to pipelines, as well as resource circulation and carbon neutrality. We will explain these case studies and how to apply these business schemes according to the needs of local governments. Moreover, we will present the idea that collaborating with local companies and various partners is effective in promoting these initiatives.

[Speaker] Tomohiro Tezuka, Deputy Director, International Strategy Division, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications [Key Lecture Content] Due to the rapid spread of generative AI and the rising geopolitical tensions, digital infrastructure such as submarine cables, data centers, and mobile networks has become a foundation that influences economic growth and security. This lecture will explain the concepts of "ensuring autonomy" and "acquiring indispensability" in economic security, considering Japan's current digital deficit and dependence on foreign countries. Additionally, it will introduce the initiatives by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to support Japanese companies' overseas expansion and enhance international competitiveness, including the Comprehensive Strategy for Digital Overseas Expansion 2030, overseas demonstrations, investments through public-private funds, and the FOIP Digital Corridor concept. [Lecture Items] 1. Changes in the environment surrounding the digital sector 2. Basic concepts of economic security 3. Policy framework of the Japanese government and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications 4. Digital infrastructure that is prioritized for overseas expansion 5. Policy measures supporting Japanese companies' overseas expansion 6. FOIP Digital Corridor concept 7. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Instructor] Mr. Toshio Kimura, Senior Consultant, Japan Management Association Consulting, Inc. [Acquired Knowledge] 1. Theme Creation: A systematic approach and process to enhance the "quality and quantity" of ideas 2. Business Planning and Concept Development: An approach that maximizes theme value based on customer value 3. Development Practice: Methods for accelerating development through the construction of goal hypotheses and real-time progress management 4. Theme Evaluation: An evaluation system to accurately identify "truly valuable themes" with high investment returns [Lecture Items] 1. The importance of the new product development process and the four management transformation targets 2. Innovating the "Idea/Theme Creation Phase" ... "NBP" 3. Innovating the "Business Planning and Concept Development Phase" ... "CF" 4. Innovating the "Development Practice Phase" ... "FF" 5. Innovating the "Theme Evaluation System" ... "FVE" 6. Specific initiatives for the reconstruction and strengthening of the new product development process 7. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Speaker] Katsuhiro Takahashi, President and CEO of Malibu Japan Co., Ltd. Specially Appointed Professor at the Graduate School of Business Design [Key Lecture Content] The "Docomo SMTB Net Bank" is finally set to launch in earnest. In response to the leading competitors, SoftBank's PayPay and KDDI's au brand, a major offensive aimed at expanding the Docomo economic zone has begun. Mitsui Sumitomo's "Olive" is strengthening its digital affluent segment, while Mizuho is advancing collaboration with Rakuten, and Mitsubishi UFJ is promoting the establishment of "M-Net." Amidst a "world with interest rates" and rising stock prices drawing attention to personal asset management, this lecture will explain the latest trends in digital personal finance and point economies centered around NTT Docomo, the four major carriers, and the three mega banks. [Lecture Items] 1. The shock of "Docomo's Bank" expanding to 1,500 branches 2. Will the rival to "Docomo's Bank" be a mega carrier or a mega bank? 3. Q&A

[Lecturer] Associate Professor Arihiro Kamiya, Nagoya University [Key Lecture Content] The electrification of automobiles, particularly the shift to EVs, is accelerating, and the efficiency of energy utilization is gaining attention. In particular, securing heat sources for heating and cooling, managing battery temperatures, and thermal management of power electronics products are crucial, leading to a comprehensive control approach. This lecture will explain the overall concept of thermal management and the thermal management of onboard electronic products. [Lecture Topics] 1. Enhancing vehicle added value and platform (PF) design 2. Thermal management systems in EVs and HEVs 3. Key technologies supporting PF design 4. Concepts of thermal management for electronic products 5. Implementation and heat dissipation technologies for electronic products 6. Implementation and heat dissipation technologies for inverters 7. Future trends 8. Q&A

[Speaker] Mr. Yasunari Sugiyama, Partner Lawyer, Nishimura & Asahi Law Office, Foreign Law Joint Enterprise [Key Lecture Content] The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries held a "Study Group on Desirable Agricultural Solar Power Generation" after May 2025 and announced a new regulatory proposal in April 2026, which includes a fundamental revision of the agricultural solar power generation system. This revision aims to (1) strengthen monitoring of both new and existing power generation projects, and (2) change the primary legal basis for new power generation projects to the Renewable Energy Act for Rural Areas, which is expected to have a significant impact on both the continuation of existing projects and the initiation of new ones. The purpose of this seminar is to examine and discuss what kind of initiatives from both the public and private sectors are necessary to ensure the proper development of agricultural solar power generation projects, in addition to the preparatory actions needed before the regulatory revision (it is also intended to facilitate ongoing exchanges of opinions and information after the seminar).

[Speaker] Kenji Kikuchi, Executive Fellow, MDB Business Division, Japan Management Association Research Institute [Lecture Items] 1. Important latest research trends to consider for the future 2. Latest business information gathering methods for future insights 3. How to cultivate perspectives for looking toward the future, especially in times of turmoil 4. Must-see! Key points on noteworthy businesses that you should know 5. Introduction to the latest business information sources to pay attention to in the AI era for "future insights" 6. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Speaker] Yukiko Konno, Counsel Attorney, Nagashima, Ohno & Tsunematsu Law Firm Yuki Matsuumi, Associate Attorney [Presentation Items] 1. Introduction (1) Overview of AI Implementation in Manufacturing and New Legal Risks (2) Latest Trends in AI and Cybersecurity Risks (Paradigm Shift in Threats Due to the Emergence of Myths, etc.) (3) Progress of AI and Cybersecurity Regulations in Various Countries 2. Manufacturing and AI (Incorporating AI into Products and Legal Liability, Focusing on Physical AI) (1) Trends in the EU (2) Trends in Japan (3) AI Contract Practices for the Manufacturing Industry 3. Manufacturing and Cybersecurity – Defense Practices for BtoB/BtoC Products – (1) Trends in the EU (2) Trends in Japan 4. Q&A / Business Card Exchange

[Speaker] Mr. Hiroshi Fujimoto, Director of the DX Project Promotion Office, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. [Key Lecture Content] As expectations for DX initiatives and AI utilization rise, particularly in the energy sector, the Tokyo Electric Power Group is promoting DX in conjunction with its management strategy, based on the Fifth Comprehensive Special Business Plan. In this lecture, we will introduce the overall concept of the group's DX strategy, initiatives for AI utilization, development of DX human resources, data utilization, and specific case studies. [Lecture Items] 1. Overview of DX utilization in the Tokyo Electric Power Group 2. Initiatives utilizing AI and data 3. Specific examples of re-evaluating business processes 4. Systems and innovations to advance initiatives 5. Development of personnel responsible for the DX field 6. Future direction 7. Q&A / Business card exchange (The lecture items may change based on the latest situation.)

[Speaker] Mr. Lee Qiangfu, Chief Analyst, Technical Research Department, Fourin Inc. [Lecture Topics] 1. SDV → AIDV: The status of AI adoption by major automobile manufacturers 2. Competition in AI + ADAS / Autonomous Driving 3. Changes in the nature of automobiles and profitability models associated with the incorporation of AI 4. Future prospects of AIDV competition 5. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Speaker] Representative Lawyer Hiroshi Noma, Hatsuki Law Office [Key Lecture Content] Climate change has become an urgent global issue, and decarbonization is a critical challenge in the energy/power sector. At the same time, the demand for electricity in data centers is rapidly increasing due to the proliferation of generative AI and cloud services. This seminar will provide a clear explanation of the latest trends in power generation development and electricity procurement in the decarbonization era, using green data centers that utilize corporate PPAs and non-fossil certificates as a subject. It will cover related policies and systems, such as the establishment of renewable energy as a primary power source and watt-bit collaboration, from the perspectives of both power generation companies and consumers. [Lecture Items] 1. Trends in decarbonization policies 2. The flow of new electricity demand - Data centers - 3. Latest trends in renewable energy power generation development 4. Procurement methods for renewable energy power from the consumer's perspective 5. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Speaker] ENEOS Power Co., Ltd. VPP Business Division VPP Business Planning Group Manager Yoshio Kyoraishi [Key Lecture Content] As one of the means of monetization in the VPP and grid storage battery business, considering entry into the demand-supply adjustment market has become unavoidable. On the other hand, due to rapid changes in the system since the start of trading for all products (April 2024), the difficulty of considering market entry has increased. In this situation, it is important to accurately capture the changes in market systems and predict the future market environment to proceed with considerations. In this lecture, we will organize the means of monetization, market environment, and market systems in the VPP and grid storage battery business, and discuss future prospects. [Lecture Items] 1. Means of Monetization 2. Market Environment 3. Market System 4. Future Prospects 5. ENEOS Power's Business Development 6. Summary 7. Q&A / Business Card Exchange

[Speaker] Nobuki Kawaguchi, Executive Chief Scientist, Astamuse Inc., Technology Intelligence Division [Key Lecture Content] "Japan Restart: Winning Strategies and Strategic Necessity for Japanese Companies" is a strategic document that connects the next 30 years of Japan to corporate management and investment decisions, based on the 17 key strategic areas outlined by the Takai administration. The central concepts are "strategic autonomy, strategic necessity, and chokepoints." It features data-driven analysis layered with primary information from over 1 billion innovation data points across 193 countries. [Lecture Items] <Part 1> Introduction: Overall Design and Three Key Concepts <Part 2> Highlights of Each Chapter = A Continuous "Industry Map" (approximately 60 minutes) <Part 3> Chokepoint Candidates and Latest Examples (approximately 40 minutes) Q&A / Business Card Exchange

[Speaker] Takahiro Tachikawa, President of International University and Professor at the Graduate School of International Management [Key Lecture Content] How will the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz impact Japan's future energy policy? As the importance of energy security increases, what progress will be made in the development and social implementation of hydrogen, ammonia, and next-generation fuels (synthetic methane, synthetic liquid fuels, green LP gas, etc.)? What significance does the "Japan Growth Strategy in 17 Areas" announced by the Takai Cabinet in June 2026 hold? This lecture will delve into these points. [Lecture Items] 1. Crisis in the Strait of Hormuz 2. Energy Security 3. Hydrogen, Ammonia 4. Next-Generation Fuels (Synthetic Fuels) 5. Japan Growth Strategy in 17 Areas 6. Shift to Natural Gas (LNG) 7. Nuclear Power 8. Q&A / Business Card Exchange

[Speaker] Naotatsu Otani, Senior Consultant, Power and Energy Division, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. [Key Lecture Content] The new priority power supply rules, which will be gradually implemented in each area starting at the end of fiscal year 2026, will revise the order of output suppression for renewable energy. Under this structure, FIT sources will be subject to output suppression before FIP sources. This lecture will explain how the rule changes will affect the output suppression rates and sales revenue of FIT/FIP sources, considering the future increase in output suppression and the rise in FIP sources. Additionally, it will organize the revenue fluctuation factors that should be noted after the transition to FIP, including not only the output suppression avoidance effect but also market price linkage risks, sales price decline risks, and profile risks, highlighting the importance of quantitative analysis in business viability assessment and sales condition design. [Lecture Items] 1. Overview of the new priority power supply rules and implementation schedule 2. Changes in output suppression risks for FIT/FIP sources due to rule changes 3. Future outlook on output suppression rates 4. Expected sales opportunity losses during the continuation of FIT 5. Revenue fluctuation factors to consider after the transition to FIP 6. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Speaker] Daisuke Imaizumi, President and CEO, Infra Commons Inc. [Lecture Topics] Part 1: The main character of drone warfare is not the aircraft but the "AI Warfare OS" Part 2: PRISMA - Operational control AI that transforms long-range attacks into mathematical models Part 3: Autonomous navigation and software-defined weapons that can fly without GPS Part 4: Hybrid swarms and drone interceptors Part 5: Ukrainian defense tech companies and acquisition candidates that Japanese companies should pay attention to [Q&A]

[Speaker] Shun Kubota, Editor-in-Chief of Mogura VR, General Manager of BtoB Business at MyDearest Inc. [Key Lecture Content] The market for smart glasses is rapidly expanding for both industrial and general consumer use, driven by the integration with AI and the lightweight design of devices. This seminar will thoroughly explain the basic classifications of smart glasses, the latest industry trends, the supporting technologies such as optics and displays, and the characteristics of major devices both domestically and internationally. Additionally, we will introduce advanced use cases for improving efficiency in fieldwork (BtoB) and enhancing experiential value in daily life (BtoC), accompanied by demonstrations of actual devices. This course will comprehensively cover the challenges and future prospects for the upcoming proliferation of smart glasses, providing essential insights for business development. [Lecture Items] 1. What are smart glasses? Classifications and industry trends 2. Explanation of the technologies that make up smart glasses 3. In-depth analysis of major smart glasses 4. Use cases (for BtoC and BtoB) 5. The future of smart glasses: Trends ahead 6. Q&A / Business card exchange *Hands-on demonstrations are available only for attendees at the venue.

[Lecturer] Professor Toshihiko Okano, Faculty of Business Administration, Osaka University of Economics and Law [Key Lecture Content] The development of generative AI is significantly changing the structure of digital competition. The main battleground is shifting from smartphones to "physical AI" such as autonomous driving and robotics, and the era is one where competitiveness is determined by "the speed of learning and the frequency of improvements" in real environments. In this context, Chinese tech companies are accelerating the construction of AI learning loops, or "AI ecosystems," that span both internal and external environments. Based on the Nikkei Cross Tech series "Chinese Tech: Survival Strategies in the Era of Physical AI," this lecture will analyze the initiatives of representative Chinese tech companies as case studies, presenting trends in digital management in the era of physical AI and insights for Japanese companies. [Lecture Items] 1. The evolution process of digitalization in China: 2. Case Study 1: Huawei's technology management 3. Case Study 2: UBTECH Robotics 4. Case Study 3: Horizon Robotics 5. Case Study 4: Ehang's pursuit of infrastructure hegemony in the "low-altitude economy" 6. The competitive structure in the era of physical AI 7. Q&A

[Instructor] Nobuyuki Oonaka, CEO of Bridge Inc., Project Designer [Key Lecture Content] "Why do new businesses often come to a halt?" The cause may not be a lack of ideas or talent. Through supporting over 300 new businesses and business developments, I have learned that what separates success from failure is "the structure of the organization"—specifically, how decisions are made, how dialogue occurs, and how assumptions are shared. In this seminar, based on the book "How to Create Self-Driving New Businesses" (Shoei-sha), we will analyze the "communication problems" that cause new businesses to stop as a structure. The goal is to develop a common language within the organization to identify "where we are stuck and what actions we should take." I will share how to use the "self-driving map" in practical terms.

[Lecturers] KPMG Consulting Co., Ltd. Executive Officer, Partner Kazushige Ikeda KPMG Consulting Co., Ltd. Technology Consulting Senior Consultant Kakeru Ota [Key Lecture Content] In recent years, AI has evolved beyond information processing in digital spaces, such as text generation and image recognition, to become Physical AI that perceives, judges, and acts in the real world by connecting with sensors, robots, vehicles, industrial equipment, and more. Physical AI is increasingly important across a wide range of fields, including manufacturing, as it addresses industrial challenges such as labor shortages, skill transfer, replacement of hazardous work, and productivity improvement. Additionally, foundational models, semiconductors, sensors, actuators, and robotics-related technologies that support Physical AI are becoming increasingly significant from the perspective of economic security, particularly in terms of responding to supply chain risks and securing and managing critical technologies. This lecture will organize the basic concepts and key technologies of Physical AI, discuss its potential applications in manufacturing and industrial sectors, outline practical considerations for implementation and operation, and explain the actions that companies should take moving forward.

[Lecturers] Accenture Ltd. Industry & Enterprise Headquarters Managing Director Yuya Horiguchi, Head of Telecommunications and Media Practice Japan Senior Manager Mamoru Yonemura, Digital Core Strategy [Key Lecture Content] This presentation will analyze the next structure of the telecommunications industry from the perspective of investment and business strategy regarding 6G. As standardization intensifies in preparation for commercialization around 2030, there is also strong caution that we may "repeat the same mistakes as with 5G." Starting from environmental changes that could not be anticipated in 2020, such as the expansion of generative AI demand, commercialization of NTN (satellite communications), data sovereignty, and power/supply constraints, we will organize the points of discussion on infrastructure investment, business restructuring, sharing, and monetization. From the standpoint of connecting enterprise demand with telecommunications infrastructure, we will present the investment decisions that telecommunications operators should make and the materials for their next steps.

[Speaker] Kota Sakatsu Representative of Sakatsu Research Room Visiting Professor at Ritsumeikan University Graduate School of Management [Key Lecture Content] Traditional hyperscalers can be likened to a "dinosaur" business model that enhances air conditioning efficiency and profitability through increased floor space. However, currently, rising GPU heat output, soaring equipment costs, and energy procurement are intensifying the uncertainty surrounding large-scale investments, raising concerns about the risks of expanding AI data centers with the same mindset as hyperscalers. In particular, in cooling technology, the water cooling method, which has garnered attention, is unable to withstand GPU requirements within 5 to 10 years, leading to liquid immersion methods being viewed as a strong candidate. This necessitates a review of overall architecture and infrastructure. As a result, an approach that balances short-term demand increases with mid-term structural design revisions is required, and the operation of small-scale units such as containers that can control heat, energy, and weight is emerging as a practical solution for the time being. [Lecture Items] 1. Current Status of the AI Data Center Market 2. Business Models and Risks of AI Data Centers 3. Evaluation of Unit-Type Data Center Models 4. Q&A / Business Card Exchange

[Speaker] Ayako Tejima, Chief Researcher, and Yi Zhang, Senior Researcher ICT Research and Consulting Department, Information and Communications Research Institute, Inc. [Key Lecture Content] The rapid increase in power consumption of data centers due to the proliferation of generative AI has become a critical issue that affects the sustainable growth of AI businesses. In this lecture, we will explain the photonic-electronic convergence technology, which is being implemented in society as a trump card to break through this "power wall." While analyzing the research and development trends of global players, primarily major semiconductor companies in the United States, and market trends, we will present the trends of NTT's IOWN, the winning strategies of Japanese companies with strengths in materials, implementation, and equipment, as well as future business opportunities and challenges toward social implementation from a business perspective. [Lecture Items] 1. Why photonic-electronic convergence now? 2. What is photonic-electronic convergence? 3. Global market trends 4. Japan and the initiatives of Japanese companies 5. Future outlook 6. Challenges 7. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Speaker] Hidetaka Ishibashi, Director of IoT Planning Department, KDDI Corporation [Key Lecture Content] Against the backdrop of declining birth rates, an aging population, and labor shortages, the nature of mobility is reaching a significant turning point. KDDI has established a "Mobility Control Center" to integratively support new mobility solutions such as autonomous vehicles, drones, and robots, based on the knowledge and infrastructure cultivated through the operation of connected cars. In this lecture, we will focus on the communication and monitoring functions that are essential for the social implementation of each mobility solution, discussing the challenges and efforts towards their resolution, as well as the future vision that KDDI aims for. [Lecture Items] 1. Efforts and history of connected cars 2. Development and initiatives for new mobility 3. Importance of remote monitoring in a mobility society 4. Challenges in communication and monitoring and efforts towards solutions 5. Future vision of the mobility society that KDDI aims for 6. Q&A

[Speaker] Omdia Senior Principal Analyst Eiri Himuro [Key Lecture Content] As the demand for high definition and high image quality increases, the implementation technology for LED chips is rapidly evolving. This lecture will provide a detailed explanation of the current mainstream implementation technologies and their representative processes, as well as an outlook on technologies that may become mainstream in the future. Furthermore, we will delve into the evolution of product forms, market trends, and technical challenges regarding direct-view LED video walls, which are gaining attention as one of the application products in digital signage. This will provide an opportunity to comprehensively understand the current state and future of LED technology. [Lecture Items] 1. Background of the demand for high definition and high image quality 2. Current mainstream LED implementation technologies and their representative processes, cost comparisons 3. Outlook and challenges for next-generation implementation technologies, directions for solutions 4. Impact of the evolution of implementation technologies on product performance 5. Latest trends in the direct-view LED video wall (digital signage) market 6. Potential new application fields brought by future LED technologies 7. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Key Lecture Content] 1. Changes in the environment surrounding submarine cables in an increasingly uncertain international society Koji Enomoto, Senior Associate, PwC Consulting LLC, PwC Intelligence 2. The rise of hyperscalers and the evolution of international communication infrastructure ~ Latest trends in submarine cable systems responding to changes in demand structure ~ Motoharu Murakami, Director, Business Strategy Group, Business Development Division, NEC Corporation 3. High-capacity optical fiber transmission and optical fiber sensing in future submarine cables Hidetaka Furukawa, Director, Photonic Network Laboratory, Photonic ICT Research Center, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)