[Seminar] North America DISTRIBUTECH 2026 Report: The Frontline of Smart Meters (AMI) and DER Utilization

[Speaker] Jun Ishikawa, Professor at the Graduate School of Business Administration, Rikkyo University, and Vice President of Rikkyo University [Key Lecture Content] This lecture will provide a clear explanation of the most effective leadership in the VUCA era, focusing on shared leadership based on the latest research. Specifically, it will discuss how everyone can exhibit effective leadership to improve workplace and team outcomes, and how anyone can develop effective leadership skills through training. Additionally, it will explain what is necessary to foster shared leadership in workplaces and teams from both individual and organizational perspectives. To continue achieving results in the VUCA era, let’s challenge traditional views of leadership and explore new leadership concepts. [Lecture Items] 1. Characteristics of the VUCA Era 2. What is Shared Leadership? 3. Effects of Shared Leadership 4. Effectiveness of Personal Leadership Theories 5. How to Foster Shared Leadership in Workplaces and Teams 6. Q&A *This seminar will be held via Zoom meeting.*

[Speaker] PwC Advisory LLC Senior Manager Toshiya Nakamura [Key Lecture Content] The expected roles of smart meters (AMI) and DER (Distributed Energy Resources) in power systems are increasing both domestically and internationally. The DISTRIBUTECH conference, one of North America's largest exhibitions and conferences for transmission, distribution, and energy-related technologies, will be held in early February 2026 in San Diego, North America. Numerous power companies and manufacturers introduced the latest trends regarding the next-generation smart meter systems AMI 2.0 and the utilization of DER. In this lecture, I will share the latest trends in the utilization of smart meters and DER in the decentralization of power systems gained through participation in DISTRIBUTECH. [Lecture Items] 1. Overview of DISTRIBUTECH 2. Latest trends in AMI 2.0 3. Latest trends in DER utilization 4. Considerations for the utilization of smart meters and DER 5. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Speaker] Mr. Li Qiangfu, Senior Researcher, Planning and Research Department, Fourin Inc. [Lecture Topics] 1. Tesla Master Plan: Progress of Existing and New Businesses 2. Strategy as a Technology Trendsetter 3. Initiatives in Purchasing and Supply Chain 4. Efforts as an IT Service Platform Provider 5. Competition with Chinese Companies and Strategies to Differentiate 6. Q&A / Business Card Exchange

The goal is to understand the roles and functions of lithium-ion batteries and protection ICs, learn the basics of lithium-ion batteries and protection ICs, and provide fundamental information that can assist in the selection of protection ICs and subsequent circuit design. ● Target Participants - New employees and young designers at companies developing products related to lithium-ion batteries - Those who want to revisit the study of lithium-ion protection ICs - Those who are about to engage in circuit design related to lithium-ion batteries ● Agenda 1. What is a lithium-ion battery? 2. Types of lithium-ion secondary batteries (LIB) 3. Major manufacturers of LIB (Cell Maker) 4. LIB Supply Chain 5. Why is protection for LIB necessary? 6. Methods of LIB protection 7. Basic operation of protection circuits 8. Product lineup of Nisshinbo Micro Devices 9. Chip cross-section (process structure) 10. Rules for product names 11. Trends and considerations for secondary batteries (to be added in 2026) 12. Q&A

[Speaker] Naoto Ikeda, President and CEO of Granite Co., Ltd. / Automotive Economic Commentator [Key Lecture Content] In 2025, the extreme policies of various countries to "ban internal combustion engines by a certain year" were successively retracted, and the ambitious policy to convert all cars in the world to EVs has been shattered. However, the goal of "carbon neutrality by 2050" is still being upheld. As a result, the world has arrived at a "multi-pathway" approach. This framework allows everyone in the world, with different economic, infrastructural, and usage environments, to participate in CO2 reduction that suits their circumstances by intertwining various technologies. The most significant force expected within this framework is bioethanol. We invite you to participate in this opportunity to consider how the bioethanol technologies that the world is currently working on will change our future. [Lecture Items] 1. Reasons why EVs are not breaking through 2. Basic knowledge of carbon neutrality 3. What is bioethanol? 4. Japan's technology: "Toyota Yeast" 5. Specific strategies for dissemination: Drop-in 6. Challenges and solutions for bioethanol 7. Summary 8. Q&A / Business card exchange