Notice of the online seminar "What is Missing in Today's Smart Factories" to be held on April 27, 2022 (Wednesday).

What is a smart factory? I will give a presentation at an online seminar discussing the keywords and what is lacking.

Our company will hold an online seminar titled "What is Lacking in Today's Smart Factories" on April 27, 2022 (Wednesday). *Please note that the seminar has concluded successfully. In this seminar, Professor Hiroaki Matsukawa from Keio University, Department of Management Engineering, will give a lecture incorporating keywords such as "automation," "informationization," "intelligence," "synchronization," "autonomy," and "optimization," discussing what is lacking. What exactly is a smart factory? If you are interested in exploring its essence, please do not miss this opportunity. [Overview] ■ Date and Time: April 27, 2022 (Wednesday) 16:30–17:30 ■ Agenda (1) Lecture by Professor Matsukawa…45 minutes - What is lacking in today's smart factories (from an academic perspective) - What is lacking in today's smart factories (from a business process perspective) (2) Explanation of services provided by IPS…5 minutes (3) Q&A session…10 minutes *Please note that the seminar has concluded successfully. Thank you very much for your participation.

• Management Skills Seminar

[Speaker] Kazuharu Yamamoto Partner Expert, Roland Berger Co., Ltd. [Key Lecture Content] In the automotive industry, the topic of EVs is ever-present. The advancement and promotion of EVs is a significant goal for achieving carbon neutrality (CN). On the other hand, the realization of CN and the progress of EVs are inseparable topics related to the realization of a circular economy (CE). In this lecture, I will present an overview of CE and CN, discuss the mechanisms of CE progressing in Europe, and the reverse supply chain, while also addressing the expansion of EVs and charging infrastructure from a consumer perspective. [Lecture Items] 1. Overview of CE and CN in the automotive industry and EVs 2. Mechanisms for achieving CE in Europe 3. Expansion of EVs and charging infrastructure (Characteristics of Japan within the global context) 4. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Speaker] Mitsune Shirasawa, Partner Attorney at TMI General Legal Practice [Key Lecture Content] The regulations that must be complied with when implementing payment businesses are defined by various laws, and it is common for the applicable laws to change due to subtle differences in the schemes adopted. Therefore, when building a business related to payments, it is essential to have not only an understanding of individual laws but also a cross-sectional understanding of how these laws interact with each other. Additionally, recent developments such as the categorization of money transfer businesses, the introduction of regulations regarding stablecoins, the clarification of payment collection services, and the emergence of new schemes like BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) and BPSP (Business Payment Service Provider) have led to significant advancements and complexities in payment-related businesses. Thus, this seminar will provide a comprehensive explanation of the current regulations surrounding payment businesses and their practical responses. [Lecture Topics] 1. The environment surrounding payment legislation 2. Keywords related to payment and regulatory compliance 3. The overall picture of laws and regulations surrounding payments 4. Points to consider when building a business / When to consider potential conflicts with financial regulations 5. How to obtain permits and licenses related to payments 6. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Speaker] Yusuke Saiki Executive Officer, Consulting Division Head of Strategy & Innovation Unit Ignition Point Inc. [Key Lecture Content] As marketing becomes increasingly complex, the disconnect in "information, experience, and perspectives" between organizations, departments, and customer touchpoints has become a significant barrier to business growth. The key to overcoming this "era of division" lies in "co-creative marketing," which merges AI's analytical power with human creativity and empathy. In this lecture, we will introduce strategic approaches and specific actions based on practical examples of co-creative marketing that Ignition Point has supported. [Lecture Items] 1. The irreversible changes that AI brings to the business environment and the emergence of new challenges in marketing 2. Why is business growth being hindered in the digital age? 3. What is the key to overcoming division: "Co-creative Marketing Strategy"? 4. Based on Ignition Point's examples, the practice and strategic approach of "Co-creative Marketing Strategy" 5. Three steps to start implementing "Co-creative Marketing Strategy" from tomorrow 6. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Speaker] Yusuke Saiki Executive Officer, Consulting Division Head of Strategy & Innovation Unit, Ignition Point Inc. [Key Lecture Content] This presentation is aimed at solution sales professionals who feel the limitations of traditional, person-dependent sales methods. We will provide specific thinking methods, strategies, tools, and practical action plans to strategically leverage AI and shift from "passive problem-solving" to "active opportunity creation." Participants will gain insights and techniques to build a new sales style suitable for the AI era within their own sales organizations. [Lecture Items] 1. Why are changes occurring now in the sales environments of other companies? 2. The required transformation of sales styles 3. How to utilize generative AI to transform into proactive solution sales 4. Transitioning from problem-solving solution sales to problem-posing solution sales 5. Introduction and demonstration of practical tools and skills that can be used from today 6. Q&A / Business card exchange

[Key Lecture Content] 1. Overview of the grid-scale battery business and actual operations Kenji Eda, President of RAUL Co., Ltd. Director of the Energy Information Center 1. What is the grid-scale battery business? 2. Business revenue structure / various markets / subsidies, etc. 3. Flow from consideration of introduction to start of operation / points to note 4. Case studies of grid-scale batteries / introduction of actual cases 2. Business players in the grid-scale battery sector / specific company examples / Q&A for entry Hironobu Takeuchi, Manager of the Grid-Scale Battery Business Division at RAUL Co., Ltd. 1. Introduction to the classification of business players and their roles 2. Specific company examples for each player 3. Frequently asked questions and answers from entering companies 4. Q&A session / business card exchange