BUSINESS SUMMIT - SMS by GI 2024

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Business Summit CONFERENCES

The Business Summit will be a succession of keynote speeches, panel discussion, and other innovative formats (e.g. pitches, interviews), delivered by industry leaders from Japan and Europe. Speeches will be made in English and Japanese, with simultaneous interpretation. The conferences will be followed by an informal networking opportunity to exchange business cards.

SPEAKERS

Our Ambition

To bring people together to industry leaders, researchers, and public decision-makers to share their views on the sector key issues and challenges.

It will be the opportunity for visitors to get up to date on industry trends and innovations.

For exhibitors, sponsors and speakers, the Business Summit will be an opportunity to showcase their products and services, and to put forward the topics and innovations that are important to them.

As visitor of Smart Manufacturing Summit, participating in the Business Summit means:

Get inspired by our
speakers.

Get up to date about industry trends and innovations.

Learn about new products and innovative solutions.

Share your vision of smart manufacturing with European and Japanese economic and institutional stakeholders.

Get ready for efficient and qualitative networking!

Program and Timetable

Two stages of diverse content
for Industry 5.0

MAIN STAGE

Share know-how for Industry 5.0.

INTERNATIONAL AGORA

Share vision by government agencies,
trading companies…

Day1 [March 13th, 2024]
Smart Manufacturing for Reaching Net Zero

■ MAIN STAGE

10:50-11:35PANEL : How to Reinforce Collaboration between Japan and Europe on Smart Manufacturing?

In July 2023, within joint summit declaration Prime Minister Kishida confirmed the strengthening of cooperation in the fields of climate change, energy, and international health, including sustainable connectivity, high-quality infrastructure, and the Green Alliance, during the regular Japan-EU Summit. While the EU is advancing the European Green Deal and Japan is promoting the GX (Green Transformation) Strategy, it is recognized that efforts for decarbonization cannot be achieved by a single region or country alone, and that multilateral cooperation and coordination are essential. Various initiatives have been undertaken to this end.
Specifically, Japan and the EU, as frontrunners in Climate Tech, have been striving to contribute to the building of a sustainable world through rule-making, global deployment of technologies and products, among other efforts. In this panel, the leaders of the EU Japan Center, JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization), and NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) will introduce such initiatives and discuss cooperation between Japan and the EU.


SPEAKER

EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Manuel HUBERT
EU-side Managing Director
 
NEDO
Naohiko YOKOSHIMA
President
 
JETRO
Susumu KATAOKA
President

11:50-12:35PANEL : Converging virtual and real worlds by Virtual Twin Experiences

We provide a "3DEXPERIENCE Platform" that accelerates innovation in manufacturing by connecting organizations and various operations with the latest digital technology "Virtual Twin Experience" CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, DELMIA, SIMULIA, ENOVIA, etc. We provide a wide range of solutions from 3D design to system development, various simulations, product data management, and digital manufacturing.
At the seminar, we will introduce the world of virtual commissioning realized by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, welcoming Yutaka Electronics Industries, Ltd. as our guest.


SPEAKER

Dassault Systèmes
Philippe GODBOUT
Japan Managing Director
 
YUTAKA ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.
DAISUKE (DAVID) MATSUO
Manager Aerospace Team, System Integration Div.

12:40-13:10KEYNOTE : Industrial automation supports the sustainability of companies and countries

After a brief presentation and a quick review of Japan's economic indicators,The Managing Director of Stäubli Japan will give an overview of industrial automation: meaning, evolution, challenges, and future possibilities.Then, he will present three areas of development as takeaways for immediate action.Finally, evaluation of industrial automation in the future sustainability of companies, even countries and their economic and geopolitical challenges


SPEAKER

Stäubli KK
Guillaume DE MONTAIGNAC
Managing Director

14:00-14:45KEYNOTE : How can EU and Japan work together to reach sustainable development goals?

In this roundtable discussion, we will explore sustainability from two unique perspectives: Veolia, one of the core European leaders in environmental services and recycling, and Asuene, a Japanese startup at the forefront of carbon footprint visualization. The session aims to bridge European and Japanese views on sustainability, with Veolia sharing their expertise in recycling technologies and ESG approaches, and Asuene offering insights into the Japanese market's approach to environmental challenges.


SPEAKER

Veolia
Guillaume DOURDIN
CEO and Representative Director
 
Asuene
Yoshihiro IWATA
Co-founder & COO

14:50-15:35PANEL : Digital Transformation (DX) for the japanese manufacturing industry and the automotive industry

In this panel discussion, we will discuss the digitalization of the manufacturing and automotive industries. We will focus on the creation of new value through the use of digital twins, the fusion of digital and real worlds including industrial metaverses, the integration of IT and OT, and efforts towards sustainability. Mr. Horita, President of Siemens, and Mr. Sakaino from NTT Communications will discuss the necessity and current state of DX (Digital Transformation) in Japan's manufacturing industry, technology innovation trends in the automotive industry, strategies for responding to European battery regulations, and the importance of strategy and international cooperation for Japanese companies to maintain global competitiveness.


SPEAKER

Siemens
Kuni HORITA
CEO and President
 
NTT Communications Corporation
Akira SAKAINO
Director, Evangelist Innovation Center / Smart Industry Taskforce

15:50-16:20KEYNOTE : Intelligent Industry & How to win the Gigafactory Race

The world of Manufacturing is changing, and the way companies optimize, accelerate, and innovate is changing too. With so many buzzwords around technology, how can leaders ensure their business thrives in both the Digital and Physical worlds?
In this session, we will look into the evolution of Gigafactories, at the heart of Intelligent Industry - dissecting traceability, championing sustainability, and slicing through cost concerns.


SPEAKER

Capgemini Japan K.K.
Masahiko Mochizuki
Vice President and Head of Capgemini Engineering

16:25-17:10PANEL : New Possibilities for the Manufacturing industry in the Future of Mobility

For the manufacturing sector the last couple years have brought unprecedented change and transformation particularly with emergence of AI. Generative AI is spurring a manufacturing renaissance and enabling new capabilities and elevating previous uses of AI while creating unprecedented opportunities for value creation, augmenting your workforce and reimagining your entire enterprise. However, with this rapid transformation combined with the imperative to move fast, AI does present some inherent and significant risks both the companies trying implement it and society in general. To help unpack the issues, this panel discussion welcomes EY APAC Advanced Manufacturing & Mobility Leader, Space Monkey 24/7 Fully Autonomous Inspection System and SKYPEAK Inc. Human Resource Development for Industrial Drones.


SPEAKER

SkyPeak
Akira TAKANO
CEO
 
Space Monkey SG Pte. Ltd.
Daniel Chang
Executive Director
 
Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC
Stéphane LAGUT
EY Global Advanced Manufacturing & Mobility Assurance Leader

■ INTERNATIONAL AGORA

10:50-13:00Green Manufacturing made in France

In an era marked by rapid technological changes and growing environmental concerns, the pursuit of sustainable and green manufacturing practices has become a priority for industries worldwide.
French expertise and solutions in green manufacturing are not always known in Japan, despite the presence of about 15 French companies with production facilities and R&D centers in the country.
France stands at the forefront of discussions on green manufacturing, and this seminar aims to shed light on this excellence. In addition, we seek to encourage Japanese industrial decision makers to engage in collaborative endeavors with French companies in Japan, fostering cooperations and knowledge exchange.

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SPEAKER

French Embassy in Japan
Philippe SETTON
French Ambassador in Japan
 
METRON
Air Liquide
FORVIA
VALEO
 
Dassault Systèmes
Misae HASHIDA
 
Schneider Electronic
fives
ARKEMA
PLASTIC OMNIUM
Ad-Sol Nissin
Sumitomo Corporation
HONDA
TOSHIBA
 
Business France
Marie-Cécile Tardieu
COO

14:00-16:00PANEL: France and its regions, a land of opportunity for Japanese investors

This seminar will focus on two French regions at the forefront of innovation and heavily involved in developing links with Japan:
Occitanie region: a privileged ecosystem for new mobility and new space
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: a region of industrialization and re-industrialization, resolutely focused on the future.
Participation free of charge & simultaneous translation in French and Japanese
To take part in the seminar, please register at this link

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SPEAKER

Business France
Marie-Cécile Tardieu
COO
 
French Embassy
Philippe SETTON
Ambassador of France to Japan
 
French Foreign Trade Advisors
Sophie SIDOS
President
 
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region
Laurent WAUQUIEZ
President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region and Co-President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Entreprises Agency
 
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Entreprises Agency
Franck COLCOMBET
Président du Directoire
 
Occitanie Region
Nadia PELLEFIGUE
Vice-Chairman in charge of International
 
Actia Japon
Stéphane BURGAUD
Business Development Director
 
French Embassy
Julien Mariez
Space counselor and CNES representative
 
Films Division Toray Industries, Inc.
Kazuhisa ITSUJI
Corporate Vice President
 
GCK
Eric Boudot
CEO
 
Business France
Thibault Fabre
Director of Japan and the North-East Asia

Day2 [March 14th, 2024]
Smart Manufacturing for Improving Productivity

■ MAIN STAGE

10:50-11:35PANEL : Dive into the multifaceted nature of Japan-EU industrial collaborations

This Panel Discussion "Dive into the multifaceted nature of Japan-EU industrial collaborations", each panelist describes the current landscape of their country's industrial collaboration with Japan, focusing on sectors such as automotive, electronics, renewable energy, and robotics. Presentation share the Focus Areas and Initiatives, Challenges and Best Practices, and Reflection on the potential future trajectory of Japan-EU industrial cooperation, considering global economic trends, technological advancements, and sustainability goals.


SPEAKER

Wallonia Export-Investment Agency (AWEX)
Olivier DOUHERET
Project Manager for Science and Innovation, Education and Culture
 
Business France
Nicolas SESTIER
Deputy Director Japan and Activity Director North East Asia - Health, Fashion & Lifestyle
 
Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) 
Marta Szczygiel
Head of Foreign Trade Office in Tokyo

11:50-12:35PANEL : The Present and Future Prospects of Manufacturing Factory Empowered by Modern Connectivity Technologies

We look at global trends and trends from the perspective of a user company in the manufacturing industry, as a system integrator that operates mainly with customer companies in the manufacturing industry, and from the perspective of a global equipment supplier, including Japan. While comparing books, we will have a panel discussion about current issues, the current status of efforts to date, and the future. In particular, this session will discuss the overall progress of DX in Japan's industrial scene, the status and challenges of introducing networks such as 5G at manufacturing sites, and what is necessary to promote digitalization in the domestic manufacturing industry. We will focus on the latest stories from the field.


SPEAKER

Nokia Solutions and Networks Japan G.K.
Tatsuya YANAGIBASHI
Chief Technology Officer for Japan
 
Toyota Production Engineering Corporation
Akihiro ONISHI
Engineering Fellow
 
NS Solutions Corporations
Sho TAKIMOTO

12:40-13:10KEYNOTE : Digital Thread for Continuous Improvement

Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives have been around for a long time. But while traditional CI programs provide lots of data, they reveal relatively few insights into the manufacturing process. Digital Threads, which create a closed loop between the digital and physical worlds, can help in streamlining data analysis and delivering actionable conclusions, through real-time problem identification, root cause analysis, and closed-loop performance management.


SPEAKER

PTC
Asher Gabbay
Vice President, Solution Consulting

14:00-14:45PANEL : What universities and industries should do for preparing profiles required in new era- from education, recurrent learning to re-skilling

SPEAKER

Kyoto University of Advanced Science (KUAS)
Osamu TABATA
Executive Vice President Dean, Prof. Dr. Faculty of Engineering
 
Nagoya University, Tokai Innovation Institute
Akihiro SASOH
Nagoya University-Graduate School of Engineering Professor &
Vice President,Tokai Innovation Institute-Director
 
Nagoya University, Tokai Innovation Institute
Masaaki TERANO
Nagoya University-Institutes of Innovation for Future Society pen Designated professor,Tokai Innovation Institute-Managing Director

14:50-15:35PANEL : The story of new business creation and open innovation initiatives by Toyoda Gosei/Seino HD

【Possibilities of creating new value for Tokai companies as told by practitioners 】
A speaker who has practiced new business creation and open innovation at A legacy company rooted in the Tokai region will talk about the trajectory from the beginning to the beginning of signs of success.
Preset by AlphaDrive


SPEAKER

Seino Holdings Co., Ltd.
Shuji KAWAI
Executive Officer Open Innovation Planning Division Manager / Last One Mile Planning Team Operating officer
 
TOYODA GOSEI CO.,LTD.
Toru Kanto
New Value Development Div. Electronic Solution Development Dept. Group Manager
 
UNIDGE,Inc.(Alphadrive Co.,Ltd)
Yusuke DOI
UNIDGE,Inc. CEO
AlphaDrive Tokai Chief Director

15:50-16:20KEYNOTE : The challenges of innovation and being a true global leader

Energy for everyone and EVs. With the mission of "Terra Charge'' for electric vehicles (EV), we provide charging service "Terra Charge'' throughout Japan. After launching our business in April 2022, we have been steadily installing EV chargers, and the number of orders for EV chargers has exceeded 25,000 units (as of the end of December 2023), making us one of the top companies in Japan.


SPEAKER

Terra Charge Corporation
Inketsu Okina
Financial Manger
 
Tokushige Toru (Video Message) 
Corporation Founder and Chairman

16:25-17:10PANEL : How to leverage economic organization to better perform in foreign market?

This panel discussion, featuring representatives from Keidanren, the EU-Japan Centre, and the European Business Council (EBC), delves into strategies for leveraging economic organizations to enhance performance in foreign markets. The session is structured to provide insights from various perspectives on international business expansion, cultural adaptation, and regulatory navigation.


SPEAKER

European Business Council
Valerie Moschetti
Chief Operating Officer
 
Keidanren, Canon Inc.
Akiko TANAKA
Chair, Sub-Committee on Innovation, Keidanren (Executive Officer, Deputy Group Executive R&D Headquarters, Canon Inc.)
 
EU-Japan Center for Industrial Cooperation, thyssenkrupp Automotive Japan K.K.
Nikolaus BOLTZE
President at EU-Japan center, Country Representative at thyssenkrupp Automotive Japan

■ INTERNATIONAL AGORA

11:50-12:35PANEL : Ai, lasers and Video Games – How Quebec built an IT powerhouse (with portable 3D scanner demonstration)

Lessons for Aichi featuring a showcase on leading provider of 3D scanners ‘Creaform’ - a vivid example of Quebec’s digital success.


SPEAKER

QUEBEC
Chénier La Salle
Québec's General Delegate to Tokyo
 
Ametek KK Creaform B.U
Takashi Wada
Business Development manager

14:00-17:00German-Japanese Business and Technology Seminar: Advanced and Innovative Solutions in Smart Manufacturing, Robotics and AI

Hosted by: NRW.Global Business GmbH (Eng/Jap simultaneous interpretation)
 
Opening and Moderation:
NRW.Global Business Japan
Georg Löer
Rep.Director& President, NRW Japan K.K.
 
Greeting Address:
Policy Advisor to the Governor of Aichi Prefecture
Kimikazu Uemura
 
Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia – Center of Excellence of Production Technologies and the Manufacturing Industry
NRW.Global Business GmbH
Jennifer Marienfeld,
Head of Business Unit Japan
 
Keynote: Industry and Research Join Forces for Shaping Smart Manufacturing
Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnologie IPT
Niels König
Head of Department Production Metrology & Dr.-Ing.
 
Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnologie IPT
Mario Pothen,
Head of Competence Field Digitalization and Interconnection
 
Smart Machine Tool: Realizing Smart Manufacturing with Process Integration, Automation, DX (Digital Transformation) and GX (Green Transformation)
TECHNIUM Co., Ltd. (DMG MORI Group)
Kentaro Blumenstengel
President
 
AI in Manufacturing - Introducing AI data analysis software for data utilization without the need for specialist data science knowledge
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP.
Kimiaki Sato
Chief Engineer, FA Digital Engineering Dept., Digital Manufacturing Solution Center, FACTORY AUTOMATION SYSTEMS GR.
 
Robots on the Move
GRIP GmbH Handhabungstechnik
Marc Sexton
VP Sales & Marketing
 
Smart machines and automation systems to increase productivity
Okuma Corporation
Katsumi Kanemoto
Deputy Division Manager, Technology Division
General Manager, Solutions & Systems Engineering Department
 
Panel regarding the status and prospects of smart manufacturing in NRW und Japan
 
Networking

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Day3 [March 15th, 2024]
Smart Manufacturing for Boosting Innovation

■ MAIN STAGE

10:15-10:45KEYNOTE : Co-innovation (industry-academia-government collaboration) will trigger future innovations

Co-innovation is an interdisciplinary approach to creating a new society that thrives with sustainable futures and the harmonious balance of diverse forms of abundance among people. This approach aims to construct theories through dialogue with various stakeholders (including industry, academia, and government) and strive for new value creation through practice. The domains relevant to co-innovation are diverse, encompassing economics, management, energy, environment, mobility, health and well-being, as well as art and design. I will explore these domains during my lecture, and I invite you all to reflect on co-innovation with me.


SPEAKER

Co-Innovation University (tentative name)
Hiroaki MIYATA
Candidate for President

10:50-11:35PANEL : How does additive manufacturing contribute to sustainable manufasturing

In this session, we will introduce why additive manufacturing is now used, how it is currently used overseas, the current situation in Japan, and examples of the use of additive manufacturing from the perspectives of Ricoh, 3DSYSTMES, SWANY, and Installium, and its future role. , we will explore future possibilities from a different perspective.


SPEAKER

3DSYSTEMS
Takao NAMIKI
Sales Director
 
SWANY Co., Ltd.
Yoshihiro HASHIZUME
President & CEO
 
Instalimb Inc.
Yutaka TOKUSHIMA
Chief Executive Officer
 
RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
Akira SAITO
Head of LIFEPARTS, TRIBUS Office of Richo Group

11:50-12:35KEYNOTE: Introducing a New Perspective in Manufacturing: Total Optimisation of Logistics for Smart Manufacturing

To achieve true smart manufacturing, it's essential to improve not only the in-factory production processes but also the efficiency of the entire flow, including the transportation of materials and the dispatch of finished products. As factory automation progresses rapidly, there's a need to address new challenges like limiting one’s carbon footprint and to seek improvements from a broader perspective. To meet these challenges, Exotec® is offering innovative warehouse automation solutions.


SPEAKER

Exotec Nihon Co. Ltd.
Ryu TATEWAKI
Managing Director of Exotec APAC

12:40-13:10KEYNOTE : What can Honeywell do for Sustainable Manufacturing ?

In pursuit of a sustainable environment, numerous global initiatives are addressing global warming and energy transition. With decades of experience in the process industry, Honeywell has delivered differentiated solutions derived from our core technologies in this field. Additionally, sustainable manufacturing is gaining significant attention due to labor force constraints and declining populations, areas where Honeywell's solutions are making a contribution. Honeywell aims to discuss "sustainability" from these two perspectives.


SPEAKER

Honeywell Japan Ltd.
Hiroaki HARA
Sales Director

14:00-14:45PANEL: Building a strong AICHI startups ecosystem promoting the open innovation

SPEAKER

Aichi Prefectural Government
Masaaki Shibayama
Executive Director, Innovative Business Creation Department
 
Station Ai
Hirotaka SAHASHI
President and CEO
 
CROSLAN lnc.
Atsushi KAWAMURA
CEO & Founder
 
Knewit
Naoya OGAWA
CEO & Founder

14:50-15:35PANEL : Navigating Industry 5.0 in Japan and Europe – the similarity and differences

Through this panel discussion experts, from the EIT Manufacturing, Volkswagen AG and Deloitte Tohmatsu introduce their opinion on Understanding Industry 5.0, why and how it has been created and also the key trends in both Japan and Europe.
The topic of Human-Centric Innovation: challenges and solutions in Japan and Europe, experts develop discussion on the transition to Industry 5.0 both in Europe and Japan, the similarities and synergies.
This disucourse will also illustrate social and environmental challenges to adopt the vision, and EU initiatives in reskilling and upskilling to attract more talent, women, young people in manufacturing could be inspiring for many Japanese companies.
The exchange of views regarding the Collaboration Opportunities introduce the point of Open innovation and investments ; Europe's regulatory frameworks and focus on sustainability can mesh well with Japan's technological prowess and innovative spirit.


SPEAKER

Deloitte Tohmatsu
Keigo HAGA
Operating Officer
 
EIT Manufacturing
Caroline Viarouge
CEO
 
Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH
Dirk Thieme
Head of New mobility and innovation,
Die Gläserne Manufaktur Dresden

Practical Information

  • Business Summit will be held in the halls.
  • As registered visitor, you can hear these conferences for free. (Registration is also free)
  • No need to book your seat in advance for most of conferences, but those who have the button « Register for this seminar » requires your pre-registration to participate.
  • Speeches will be delivered in English and Japanese.
  • The program including the names of the speakers, will be updated regularly on our website till the event.

Aichi Pavillion Stage Events

Details of the Event