NAGOYA CONNÉCT｜Learn,Connect,Share

NAGOYA CONNÉCT #119

Fri, Apr 24 · 5:00 PM JST

なごのキャンパス, 2 Chome-14-1 Nagono, Nishi Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 451-0042, Nagoya, JP

NAGOYA CONNÉCT is a community event held on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Nagono Campus, under the theme "Connect with Nagoya. Connect in Nagoya." Through lectures by diverse innovators and workshops that accelerate innovation, participants can gain new insights and expand their networks by leveraging shared experiences. Let’s broaden the circle of innovation and take on new challenges together.
Scroll down to see the details for each session.
Although there is a capacity limit shown on this page, participation is flexible, and walk-ins are more than welcome!
Online participation is also available. For more details, please visit the event page here:
https://community.venturecafetokyo.org/events/ab0a9b8c-5605-4052-b5dc-beabf83ea9db

Operated by: Venture Café Tokyo
Hosted by: City of Nagoya
Participation is free.

## ❏ Sessions

### 17:00 - 18:00 | HYBRID (Japanese)

Turning the Entire City into a Stage of "Enthusiasm" — The Expansion Plan for the 3rd TechGALA, Inspired by SXSW and NoMaps
Business, technology, music, and art. At SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas, all boundaries melt away, turning the entire city into a massive experimental playground. How can we "implement" that overwhelming energy into the 3rd TechGALA to create a new explosion where business and play converge?
In this session, we bring together the core members who built the excitement of the previous TechGALA. Joining them are Tsuyoshi Kurimoto (JR Central) and Chihiro Furukawa, who experienced the heat of SXSW firsthand in March 2026; Toshio Morimura, who is building the next decade of co-creation at "NoMaps"—one of Japan’s leading urban festivals in Sapporo—and who also traveled to SXSW this year; and journalist Keiko Yamamoto, known for her keen insights into social trends.

• "How can we balance business deals with the 'frenzy' of music and networking?"
• "What mechanisms can make sponsors enjoy the event beyond traditional branding?"
• "What themes should we be debating at TechGALA?"

We will discuss a "serious expansion plan" for the third installment, exploring how to bloom SXSW’s global energy and NoMaps' "city-hacking playfulness" in the soil of Nagoya. Join us as we design the future of this city’s new standard of enthusiasm.
【Presenters (Alphabetical order)】

• Tsuyoshi KURIMOTO
• Director, Innovation Promotion Office, Technology Development Dept., Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central)
• Born in Kanagawa in 1975. After earning his master’s in engineering in 1999, he joined JR Central to work in industries close to people's daily lives. Following roles in customer service improvement, HR, and management, he moved to the technology department in 2017. He played a key role in establishing the "Innovation Promotion Office" in 2020 and returned to lead it in 2024. As the "challenger unit" of the tech department, he is dedicated to sparking non-linear change. Hobbies: Sake, F1, and community activities.
• Keiko YAMAMOTO
• Journalist | Former NHK Senior Commentator (Gender & Equality)
• Joined NHK in 1995. After serving as a reporter and editor, she broadcasted news globally in English for "NHK WORLD JAPAN" starting in 2014. From 2019, she served as Deputy Editor in Nagoya and concurrently as a Senior Commentator from 2021, specializing in gender issues. She became an independent journalist in September 2024. Having founded a study group for female journalists in 2001 (now 1,000+ members), she continues to drive social change through media. She is an "Asia 21 Fellow" and a visiting researcher at the University of Tokyo.
• Toshio MORIMURA
• Executive Director, NoMaps Executive Committee
• Originally from Osaka. After a career in artist management, event production, and advertising, he moved to Sapporo. He joined NoMaps during its planning phase and has since focused on creating cross-sector co-creation platforms to drive innovation from Hokkaido. Appointed as the new Executive Director of NoMaps in April 2026, he aims to connect people, regions, and ideas to foster future-facing movements.

【Moderator】

• Chihiro FURUKAWA
• Program Manager, NAGOYA CONNÉCT | LEO Co., Ltd.
• A graduate of Nagoya University’s Faculty of Education, she began her career in foreign exchange at a major bank. After working in business event direction, she joined LEO in 2023. As Program Manager for NAGOYA CONNÉCT, she plans and operates events alongside a team of ambassadors. She also serves in the TechGALA secretariat and recently experienced SXSW firsthand!

***

### 18:00 - 18:30 | HYBRID (Japanese)

How to enjoy NAGOYA CONNÉCT
We will introduce the worldview of Venture Café Tokyo and provide a guide on how to make the most of NAGOYA CONNÉCT. This session also features the latest information on Nagoya’s startup ecosystem. First-time participants are highly encouraged to join!

***

### 18:30 - 19:30 | HYBRID (Japanese)

Why hasn’t Nagoya’s charm "Transformed" yet? — The Power of PR to Turn a City into a Brand
"Nagoya is bad at self-promotion." "Nagoya is terrible at PR." Some of Japan’s top communicators are here to shatter these self-deprecating stereotypes. From an outside perspective, Central Japan (Aichi/Nagoya/Tokai) is a rare "treasure trove" where unique culture meets an overwhelming industrial foundation. The recent TechGALA proved this region's potential once again. So why does its charm fail to fully "transform," and why is it still sometimes mocked for being "skipped over"?
In this session, we welcome Eishiro Noro, a broadcast writer and strategic PR consultant who has woven countless "compelling stories," and Emi Senda, who has sparked movements as an "external PR department" for numerous companies. Guided by PR specialist Natsuko Inukai, who generated 2,000 media hits annually for a major department store, we will dissect "Nagoya’s true weapons." Learn how to verbalize the envy felt by outsiders and strategically deliver that message to upgrade Nagoya into a world-class brand.
【Presenters (Alphabetical order)】

• Eishiro NORO
• Broadcast Writer & Strategic PR Consultant
• Born in Obu, Aichi. While planning and writing for major TV programs, he crafts branding and PR strategies for corporations and executives. His strength lies in transforming philosophies into "stories that stick." Author of Why Do Fast Workers Build Systems?, he actively bridges the gap between business and media through writing and lectures.
• Emi SENDA
• CEO, Front Stage Co., Ltd.
• Born in 1980. After roles as a teacher and in ad sales, she led PR for Demae-can, Dr.Ci:Labo, and STORES. At STORES, her PR strategies contributed to 200% annual growth. She founded Front Stage in 2016, serving as an "external PR office" for companies. She also leads the "Power Mama Project" to support working mothers and has authored several books on media relations and PR.

【Moderator】

• Natsuko INUKAI
• CEO, Wo-one Co., Ltd.
• Spent 15 years in PR for a major department store at Nagoya Station, leading them to 500 TV segments a year. Founded Wo-one in 2023 to help companies build in-house PR capabilities. She serves as a lecturer for KADOKAWA and a Press Release Evangelist for PR TIMES. Her book, Passion Relations (KADOKAWA), was published in 2025.

***

### 19:40 - 20:40 | HYBRID (Japanese)

The Structure of Female Outflow in a Manufacturing City — AI, Workstyles, and City Redesign Analyzing Nagoya’s "Now" through Multi-hub, Local, and Global Perspectives
Nagoya is a manufacturing powerhouse, yet it faces urgent challenges: low gender equality indices and career interruptions due to life events. To remain a city chosen by the next generation and the world, how should we redesign our social "OS"?
This session brings together professionals who support autonomous careers from borderless perspectives. We will discuss how to turn care work and career gaps into unique expertise using AI as a tailwind. Looking toward the 2026 Asian Para Games, we will also explore how to upgrade tourism and PR into world-class "strategic professions" to make Nagoya a destination for global talent.
【Presenters (Alphabetical order)】

• Sayuri SEKI
• Representative Director, Career Connect Association
• A former top-tier sales professional at Recruit Career Consulting with 27 awards. After moving to China for her husband’s assignment, she founded Career Connect to support expatriate partners and corporate global human resources. She is a finalist for METI’s "RED CHUBU" program and currently resides in Beijing.
• Hidesato NAITO
• CEO, Local Story LLC
• A Waseda graduate and former Mitsubishi UFJ banker who took the unique path of becoming a comedian (NSC) for three years. He then pivoted to tourism, co-founding Prime Concept and managing marketing for over 300 lodging facilities. Now, as head of Local Story, he focuses on regional revitalization and DMO support. Author of Tourism Business.
• Kiyono YAGAMI
• CEO, Manabiyah Mom Co., Ltd. | MBA (UT Austin)
• After an MBA from UT Austin and consulting at IBM Japan, she founded a parent-child support group in Nagoya in 2009. She has since built a community of 6,000+ women, promoting entrepreneurship and career development. She currently leads a multi-hub lifestyle across Saitama, Aichi, and Nagano, driving regional innovation.
• Maki KATSUME
• Leader, Writing Ship
• A Nanzan University graduate and former Mitsubishi UFJ banker. After becoming a freelance writer to find "life fulfillment" alongside motherhood, she now writes for major financial media. In 2023, she launched the female writer team "Writing Ship" and has been organizing AI-utilization workshops since early 2026.

***

### 17:30 - 21:00 | On-site Only

Networking
An opportunity for all NAGOYA CONNÉCT participants to interact. Let’s expand the circle of innovation together!

NAGOYA CONNÉCT #120

Fri, May 8 · 5:00 PM JST

なごのキャンパス, 2 Chome-14-1 Nagono, Nishi Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 451-0042, Nagoya, JP

NAGOYA CONNÉCT is a community event held on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Nagono Campus, under the theme "Connect with Nagoya. Connect in Nagoya." Through lectures by diverse innovators and workshops that accelerate innovation, participants can gain new insights and expand their networks by leveraging shared experiences. Let’s broaden the circle of innovation and take on new challenges together.
Scroll down to see the details for each session.

Although there is a capacity limit shown on this page, participation is flexible, and walk-ins are more than welcome!
Online participation is also available. For more details, please visit the event page here:
https://community.venturecafetokyo.org/events/29277df6-37a3-4486-9f2d-27509c84e95b

Operated by: Venture Café Tokyo
Hosted by: City of Nagoya
Participation is free.

***

## ❏ Sessions

### 17:00 - 18:00 | HYBRID (Japanese)

"Designing the Forms of Happiness" — New Models of Organizations and Society Created by Well-being
In the coming era, organizations and society will be judged not only by their "growth" but by how well they can design "happiness." Well-being is evolving beyond simple employee benefits or satisfaction; it is becoming the "corporate value" itself. In this session, Yoshiki Ishikawa, a leading authority on well-being research, will decode the latest insights and social trends. He is joined by Naoki Miyazaki, Chairman of Toyoda Gosei, who will share real-world implementation cases from the front lines of management. Together, they will discuss how to perceive and implement well-being from their respective standpoints.
【Presenters】

• Yoshiki ISHIKAWA
• Public Health Researcher | Ph.D. (Medicine)
• Born in Hiroshima in 1981. After graduating from the University of Tokyo and earning a Master’s from Harvard School of Public Health, he received his Ph.D. from Jichi Medical University. He serves as the Representative Director of the "Well-being for Planet Earth" Foundation. Under the theme of "How humans and the Earth can live in harmony," he works on long-term initiatives spanning generations ("Unson" - 8 generations later, approx. 200–300 years).
• Naoki MIYAZAKI
• Chairman of the Board, Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
• Graduate of Kyoto University’s Faculty of Law. Joined Toyota Motor Corporation in 1980. After serving in HR, Public Affairs, and Legal, he became Managing Officer in 2008 and Senior Managing Officer in 2013. He joined Toyoda Gosei in 2014, serving as President (2015) and Chairman (2020). He has also served as Representative Director of the Chubu Association of Corporate Executives (2022–2025).

【Moderator】

• Makoto AOU
• Planning & Operations Producer,Nagono Campus | CEO, LEO Co., Ltd.
• After working as a software engineer, she became the first female executive at a tech company in 2012. She founded LEO Co., Ltd. after co-founding ExaWizards Inc. Currently, she is the producer of "Nagono Campus," an incubation facility housed in a former elementary school, and a navigator for ZIP-FM’s "Startup [N]." She also holds visiting professor/associate professor positions at Musashino University and Nagoya University.

***

### 18:00 - 18:30 | HYBRID (Japanese)

How to enjoy NAGOYA CONNÉCT
We will introduce the worldview of Venture Café Tokyo and provide a guide on how to make the most of NAGOYA CONNÉCT. This session also features the latest information on Nagoya’s startup ecosystem. First-time participants are highly encouraged to join!

***

### 18:30 - 19:30 | HYBRID (Japanese but English Friendly)

Regenerative Agri-Food Shift — From "Consumption" to "Regeneration": The Present and Future of Agriculture and Food
Climate change, resource depletion, and a volatile international landscape—global food security is currently facing an unprecedented crisis. In the face of these global challenges, how should Japan’s "on-the-ground wisdom" and "enterprises—especially startups" respond? In this session, we will discuss the construction of a circular economy based on real-world conditions and the realization of sustainable social implementation. Furthermore, joined by experts well-versed in global agri-food trends, we will dissect the essential requirements for Japanese-led innovations to succeed in the global market.
【Presenters】 Coming soon...!

***

### 19:40 - 20:40 | HYBRID (Japanese)

Creating "Heat" at High Speed as a Latecomer — The Reality of Corporate Co-creation Communities Proven by Marubeni Agora’s 2,000+ Members
Since its opening in September 2023, "Innovation Lab Agora," run by Marubeni’s Chubu Branch, has surpassed 2,000 members in just over a year. Among the many innovation hubs in Nagoya, it stands out for its overwhelming speed and frequency of activity. Why has a latecomer hub managed to attract such diverse players and become a "heat source" for moving projects? The secret lies in a gritty yet strategic community design unique to a general trading company (Sogo Shosha). In this session, we welcome Atsushi Suzuki, the creator of Agora, and Jun Kitagawa, who accelerates co-creation as the operations manager. They are joined by Takeshi Isaku from Musashi Seimitsu Industry, who established "Musashi Innovation Lab Clue" and now serves as an evangelist for Agora. Together, they will dive deep into the "true value" of corporations running their own communities.
【Presenters (Alphabetical order)】

• Takeshi ISAKU
• Senior Executive Officer & Chief Innovation Officer, Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd. | Head of Musashi Innovation Lab Clue
• After 18 years in the US handling OEM sales, he returned to Japan in 2010. Since 2019, as CIO, he has overseen new business development, establishing JVs with Israeli tech firms (MusashiAI, 634AI). As a CVC Director, he has executed 15+ investments in startups across Israel, Silicon Valley, Canada, and Japan, currently focusing on Green Tech in Africa.
• Jun KITAGAWA
• Operations Manager, MARUBENI Innovation Lab Agora | Deputy General Manager, Chubu Branch, Marubeni Corporation
• A graduate of Nagoya University’s Faculty of Law. An expert in fashion business (D2C, SCM, retail) with broad experience in M&A and business management. He has tackled management challenges at enterprises in Peru, the UK, and Japan (GU). Since April 2023, he has led Agora, focusing on realizing open innovation from the Chubu region. He is also an invited faculty member at Nagoya University’s D-Center.
• Atsushi SUZUKI
• Former Executive Officer & General Manager of Chubu Branch, Marubeni Corporation
• Joined Marubeni in 1987, specializing in automotive, finance, and mobility. Spent 18 years stationed in Belgium, Sweden, the US, and India. After serving as President of Marubeni India, he led the Chubu Branch from 2022 and founded Agora in 2023. He recently established Woodbell Holding LLC to support ventures and serves as a visiting professor at Nagoya University.

【Moderator】

• Mizuki AMANO
• Innovation Promotion Dept., FUJI Corporation
• Handles market research and startup scouting at FUJI. She is involved in launching and operating internal business contests and design thinking training. Holding the "GIMI Innovation Catalyst" international certification, she serves as a lecturer and mentor for the "Innovator’s Bus" program—a joint entrepreneurship initiative by Musashi Seimitsu Industry, FUJI, and Marubeni.

***

17:30 - 21:00 | In-person Only
Networking
All participants of NAGOYA CONNÉCT are invited to network. Let's expand the circle of innovation together through this program.