投稿者: wp01

Investment Community Roundtable in Sapporo – Vol.1, August 2025
The First Step to Creating the Sapporo AM-related Community – Key Outcomes and Outlook

The Investment Community Roundtable held in Sapporo, following its designation as a “Financial & Asset Management Special Zone,” served as a vital forum to explore investment opportunities and ecosystem-building in Hokkaido centered on Green Transformation (GX) and Digital Transformation (DX). A diverse group of domestic and international players gathered, sharing strong expectations and concrete strategies for revitalizing the regional economy.

• Host：JIAM、Sapporo City、Sapporo Stock Exchange
• Event name：Investment Community Roundtable in Sapporo – Vol.1, August 2025
  
• Timing：2025年8月22日　4PM – 6:55PM
  
• Venue：2F, Conference Room of Sapporo Stock Exchange 
• Supporers：Team Sapporo-Hokkaido Consortium, Nomura Fiduciary Research & Consulting (NFRC)
• Attendees：Pension fund, University Endowments, VC, Regional banking LP, CVC, Other relevant constituents

Key Quotes and Highlights

Major Domestic Investment Institutions

• “It is gratifying to see Hokkaido attracting global attention in GX/DX.”

• “With vast land, transmission networks, and industries like Rapidus, Hokkaido is an ideal site for power plants and a historic investment opportunity.”

• “Highly skilled talent is underutilized in Sapporo — we aim for a long-term (10-year) initiative to nurture industry and talent.”

• “Japan’s VC industry is too inward-looking; Hokkaido could lead the global flow of investment.”

• “Regulatory limits such as the 49-investor rule are a barrier — STOs should be considered.”

Regional Financial Institutions

• “Hokkaido’s Special Zone designation is a major opportunity; we set clear GX/DX investment goals.”

• “We aim to tackle regional issues (population decline, labor shortages) with startups, AI, and advanced tech.”

• “Deep-tech startups require significant time and capital, and IPO cases are few.”

Asset Owners

• “Impact investments failed to deliver expected returns — balancing social and economic goals remains difficult.”

• “If similar renewable energy initiatives arise in Hokkaido, we may consider region-specific investments.”

• “We emphasize collaboration with asset managers and universities, focusing on impact investment.”

Corporates & Startups

• “Hydrogen stations are operating at a deep loss; economic viability is the greatest challenge.”

• “GX requires hydrogen’s feasibility and policy support, such as carbon pricing and credits.”

• “We must foster not only startups but also entrepreneurs who create jobs.”

• “As a ‘front-runner in social challenges,’ Hokkaido can generate advanced technologies and businesses.”

International Perspectives

• “We place high priority on Japan’s decarbonization, especially solar panels and storage batteries.”

• “We plan to expand business in Japan and Asia and are seeking partners.”

Academic Institutions & University-affiliated VCs

• “Hokkaido’s human resources and natural environment hold unlimited potential for value creation.”

• “Universities lack the means for commercialization, planning, and sales, despite abundant research seeds.”

JIAM

• • “We were concerned about forming an investor community in Sapporo, but the strong turnout was encouraging.”

  • “This meeting reaffirmed that things not possible in Tokyo can be realized in Hokkaido.”

 

Arts are the hot topic for business but we could not find the exact value of this in the finance world.

Thanks to WAIFC, FinCity.Tokyo and JIAM recently organised a survey of art related activities at the global financial hubs in the world.
Art and Finance Vol.4 is to learn what kind of activities global financial hubs are carrying out and we will then discuss the meaning/values of the arts/artists to the Global Financial Hubs.

 

• Title：Art x Finance – Vol.4 , Arts at Worldwide Financial Centres
• Date：17:00 -19:00 (JST)  on 2nd July, 2024 (9:00AM-11:00AM WAT/Nigeria time)
• Venue：3F FinGATE 1-8-1 Nihonbashi-Kayabacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo　   東京都中央区日本橋茅場町一丁目８番１号　FinGATE CLUB
• Online: Zoom

Registration

Please register from here

 

Agenda

Time	Agenda	Topic	Speaker/ moderator
17:00 – 17:10 (10 mins)	Welcome & Opening remarks		Keiichi Aritomo, JIAM Director and Chairman of WAIFC Dr. Jochen Biedermann, Managing Director, WAIFC
17:10-17:25 (15 mins)	Art related activities in Nigeria	Arts/artists promotion at Nigeria How the arts/artists contribute in Nigeria?	Obi Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of EnterpriseNGR （Participate from Online）
17:25-17:40 (15 mins)	Art related activities at Busan	How the arts/artists are connected to financial institutions?	Jessica Miae Park, Director of Financial Research Division 1 at Busan Finance Center (Participate from Online)
17:40 – 18:10 (30 mins)	Panel discussion	What Arts/Artists can bring to the Global Financial Hubs?	All the presenters above Masato Suzuki
18:10 – 19:30	Networking Reception Only in Venue		Only in Venue

 

Speakers

Jessica Miae Park, Director of Financial Research Division 1 at Busan Finance Center (Participate from Online)

Jessica Miae Park is a seasoned finance professional with a comprehensive educational background and extensive experience in the banking and finance industry. She graduated from Theresa Girls’ High School in 1989 and earned a BA in Education from Busan National University of Education in 1993. Furthering her education, she completed an MA in Interpretation and Translation from Busan University of Foreign Studies in 2005. Her career began at HSBC Bank, where she served as the Director of Retail Finance from August 2005 to September 2013. She then joined BNK Bank as the Asset Management Team Leader, a role she held from November 2013 to January 2022. Subsequently, she was appointed Deputy Head of the Asset Management Planning Department at BNK Financial Holdings, serving until January 2023. Currently, she is the Director of Financial Research Division 1 at Busan Finance Center, a position she has held since April 2023. Jessica Miae Park’s expertise and leadership have significantly contributed to the growth and success of the institutions she has been part of.

 

Masato Suzuki

Masato Suzuki received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Tokyo National University for Fine Arts and Music (now Tokyo University of the Arts), and completed courses at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. He was awarded 20th Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the 18th Hideo Saito Memorial Fund Award, and the 18th Hotel Okura Music Award. Suzuki is Principal Conductor of Bach Collegium Japan (BCJ), Conductor and Creative Partner of Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of Ensemble Genesis. He is also the designated principal guest conductor of the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra. He regularly appears on the radio program “The Pleasure of Early Music” on NHK FM. Executive Producer of the Chofu International Music Festival, stage direction, planning and production, and composition, Suzuki’s boundary-less activities are expected much from various quarters. Suzuki is a visiting professor at Kyushu University.

東京藝術大学卒業及び同大学院修了。オランダ･ハーグ王立音楽院修了。第71回芸術選奨文部科学大臣新人賞、第18回齋藤秀雄メモリアル基金賞、第18回ホテルオークラ音楽賞、第29回渡邉曉雄音楽基金音楽賞受賞。バッハ・コレギウム・ジャパン（BCJ）首席指揮者、読売日本交響楽団指揮者／クリエイティヴ・パートナー、アンサンブル･ジェネシス音楽監督、関西フィルハーモニー管弦楽団首席客演指揮者を務める。NHK-FM「古楽の楽しみ」にレギュラー出演。調布国際音楽祭エグゼクティブ･プロデューサー。九州大学客員教授。
Twitter / ＠eugenesuzuki
Facebook & Instagram / masatosuzukimusic

 

Obi Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of EnterpriseNGR

Ms. Obi Ibekwe has carved an extraordinary path in the world of legal practice, finance, and policy advocacy. Her journey is a
testament to her unwavering commitment to shaping the future of Nigeria's Financial and Professional Services (FPS)
sector and positioning it as a global force.
Obi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, U.S.A. and a
Law degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She also holds an MBA degree from the Ross School of Business,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, U.S.A.
Obi has over three decades of work experience spanning legal practice, management consulting, banking, and advocacy. Obi is currently the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of EnterpriseNGR, a professional policy and advocacy group established to promote and advocate for the Financial and Professional Services (“FPS”) sector of Nigeria.

 

We were pleased to welcome Maestro Masato Suzuki, Mr Dai Sugiyama from SMBC Trust Bank Ltd. and Ms Aisha Al Sahlawi from the DIFC to our discussion on art and finance.

Thank you Jochen Biedermann of World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) for opening it and setting the scene by introducing an interesting story on how the English Theatre in Frankfurt was preserved.

DIFC gave a fascinating account on how art is flourishing in their financial district. Their initiative straddles across many different facets; art events, galleries, art-lovers and artists (including many art-lovers who became artists themselves). A great demonstration of a financial center embracing art! Maestro Suzuki presents Bach across the globe as keyboard player, conductor, stage director. Interesting to hear that Handel brought classical music closer to the citizens by introducing ticket sales for concerts. He suggested the need for introducing dynamic pricing in concert ticketing in Japan as vital for making performing arts more accessible.

 

SMBC Trust Bank’s engagement arises from a wealth management angle but it is much more than that! The “art trust” business which is rooted on their trust business unlocks the potential for art as it helps the preservation of art and also it enables leasing to museums. It can potentially be used to develop art as an asset class and enable art secured loans. We loved Mr Sugiyama’s art ecosystem diagram which provides a useful framework to approach this rather abstract subject of art and finance.

 

Kunihiro Ishibashi who joined JIAM recently as a Board Member gave a closing speech. We hope we can work with Bloomberg soon to explore this topic further.

We would like to thank all the speakers for their fantastic input and all our attendees. We look forward to continuing our Art and Finance series.

 

 

 

 

JIAM has been presenting events to explore the cross section between art and finance.  We are pleased to host our third workshop.

How can art/artists and financial services benefit each other?  We are excited to have different players who will present their perspectives. 

We will invite DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre Authority), to present their initiative to  promote Dubai with various artists.  SMBC Prestia has been building on the interface between their wealth management customers and art.  We will also be joined by Masato Suzuki, a maestro and musician.

 

Title：Art x Finance – Vol.3 , Perspectives of a financial center, a bank and an artist

Date and Time： January 15 2024, 5pm-7pm

Location: Venue and Zoom

Venue：Book Lounge Kable

〒103-0026  3F KABUTO ONE, Chuo-ku Kabuto-cho 7-1, Tokyo （東京都中央区日本橋兜町7番1号）

 

Agenda

17:00-17:05 Opening Remarks (Keiichi Aritomo, JIAM Director and Chairman of WAIFC, Dr. Jochen Biedermann, Managing Director, WAIFC)

17:05-17:20    Embracing art and artists (Aisha AlSahlawi, Property Development team, DIFC)

17:20-17:35 Why does finance matter to an artist?  (Maestro Masato Suzuki)

17:35-17:50 Art and wealth management (Dai Sugiyama, Executive Officer, Consumer Business Unit, SMBC Trust Bank)

17:50-18:20 Panel Discussion with presenters 

18:20 Closing remarks 

18:30-19:30 Networking (onsite attendees only)

Registration

Register from here

Speakers

Aisha Ismail AlSahlawi

Aisha Ismail AlSahlawi is a seasoned professional with a background in Architecture, having graduated from the American University of Sharjah. With nearly three years at the property development department at DIFC, Aisha plays a pivotal role in a diverse array of projects from overseeing art integration within DIFC to managing fit-out projects, large-scale towers, and, most recently, contributing to master planning initiatives.

Aisha’s noteworthy accomplishments include her successful management and assistance in curating the DIFC Sculpture Park, establishing it as a prominent annual event within DIFC. Beyond her role at DIFC, she has served as a volunteer and lab research assistant for Waiwai Design Firm. Notably, her contributions were instrumental in the firm’s latest exhibition at the Venice Biennale, where their collaborative efforts secured the prestigious Golden Lion for the UAE Pavilion in Venice, marking a historic achievement.

 

Masato Masato Suzuki

©Marco Borggreve

Masato Suzuki received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Tokyo National University for Fine Arts and Music (now Tokyo University of the Arts), and completed courses at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. He was awarded 20th Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the 18th Hideo Saito Memorial Fund Award, and the 18th Hotel Okura Music Award. Suzuki is Principal Conductor of Bach Collegium Japan (BCJ), Conductor and Creative Partner of Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of Ensemble Genesis. He is also the designated principal guest conductor of the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra. He regularly appears on the radio program “The Pleasure of Early Music” on NHK FM. Executive Producer of the Chofu International Music Festival, stage direction, planning and production, and composition, Suzuki’s boundary-less activities are expected much from various quarters. Suzuki is a visiting professor at Kyushu University.

 

Dai Sugiyama, Executive Officer, Consumer Business Unit, SMBC trust bank

He has worked in the wealth management business for more than 20 years at Citibank Japan Ltd. and SMBC Trust & Banking Co.
Currently, as Executive Officer of SMBC Trust & Banking, he is responsible for private banking and wealth management business.

 

The investment management has traditionally been cautious at embracing new technologies. And yet, the industry is increasingly being faced with challenges, eg pressure on margins, customers’ preference for more digital engagement, heavy compliance and regulatory demands and delivering alpha in a challenging market environment etc etc. How can fintechs work with investment managers in overcoming these challenges? Let’s hear from the Investment Association, UK’s leading trade association about IA Engine, their accelerator to bring fintechs and investment management firms closer together.

 

Date and Time

Thursday 8th June @JIAM Fintech Square, FinGATE KABUTO
17:00-18:00 Workshop (onsite and online)
18:00-18:30 Networking (for onsite attendees only)

 

Agenda

Please sign up by 5th June via the link below.
A Zoom link will be sent to you prior to the event.

contact：naomi.takegoshi@jiam.tokyo

We live in an increasingly  connected world which consumes and produces an unprecedented volume of data.  AI is there to collect, analyse, draw insights and make decisions.  Hedge fund managers are using a growing range of alternative data to seek alpha.  Algorithms are better disposed to execute tasks requiring precision and speed.  Will human portfolio managers become extinct species?  And what would be the best way for asset management firms to work with deep tech?

JIAM is pleased to invite Clara Durodié, author of a one-of-a-kind book which demystifies AI for financial services professionals, Kenny Lam. CEO of Two Sigma Asia-Pacific and Michinori Kanokogi, experienced portfolio manager and translator of several respected publications in machine learning and portfolio management.  

 

Agenda

1. Opening by Naomi Takegoshi~ brief intro of Japanese translation of Clara Durodié’s book “Decoding AI in financial services”
2. Keynote by Clara Durodié ~Where is asset management heading with the advancement of AI? 
3. Demo by Two Sigma Transforming portfolio management: Demo by TwoSigma
4. Panel discussion “Will portfolio managers become extinct species?” with Clara Durodié, Kenny Lam and Michinori Kanokogi  
5. Networking (for onsite attendees)

 

Where

Online and Onsite（free event)

●Online: Zoom meeting

The zoom link will be informed to participants ahead of the event.

When

17:00-18:30 JST, Wed 5 Oct

 

 

Kenny Lam

 CEO, Two Sigma Asia-Pacific

Kenny is CEO of Two Sigma Asia-Pacific. Two Sigma is one of the world’s largest systematic investment firms with AUM of over USD 60 billion. Prior to joining Two Sigma, Kenny was Group President of Noah Holdings Limited (NYSE: Noah). Prior to Noah, he was Global Senior Partner of McKinsey & Company, as a co-leader of its Asia Financial Institutional Practice.
He is actively involved in the broader business community. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Executive board of the Wharton School in Asia and a board member of the President’s Global Advisory Board of the University of Waterloo in Canada.

 

Michinori Kanokogi, CFA

Head of Solution Research Nissay Asset Management

Mitch Kanokogi is leading the research and development of digital investment solutions for asset owners. Previously, he led the launch of AQR Capital Management’s Japan business as head of investment management. He also has experience in multi-manager investment at Russell Investments, equity portfolio management at UBS, and management consulting for financial institutions at PwC and Deloitte. He translated several books, including “Advances in Financial Machine Learning” and “Expected Returns”. He holds a B.Eng. from the University of Tokyo, an M.Eng. from Kyoto University, an MBA from INSEAD, and is a CFA Charterholder.

 

Naomi Takegoshi

Senior manager of JIAM

Relationship manager of FinCity.Tokyo

After her career at the UK Embassy in Tokyo in supporting UK companies develop their business in Japan,  Naomi has joined JIAM to transplant her experience to the internationalisation of Tokyo. She also works for FinCity,Tokyo as their Relationship Manager.  She recently translated Clara Durodié’s book “Decoding AI in financial services”  which is her first English to Japanese translation project.

 

 

PLEASE SIGN UP BY TUESDAY 4TH OCT

Alternatively, please apply by filling in “your name, company / department name, email address” to contact@jiam-consortium.org