Sasin Professor Takamasa Fujioka Moderates Panel at the NEXUS Japan-GS Forum

On October 19, 2026, Professor Takamasa Fujioka, Advisor to the Sasin Japan Center, moderated a panel discussion at the NEXUS Japan-GS Forum, hosted by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) at Nikkei Hall in Tokyo. Held for the first time, the forum brought together representatives from industry, government, and academia to share insights, achievements, and challenges in advancing economic co-creation between Japan and countries of the Global South. The event was co-organized by the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI), with support from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The forum attracted approximately 600 participants, including ambassadors from more than 10 countries and representatives of businesses, government agencies, universities, research institutes, and international organizations. Opening remarks were delivered by Kei Takagi, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Tatsuo Yasunaga, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Chair of Keidanren’s Committee on the Global South. Other speakers included Masayoshi Arai, Vice-Minister for International Affairs at METI; Toshimi Nishizaki, Deputy Director-General of the International Cooperation Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Norihiko Ishiguro, Chairman and CEO of JETRO; and Makoto Uchida, Senior Managing Director of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). Discussions covered business development tailored to local needs, human resource development, startup-driven innovation, and collaboration among research institutions to inform policymaking. Professor Fujioka moderated a panel discussion titled “Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity: Risk Management and Scaling Strategies in the Global South.” The panel featured Atsuo Kuroda, Chairman and CEO of NEXI; Tatsuya Hirata, Chief Operating Officer of the Africa Division at Toyota Tsusho Corporation; Masaharu Morita, Director of Fujifilm DKH LLP; and Pamla Gopaul, Head of the Africa Policy Bridge Tank at the African Union Development Agency–NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD). The discussion explored the uncertainties and risks of doing business in the Global South, with a focus on moving demonstration projects toward commercialization and scaling their impact. Drawing on perspectives from policy, finance, and business, panelists discussed practical approaches to managing risk, fostering sustainable business growth, and advancing co-creation with local partners.