[National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference 2024, April 12] Keynote Session: “The SME Support Agency Supports Companies That Take on Challenges!”

Lifeness Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director and Group CEO: Yukihiro Maru) will host the National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference 2024 on Friday, April 12, 2024. As part of the keynote session, Mr. Yoshiaki Ishii, Executive Director of the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation (SME Support, Japan), will deliver a presentation titled “SME Support, Japan Supports Companies That Take on Challenges!”

At a time when economic value is rapidly shifting from physical goods to knowledge, what perspectives and approaches should mid-sized and small businesses adopt to drive change?

Research and development-focused startups are also beginning to attract attention in Japan. We are pleased to welcome Mr. Ishii, who plays a central role in Japan’s startup support system—including initiatives such as “Start Next Innovator,” “J-Startup,” and the Japan Venture Awards, as well as regulatory reform tools like regulatory sandboxes and the “gray zone resolution system”—to discuss how startups will change the world, along with the expectations and challenges involved. He will also discuss the important role that mid-sized and small-to-medium-sized enterprises play in achieving growth alongside startups.

speaker

Mr. Yoshiaki Ishii, Senior Advisor, Organization for Small & Medium Enterprise Development (SME Support, Japan)

Worked on startup and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) policies at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Led the creation of various policy programs, including the Japan Startup Awards, J-Startup, Shidō Next Innovator, the SBIR program overhaul, the Startup Ecosystem Hub Cities initiative, and legislation governing LLCs and LLPs. Also participated in the formulation of the Five-Year Plan for Startup Development. Since July 2023, he has been strengthening startup support in his current position. He holds a Ph.D. in Commerce from the Graduate School of Commerce at Waseda University.

Tickets are now on sale

If you are interested in the realization of the knowledge-based manufacturing industry, please be sure to attend.

Overview

Date and Time: Friday, April 12, 2024
Venue: Ota City Industrial Plaza PiO, Main Exhibition Hall
(1-20-20 Minami-Kamata, Ota Ward, Tokyo)