Overview of the International Symposium of the 25th Asia Pacific Forum, Awaji Conference Japan

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Program
  • Date:
    Friday, August 2 2024
    10:30～17:00
  • Location:
    Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center
    (1 Awaji-shi, Hyogo, Japan)
  • Theme:
    "What the Future Holds for Japan and Asia: A Society That Embraces AI, the Metaverse, and Hydrogen Technology"
  • Details:
    • ○Opening Address
      Minoru Makimura
      (Representative Director, Asia Pacific Forum, Awaji Conference Japan)
      •  
    • ○Introduction of the 23rd Asia Pacific Research Prize Winners
      •  
    • ○Commemorative Lectures
      ◆Commemorative Lecture
      "Challenges and Prospects for Digital Transformation (DX) Promotion in Japan”
      Speaker:Taro Kono (Member of the House of Representatives, Liberal Democratic Party, Minister for Digital Transformation, Minister in charge of Digital Administrative and Fiscal Reform, Minister in charge of Digital Garden City Nation Vision, Minister in charge of Administrative Reform, Minister in charge of Civil Service Reform, Minister of State for Regulatory Reform) *Online lecture
       
    • ○Keynote Proposals
      1.“Green New Deal That Achieves Compatibility between the Environment and the Economy”
      Speaker:Eiichi Harada (Senior Executive Fellow (Hydrogen Business Promotion), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.)
       
      2.“The Metaverse and Cutting-Edge Technology Leading the Way for Future Industries”
      Speaker:Yoshitaro Honjo (President, monoAI Technology Co., Ltd.)
       
      3.“AI and Governance: Global Perspectives on Digital Constitutionalism”
      Speaker:Fumiko Kudo (Special Associate Professor, Research Center on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues, Osaka University)
      •  
    • ○Parallel Sessions
      Group 1：“Strategies for Japanese Companies to Survive by Applying New Technologies”
      Moderator:Masaru Nakao (Presiding Partner, ARCO PATENT & TREDMARK ATTORNEYS)
       
      Group 2：“Creating Industries and Jobs Through the Use of AI and Other Technologies”
      Moderator:Ichiro Nagayoshi (Chairman, Kobe Digital Labo Inc.)
       
      Group 3：“Decision Making in the AI Era”
      Moderator:Kai Kajitani (Professor, Faculty of Economics, Kobe University)
      •  
    • ○Summary and Acknowledgements
      Shigeyuki Abe（Advisor, Hyogo Earthquake Memorial 21st Century Research Institute）

■Summary and Acknowledgements■

Shigeyuki Abe
Advisor, Hyogo Earthquake Memorial 21st Century Research Institute

　

For today's commemorative lecture, we welcomed Minister of Digital Transformation Taro Kono, who delivered a clear and very informative lecture on the theme of “Challenges and Prospects for Digital Transformation (DX) Promotion in Japan,” and referred to many examples.

For the keynote proposals and parallel sessions, I was particularly impressed with the remarks on AI. When I look at a world map showing that the information AI relies on comes not from the entire world, but from a limited number of countries and regions, I feel that we cannot help but recognize the necessity of being mindful of AI.

There is a thing that I deeply regret as the Chairman of the Planning and Research Committee. It would have been even better if we could have organized a round-table talk involving Mr. Harada, Mr. Honjo, and Dr. Kudo so that they could have engaged in a deeper discussion in a shorter amount of time. There were many points of conflict, so I think it would have been easier for us to become convinced if the three of them had engaged in discussion directly.

This year's Awaji Conference Japan saw more lively and meaningful discussions than ever and helped us learn a lot. Dr. Iokibe was particularly looking forward to this conference. I’m sure that he would have been very pleased and satisfied with the result.

Next year, we would like to make the event even more fulfilling. We look forward to seeing you all again next year. Thank you very much for joining us today.


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