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Innovation in Japan is often fragmented and partial, derisively referred to as “innovation theatre”. There are even calls of “innovation fatigue”. On the other hand, globally, the year 2024 marks the beginning of a new era in innovation management, with the publication of the entire ISO 56000 series on Innovation Management.

There have been few opportunities in Japan for executives from industry, government, and academia to openly discuss innovation. Therefore, we held the Innovation Roundtable of Corporate Executive on August 6 at Kanda Myoujin in Tokyo. The objective of the Roundtable was to discuss how to systematize innovation from a management perspective, to transform innovation and management in Japan.

The roundtable was attended by thirty-nine innovation leaders, including business executives, executive leaders and officers of universities, research institutes and ministries (see the list on p.2-4). The topics discussed in the Roundtable were: ‘The role of management for innovation’, ‘Innovation in the system’ and ‘Ecosystems for innovation and the role of universities’.

As a result of the discussion, it was agreed that high-level strategic cooperation between industry, government and academia is needed now more than ever for the future of innovation in Japan, and that this should be strongly urged to leaders in all sectors. As a first step towards putting this into practice, the Roundtable participants agreed to launch an industry-academia-government innovation ecosystem hub (IM Lab). Also, the establishment of the Systematic Innovation Management Award (SIMA) was also announced. The Roundtable plans to continue its discussions over the next three to five years and contribute to the transformation of innovation in Japan.

Innovation Roundtable of Corporate Executives Committee
Representatives: Ando Kunitake, Director of Japan Innovation Network
Yasuo Nishiguchi, Executive Managing Director of Japan Innovation Network
Executive Secretary: Noboru Konno, President of Japan Innovation Network
Supporters: Hitoshi Funahashi, Group CEO of ICMG Co., Ltd.
Hideo Matsue, Chief Executive of Deloitte Tohmatsu Group LLC

[ Summary of discussions at the Roundtable ]

Topic 1: The role of management for innovation
To accelerate innovation and transform the management system in Japan, companies should engage in essential radical innovation from within the organization, including the development of human resources capable of leadership, innovation, and management. To this end, it is essential to have corporate executive leadership that can view the industry as a whole.
[Roundtable‘s action] We will continue our discussions at the Roundtable, sharing our knowledge and making recommendations to Japanese executives.

Topic 2: Innovating in the systems
Japan has so far practiced a strong management system based on quality. From now on, however, it is necessary to create greater value by shifting to an innovation-based management system.
[Roundtable‘s action] Advocate for the need for systematic innovation and innovation management systems (IMS) to industry, ministries, and academia.

Topic 3: Ecosystems for innovation and the role of universities.
In Japan, there has not strong enough collaboration between industry and academia. To transform innovation, measures to create the next generation of collaboration are needed.
[Roundtable‘s action] Launch an industry-academia-government innovation ecosystem hub (IM Lab). Foster doctoral human resources with an innovation mindset.

[ Roundtable participants ]

Kenji Asakura, Chairman, Nagase & Co., Ltd.
Kunitake Ando, Director, Japan Innovation Network / Chairman, The University of Nagano
Hitoshi Funahashi, Director, Japan Innovation Network / Chairman & Group CEO, ICMG Co., Ltd.
Hidenori Furuta, Non-Executive Chairman, Member of the Board, Fujitsu Limited
Tadao Hanagata, President, KOA Corporation
Tomoko Ikuta, Director, Policy Division, Research Promotion Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Wataru Imamura, Deputy Director-General, Innovation and Environment Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Katsumi Ise, Executive Vice President, Director General of Innovation Strategy Headquarters, CTO, CDO, CIO, East Japan Railway Company
Akio Isowa, Senior Managing Executive Officer, Group CDIO, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. / Senior Managing Executive Officer, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Mutsuo Iwai, Senior Vice Chairperson (Representative Director), Keizai Doyukai / Chairperson of the Board, Japan Tabacco Inc.
Tadao Kamei, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Nikken Sekkei Ltd.
Hiroshi Kanno, Professor, Graduate School of Business and Finance, Waseda University
Noboru Konno, President, Japan Innovation Network / Professor, Tama University Graduate School / Managing Director, EcosyX Lab
Takahiro Mori, Representative Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
Yukari Nagai, Trustee (Vice President), Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Bunroku Naganuma, Executive Vice President, Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.
Kozue Nakayama, Independent Director, TDK Corporation
Yasuo Nishiguchi, Executive Managing Director, Japan Innovation Network / Chairman, Yamada Consulting Group Co., Ltd.
Motoo Nishihara, Corporate Executive Vice President and CTO (Executive Officer), President of Global Innovation Business Unit, NEC Corporation
Hirofumi Nomoto, Chairman of the Board & Representative Director, Tokyu Corporation
Toshihiko Omote, Executive Advisor to the CEO / New Business Incubation Center, Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Toshi Osada, Director and Group Senior Managing Executive Officer, Innovation, Terumo Corporation
Yoichi Oshima, Vice President for Government and Industry Relations, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Takuya Saito, Vice President, Research Organization of Information and Systems
Shuichi Sakamoto, Assistant Minister for Cybersecurity, IT Management and Evidence-based Policymaking, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Taro Sengoku, Director, Japan Innovation Network / CEO, Rewired Co., Ltd.
Yoshihiko Shimizu, Chief Priest, Kanda Myoujin
Mitsuo Tsuboki, General Manager, IMS Promotion Center KPS-3 Initiative, KOA Corporation
Motohiro Suzuki, Executive Officer, Advanced Technology Research Laboratories, Idemitsu Kosan Co, Ltd.
Masanobu Todome, CEO | Partner, SUNDRED Corporation
Seigo Tomatsu, President, OPEN HUB for Smart World / Vice President, Marketing & Co-Creation, NTT Communications Corporation
Ryosuke Toura, Managing Executive Officer, Tokyu Corporation
Shoei Yamana, Outside Bord member, TDK Corporation

[Observers]
Toshihiro Matsuda, Head of Invest Promotion, Swiss Business Hub Japan
Hideo Matsue, Chief Executive Thought Leader, Deloitte Tohmatsu Group LLC
Andrew Staples, Editorial Director, Impact Initiatives & Alliances and Head of Policy & Insights (Asia), The Economist Group
Masanori Takegawa, The Member of Editorial Board, The Mainichi Newspapers
Satoru Tamura, Advisor, Asahi Kasei Corporation / Advisor, Japan Innovation Network
Masaki Urushihara, Managing Director, BSI Group Japan

For inquiries please contact:

Secretary of the Innovation Roundtable of Corporate Executives Committee
Japan Innovation Network: ims5@ji-network.org