Peace, Human Security and Dignity Week
Business Idea Contest aiming to solve issues of forced displaced persons
Japan International Cooperation Agency
The number of refugees and forced displaced persons worldwide has reached 120 million, the largest number to date, with a majority forced to live in neighboring developing countries in situations of uncertainty and poverty. While the burden of host countries continues to rise, humanitarian assistance alone is no longer enough. At this juncture, it is time to tackle the challenges faced by forcibly displaced persons and host communities through exploring innovative and sustainable solutions which harness the potential of the private sector and business world. In this event, we are seeking innovative ideas to address various issues concerning refugees and forced displaced persons through a business idea contest, which will then be shared with the world.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Human security
- Diversity and inclusion
- Refugees and Forced Displaced People
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Agenda2025
Participation Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.08.03[Sun]
14:15 ～ 16:30
(Venue Open 14:00)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
Program (135minutes)
1. Opening
2. Introduction to the business contest
3. Final presentations of business ideas by the seven successful candidates in the preliminary screening (in no particular order)
● Learn Digitally, Earn with Your Smartphone: A Ultra-low Cost. Deployable Digital Platform Bridging te Digital Divide for Refugees in Africa
● Supporting Community Development and Expansion of Export and Cash Crop Production (e.g. Cotton) in Zambia through farmers 360°Link
● Connecting the World through Infrastructure x Skills x Employment: A Refugee-Led Next-Generation Digital Economy Empowered by Work and Connection
● Lighting up Africa with African-Made EDLC
● Meqelle Solar Oasis Project: The World’s Largest Social-Impact Solar Sharing Initiative
● DignityHub: An Employment Creation Platform for Refugees
● Transforming the World with Moringa: Solving Uganda and Global Challenges Through molyphenol®️ Innovation.
4. Screening of video from the Uganda competition
5. Announcement of results and closing remarks
Reports
【Reflection】
At this event, seven organisations and companies that passed the preliminary screening gave final presentations on their business ideas for solving issues faced by refugees and refugee-hosting areas in Uganda, Ethiopia, or Zambia in Africa. All seven groups had refined their business ideas and made thorough preparations for this day, resulting in presentations that were both innovative and passionate. Following a rigorous review process, the following four groups were selected as winners.
• Cor-an Holdings
Business Overview: Improving nutrition and creating employment opportunities in refugee-hosting communities through moringa cultivation (Uganda)
• Dots for Co., Ltd.
Business Overview: Providing decentralised communication and digital services in refugee-hosting regions (Uganda)
• Light Up Africa
Business Overview: Developing batteries using agricultural waste with refugee participation (Uganda)
• TERRA Co., Ltd.
Business Overview: Solar sharing in internally displaced persons (IDP) affected regions (Ethiopia)
During the event, a video was shown introducing the business idea contest held in Uganda in July targeting refugees and host community entrepreneurs Additionally, a talk session on refugee issues and peace was conducted by two moderators. This provided an opportunity to learn about the challenges faced by African refugees and host communities, which are less familiar in Japan, and to consider and discover ways to address refugee-related issues through business initiatives.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
At this event, through both in-person attendance and video streaming, many participants witnessed the initiatives of refugees and host community entrepreneurs, alongside the endeavours of Japanese entrepreneurs, all aimed at addressing challenges in African regions affected by refugees influx. The four Japanese teams selected at this competition, along with the two teams from the Uganda competition featured in the video, will receive individualised support from JICA and business consultants to realise their business ideas. Furthermore, the four winning teams from the Japan competition will visit the countries where they proposed their businesses to identify local partners and further enhance the likelihood of business realisation.
We intend to continue advocating the necessity for whole of society approach including private sector, to tackle the challenges faced by refugees and refugee-hosting regions worldwide. We also wish to support companies working to resolve these issues.
Cast
Moderator
武村貴世子
Kiyoko Takemura
Host, narrator, writer, and radio personality. Actively involved in refugee support through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), she has served as a cooperation committee member, public relations committee member, and UN refugee supporter for the Japan Association for UNHCR.
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吉本興業株式会社
Tomonori Jinnai
Yoshimoto Kogyo Holdings Co., Ltd.
Comedian, presenter, and YouTuber. He has won numerous awards, including the 2005 Shine! Comedy Grand Prix and the 2009 S-1 Battle Monthly Champion. He has served as a judge at competitions such as the R-1 Grand Prix, and was the general presenter for the 70th Anniversary of International Cooperation Event, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and JICA.
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Speakers
Jintae Kim
Welcome Japan
As representative of Welcome Japan, I champion diverse refugee inclusion and accelerate engagement with new stakeholders, including industry. At Robo Co-op, he supports refugees in achieving economic independence through online communities, enabling them to thrive globally as digital professionals. At his previous role at Deloitte, he drove collaborative solutions to societal challenges through open innovation, receiving the highest accolades for five consecutive years.
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Fumiko Kashiwa
Representative, UNHCR Representation in Japan
Having developed an interest in supporting refugees and internally displaced persons after volunteering at a refugee camp, she joined UNHCR in 2001 following postgraduate studies. She spent many years working in the field in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Iraq, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan and elsewhere, before assuming the role of UNHCR Representative in Japan in August 2025.
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Riki Yamauchi
Director, Novastar Venture Ltd.
As Director at Novastar Ventures, he has consistently engaged in fund management operations, encompassing existing portfolio management, new investments, and relations with LP investors. Prior to Novastar Ventures, he worked at Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan Securities as an equity analyst and institutional investor sales representative.
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Kumiko Uchida
Deputy Director, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Africa Department
After working at OECF and JBIC, joined JICA in October 2008. Primarily engaged in Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan operations in India, the Philippines, the European region, Iraq, and elsewhere, before working on African operations for approximately three and a half years from October 2017. Left temporarily but returned to the current position in December 2022.
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Ryosuke Nishijima
Light Up Africa
In collaboration with the Ogawa Laboratory at Suwa Tokyo University of Science, we are undertaking research and development into EDLCs (capacitors) produced locally by carbonising agricultural residues, aiming to address Africa's lack of electricity. Whilst Africa is projected to experience economic growth driven by rapid population increase, rural areas and refugee zones lag behind in essential infrastructure such as water and electricity. Developing social infrastructure across the entire continent is therefore indispensable for economic growth.
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Tomoka Dusabe
Dots for Inc. Africa Division
Graduated from Kobe University Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (Master of Economics)
After working at a development consultind firm, she has resided in Burundi since 2016. Alongside raising children, engages in diverse activities including consultancy work, craft design, production and sales, piano teaching, and supporting single-mother households towards self-reliance. Joined Dots for in April 2025. Works remotely from Burundi, handling new business development and accounting duties.
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Mitsuhiro Higashi
Founder & CEO, TERRA Co., Ltd.
Born in Tokyo in 1965. After working in the distribution of organic produce and other agricultural goods, he founded a community-regeneration solar sharing business in Sōsa City, Chiba Prefecture in 2011. His group operates approximately 7MW of power generation facilities and cultivates around 23 hectares of farmland. In 2021, he established TERRA Co., Ltd., undertaking EPC projects, lectures, and component development for next-generation perovskite solar cells. Completed postgraduate studies at Fukushima University's Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences in March 2025.
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Mamiko Inahata
Founder & CEO, Cor-an Holdings Inc.
Graduated from California State University's School of Communication. Commenced business operations in 2010 alongside the miracle tree Moringa. Established Cor-an Holdings Co., Ltd. in 2019 to explore the well-being of people, society and the planet. From 2023, commenced full-scale expansion of environmental agritech business operations into ASEAN and Africa, based in Singapore. Advancing an 8-billion-person inclusive market project that addresses social challenges through business.
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Masato Takeda
Co-founder, KAZI Connect
Currently pursuing an MBA/MPH at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. Gained clinical experience as an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Keio University Hospital and served as a product manager for a women's health platform, possessing extensive knowledge and practical experience in women's health and empowerment. Engaged in creating value within the healthcare and business sectors across Japan, the United States, and globally.
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Yuta Kawano
CEO, Lim-Kawano $ Company Inc.
Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Department of Law, Chuo University. Worked as a systems engineer at an IT vendor before being dispatched to Cameroon, Africa, as a JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteer. Upon returning to Japan, served as Africa Coordinator for the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Became self-employed driven by the desire to ‘increase employment in Africa’. Engages in ventures such as IT development projects in collaboration with African engineers and a concierge service specialising in travel to Africa.
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Tomoko Tokushige
FL 360(PTY)LTD Marketing & Sales specialist
Graduated from Ritsumeikan University, Faculty of Policy Science. After working at the headquarters of a retail franchise, was dispatched to Malawi with the JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in 2018. Upon returning to Japan, worked at the JICA Kansai Centre and JICA Zambia Office, supporting the overseas expansion of Japanese companies and local industrial development. Responsible for marketing and sales of farmers 360°link in Japan from April 2025.
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Co-organiser
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representation in Japan
Welcome Japan
Peace, Human Security and Dignity Week
Business Idea Contest aiming to solve issues of forced displaced persons
The number of refugees and forced displaced persons worldwide has reached 120 million, the largest number to date, with a majority forced to live in neighboring developing countries in situations of uncertainty and poverty. While the burden of host countries continues to rise, humanitarian assistance alone is no longer enough. At this juncture, it is time to tackle the challenges faced by forcibly displaced persons and host communities through exploring innovative and sustainable solutions which harness the potential of the private sector and business world. In this event, we are seeking innovative ideas to address various issues concerning refugees and forced displaced persons through a business idea contest, which will then be shared with the world.
-
2025.08.03[Sun]
14:15～16:30
(Venue Open 14:00)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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Peace, Human Security and Dignity Week
