The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
NIKKEI Blue Ocean Forum
NIKKEI, NIKKEIBP
The world's oceans are in a critical state. Coastal areas are littered with marine plastic waste, and fish stocks are declining due to global warming. Meanwhile, efforts to protect the oceans are increasing across Japan. At this forum, experts and corporate representatives will discuss the future of the oceans. Let's work together to preserve our blue oceans for future generations.
Discussion
- Marine pollution
- Biodiversity
- Climate change
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
Reservations are required for this programme.
Booking typically opens with the '2-month advance lottery.' Click below for details.
* Arrive early; latecomers may not be admitted.
For more information about making a reservation to watch a programme.
This programme is scheduled to be live streamed at the Virtual Expo. We will inform you once it is confirmed.
-
Agenda2025
Participation Programme
- * 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.
- Time and
Date of
the event -
-
2025.09.26[Fri]
14:00 ～ 16:00
(Venue Open 13:30)
-
- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
画像提供：日経ナショナル ジオグラフィック
Programme details
The world's oceans are in a critical state. Coastal areas are seeing large amounts of marine plastic waste washing ashore, crossing national borders. Global warming is making fish harder to catch, and seaweed and algae are disappearing, leading to the degradation of rocky shores. Meanwhile, activities to protect the oceans are increasing throughout Japan.
The Nikkei Group launched the “NIKKEI Blue Ocean Forum” aiming for ocean conservation and the proper utilization of marine resources. An expert committee comprising marine specialists and corporate representatives has deliberated over two years. We have now compiled these discussions into recommendations and released them domestically and internationally.
Part 2 of this event focuses on the themes “Climate Change” and “Finance & Regional Revitalization.” We will carefully introduce the state of the world's oceans, Japan's role, the process and spirit behind our recommendations, and the latest trends in marine conservation activities. Let's think together about how to pass on blue oceans to our children.
【Program】
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM Session 3 Theme: Climate Change
Mr. Keita Akazawa (General Manager, Sustainability Strategy Promotion Department, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.)
Mr. Yoshikazu Takayanagi (Executive Officer/Managing Director, Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting LLC)
Mr. Nobuyuki Miyaji (Executive Officer, Head of Sustainability Promotion Office, Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd.)
<Moderator>
Ms. Kaori Fujita (Senior Editor, Nikkei ESG / Professor, Green Future Creation Organization & Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University)
14:50–15:40 Session 4 Theme: Finance and Regional Revitalization
Ms. Satoko Seino (Associate Professor, Department of Environmental and Social Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University)
Mr. Yoshikazu Takayanagi (Executive Officer/Managing Director, Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting LLC)
Ms. Mana Nakasora (Vice President, Global Markets Division, BNP Paribas Securities)
<Moderator>
Mr. Atsushi Sunami (Chairman, Sasakawa Peace Foundation)
15:40–16:00 Closing Lecture and Discussion
Mr. Masanori Kobayashi (Senior Research Fellow, Sasakawa Peace Foundation)
Cast
Moderator
Kaori Fujita
Nikkei ESG Senior Editor / Professor, Green Future Creation Organization and Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University
Born in Uozu City, Toyama Prefecture. Graduated from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo. Joined Nikkei BP, serving as a reporter for Nikkei Electronics, deputy editor-in-chief of National Geographic Japan (covering nature and culture), editorial board member of the environmental management magazine Nikkei Ecology, and producer of the Nikkei ESG Management Forum. Currently serves concurrently as Senior Editor of Nikkei ESG and Professor at Tohoku University.
View Profile
Close
close
Atsushi Sunami
Sasakawa Peace Foundation Chairman
Chairman of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation; President of Showa University of Music; Special Advisor to the President and Visiting Professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies; Visiting Professor at the Waseda University Nano-Life Innovation Research Institute. Specializes in science, technology, and innovation policy. After serving as an Advisor to the Cabinet Office, he has held positions including Chairman of the Cabinet Office Okinawa Development Council, Vice-Chairman of the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Member of the Cabinet Secretariat's Expert Panel on Economic Security Legislation.
View Profile
Close
close
Speakers
Keita Akazawa
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. General Manager, Sustainability Strategy Promotion Department
Graduated from Kobe University's Faculty of Business Administration in 2003 and joined Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. After working in the container shipping business and fuel procurement, moved to the Secretary and General Affairs Department before joining the current Sustainability Strategy Promotion Department in 2021. Involved in planning and promoting sustainability strategy since the department's inception. Assumed current position in April 2025.
View Profile
Close
close
Yoshikazu Takayanagi
Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting LLC Executive Officer / Managing Director
After gaining experience in corporate finance at a government-affiliated financial institution and in formulating industrial finance policy at a central government ministry (on secondment), he assumed his current position. He promotes regional industrial transformation through public-private partnerships and addresses regional challenges by advancing initiatives (promoting regional CSV) for central government ministries, local governments, and private companies.
View Profile
Close
close
Nobuyuki Miyaji
Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. Executive Officer, Head of Sustainability Promotion Office
Joined CSK (now SCSK) in 1991. Joined Seven-Eleven Japan in 1994, then transferred to IY Bank (now Seven Bank) before transferring to Seven & i Holdings in 2006. Handled corporate communications for convenience stores, a new entrant bank, and the holding company for 17 years. Served in the CSR Management Department, the Secretary's Office, and the Governance Management Department before assuming the current position.
View Profile
Close
close
Satoko Seino
Kyushu University Graduate School of Engineering Department of Environmental and Social Engineering Associate Professor
Specialties include ecological engineering, coastal environment conservation and restoration, participatory management of natural areas, environmental planning and legal systems, and youth development. Has participated in numerous national and local government coastal conservation and coastal environment policy and planning initiatives. Graduated from the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo; completed the Graduate School of Agricultural and Resource Sciences, University of Tokyo, specializing in Fisheries Science. Served as Research Assistant and Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, before assuming current position in 2010. Doctor of Engineering.
View Profile
Close
close
Mana Nakazora
BNP Paribas Securities Vice Chairman, Global Markets Division
Graduated from Keio University's Faculty of Economics. Completed a master's program at Hitotsubashi University Graduate School. Joined Nomura Research Institute. Transferred to Nomura Asset Management in 1997, serving as a credit analyst covering the financial sector and sovereigns. Engaged in credit analysis thereafter. Joined Morgan Stanley Securities in 2000, covering the corporate sector. Joined J.P. Morgan Securities in 2004 as Head of Credit Research, covering all sectors. Joined BNP Paribas Securities as Head of Credit Research in 2008. From 2011, served as Head of Market Research and Chief Credit Analyst; concurrently served as Chief ESG Analyst from July 2018. Assumed current position in February 2020.
View Profile
Close
close
Tsuyoshi Kajimura
Managing Executive Officer (Head of Kansai Branch)
April 1994 Joined Development Bank of Japan (now Development Bank of Japan Inc.)
May 2010 Manager, Corporate Investment Group
March 2012 Manager, Corporate Planning Department
March 2014 Manager, Corporate Investment Department
June 2018: DBJ Investment Advisory Co., Ltd. (on secondment)
June 2020: General Manager, Corporate Investment Department
June 2021: Secretary
April 2022: General Manager, Credit Department
June 2023: Executive Officer, General Manager, Credit Department
June 2025: Managing Executive Officer (Kansai Branch Manager) (Current Position)
View Profile
Close
close
Masanori Kobayshi
Sasakawa Peace Foundation Senior Research Fellow
Conduct research and policy dialogue on sustainable blue economies, including marine and sustainability policies, fisheries, and aquaculture. Researcher, Sasakawa Pan-Asia Fund; Researcher, Sasakawa Pacific Islands Fund; Researcher, Ocean Policy Research Foundation; Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Yokohama National University; Senior Researcher, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies; Programme Officer/Sustainable Development Specialist, United Nations (Bonn, Germany; Geneva, Switzerland; New York); Special Researcher at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mission to the United Nations in New York, among other positions, engaging in international duties related to the environment and sustainable development.
View Profile
Close
close
More Information
The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
NIKKEI Blue Ocean Forum
The world's oceans are in a critical state. Coastal areas are littered with marine plastic waste, and fish stocks are declining due to global warming. Meanwhile, efforts to protect the oceans are increasing across Japan. At this forum, experts and corporate representatives will discuss the future of the oceans. Let's work together to preserve our blue oceans for future generations.
-
2025.09.26[Fri]
14:00～16:00
(Venue Open 13:30)
- 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.
画像提供：日経ナショナル ジオグラフィック
Reservations are required for this programme.
Booking typically opens with the '2-month advance lottery.' Click below for details.
* Arrive early; latecomers may not be admitted.
For more information about making a reservation to watch a programme.
This programme is scheduled to be live streamed at the Virtual Expo. We will inform you once it is confirmed.
OTHER PROGRAM
The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
