<Bio>
Graduated in Electronic and Communication Engineering from Musashi Institute of Technology in 1977.
Became a professional race car driver in 1981.
Started a full-fledged career as a journalist in 1988.
Member of the Japan Automobile Journalists Association (AJAJ).
Member of the Japan Science and Technology Journalists Conference (JASTJ).
Published works include "Car Safety Science," "What is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell?" "The Philosophy of ITS," and "Diesel Will Save the Earth" by NHK Publishing.
Ongoing roles: - Member of the Vehicle Safety Measures Committee, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
- Member of the ASV Review Committee, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
- Member of the Public Road Driving Working Group for Automated Driving, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
- Member of the Subsidy Project Review Committee for Automated Driving, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
- Reviewer for the SBIR Startup Support Program, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
- Member of the Automated Driving Business Review Committee, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
- Member of the Road to L4 Automated Driving Promotion Committee, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
- Ongoing Member of the NEXCO East Road Consultation Committee

<Bio>
After serving at Yamaichi Securities and Merrill Lynch Japan, he held key positions including Head of Equity Research at J.P. Morgan Securities Tokyo and Head of Growth Equity Research at AllianceBernstein. He is currently Chief Analyst at Nakanishi Automotive Industry Research. Recognized as one of Japan’s leading automotive analysts, he maintained the No. 1 ranking in both domestic and international analyst rankings for six consecutive years. He is also the author of numerous publications, including Toyota’s EV War (Kodansha).

<Bio>
Mr. Izumi Kawanishi joined Sony in 1986. Since 1995, he has been involved in product development at Sony Computer Entertainment, working on products such as the PSP (PlayStation Portable) and PS3. In 2010, he took on the role of General Manager of the FeliCa Business Division in the Professional Solutions Business Group at Sony. In 2014, he was appointed as Senior Vice President (SVP) and Executive Officer. In 2015, he led the Product Business Group as Executive Vice President and Director of Sony Mobile Communications, overseeing overall product development. From 2017, he was responsible for AI robotics business, serving as the development lead for aibo and overseeing Sony's mobility initiative, VISION-S. In June 2021, he was appointed Senior Executive Officer of Sony Group, responsible for AI robotics business. In September 2022, he became the President and COO of Sony Honda Mobility Inc., aiming to evolve mobility into an interactive experience that redefines the relationship between people and mobility, thereby enhancing "inspiring experiences."

<Bio>
Born in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1958.
Graduated from the Faculty of Commerce at Waseda University in 1981.
Assigned to Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's Kyoto Manufacturing Plant.
In 1985, worked at Tokyo Chuo Mitsubishi Motors Sales Co., Ltd. Sugamo Sales Office.
In 1987, joined the North American Production Preparation Office at Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.
In 1989, completed a corporate study program at the University of Illinois.
In 1990, returned to Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's North American Division.
In 1996, stationed at Mitsubishi Mortar Manufacturing of America.
In 2000, worked on DC/MMC Alliance Promotion at Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.
In 2005, became President of Mitsubishi Auto Credit Leasing Co., Ltd.
In 2007, stationed at Mitsubishi Motors Australia.
In 2009, worked in the Middle East and Africa Division at Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.
In 2011, joined Volkswagen Group Japan, Network Management Department.
In 2016, became President of Volkswagen Japan Sales Co., Ltd.
In 2020, joined MSX International's BMW Retail Performance Team.
In 2021, became Head of the Passenger Car Division at BYD Japan Co., Ltd.
In 2022, appointed President and CEO of BYD Auto Japan Co., Ltd.
Has held the same position since then.

<Bio>
Mr. Koichi Katsumata has over 20 years of experience in automotive industry. Prior to joining Aeris, he had been leading business development and sales of connected vehicle segment in ASEAN region at automotive parts supplier, and sales of Connected Vehicle Cloud at Ericsson. Mr. Katsumata holds MBA from Lingnan College, Sun Yat-Sen University, China.

<Bio>
Junji Yamashita began his career at NTT in 1999, where he was engaged in enterprise system engineering at NTT East and NTT Communications. He later joined NTT America, Inc., taking on product planning for IT services targeting the U.S. market, and contributing to business development from a global perspective.

In 2019, he joined HERE Technologies, where he led the launch of the product portfolio for the Japanese market. Currently, he also oversees business development in the automotive sector. Through the advancement of location technologies, he aims to contribute to addressing societal challenges facing Japan.

<Bio>
He graduated from Arizona State University and the Tokyo Institute of Technology Graduate School. He has experience in technical marketing and business development, promoting new technologies at NVIDIA Corporation and HERE Technologies, before joining AWS in 2022 as an automotive specialist. He currently works in AWS's Global Automotive Business Unit, proposing solutions with partners.

<Bio>
B.Eng. in Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University
M.Eng. in Information Systems, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University
M.Sc. in Systems Management, Graduate School of Business Sciences, University of Tsukuba
Ph.D. in Systems Management

<Bio>
1985 – 1995
Freelance Developer
Employed by several startups and small enterprises in the Munich area. Development of computer and interface circuits, as well as embedded real time applications. Trainer for microprocessors, technical consultant.

1995 – 2001
Assistant Manager Product Engineering, BMW Japan
Development for Japan local electronic systems including navigation, vehicle telephone, traffic information, toll collection and telematics.

2001 - 2005
Manager, Product Engineering, BMW Japan
Requirements management and local development Japan specific subsystems for the whole vehicle.

2005 - 2007
Manager, Technology Office and Product Engineering, BMW Japan
Japan technology landscape monitoring, research project management, technology scouting.

2007 – 2012
General Manager E/E-Systems Engineering and Architecture, BMW AG Munich
In charge of whole vehicle E/E architecture processes, development and research for all vehicles of the BMW Group.
Including strategic planning, functional safety, communication technologies and semiconductors.

2012 - today
Director Development Japan, BMW Japan
In charge of type approval, vehicle testing and validation, product development and technology office.

<Bio>
Andrew Hart joined SBD Automotive in 2004 and became CEO in 2021. He has advised over 50 global automotive OEMs and suppliers on Connected cars, Data monetization, Fleet management, SDV and other, promoting innovation and a consumer-centric approach. Outside of work, he enjoys tech gadgets, perfecting pancakes, and spending time with his wife and three daughters. Since August 2025, he has been based in Tokyo.

<Bio>
Joined Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in 1986. Spent approximately 30 years responsible for vehicle design, product planning, environmental strategy, and program management. Joined Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in 2016. After handling internal controls and product strategy, assumed the current position in 2020.
Oversees areas extending beyond the traditional automotive industry, such as businesses utilizing vehicle data through technological approaches like connectivity, AI, and software-driven solutions (including SDV), and energy management businesses leveraging EV power.

<略歴>
Led map development for car navigation systems at a major audio manufacturer. Established Canvas Mapple, Inc. and created the Japanese portable navigation market as a representative director, as well as a new car navigation market for light vehicles. In 2017, moved to Trillium in Silicon Valley and led the business development of automotive cyber security software in Japan. Currently working on market development as the representative of Compredict in Japan.