• Graduated in Electronic Communications Engineering from Musashi Institute of Technology in 1977
• Became a professional race driver from 1981
• Began full-fledged journalism activities in 1988
• Member, Japan Automotive Journalists Association (AJAJ)
• Member, Japanese Association of Science & Technology Journalists (JASTJ)
• Author of several NHK Publishing books including “Automobile Safety Studies,” “What is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell?,” “The Philosophy of ITS,” and “Diesel Will Save the Earth”
• Ongoing: Member, MLIT Vehicle Safety Countermeasures Committee
• Ongoing: Member, MLIT ASV Study Committee
• Ongoing: Member, MLIT Automated Driving Public Road Trials Working Group
• Ongoing: Member, MLIT Automated Driving Subsidy Program Review Committee
• Ongoing: Member, MLIT SBIR Startup Support Program Review
• Ongoing: Member, METI Automated Driving Business Study Group
• Ongoing: Member, METI Road to L4 Automated Driving Promotion Committee
• Ongoing: Member, NEXCO East Road Advisory Committee

• Held roles including Head of Equity Research (Tokyo) at JPMorgan Securities and Head of Growth Equity Research at AllianceBernstein, after working at Yamaichi Securities and Merrill Lynch Securities
• Currently the lead analyst at Nakanishi Automotive Industry Research
• A leading automotive analyst who has held the #1 ranking in domestic and international analyst rankings for six consecutive years
• Author of numerous books, including “Toyota’s EV War” (Kodansha)

• Joined Nippondenso (now Denso) in 1986, working on electronic platform development and driving safety
• Appointed Managing Officer in charge of the Advanced Safety Business Unit in 2014; went on to lead advanced mobility systems development, advanced skills development, and the preparatory office for a new AD software company, before becoming President & CEO of J-QuAD DYNAMICS Corporation in 2019
• At Denso, served as an executive officer overseeing the AD & ADAS business; became a director of Woven Core (predecessor to Woven by Toyota) in January 2021
• In current position since October 2023

• After 20 years engineering experience in a J OEM:
  2020 Suzuki Motor Corporation
  2024 Executive General Manager, Automobile E/E Engineering
  2025 Managing Officer
  2026 JSAE Fellow Engineer certified (Human factors)

• In 2001, I began my career developing mobile phone software at
  an SIer. After navigating the turbulent early days of the mobile
  industry, I founded a software venture in 2008, establishing a
  mindset focused on creating value from scratch. Joined Nissan
  Motor in 2015, driving the adoption of MBD/AUTOSAR. From 2017,
  worked in the newly established Software Development
  Department on in-house development of ADAS software, in-house
  development of body control systems, and SDV platform design.
  Appointed Department Manager in 2025, he now serves as the
  overall leader for in-house software development. He contributes
  both organizationally and technologically to elevate traditional
  automotive manufacturing toward “intelligence.”

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.

• March 2019: Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law
• April 2019: Joined the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) — General Affairs Division, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
• July 2021: Metals Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau
• October 2024: Graduated from University of Cambridge (Master’s in Environmental Policy)
• October 2025: Graduated from City, University of London (Master’s in Sustainable Management)
• August 2025: Global Environmental Affairs Office, GX Group
• June 2026: Automobile Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau

Koichi Katsumata has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, with a particular focus on connected vehicle technologies, account management, and business development.

Prior to joining Aeris, he led business development and sales for connected vehicle solutions across the ASEAN region at a global automotive parts supplier. At Aeris, he is responsible for account management and new business development for connected vehicle platforms and services, working closely with automotive OEMs in Japan and other global markets.

Koichi holds an MBA from Lingnan College, Sun Yat-sen University in China.

As Head of Product for Automotive & Data, Vicki leads the product portfolio across parking, EV charging, in-car payments and data platforms. She drives roadmap strategy and commercial growth across Arrive’s global automotive business, connecting Arrive’s digital services directly into modern vehicles.
With over 20 years’ automotive experience, Vicki has held senior roles at Ford and Forseven, leading connected vehicle platforms and EV products. A Chartered Engineer with an MSc in Automotive Systems and two patents, she combines rare technical depth with a proven track record of delivering customer-led, commercial products.

Jeff Walker is the Chief Commercial Officer at SDVerse, a trailblazer in the automotive industry. With over 30 years of distinguished experience in automotive engineering and sales leadership, Jeff has a proven track record of fostering enduring business relationships at both Tier 1 and OEM clients and driving sustainable growth. 

Background
Throughout his career, Jeff has consistently delivered exceptional results by spearheading innovative business and sales strategies, forging high-impact partnerships, and navigating complex global markets. At Robert Bosch, he played a pivotal role in expanding business operations in propulsion, chassis, electrical, and safety systems. His efforts won Bosch multi-billion-dollar revenue growth across these various automotive technology sectors. In his most recent role as executive responsible for Stellantis’ business, his leadership in electrified propulsion, connectivity, and autonomous mobility was instrumental in positioning Bosch as a major player in the EV space, with production in Charleston SC. 

Jeff is recognized for his expertise in crafting go-to-market strategies with a variety of OEM’s and technologies. This gives him a unique perspective of both technology trends, and how the market is developing with various global industry leaders. His perspective goes back to the 1990’s to today. 

Current Role At SDVerse, a company founded by General Motors, Magna, and Wipro to enable the transparency and speed in sourcing of Software at all OEM’s and Tier suppliers, Jeff is tasked with defining and executing commercial strategies. His ability to engage with industry leaders such as Ford, GM, Stellantis, Toyota, and Honda and BMW have been pivotal in accelerating SDVerse’s business objectives and cultivating deep, collaborative partnerships. Jeff’s extensive expertise in negotiation, networking, portfolio oversight, and growth management plays a crucial role in advancing the transformative technology that SDVerse brings to the automotive market. SDVerse just announced new major global industry players joining SDVerse in reaction to the push for speed and transparency, such as Stellantis, LG Electroncis, American Axle and Manufacturing and Elektrobit. 

Community and Leadership
Recognized for his leadership in building high-performance teams, Jeff has cultivated a culture at SDVerse driven by innovation, a customer-first mindset, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His approach combines strategic foresight with operational discipline, enabling organizations to exceed ambitious growth targets. Jeff cares deeply about the US automotive industry and has been a strong advocate for its success. Beyond his professional achievements, Jeff is actively involved in community initiatives—previously serving on the cabinet for United Way of Southeast Michigan and contributing as a mentor to an All-Female First Robotics team in SE Michigan. He currently serves as the Chair of the SAE-GLC 2025 event held annually at The Greenbrier and was co-chair in 2024. 

• Engaged in consulting sales at Japan Research Institute, Ltd. and Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
• Subsequently handled alliance/partnership business at foreign software companies such as DocuSign Japan and OutSystems Japan
• Currently Partnership Manager at Liquid AI, driving strategic partnerships and business development in the Japanese market
• Completed graduate studies in Management Systems Science at the University of Tsukuba, Graduate School of Business Sciences

• Joined SBD Automotive in 2004, became CEO in 2021
• Has provided strategic advisory to more than 50 automakers and suppliers in areas including connected cars, data monetization, fleet management, and SDV, driving industry innovation and a consumer-centric approach
• Outside of work, is passionate about the latest technology, has perfected pancake-making, and treasures time with his wife and three daughters
• Based in Tokyo since August 2025