SPEAKER

Nikkei BP

Managing Director

Naoki Asami

1985: Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Engineering 1987: Master's degree from the University of Tokyo. His research theme at the graduate school was ""Application of Artificial Intelligence in Machine Design"".
The same year, he joined Nikkei BP and was assigned to the Nikkei Electronics editorial department. He covered the electronics and IT industries.
1994: Silicon Valley Bureau Chief
1998: Deputy Chief Editor of Nikkei Electronics
2001: Editor-in-chief, Nikkei Electronics
2005: ITpro Publisher
2008: Director of the Electronics & Mechanical Department
2011: Publisher, Nikkei Business
2013: Director
2019: Managing Director

Speakers’ Program

Opening Remarks

Seafood Legacy Co., Ltd.

Founder/CEO

Wakao Hanaoka

After working in marine conservation, Wakao founded Seafood Legacy in Tokyo in 2015 to build Japan-centric solutions for seafood sustainability by addressing the importance of domestic business-led initiatives to create a driving force for regulatory reforms. He is a committee member of the Fishery Agency, Wide Sea-area Fisheries Adjustment Commission (2018~), a founding member of Anti IUU Forum Japan (2017~), and a member of Friends of Ocean Action, World Economic Forum (2021~).

He played an expert advisor of the the Cabinet Office Council for Promotion of Regulatory Reform, Fisheries Working Group and Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries Working Group (2017-2021), a committee member of Fishery Agency Catch Documentation Working Group and Domestic Trade of Specific Marine Animals and Plants Act Working Group (2018-2021), a committee member of Digital Agency Day of Digital Working Group (2021), and a steering board member of Global Sustainable Seafood Initiatives (2017- 2021). He was the recipient of 2019 SeaWeb Seafood Champion Award Leadership Category.

Speakers’ Program

Opening Remarks

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Policy for Combating IUU Fishery- Accelerating International Effort and Contribution by Japan (2-5)

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Decarbonization Initiatives in the Marine Industry (2-6)

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Solutions for New Agenda by Certification Scheme Owners(2-8)

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】How the Global Markets Have Been Transformed?(2-9)

Speakers’ Program

【Keynote speech】Designing Seafood Sustainability in Japan, together (3-3)

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Summary Session (3-8)

Speakers’ Program

Closing Remarks

Hilton

Area Vice President　Head of Japan, Korea and Micronesia

Timothy Soper

Timothy Soper is Area Vice President, Head of Japan, Korea and Micronesia for Hilton. He is responsible for all of the company’s operational interests in these three key markets. He is a 35-year veteran of the company with extensive hospitality experience, particularly within Asia Pacific where he has lived and worked since 1992. His resume includes formative roles for the company in the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and China.

Speakers’ Program

Opening Remarks

UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean

Ambassador Peter Thomson

Ambassador Peter Thomson has served as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean since 2017, in which role he is driving the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 14, to conserve and sustainably use the resources of the Ocean. He was elected to the serve as President of the General Assembly of the United Nations for its 2016-17 term. He was Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2010 to 2016, during which time he was President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS). He led the Fiji team of diplomats that in 2013 chaired the Group of 77 and China – the UN’s largest negotiating group, comprised of 133 developing countries. He was elected as President of the International Seabed Authority’s Assembly in 2011 and as President of its Council in 2015. Ambassador Peter Thomson is a founding Co-Chair of the Friends of Ocean Action and is a supporting member of the High-Level Panel for Sustainable Ocean Economy.

Speakers’ Program

【Keynote speech】How Should We Transform? The Path Shown in the UN Ocean Conference(1-2)

ZERI Japan, President
Saraya Co., Ltd., President

Yusuke Saraya

Yusuke Saraya was born in 1951. He graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Osaka University in 1974. In addition, he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1975 with a Master's degree in sanitary engineering. Saraya joined Saraya Co., Ltd. in 1976. He was appointed President and Representative Director in 1998. He has served as president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Japan and chairman of the Global Citizen Foundation. He is President of ZERI Japan, a permanent member of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Borneo Conservation Trust. Saraya's motto is "The Age of Global Citizenship, where we can share global values such as the environment and biodiversity beyond all discrimination and prejudice.” His major publications include Declaration of Global Citizenship: Changing the World through Business (Nikkei Business Publications, Inc.).

Speakers’ Program

【Keynote speech】Medical Hygiene to Food Hygiene
SARAYA's challenge to solve the social problem of fish
～Innovation for EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai～(1-3)

Saraya Co., Ltd. Communications Division, Public Relations & Advertising Division, Public Relations Leader
Blue Ocean Initiative Preparatory Committee (NPO ZERI Japan)織

Mariko Yamamoto

After working for a major distribution company in its stores in Japan and Malaysia, Mariko was involved in material procurement, as well as environmental and social contribution efforts at the company’s head office. She was seconded to the Consumer Affairs Agency for two years starting in 2015, where she was in charge of the "Ethical Consumption Research Study Group” engaging in the promotion of ethical consumption practices. Since 2018, Mariko has been involved in the environmental business at Saraya Co., Ltd. where she collaborated with the Race for Water Foundation, an environmental NGO in Switzerland. There, she promoted a project to raise awareness of marine plastic pollution through the port call in Japan of the Race for Water vessel, a zero-emission ship powered only by solar, wind, and hydrogen energy. Mariko is currently involved in preparations for the establishment of the Blue Ocean Initiative, which will support the "Blue Ocean" pavilion at the 2025 Expo.

Speakers’ Program

【Keynote speech】Medical Hygiene to Food Hygiene
SARAYA's challenge to solve the social problem of fish
～Innovation for EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai～(1-3)

The University of Tokyo, Executive Vice President
Professor at Institute of Future Initiative
Center for Global Commons, Director

Naoko Ishii

Dr. Naoko Ishii is a professor and executive vice president at the University of Tokyo, where she is also an inaugural director for the Center for Global Commons, of which mission is to catalyze systems change so that humans can achieve sustainable development within planetary boundaries. She is of a view that academia can and should play an active role in mobilizing movements with policymakers, business and civil society towards a shared goal of nurturing stewardship of the global commons; stable and resilient planetary earth system. Before joining the university in 2020, Dr. Ishii served the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as CEO and chairperson. During her tenure of 2012 to 2020, she formed GEF’s first mid-term strategy, GEF 2020, focusing on the transformation of key economic systems and collaborating with multi-stakeholder coalitions. She holds a B.A. in economics and a Ph.D. in international development, both from the University of Tokyo. She published several books among which two are awarded by academic prizes.

Speakers’ Program

【Lecture】Food System Transformation and Ocean as our Global Commons(1-4)

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】 Transformation to Sustainable Seafood and a Healthy Ocean -- the SeaBOS Story (1-5)

SeaBOS

Managing Director

Martin Exel

Martin has been in the seafood sector for over 40 years. He is the Managing Director of SeaBOS (Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship) which is a collaborative venture between ten of the world’s largest seafood businesses, the Stockholm Resilience Centre in Sweden, as well as Lancaster University (UK) and Stanford University Centre for Ocean Solutions (USA). The aim of that collaboration is to lead a transformation to sustainable seafood production and a healthy ocean, globally. Martin has worked in various roles in seafood including from industry, government, and academia. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Victoria University of Wellington (NZ), a Graduate Diploma in Fisheries Technology from the Australian Maritime College, and is a passionate recreational angler.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Transformation to Sustainable Seafood and a Healthy Ocean -- the SeaBOS Story(1-5)

Kyokuyo Co., Ltd.

Business Management Department
Division of IR
CSR Section
MANAGER

Kunio Akiyama

Kunio Akiyama joined Kyokuyo in 1992 His career is as follows. SHRIMP : 11years , SUSHI : 10years , OVERSEAS : 8years(THAILAND : 3years , INDONESIA : 5years) , OTHER : 1year He has been in charge of sustainability since Mar. , 2022.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Transformation to Sustainable Seafood and a Healthy Ocean -- the SeaBOS Story(1-5)

SeaBOS

Director of Strategy, Partnerships and External Relations

Wenche Grønbrekk

Wenche is an experienced leader and speaker on corporate sustainability globally, focusing on the intersection of innovation and strategy. Building on over 15 years of experience as a management consultant and ESG expert, she is currently the Director of Strategy and Partnerships in the science-business initiative Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS) and the Founder of Wega Advisory. Since 2018, she has served as a Senior Advisor on Ocean to the UN Global Compact, working with the UN system to build awareness of the critical role of ocean stewardship in the 2030 Agenda.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Transformation to Sustainable Seafood and a Healthy Ocean -- the SeaBOS Story(1-5)

Maruha Nichiro Corporation

Sustainability Group, Corporate Planning Department Manager

Hiroyuki Sato

Graduated from the Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Business Administration in Nanzan University and joined Nichiro Corporation (currently Maruha Nichiro Corporation) in 1997. Since then, Hiroyuki has been involved in fishery business operations. Through his experience in the UK and the Netherlands from 2006 to 2011, he continued his career in fishery business operations. He has started working on his current operations since 2015.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Transformation to Sustainable Seafood and a Healthy Ocean -- the SeaBOS Story(1-5)

Stockholm Resilience Centre

Professor and Science Director

Henrik Österblom

Henrik Österblom, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Professor and Science Director My research focus on human cooperation – with a particular focus on ocean governance, novel technologies, and the potential for corporations to engage in biosphere stewardship. My main contribution is the identification of keystone actors, and the establishment of the SeaBOS initiative (www.seabos.org), where transdisciplinary scientists and leading seafood companies are co-producing solutions to the ocean challenges.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Transformation to Sustainable Seafood and a Healthy Ocean -- the SeaBOS Story(1-5)

Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd.

Deputy General Manager,Sustainability Department

Toshiya Yabuki

Graduated from Tokyo University (Dept. of Fisheries Science) in 1984 and joined Nippon Suisan. Since then most of the time in charge of aquaculture business including overseas missions (Chile, Indonesia, USA). Worked at Chilean subsidiary salmon farming company (Salmones Antartica S.A.) for total 13years and served as CEO in 2012～2016. From 2019 belongs to CSR Dept.(Current name : Sustainability Dept.), mainly in charge of seafood sustainability issues like SeaBOS, etc.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Transformation to Sustainable Seafood and a Healthy Ocean -- the SeaBOS Story(1-5)

Seafood Legacy Co., Ltd.

COO / Vice President

Aiko Yamauchi

After working as a research fellow at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Aiko joined WWF Japan Conservation Division.. At WWF Japan, Aiko focused on engaging domestic and international stakeholders to collaborate and promote sustainable fisheries and responsible seafood market transformation.. She also led a joint marine conservation project of WWF Japan in Chile, Indonesia, and China. After Aiko joined Seafood Legacy, she is in charge of strategy development and technical implementation. Aiko holds a doctorate degree from the Graduate School of Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.
　●　Member of the special committee of stock management of Fisheries Policy Council
　●　External reviewer of SH”U”N project by The National Research and Development Agency, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency
　●　Coordinator for Anti- IUU Forum Japan
　●　Lecturer at Iwate University, Faculty of Agriculture
　●　Lecturer at Hosei University, Graduate School of Public Policy and Social Governance

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Achieving Sustainability Goal with Supply chain engagement(1-8)

Nichirei Fresh Inc.

Team Leader,Marine Products Procurement Group,Marine Products Division

Hidenori Kunita

Hidenori Kunita graduated from the School of Fisheries Sciences, Marine Studies Department at Hokkaido University and then joined Nichirei Corporation. After being involved in selling processed seafood products and distributing fresh processed products to mass merchandisers, they took charge of overseas processing at the head office, and promoted processing operations in China and Southeast Asia. From 2006, Hidenori were in charge of shellfish at Nichirei Fresh Inc., where he worked on product development and sales promotion for shellfish-based products such as clams, oysters, raw (sashimi) shellfish products, and seafood mixes.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Achieving Sustainability Goal with Supply chain engagement (1-8)

Culinary Collaborations LLC

Managing Director/CEO

Michael McNicholas

McNicholas founded CCL in 2016 with the goal of bringing clean, all-natural, and traceable sushi ingredients to a broad audience across North America. Today CCL is a major supplier throughout the US and Canada.
Michael emigrated from Ireland in 1984. He co-founded his first company in 1985 and sold it in 1996.In 1996 Michael was invited to join Enterprise Ireland, the state body with responsibility for exports development. He created a team focused on seafood clients and developed a range of programs incorporating market entry strategy, channel development, pricing strategy, merger and acquisition plans which resulted in achieving multi-million dollar sales for participating clients. In 2008, he joined Uoriki Company Limited of Tokyo to lead the commercial development of their US subsidiary. Initiatives included:

● Popularized SuperFrozen (-60°C) tuna. Previously unknown to the US mainstream, it is now present in more than 2,000 restaurant & retail locations.
● Sushi-At-HomeTM - assuredly safe ingredients for home sushi preparation at Whole Foods nationally.
● American SashimiTM - program with US fishermen to incorporate Japanese techniques with local fishing
● Electronic Traceability for seafood - partnered with Trace Register to deliver the beta project for a major national retailer that was to herald the use of electronic traceability in retail seafood.

Michael is now recognized as one of the foremost sushi resource experts in the country.

Member/Advisor
● Advisor to Gulf of Maine Research Institute on developing Sashimi Grade Fishing practices
● SFP Global Fresh & Frozen Tuna Supply Chain Roundtable - Working Member
● Global Dialog On Seafood Traceability - Steering Committee Member

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Achieving Sustainability Goal with Supply chain engagement(1-8)

Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union

Seafood Program Manager / Sustainability Strategy Dept. / Brand Strategy Division

Satoshi Matsumoto

Satoshi Matsumoto joined Japanese Consumers’ Co-operative Union (JCCU)in 1988. He has extensive experience in logistics management, sales and marketing, and product merchandising for CO・OP private brand products.
2010~ Joint development Promotion Department General Manager
2012~ Tohoku Region Branch General Manager
2014~ Marine Products Department General Manager
2016~ Perishable Ingredient Promotion General Manager
2017/7~ Sustainable Procurement / Merchandising Division
2022/1~ Current position

Matsumoto has been in charge of research and development of JCCU’s responsible seafood program, promoting sustainable products such as MSC/ASC certified products and supporting improvement projects.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Achieving Sustainability Goal with Supply chain engagement(1-8)

SEVEN&i Holdings.Co.,Ltd.

Senior Officer,Sustainability Development Department,Corporate Development Division

Junko Waseda

Junko Waseda joined Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. in 1993. After working at directly operated stores, and as a store instructor, was assigned to the product division at headquarters in 2000. Primarily handled the sozai (daily household dishes) division, including onigiri (rice balls), salads, and noodle-based dishes. Working at this current position since March of 2022."

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Achieving Sustainability Goal with Supply chain engagement (1-8)

FishWise

Senior Project Director, Business Engagement & Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability (SALT)

Erin Taylor

As Senior Project Director, Erin works across FishWise’s divisions to co-develop and execute innovative and collaborative work streams with corporate partners, government representatives, and external collaborators. Erin has led partnerships that empower companies to advance their sustainability goals and catalyze supply chain improvements, with advisory experience spanning retail, hospitality, and mid-supply chain audiences (including ALDI SOUTH and ALDI Nord, Albertsons Companies, Iberostar Group, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, and others) as well as precompetitive industry groups (including Sea Pact and SEA Alliance). Over the past four years, Erin has been working at the nexus of business engagement and social responsibility, guiding companies to expand their sustainability programs to incorporate human and labor rights. Recently, Erin joined the Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability (SALT) team within FishWise to provide overall project leadership and support to SALT's work with governments, industry, and NGOs in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Prior to FishWise, Erin was a wild fisheries specialist for the New England Aquarium, where she advised large companies on a diverse array of seafood issues, including traceability, policy, certifications, fisheries improvement, and environmental risks, particularly for Alaskan and Russian fisheries. She graduated summa cum laude from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Analysis and Policy and a minor in Business Administration and Management.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Human Rights Due Diligence for Seafood Supply Chains: Challenges and Opportunities. (1-9)

AEON Co., Ltd.

Manager, CSR Dept.

Yumie Kawashima

Ms. Yumie Kawashima is a manager of CSR department at AEON Co., Ltd. She also acts as a secretariat for AEON Sustainable Procurement Committee　and WRI 10x20x30 Food loss and waste reduction Japan Project. Ms. Kawashima joined Jusco Co., Ltd (Aeon Co., Ltd.) soon after she graduated from University and has had experiences at merchandising and logistics sections in the retail business. In 2007, she was appointed as a manager of Green Eye Product Development Division which develops AEON’s private brand products. Since then, she has been involved in the area of sustainable supply chain management. She has also serve　 externally for many different committees of sustainable supply chain including MSC stakeholder council, CGF Sustainable supply chain initiative (SSCI). "

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Human Rights Due Diligence for Seafood Supply Chains: Challenges and Opportunities. (1-9)

Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF)

East Asia Manager

Shaochi Chiu

Shaochi Chiu is the East Asia Manager at the Environmental Justice Foundation working to improve sustainability and human rights protections in the fisheries sector. She leads a team across Japan, Korea and Taiwan to investigate fisheries crime and associated human rights abuses and advocate for better transparency to eliminate the exploitations. 

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Human Rights Due Diligence for Seafood Supply Chains: Challenges and Opportunities. (1-9)

Hilton Foods

Group CSR Ethical Manager

Julia Black

Julia Black is the Group CSR Ethical Manager at Hilton Foods, a leading international multi-protein supplier. Hilton Foods operates 24 technologically advanced food processing, packing and logistics facilities across 13 markets throughout Europe and Australasia. Julia leads Hilton Foods policy work on human rights and the implementation of their strategy across both own operations and global supply chains. She contributes to standard development in the United Kingdom, sitting on both the SMETA X Technical Advisory Committee and the Red Tractor Worker Wellbeing TAC. Julia has an in-depth knowledge of seafood supply chains and leads the human rights due diligence working group within the Seafood Ethics Action Alliance. She is most interested in developing human rights due diligence strategies that enable participation from affected rights holders.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Human Rights Due Diligence for Seafood Supply Chains: Challenges and Opportunities.(1-9)

Seafood Ethics Action Alliance

Head of SEA Alliance Programme

Andy Hickman

Andy leads an alliance of UK retailers and suppliers working to improve human rights due diligence in global seafood supply chains. Andy previously spent 6 years working at Tesco, where he led the retailer's marine sustainability agenda before becoming Head of Human Rights. As Head of Human Rights, Andy was responsible for human rights due diligence across Tesco's global food supply chains. Prior to Tesco, Andy was oceans campaigner at the Environmental Justice Foundation, where he led investigations and campaign work on illegal fishing and human rights issues in West Africa and Southeast Asia.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Human Rights Due Diligence for Seafood Supply Chains: Challenges and Opportunities. (1-9)

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

Conservation and Science, Program Officer

Sarah Hogan

Sarah Hogan is the program officer for the Packard Foundation’s Seafood Markets strategy, supporting market-based incentives for sustainable management of global fisheries and aquaculture operations. Sarah is also a program officer for the Foundation’s work in Japan which focuses on establishing a sustainable seafood market and sustainable fisheries in Japan.

Speakers’ Program

Co-sponsor Remarks

Fisheries Agency

Director-General

Takashi Koya

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION:
March 1985 Bachelor of Fisheries (University of Kyushu)
June 1993 Master of Marine Affairs (University of Washington)

PROFESSIONAL CAREER:
April 1985 Joined Fisheries Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
August 2006 Vise Director General of the Fisheries Department in Ishikawa Prefecture
July 2008 Chief Negotiator, International Affairs Division, Fisheries Agency
July 2012 Senior Officer, Fisheries Management Division, Fisheries Agency
April 2014 Councilor of Resources Management Department, Fisheries Agency
April 2016 Director of Resources and Environment Research Division, Fisheries Agency
July 2017 Director General of Resources Management Department, Fisheries Agency
April 2020 Deputy Director-General, Fisheries Agency
July 2021 Director-General, Fisheries Agency

-Japanese Head of Delegation to North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC) (2017-now)

Speakers’ Program

【Keynote speech】The Progress of New Stock Management Policy in Japan and the Dawn of Anti-IUU Fishery Measurements(2-3)

Ministry of the Environment

Director-General for the Environment,Nature Conservation Bureau

Naohisa Okuda

Brief Personal History
Naohisa Okuda
Born: November 8th, 1962

Birthplace: Tokyo
Academic Background: Graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at The University of Tokyo in March 1986

Passed the National Civil Service Employment Examination (Landscape Architecture) in October 1985
Assigned to the Secretarial Division for the Director General’s Secretariat of the Environment Agency in April 1986
First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Kenya, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in February 1999
Assistant Director at the Biodiversity Policy Division, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment in March 2002
Investigator at the General Affairs Division of the Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment in July 2005
Conservation Supervisor at the Kyushu Regional Environment Office in July 2008
Additional Post: July 14th, 2008 - July 20th, 2011
Director at the Naha Environment Office, Kyushu Regional Environment Office

Biodiversity Policy Division, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment in July 2011

Director at the Global Biodiversity Strategy Office

Director at Wildlife Division, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment in July 2015
Director at Biodiversity Policy Division, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment in June 2016
Deputy Minister for Minister’s Secretariat Cyber Security and Computerization, Ministry of the Environment in July 2018
Nagasaki Customs Superintendent, Ministry of Finance in July 2020
Director at Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment in July 2021

Speakers’ Program

【Keynote speech】The efforts of the Ministry of the Environment for marine biodiversity conservation to date and prospects(2-4)

Fisheries Agency

Director, Fisheries Processing Industries and Marketing Division

Maiko Igarashi

Graduated from Waseda University (Faculty of Law) in 1997 and joined the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the same year. Was assigned to the Livestock Industry Bureau, Food and Marketing Bureau, and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as well as the Minister's Secretariat, International Affairs Department, and Forestry Agency before becoming the Head of the Food Culture & Market Expansion Division (Japanese Food Section) in the Food Industry Affairs Bureau. Became the Director of the Food Labeling Planning Division at the Consumer Affairs Agency in August 2019. Assumed current post in July 2021. After acquiring her Master of Laws degree(LL.M.) from Harvard Law School, she became a registered lawyer in the State of New York.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Policy for Combating IUU Fishery- Accelerating International Effort and Contribution by Japan(2-5)

GDST(The Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability)

Executive Director

Gregory V. Brown

A graduate of Occidental College (Los Angeles, California), Greg Brown started his executive career in seafood as Director of Seafood Procurement for Darden Restaurants for over ten years while living and working in Singapore from 1990-2005. He returned to the U.S. to become Director of Category Management, Seafood at US Foodservice (now US Foods), and later held positions as Vice President of Corporate Procurement for Flying Food Group / Fresh Food Solutions; Corporate Strategic Sourcing, Seafood for Caesars Entertainment; and a dual role for NSF International based in Shanghai as Global Managing Director, Seafood and Region Managing Director, NSF China. In 2017 he joined the Global Aquaculture Alliance (now Global Seafood Alliance) where he became Senior Vice President, Operations & Strategic Development, and was hired away from GSA in February, 2022 to become the inaugural Executive Director of the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability(GDST).

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Policy for Combating IUU Fishery- Accelerating International Effort and Contribution by Japan (2-5)

Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF)

Founder/CEO

Steve Trent

For the past three decades, Steve has been a passionate defender of our natural world. His professional career began as an investigator and campaigner against the illegal wildlife trade, illegal logging, and the illicit trade in ozone-depleting chemicals. As the Campaigns Director for the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and now as CEO of EJF, Steve has led investigations documenting the corrupt, brutal and devastating practices that have damaged wildlife populations and natural ecosystems across Asia, Africa and South America. Steve is also a founding Director of WildAid, served as President and led the China and India programmes to reduce the illegal wildlife trade. Steve oversaw successful campaigns, compelling films and partnerships, using the strapline “When the buying stops, the killing can too”. Steve is a gifted strategist and orator who has created “surgical” campaigns that reach the highest levels of political decision making. His tireless dedication has secured changes to policies, laws and enforcement, business and public behaviours that have greatly improved the governance of our natural world. With a determination to amplify the voice of the communities that live alongside some of the world’s most threatened ecosystems, Steve devised an activist training programme to provide training, essential equipment, and support to environmental defenders. He is committed to protecting the rights of those people who are most dependent upon the conservation of the natural world and to bringing ignored issues into the spotlight.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Policy for Combating IUU Fishery- Accelerating International Effort and Contribution by Japan(2-5)

Planet Tracker

Head of Oceans team

François Mosnier

François brings more than 10 years of experience working across finance, nature conservation and sustainable farming. Prior to joining Planet Tracker, he was a financial analyst at Exane BNP Paribas and Capital Group, and a conservation finance specialist at Conservation Capital.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Policy for Combating IUU Fishery- Accelerating International Effort and Contribution by Japan(2-5)

Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo

Associate Professor, Department of Global Agricultural Sciences

Yutaro Sakai

Profile: Ph. D. in Economics from the University of Calgary. Postdoctoral Research associate at School of Sustainability, Arizona State University. The University of Tokyo Excellent Young Researcher in 2021. Current position since 2019. Using causal inference methods, Yutaro's research activities cover a wide range of topics including the effects of fishery subsidies, voluntary management of offshore trawl fisheries in Hokkaido, and the impact of IUU fisheries on the seafood market. Recently, Yutaro has been actively researching the effects of quality labeling using experimental methods, with the aim of solving the problem of people moving away from eating fish.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Decarbonization Initiatives in the Marine Industry(2-6)

Toho University　Department of Environmental Science　Faculty of Science

Junior associated professor

Ayano Takeuchi

Ayano Takeuchi is a social scientist. She worked on woody biomass power projects and offshore wind energy projects in Japan for environmental consultant Öko-Zentrum NRW (2012.09-2013.02) and renewable energy developer PN Power Plants AG (2013.03-2015.07). From 2015 she started her academic career at Nagoya University as assistant professor and support local stakeholder management for offshore wind projects. Since 2017 she is a junior associated professor at Toho university. Her research interest is communication between multiple stakeholders in a field of local environmental business projects and community projects. She considers human resources is an important factor and her goal is to promote human development and various aspects of communication.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Decarbonization Initiatives in the Marine Industry(2-6)

Adviser to Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,Japan President,”afc.masa”

Founder/CEO

Masanori Miyahara

After 37 years of work as a government officer of the Fisheries Agency of Japan, Masa Miyahara served as President of Fishery Research and Education Agency for 7 years. He retired from the government in March 2021 and started consulting business. In his late twenties,he was sent to US to study at Political Science Department of Duke University. Then he experienced many international negotiations on fish resource conservation and fishry management. For the last twenty years,he served as the chair of many international conferences, in particular those of tuna regional fishery management organizations. At present, he is still the chair of the Northern Committee of Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, which is responsible for Pacific bluefin tuna conservation. He also worked hard in rescue activities and restoration efforts after the Eastern Japan Great Earthquake in 2011. Currently, he is engaged in consultations for dealing with various issues related to fisheries and seafood industries around Japan. His activities also involve international works through on-line meetings and publication of joint reports.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Decarbonization Initiatives in the Marine Industry(2-6)

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Seafood Production and Distribution to Bridge Fishermen and Consumer (3-7)

Fishing boat and system engineering association of Japan

Chairman

Mori Takashi

1976-1980 Bachelor of Agriculture, Hokkaido University
1984-2010 Division of Fishing Vessel etc., Fisheries Agency
2010-2013 Director, Chamber of Marine Environment, Ministry of the Environment
2013-2016 Director, Kyushu Office etc., Fisheries Agency
2016-2021 Director, Project Department, Organization of promotion for Fisheries and Fishing Village vitalization
2021- Chairman, Fishing Boat and System Engineering Association

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Seafood Production and Distribution to Bridge Fishermen and Consumer (3-7)

WWF Japan

Climate & Energy and Oceans & Fisheries Division Oceans and Seafood Group Science and Technology Officer

Shuhei Uematsu, Ph.D.

Graduated from Tokyo University with Doctorate in Agriculture and Life Sciences. Worked at a management consulting firm after graduating before joining National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries (currently Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency). Conducted research on the fish supply of the Pacific Bluefin Tuna. Started employment at WWF Japan since 2013 and has been involved in preservation efforts and IUU countermeasures for global marine resources such as the tuna, skipjack, and Pacific saury, as well as proposing business strategies and providing internal consultation for the improvement of various work processes. Member of the Fisheries Agency Distribution Improvement Ordinance Review Committee since 2021.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Policy Proposal from Seafood Industry to Fishery Management Organizations(2-7)

MSC Japan

Fisheries manager Japan

Asami Takahashi

Asami Takahashi joined MSC as Fishery Outreach in 2019 where she promotes MSC fishery certification in Japan. She supports Japanese fishery to get the certification and keep it, and also she works to deliver about characteristics of Japanese fisheries to the global Science and Standard team of MSC to help with regular standard review. Prior to the MSC, Asami worked for the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation as Science communicator. She engaged in various projects to make relationship between technology or scientist and citizens in cooperation with other museums, companies, and research institutes. She then worked in a public relation at the Japan Agency for Marine-earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) before joined MSC. Asami holds a Master of Science from University of the Ryukyus, and the focus of her study was coral reef ecosystem.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Policy Proposal from Seafood Industry to Fishery Management Organizations(2-7)

Global Tuna Alliance

Executive Director

Dr Tom Pickerell

Dr. Tom Pickerell is a marine biologist with nearly 20 years’ experience in seafood sustainability, including wild fisheries and shellfish aquaculture, certification schemes and consumer guides, and social responsibility in seafood. He also is a founder of Tomolamola Consulting, a sustainable seafood advisory service for businesses.

Dr. Pickerell is currently the Executive Director of the Global Tuna Alliance, an independent group of retailers and supply-chain companies working to ensure that tuna ultimately meets the highest standards of environmental performance and social responsibility. Before that, he was the Global Tuna Director for the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), leading the fresh & frozen and canned tuna programs. He also worked for Seafish, the UK Seafood Industry Authority, where he was the Technical Director, the Senior Science Manager for the Seafood Watch program at Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, and worked in a variety of different policy and strategy roles in fisheries and aquaculture for the UK government.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Policy Proposal from Seafood Industry to Fishery Management Organizations(2-7)

Fisheries Agency of Japan

Counsellor, Resource Management Department

Takumi Fukuda

Born in Nara Prefecture. Joined the Fisheries Agency in 1992 after graduating from Kyushu University. Worked for domestic and international fisheries issues at Fisheries Coordination Division, Research Planning Division, International Affairs Division and other divisions/offices of the Fisheries Agency. Being in charge of international negotiations, including at Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC), Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), bilateral fishing access consultations with Pacific island countries since 2018.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Policy Proposal from Seafood Industry to Fishery Management Organizations(2-7)

MSC Japan

Program Director Japan

Kozo Ishii

Kozo worked in the food industry for several years. Prior to joining the MSC, Kozo was involved in projects on envrionmental protection and regional development plan in developing countries as a consultant. Kozo joined MSC in May 2007. As a program director for Japan, he is responsible for raising awareness of MSC ecolabel and promoting its programs among key stakeholders. MSC is an international non-profit organization which promotes sustainable fishing practices by using ecolabel and fishery certification program for the health of the global seafood resources.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Solutions for New Agenda by Certification Scheme Owners(2-8)

Marine Eco-Label (MEL) Japan

Chairman

Naoya Kakizoe

After graduating from Tokyo University of Fisheries (currently Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology) in 1961, Mr. Kakizoe had worked for Nissui and served as president from 1999 to 2013. During those years, he also served as vice president of Japan Fisheries Association, president of Japan Frozen Food Association, president of Japan Association of Refrigerated Warehouses, president of Association for the Safety of Imported Food, Japan, and president of Food Industry Central Committee. Mr. Kakizoe is leading MEL Japan since 2016.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Solutions for New Agenda by Certification Scheme Owners(2-8)

Global Seafood Alliance (GSA)

Market Development Coordinator Japan

Kota Shibai

Market Development Coordinator Japan for the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA). Kota has served in this position since January 2021, where he is engaged in issues such as expanding the use of BAP/BSP-certified seafood in Japan, raising awareness of certified seafood, and the acquisition of certification in Japan, after being involved in work focused on the certification of sustainable seafood at a restaurant and a consulting company. He was born in Saitama Prefecture.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Solutions for New Agenda by Certification Scheme Owners(2-8)

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

General Manager

Koji Yamamoto

Koji has marine biology degree from Bangor University and aquaculture master degree from James Cook University. Prior to joining the ASC, he had worked in over 20 countries as a FAO aquaculture specialist and The Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) staff to implement sustainable aquaculture development projects. He also took a part on developing FAO “Technical guidelines on aquaculture certification”, which was published in 2011. Since September 2017, he has been working as a general manager of ASC Japan to promote environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture in Japan.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Solutions for New Agenda by Certification Scheme Owners(2-8)

Sea Pact

Executive Director

Sam Grimley

Sam Grimley hails from a commercial fishing family in Rhode Island, USA, and has been dedicated to driving sustainability efforts across the global seafood landscape for his entire career. Prior to joining Sea Pact in early 2022, Sam served as the Deputy Division Director/Markets Program Director for North America at Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP). During his nine-year tenure at SFP, Sam oversaw implementation of SFP's industry leadership strategy, which included strengthening industry engagement within SFP’s supply chain roundtables and other pre-competitive efforts. Before joining SFP, Sam worked in the Sustainable Seafood Program at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) where he developed and managed GMRI’s Sustainable Seafood Culinary Partners program to promote local seafood through restaurants and food service efforts. Sam has a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from University of New Hampshire and a Master of Arts degree in Marine Affairs from University of Rhode Island.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】How the Global Markets Have Been Transformed? (2-9)

Yayasan WWF Indonesia

Marine Communication Specialist

Siti Yasmina Enita (Syenita)

Syenit was involved in conservation activities since studying Oceanography at Diponegoro University, Semarang. She joined WWF-Indonesia in 2018 as Communication Officer in Ambon under the USAID SEA Project which responsible to ensure local champion program, behavior change, and development of communication materials. In 2020, Syenit got reposition as Seafood Market Transformation that led a Seafood Savers program and ensure WWF-ID standard of responsible seafood sourcing improvement program for the domestic market (buyer such as retail/ wholesale/ hotel/ restaurant).

Now, Syenit is Communication Specialist for Marine and Fisheries Program at Yayasan WWF Indonesia. She also delivers publication such as story from the field, video, infographic, etc. as media education and public campaign. She has experience in engagement with various stakeholders such as local government, community, fishermen, and fisheries industry to deliver the public awareness and outreach, to support conservation program for Marine Protected Areas, Sustainable Fisheries, Ecotourism, Ocean Plastic Pollution etc.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】How the Global Markets Have Been Transformed?(2-9)

Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition (HKSSC)

Technical Advisor and Steering Committee

Jacqui Dixon

Jacqui Dixon has 18 years of experience in the corporate accountability and sustainability field, including 12 years with the private sector in Asia and South Africa. She was the Sustainability Director for one of the largest global seafood companies listed in Hong Kong and Singapore, with operations across the entire seafood value chain. She spearheaded the first industry led sustainable seafood symposium in Hong Kong in 2015 and chaired the second symposium in May 2017, with the support of ADM Capital Foundation and Teng Hoi Conservation Organisation, which gave rise to the industry recommending the need for a Voluntary Code of Conduct on responsible seafood sourcing. One year later, the Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition (HKSSC) was born. She has been on the Steering Committee and the technical adviser to the HKSSC since its establishment in January 2018. She is also an Associate Consultant at Incite, where she works with various companies on integrated and sustainability reporting, ESG benchmarking, policy and strategy.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】How the Global Markets Have Been Transformed?(2-9)

Qingdao Marine Conservation Society

Founder and President

Songlin Wang

Songlin has 20 years’ research and work experience in China’s marine conservation and sustainable seafood movement. His career path includes working for The Nature Conservancy, Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF China and WWF International), The Paulson Institute (PI), and Ocean Outcomes. In 2016 he helped establish ASC’s China program and has been serving as a strategic advisor. In 2017, Songlin founded and since has been chairing Qingdao Marine Conservation Society (QMCS), a young and professional Chinese environmental NGO committed to promoting seafood sustainability and conserving coastal & marine ecosystems.

Songlin majored in marine ecology at the Ocean University of China as an undergraduate, and then obtained a masters’ degree in environmental management at Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. He is a Pew Marine Conservation Fellow and a member of Friends of Ocean Action. http://www.qmcs.org.cn/

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】How the Global Markets Have Been Transformed?(2-9)

Mexico-Comepesca

President

Citlali Gomez Lepe

Biologist, conservationist and Trout Farmer She Has been involved in social and environmental projects for more than 25 years and since 2018 was founder of Pescaconfuturo, a movement that has been promoting the Sustainable Seafood Movement for Mexico and in the last 2 years, for Latin America too. She is member of a couple of local and rural NGOs too in the Monarch Butterfly Mountains that promote education and sustainability around the area.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】How the Global Markets Have Been Transformed?(2-9)

United Nations Development Programme(UNDP)

Business and Human Rights Liaison Officer

Akiko Sato

Akiko Sato graduated from Sophia University Faculty of Law, Department of International Legal Studies, and Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Law. Attained a Master's Degree in Development Studies (Human Rights Major) from the International Institute of Social Studies (The Hague, The Netherlands). She works to promote and disseminate business and human rights by managing stakeholder engagement, advocating for policies through NGOs, and advising companies on their human rights policies and due diligence.

Speakers’ Program

【Keynote speech】Supply chains in the seafood industry and human rights (3-1)

Member of the House of Representatives

Deputy Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party

Fumiaki Kobayashi

Motivated by a political mission to create a fair and diverse society through the social implementation of technology, Fumiaki Kobayashi has been primarily concerned with regulatory reforms. He has worked on reviewing past regulations that hinder societal progress by introducing reforms in the areas of digital regulations, telecommunications, civil service, fisheries, etc. Over the decade that he has been engaged in regulatory reforms since he was first elected, he has recognized the urgent need to expedite regulatory reforms and has proposed and established the Ad Hoc Commission on Digital Administrative Reform. As State Minister for the Digital Agency and State Minister of the Cabinet Office, Kobayashi has overseen regulatory reforms, administrative reforms, personal information protection, cyber security, PPP/PFI, while also having served as Secretary-General of the Ad Hoc Commission on Digital Administrative Reform. As Special Advisor to the Cabinet Office in the Suga Cabinet, he has led vaccination promotion efforts as well as the development and operation of the VRS. Prior to that, he had also led the digitalization of organizations nationwide as the 50th Director of the Youth Division of the LDP.
He graduated from the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University. He was born in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】The Future Prospects for DX Promotion in Japan's Seafood Industry (3-2)

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha

Executive Officer of Environment Group and Technical HQ

Masahiro Takahashi

March 1987 Graduated from Waseda University, School of Political Science and Economics
April 1987 Joined Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha
April 2017 General Manager of Environment Group and Technical HQ Management Group
April 2022 Executive Officer

Speakers’ Program

【Talk】Expanding the Environmental DNA Observation Network - Contributing to "visualization" of ecosystems by operating vessels(3-4A)

Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University

Professor

Michio Kondoh

Dr. Michio Kondoh graduated with a Master of Biological Science from the Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, where he pursued research in the field of ecological theory. In 2018, he established and became the founding president of The Environmental DNA (eDNA) Society. In 2019, he went on to launch and organize the All Nippon eDNA Monitoring Network (ANEMONE), a collaborative network comprising representatives from industry, government, academia, and the private sector throughout Japan for biodiversity monitoring using environmental DNA. In 2022, Dr. Kondoh released the ANEMONE DB, an open database of ANEMONE monitoring information. He also established and serves as representative of the industry-academia-government ANEMONE Consortium that seeks to advance data utilization and monitoring. Dr. Kondoh is exploring the possibilities of local-level nature management systems in which all types of people can participate.

Speakers’ Program

【Talk】Expanding the Environmental DNA Observation Network - Contributing to "visualization" of ecosystems by operating vessels(3-4A)

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Marine Conservation×IoT・AI × Venture and Universities contribute to SDGs goal14 (3-6)

Rikkyo University, Specially Appointed Professor
FUJI OIL HOLDINGS INC., CEO Assistant
MOL Mauritius International Fund for Natural Environment Recovery and Sustainability in Japan Head of committee

Mariko Kawaguchi

She earned a master’s degree in environmental economics from Hitotsubashi University. Until March 2020, she had worked with Daiwa Institute of Research, carrying out research, study, and advocacy activities for more than 20 years on a range of sustainability issues from the perspectives of corporations (CSR), investors (ESG investing) and consumers (ethical consumption). In her current position, Kawaguchi is engaged in education on sustainability as an academic discipline, as well as ethical consumption and ethical management of food companies Advisor to Sustainability Committee of Asset　management One. She is a certified member of the Analysts Association, Director of the United Nations Global Compact Network Japan, President of the NPO Japan Sustainable Investment Forum, Director of Japan Ethical Initiative, and Director of WWF Japan. She also serves as a temporary member of the Central Environmental Council of the Ministry of the Environment and a technical advisor for the home appliance recycling council of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Kawaguchi is the author of Social finance no kyokasho (The Social Finance Textbook) and SDGs de “kawaru Keizai” to “aratana kurashi” (“Changing economy” and “new living” with SDGs), both published by the Japan Productivity Center.

Speakers’ Program

【Keynote speech】Shipping companies and marine resource (in case of recovery in Mauritius) (3-4B)

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】TNFD and Investment for seafood industry (3-5A)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs

Kei Takagi

Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP)
Member of the House of Representatives
Proportional Representation Block for Tokyo (elected twice)

1991 Elected to the Kita City Council for the first time, reelected twice
July 2005 Elected to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly for the first time
July 2009 Reelected to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly (second term)
June 2013 Reelected to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly (third term)
October 2017 Elected to the House of Representatives for the first time (48th General Election)
October 2021 Reelected to the House of Representatives (49th General Election, second term)
August 2022 Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs (Reshuffled Second Kishida Cabinet)
Hobbies: Exploring cities and enjoying street food, studying history, fishing, football, rugby, cooking, reading books, listening to music, watching movies

Speakers’ Program

【Keynote speech】Japan’s Global Efforts for Sustainable Use of Marine Resources: Addressing IUU Fishing and Conservation of Ocean Environment(2-2)

Nikkei ESG,Senior Deputy Editor,
Tohoku University,Professor, Graduate School of Life Sciences,

Kaori Fujita

Born in Uozu City, Toyama Prefecture, Kaori Fujita graduated from the University of Tokyo, Department of Physics and joined Nikkei Business Publications. She worked as a writer for Nikkei Electronics, a deputy editor for National Geographic Japanese Edition, an editorial committee member for the environmental management magazine Nikkei Ecology, a producer for Nikkei ESG Management Forum and held other positions before becoming a senior editor for the sustainability management magazine Nikkei ESG and a professor of Tohoku University. Her work has focused on biodiversity, natural capital, sustainable procurement, business and human rights, ESG investment, SDGs, and regional revitalization. Her publications include "Biodiversity and Natural Capital Management in the SDGs and ESG Era”. She serves as a member of the Central Environmental Council of the Ministry of the Environment, a member of the SDGs Stakeholders' Meeting of the Ministry of the Environment, as well as a committee member of Toyama City, Saitama City, and Sado City, and a visiting professor at University of Toyama.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】TNFD and Investment for seafood industry (3-5A)

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Carbon Credit and Offset by Blue carbon (3-5B)

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Marine Conservation×IoT・AI × Venture and Universities contribute to SDGs goal14 (3-6)

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Summary Session (3-8)

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. Mizuho Bank, Ltd.

Joint General Manager of Sustainable Business Promotion Department
Head of Sustainable Business Planning Office/SDGs Business
Desk Corporate Business Coordination Department

Kotaro Sueyoshi

After joining Mizuho Bank, Ltd., he worked in corporate sales for large corporations, international operations, and business planning for domestic corporations. Since 2018, along with the digitization of the banking business for corporations, he has led the SDGs Business Desk that he established, and is promoting business development support for solving social issues and impact investment and financing. He has been in charge of sustainable business planning for corporations since 2021.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】TNFD and Investment for seafood industry (3-5A)

World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA)

Seafood Benchmark Lead

Helen Packer

Helen Packer joined the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) as Seafood Benchmark Lead in July 2020 where she manages all activities related to the Seafood Stewardship Index (SSI). The SSI assesses the 30 most influential seafood companies for their contribution to the UN SDGs. Prior to the WBA, Helen was Sustainability Manager at Anova Food USA, a subsidiary company of Bumble Bee, where she contributed to the implementation of various CSR projects. Helen holds a BSc in Marine Biology from Swansea University (UK) and an MSc in Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management from Wageningen University (NL). Helen also holds a PhD from Dalhousie University (Canada), looking at CSR accountability and CSR practices in the seafood industry.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】TNFD and Investment for seafood industry (3-5A)

FAIRR Initiative

Research & Engagement Manager

Lily Stuart

Lily joined the FAIRR Initiative in May 2021 and is responsible for research and engagement on aquaculture and biodiversity. Prior to this, she was an ESG Analyst at Morningstar UK and worked as a consultant specialising in carbon footprinting at Greenstone+. Lily holds a BA in Earth Sciences from Trinity College Dublin and an MSc in Environmental Technology: Global Environmental Change and Policy from Imperial College London. She has worked with the UNWFP and is a crew member and ambassador for eXXpedition: Round The World.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】TNFD and Investment for seafood industry (3-5A)

Kobe City Government

Natural Environment Division, Environment Bureau, Manager

Atsushi Okada

March 1999, Master of Science, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University
April 2001, Joined Kobe City Government
April 2021, Manager, Natural Environment Division, Environment Bureau, Kobe City Government

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Carbon Credit and Offset by Blue carbon (3-5B)

Sasakawa Peace Foundation

President

Atsushi Sunami

Atsushi Sunami is the President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. He is also Director of the SciREX Center and Executive Advisor to the President at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), and Guest Professor at the Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. He is currently serving as a member of the Economic Security Legislation, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. In addition, he is a member of Basic Policy Group under the Committee on National Space Policy in the Cabinet Office. He holds a BSFS from Georgetown University and an MIA and Ph.D. in Political Science from Columbia University.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Carbon Credit and Offset by Blue carbon (3-5B)

Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd.

Fellow, Principal Sustainability Strategist

Mari Yoshitaka

Mari holds M.S. from University of Michigan, School for Environment and Sustainability. She has lengthy career on climate change policy especially climate finance and mitigation projects and pursuing modalities of enhancing financial incentives to reduce greenhouse gases emissions. With these experiences in climate change finance, her expertise is now advisory on the field of ESG investment, SDGs business and sustainable finance. She also holds the posts concurrently in MUFG Bank and Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities. Mari is member of Financial Services Agency’s Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Council of Food, Agriculture and Rural Area Policies, etc.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Carbon Credit and Offset by Blue carbon (3-5B)

Innoqua Inc.

CEO

Yota Takakura

Born in 1994. Graduated from Rekimoto Laboratory in The University of Tokyo Graduate School, where famous Media Artist Yoichi Ochiai graduated. Engaged in many system development projects for major companies and startups. Has received numerous awards and media coverage.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Marine Conservation×IoT・AI × Venture and Universities contribute to SDGs goal14 (3-6)

UMITRON K. K.

Co-founder / CEO

Ken Fujiwara

Ken worked as an R&D Engineer at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). After that he worked at Mitsui & Co., Ltd. where he was engaged in business investment and development as a manager in microsatellite and agricultural IT businesses. His favorite seafood meal is ahi burger with wasabi mayo. Tokyo Institute of Technology / Ms. (Eng) University of California, Berkeley / MBA

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Marine Conservation×IoT・AI × Venture and Universities contribute to SDGs goal14 (3-6)

Toshin Sea Foods Co., Ltd.

Founder/CEO

Nobutsune Orimo

Born in 1984. Majored in Organic Chemistry at Tokyo University of Technology Graduate School of Bionics (Current Department of Applied Biological Science) and graduated with a Master’s Degree. Joined Toshin Sea Foods Co. Ltd. after working at a general trading company. After his stint at the Sales Planning Department (Product Planning Department), he was elected to become the CEO in January 2017. Currently, the company has opened 19 stores including their directly managed store mainly within the Tokyo metropolitan area. They are also actively trying to penetrate new avenues to spread culture like supermarkets and department stores. Have been a lecturer at the Jissen Women’s Educational Institute for Introduction to Seafood Consumption and Food Business Theory since 2013. He is also a member of the Fisheries Agency’s Seafood Consumption Expansion Action Plan Committee. His hobby is diving and he is a licensed PADI instructor.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Seafood Production and Distribution to Bridge Fishermen and Consumer (3-7)

HORIEI Co., Ltd., Director,
Aomori Kaisan Co., Ltd., Director"

Hideki Noro

Born in Aomori Prefecture. Completed Master's degree in Marine Science at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. Joined the Aomori Prefectural Government as a fisheries engineer and experienced licensing and research. He then moved to Aomori Kaisan Co., Ltd. where he is engaged in processing and sales of marine products. He also worked with the parent company, HORIEI Corporation, in the fisheries field, where he established the practice of nerve removal of tuna and conducted tuna research together with research institutions. He was also involved in the establishment of Japan Salmon Farm Co.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Seafood Production and Distribution to Bridge Fishermen and Consumer (3-7)

UMITO Partners Inc.

CEO and Founder

Shunji Murakami

Shunji graduated from San Francisco State University majoring in business and geography focusing on river restoration and salmon habitat assessment. After returning to Japan, he spent years at Patagonia Japan, as well as US based NGO, Wild Salmon Center as Japan program coordinator, and Ocean Outcomes as Japan Program Director until 2018, working with fishing communities and suppliers on fishery improvement projects. In 2018, Shunji joined Seafood Legacy as Vice President/COO, and as of 2021, Shunji launched UMITO Partners Inc., working hand-in-hand with fisheries and fishing communities in partnership with chefs, business, financial sectors to help them become more sustainable, and help the government design equitable policies in inclusive ways connecting with voice and realities on the ground.
● Asia Pacific FIP Community of Practice Council Member
● Fisheryprogress.org Advisory Committee Member
● Japan Fishery Agency Aquacu

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Seafood Production and Distribution to Bridge Fishermen and Consumer (3-7)

Usufukuhonten co.,ltd.

President and CEO

Sotaro Usui

He was born in 1971 in Kesennuma, Miyagi. After graduating from the Department of Law at Senshu University, he joined a maritime affairs company in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, went on to join the Japan Tuna Fisheries Cooperative Association, and after working in Las Palmas in Spain's Canary Islands, he joined the family business Usufukuhonten (co., ltd.) (established 1882) in 1997. In 2009, he served as the board chairman of Junior Chamber International Kesennuma. In 2012, he assumed office as the fifth president of Usufukuhonten (co., ltd.). In 2020, the company became the first in the world to obtain MSC certification for Atlantic bluefin tuna, and MEL certification in April 2022. Currently, he is the chairman of the National Tuna Modernization Promotion Committee (an association of deep sea tuna shipowners nationwide). Outside of work in a volunteer capacity, he represents an association to promote the inclusion of fish from Kesennuma in school lunches, serves as a fish promoter for the Fisheries Agency, and he also works to promote fish served nationwide in elementary and middle schools.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Summary Session (3-8)

Financial Services Agency of Japan

International Affairs Office, Strategy Development and Management Bureau Deputy Director

Saori Takahashi

Earned B.A. in Political Science from Keio University and M.A. in Sociology from American University in 2012. In the graduate school, the focus of Saori’s study was gender and peacebuilding. After working for KPMG Management Consulting, she became a manager in the Japan Research Institute, a major Japanese think tank, where she led various government funded research projects and consulting projects on Environmental Finance. Since she moved to Financial Services Agency, she has been participating in global policy discussions on sustainable finance, namely at NGFS and FSB. She also attends TNFD Forum meetings as a back-bencher. Co-translated “Principles of Sustainable Finance” into Japanese.

Speakers’ Program

【Panel Discussion】Summary Session (3-8)

Nikkei BP

Executive Officer　Head of Nikkei BP Intelligence Group

Tetsushi Hayashi

Graduated from the School of Engineering, Tohoku University in 1985 and joined Nikkei BP in the same year. Covered and reported on the latest technological trends related to communications and information processing. Appointed as Editor-in-Chief of Nikkei Byte in 2002, Editor-in-Chief of Nikkei Network in 2005, and Editor-in-Chief of Nikkei Communication in 2007. Then, after publishing magazines such as ITpro (currently Nikkei xTECH), Nikkei Electronics, Nikkei Monozukuri, and Nikkei Automotive, was appointed as the General Manager of the Overseas Division in 2014. Appointed as the Executive Chief Engineer of the Intelligence Group in 2015. Main research subjects include technology management, digital transformation, and autonomous vehicles. Appointed to the present post in April 2021.

Speakers’ Program

Closing Remarks