Material Matters｜The Moment When Japan's 'Local Materials' Become Global Brands

From local to global. Will a brand that earns "10 billion yen globally" emerge from Japanese materials? Japan's textile and material industry, boasting world-class technology and quality, is at a significant turning point due to the shrinking domestic market and labor shortages stemming from a declining population. What is now required is not just a "supply of materials." It's about nurturing brands that are chosen by consumers worldwide, directly approaching the global market from local areas, and evolving into a high value-added industry that earns foreign currency. And AI holds great potential to accelerate this transformation. From product development, brand creation, marketing, international expansion, to customer experience, AI is set to change the very essence of brand building. At "Material Matters," we will welcome executives and practitioners representing Japan's textile, material, and apparel industries to discuss: - What is necessary to create a global brand of "100 billion yen in sales" from local companies? - Can Japan’s material industry evolve into an "industry that earns foreign currency"? - How will AI change brand creation? - What are the strategies for brands that continue to be chosen in the global market? Transforming the power of materials, technologies, and artisans lying dormant in the region into brands that are chosen globally. We will think together with you about the next 10 years of Japan's material industry. Organized by: Lingble × DG Daiwa Ventures Supported by: Senken Shimbun Event Overview Date: September 30, 2026 (Wednesday) Registration starts: 13:30 Program: 14:00–15:50 Networking: 15:50–17:00 Venue: Shibuya PARCO DG Building, 18th Floor Participation fee: Free Participation method: Pre-registration and approval required Program 14:00–14:15 | Keynote 1 "Why Material Matters Now" Speaker: Keisei Nakamura (Senken Shimbun Co., Ltd.) Discussing the shrinking domestic market, global market potential, AI evolution, artisan shortages, and branding, we will raise issues surrounding Japan's material and textile industry from the perspective of Senken Shimbun. 14:15–14:45 | Fireside Chat 1 "How to Nurture Local Manufacturing Companies into Global Brands?" Moderator: Maho Hara (CEO of Lingble Pte. Ltd.) Panelists: Masaaki Kaji (CEO of Kaji Group) Masataka Hosoi (CEO of Hosoi Co., Ltd.) Katsuaki Suzuki (COO of Japan Blue Co., Ltd.) Yasuhiko Kusuka (CEO of Kusuka Co., Ltd.) 14:45–14:55 | Break 14:55–15:10 | Keynote 2 "The Shortcut to Global Branding Brought by AI" Speaker: Maho Hara (CEO of Lingble Pte. Ltd.) How will brand building, content creation, marketing, data analysis, and communication with overseas customers change due to AI? We will introduce the potential and practical examples of utilizing AI for Japanese companies to challenge the global market with limited human resources and budget. 15:10–15:40 | Fireside Chat 2 "Business Impact of AI Utilization in the Apparel Industry and Global Trends" Moderator: Maho Hara (CEO of Lingble Pte. Ltd.) Panelists: Yujiro Numata (CEREAL TALK Operations Member / Director of Tsuchiya Bag Manufacturing Co., Ltd.) Jun Munakata (CEO of Innova Co., Ltd.) Takanobu Kono (CEO of XA Holdings Co., Ltd.) 15:40–15:50 | Closing Remarks Speaker: Yuta Sada (Head of Domestic Investment at DG Daiwa Ventures / Representative Director of the Global Startup Investment Promotion Council) 15:50–17:00 | Networking Time for interaction with speakers and other participants. Please utilize this opportunity for new encounters and collaborative opportunities with those who share common themes of materials, manufacturing, brands, regional industries, international expansion, and AI. Recommended for: - Executives and business leaders in the textile, material, apparel, and fashion industries - Those who want to grow local and regional companies into globally accepted brands - Creators and designers involved in new brand creation utilizing Japanese materials and artisanal techniques - Regional banks, financial institutions, and government officials supporting local companies in international expansion and foreign currency acquisition - Investors who want to discover the latent value of Japan's material industry and support branding and business growth - Individuals considering entering foreign markets or building global brands - Those interested in business transformation using AI and digital technologies *This event requires approval for participation. *The program and speakers are subject to change. *Photos and videos taken at the venue may be used for promotional activities by the organizers and supporting companies.