Japan, previously known as an innovator within the global tech landscape, has recently chosen to play the field rather than lead the pack. Now, the country is set to regain its place at the cutting edge of tech - with innovations addressing an ageing population and a customer-service crisis.
Jesper is an economist, strategist, angel investor, patron, producer, and Japan optimist. He has been researching and investing in Japan since becoming a resident in 1986, having worked as chief strategist and head of research for major US investment banks JP Morgan and Merrill Lynch. He currently serves as expert director for the Monex Group and the Japan Catalyst Fund investment committee. Jesper has a master's degree from the School of Advanced and International Studies at Johns Hopkins University and was a research fellow at Tokyo University and Kyoto University.
Artemisa currently serves as the Chief Innovation and Digital Marketing Officer at the Mirai Innovation Research Institute Japan, an innovation lab spearheading the development of technology-driven solutions for industry, government, and academic institutions. She has over 20 years of experience investigating the digital transformation landscape, devising growth strategies for tech solutions, and translating research findings into actionable plans for market deployment. Artemisa obtained her doctorate in business, consumer behaviour, digital marketing and advertising from Dublin City University.
Deanna Elstrom is the founder and president of Somi Insights, a Tokyo-based market research and strategic insights agency. With more than 15 years of experience living and working in Japan, Deanna is a seasoned brand marketer and consumer researcher with expertise in innovation and positioning workshopping. Deanna holds an Economics degree from Duke University and an MBA from INSEAD.
Manila-based culture writer, consumer researcher, and content strategist, Angel Martinez runs a weekly column with PhilSTAR Life, where she initiates conversations around Gen Z behaviours and issues. Her pieces on identity, the internet, and their intersections have been published in Vice, i-D, Vox, Dazed, and Business Insider, and commissioned by think-tanks including Crowd DNA and Forge Futures. Outside of work, she can be found reading her book of the week in any cafe that serves iced matcha lattes.
