Stanford Students Contemplate Brand Awareness at ANA Ideathon

On October 13, 2015, nineteen Stanford students participated in the ANA Ideathon, a hackathon for branding concepts to benefit the major international airline, ANA. The ideathon was the first of its kind at the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, lead by the Japan Program under the rubric of the Stanford Silicon Valley-New Japan Project (SVNJ).  

Looking to double in size in the next three years, ANA faces challenges including international brand visibility. Over a delicious Japanese dinner, millennials from diverse areas of undergraduate and graduate study set out to solve the issue of enhancing ANA's brand awareness in the United States. Within a few short hours, each team, whose members were strangers before the contest began, delivered a three minute pitch on how to solve this brand awareness issue. Executives from ANA, the World Innovation Lab (WiL), and bTrax, judged the pitches, and prizes were given to the winning team for their creativity and the feasibility of their concept. 

ANA is a silver sponsor of the Stanford Silicon Valley-New Japan Project. 

Read more here: http://aparc.fsi.stanford.edu/japan/news/students-share-marketing-insights-japanese-airline

Students brainstorm then pitch branding ideas to judges at the ANA Ideathon 

Kanetaka Maki joins SV-NJ

Kanetaka M. Maki is a Japan Program Research Associate at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center and an International Affiliated Fellow at National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP).

Maki’s research interests are in the fields of socio-economics of innovation & entrepreneurship, science policy, and university-industry technology transfer. He has three streams of research contribution: (1)   the institutional design of entrepreneurship in connection with research universities; (2) startup success rates; and (3) comparative quantitative research, in particular innovation streams in Japan.

Prior to coming to the US, Maki served as a Founding Chief Officer of SIV Entrepreneur Laboratory at Keio University in Japan. He has designed and overseen courses and programs on entrepreneurship at Keio University. Additionally, he actively involved as committee member of "Basic Research for Academic Entrepreneurship" hosted by Minister of Economy, Trading and Industry and several others to create effective academic entrepreneurship model in Japan.

Maki holds a Ph.D. in management from the University of California, San Diego. He received M.A. in Media and Governance and B.A. in Environmental Information, both from Keio University.

Kanetaka Maki's full profile can be found here: http://aparc.fsi.stanford.edu/japan/people/kanetaka-maki

Coauthor of research papers Jonathan Murray, CTO of New York Times, interviewed by Forbes

"Moving at the Speed of Business: Time to Value and the Industrialization of IT - Q&A with Jonathan Murray, Interim CTO of The New York Times"

Article link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/centurylink/2015/09/22/moving-at-the-speed-of-business-time-to-value-and-the-industrialization-of-it-qa-with-jonathan-murray-interim-cto-of-the-ny-times/

SV-NJ Project joint seminar with Keio's Media Design School

On September 14th the Silicon-Valley New Japan Project held a joint seminar with Keio University Media Design School entitled "Why Silicon Valley Cannot be Created in Japan" (シリコンバレーなぜ日本でできないのか） The seminar had 33 attendees with 15 attending via Skype from Keio University in Japan. The seminar, led by Kenji Kushida, discussed university-industry relations in Silicon-Valley and Stanford as well as challenges facing Japanese universities and the start-up ecosystem.

 

Japan's Top University Embraces Silicon-Valley Spirit

University of Tokyo fosters startups as country’s tech industry confronts challenges

"Plenty of students enter Stanford not planning to become entrepreneurs, but by interacting with so many alumni and ecosystem players, they get interested," said Kenji Kushida, a researcher at Stanford who leads a project that seeks to help Japan build closer connections to Silicon Valley and learn from it.

Full article available here: http://www.wsj.com/articles/silicon-valley-ethos-prestigious-japan-school-ventures-into-entrepreneurship-1440704144

Please note that article access does require login or subscription to the Wall Street Journal.

New Report: Institutional Foundation for Innovation-Based Economic Growth

RICHARD DASHER, NOBUYUKI HARADA, TAKEO HOSHI, KENJI. E. KUSHIDA, TETSUJI OKAZAKI.

Dasher, Richard, Nobuyuki Harada, Takeo Hoshi, Kenji E. Kushida, Tetsuji Okazaki. "Institutional Foundation for Innovation-Based Economic Growth." National Institute for Research Advancement (NIRA).

ABSTRACT

Innovation is essential for the growth of a matured economy like Japan. This report examines the institutional foundations of innovation-based economic growth and explores the role of Japanese government in encouraging innovation by Japanese companies and entrepreneurs.  We start by summarizing eleven elements that characterize the ecosystem of Silicon Valley, which is often considered to be the best example of innovation-based economy. We then discuss how those elements fit with six institutional foundations that support the innovation-based economic growth. Those are (A) financial system that provides funding for risky ventures, (B) labor market that provides high quality, diverse and mobile human resources, (C) interactions between industry, universities, and government to generate a constant stream of innovative ideas, products, and businesses, (D) industrial organization where large established firms and small startups grow together, (E) social system that encourage entrepreneurship, and (F) professionals that assist establishment and growth of startups.  Japan has not yet established these institutional foundations.  The government can help by encouraging development of these institutional foundations.  If it is difficult to establish a certain institutional foundation in a short time, the government may instead help Japanese firms and entrepreneurs to tap the Silicon Valley ecosystem directly.  The Japanese government has been trying numerous industrial policies that may encourage development of some of the six institutional foundations, as well as policies that directly support R&Das precursors for innovation.  The latest attempts are found in the Abenomics growth strategy.  Thus, we find that the underdevelopment of those institutions in Japan is not due to the lack of policy ideas.  The problem has been the shortcoming in the efforts of policy evaluation to find out which policy interventions are actually promising and how those should be implemented to guarantee effectiveness.  The policies that help Japanese firms and entrepreneurs to directly benefit from the Silicon Valley ecosystem have been lacking.  It is worthwhile to try those policies if those are accompanied by rigorous policy evaluation and adjustments to find the effective policies.

 

SV-NJ presents to Japan Stanford Association

Kenji Kushida presented to the Japan Stanford Association in Tokyo on June 30, 2015, presenting his research about Silicon Valley and Japan, Information Technology, and highlighting activities about SV-NJ. With about 1600 members (1400 Japanese and 200 non-Japanese) the Japan Stanford Association (JSA) is one of Stanford University's largest and most active alumni organizations outside the United States and one of the most prominent foreign university alumni organizations in Japan.

Link to news item and presentation the Japan Stanford Association website: http://japanstanford.org/events/jsa-sempai-seminar-56th/#


SV-NJ Research Collaboration with Keio

The ongoing research collaboration between the Stanford Silicon Valley - New Japan project and Keio University's Keio Media Design School was featured in a public event held at Keio's Mita campus in Tokyo on April 23rd, announcing plans for a new Contents innovation Program (CiP) facility to be built near Tokyo Bay, inside a major new redevelopment project. CiP will be located in Takeshiba, which got approval as a Special Administrative Zone, where localized deregulation of various sorts are hoped to all a variety of innovations that are not possible elsewhere. 

SV-NJ and KMD have been engaged in a joint research project examining the future of Information Communications Technology (ICT) policy. 

Various LDP and government officials, along with Kenji Kushida representing Stanford SV-NJ gave brief remarks, followed by a special lecture by Tokyo University's Shuichi Inada and a panel. 

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Visits Stanford

On April 30th, Prime Minister Abe delivered a speech at the Bing Concert Hall, where he discussed innovation, trade, and strengthening Japan's relationship to Silicon Valley. He was joined by Stanford President John Hennessy, as well as former Secretary of State and Hoover Institution fellow, George Shultz. Following the symposium, the Prime Minister was joined by several prominent leaders from Stanford and Silicon Valley for a roundtable discussion. More details can be found on the Stanford News website: http://news.stanford.edu/news/2015/may/shinzo-abe-visit-050115.html

Stanford SV-NJ at the New Economy Summit in Tokyo

The Stanford Silicon Valley - New Japan project made an appearance in the New Economy Summit held in Tokyo in mid-April. CEOs of various Silicon Valley startups such as Evernote, Dropbox, AirBnB, Lyft, and others gave talks, bringing Silicon Valley a little closer to Japan. Many of these startups see Japan as a very important market, and those such as Evernote have benefited immensely from their success in Japan. Keynotes were given by people including Larry Ellison of Oracle and Nobel Laureate Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University.  

Pictures of the event are below. 

Kenji Kushida participated as a panelist in a panel examining Silicon Valley and the role of Stanford. He joined panelists Ann Miura Ko, co-founder of venture capital firm Floodgate, and Harpinder Singh, co-founder of Slice, moderated by founder and CEO of SourceNext. He introduced the efforts of the Stanford SV-NJ project, giving it some more visibility to a large audience of over 1000 guests. (end of Day 2)

 

Day 1

http://goodway.co.jp/fip/htdocs/jop0zfich-3242/#_3242

Day 2

http://goodway.co.jp/fip/htdocs/jogfima50-3242/#_3242

Cross-Pacific Technology Innovation Partnership (TIP) Seminar

Dr. Kushida delivers his keynote address.

Dr. Kushida delivers his keynote address.

The Cross-Pacific Technology Innovation (TIP) Seminar, a collaboration between METI Japan, NEDO Silicon Valley, and the Stanford Silicon Valley - New Japan Project was held on March 11th at the Four Seasons in Palo Alto, CA. The event was designed to bring together Japan's technology entrepreneurs and Silicon Valley's venture community and to increase awareness of the bilateral opportunities for Silicon Valley to collaborate with Japan's most innovative startups.

The seminar featured a keynote address by Dr. Kenji Kushida titled "Silicon Valley and Japan: Towards a New Paradigm of Synergy and a New Conversation" which introduced some of the ways in which Japanese companies can harness Silicon Valley by highlighting Japan's existing strengths and challenges facing Silicon Valley, which create opportunities. Kushida stressed the importance of cultivating robust interpersonal networks through which shared experiences and information can help to reduce the hurdles faced by Japanese companies entering Silicon Valley.

The second keynote was delivered by Nobutaka Takeo, who introduced a new program by the Japanese Government to provide support for early stage investors and accelerators.

Following a the two keynote speakers, a panel discussion was moderated by Yoshiaki Tojo (Chief Executive Director, JETRO/Advisor, NEDO). Panelists included: Gen Isayama (Co-founder, CEO, WiL), Tom Kelly (Partner, IDEO), Dr. Ikkei Matsuda (Founder, CEO, SARR), Robert Pearlstein (Executive Director of Corporate and International Business Development, SRI International), addressed some of the opportunities and challenges concerning investing in Japan. 

Nobutaka Takeo presents the government's new support program.

Nobutaka Takeo presents the government's new support program.

The panelists, from left: Yoshiaki Tojo, Dr. Ikkei Matsuda, Robert Pearlstein, Tom Kelly, and Gen Isayama

The panelists, from left: Yoshiaki Tojo, Dr. Ikkei Matsuda, Robert Pearlstein, Tom Kelly, and Gen Isayama

Skysea Pharmaceuticals introduces their bio-venture.

Skysea Pharmaceuticals introduces their bio-venture.

Lastly, twelve startups gave their pitches to the audience. The teams included: TAP Team, Skysea Pharmaceutical Inc., TL Genomics Inc., Bluespin Inc., Aqua Feronia, SnG Inc., IDEAQUEST Inc., Incubation Alliance Inc., Pi-Crystal Inc., Lotus Alloy Co. Ltd, and  GreenPeptide Co. Ltd.

Strategic Partner, Ishin, Publishes Interview Articles about Silicon Valley (Japanese Only)

Cross-Pacific Technology Innovation Partnership (TIP): March 11, 1:30pm

We are delighted to join NEDO Silicon Valley and JETRO San Francisco in their inaugural seminar series aimed to bridge Silicon Valley and Japan. SV-NJ project leader Kenji Kushida will provide one of the keynotes highlighting opportunities for Silicon Valley and for Japan by strengthening and deepening ties.  Schedule and details on RSVP page in link below. 

 

---------------------------------------------

Event announcement (Japanese Below) 

--------------------------------------------


NEDO Silicon Valley and JETRO San Francisco, in collaboration with the Stanford SV-NJ Project, invite you to the inaugural Cross-Pacific Technology Innovation Partnership (TIP) seminar on March 11th from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by a networking reception until 7:00 pm, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Palo Alto.

A new wave of technology startups are emerging and outshining large incumbents in Japan. Some are already becoming prominent in Silicon Valley. The Japanese government and a growing number of private investors are now serious and active in linking Silicon Valley with the innovation and entrepreneurial potentials of Japan, hitherto been locked into large companies.

At this special event, learn how Japanese innovation and innovative startups are changing the world. You will hear:
(1) the firsthand information on the potential of the world’s second largest R&D spending nation,
(2) soon-to-be-announced Japanese government support program for early stage investors and accelerators, inspired by successful Israel and Singapore programs, and
(3) pitches from Japanese technology startups, which include:
      •  large scale graphene production for heat dissipation
      •  image recognition algorithm with DIY interface
      •  fetal cell isolation in maternal blood for prenatal diagnosis
      •  water purification agent based on seaweed … and others.

TIP seminar aims to shrink the information gap and to build lively collaboration between Japanese technology and the Silicon Valley ecosystem.  NEDO and JETRO will help you access a promising technology startup pool, and gain financial and policy support from the Japanese government.

Come and discover business opportunities in new innovation landscape in Japan, and become part of this exciting new community!  We look forward to your attendance at this unique event.

Seating is limited so please RSVP from the link below by March 6th.

(Agenda is listed in linked page)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cross-pacific-technology-innovation-partnership-tip-seminar-tickets-15801527795


.............................................................
About NEDO Silicon Valley
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) is the largest public R&D funding organization in Japan. NEDO Silicon Valley office supports technology startups to be competitive in global market and manage energy related technology demonstration projects in the western U.S.

About JETRO San Francisco
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a non-profit government affiliated organization for trade and investment promotion.  JETRO San Francisco helps US companies and investors in their entry into Japanese market, search for Japanese partners, and access to cutting-edge Japanese technologies.

About Stanford SV-NJ Project
The Stanford Silicon Valley - New Japan project is a committed to building a sustained platform of interaction between Silicon Valley and Japan with research, public forum series, and policy discussion and input.

www.stanford-svnj.org
................................................................


Cross-Pacific Technology Innovation Partnership (TIP) seminarのご案内

来る3月11日（水）13:30-17:30、Four Seasons Palo Altoにおいて、NEDO・JETROがStanford Silicon Valley – New Japan Projectと協力し、第１回技術イノベーション・パートナーシップ（TIP）セミナーを開催いたします。

今次セミナーでは、日本の技術系ベンチャーの状況と課題に関する講演、VC/アクセレレータに焦点を当てた新たな政府支援策の紹介に加え、NEDOプログラムに参加した12のスタートアップのサンプルピッチ、日本事情に通じたVC等によるパネルディスカッションを予定しています。

日本は豊富な技術シーズを擁しながら、事業化において米国の後塵を拝してきました。大学を含めて起業文化が育ちつつある今日、日本の技術系ベンチャー の支援がTIPセミナーの主目的です。当地で御活躍の皆様とともに、シリコンバレーと日本とを結ぶ豊かなイノベーション生態系を育んでいきたいと念願しております。

直前のお誘いとなって申し訳ありませんが、万障お繰り合わせの上、皆様の御参加を賜れば幸いです（17:30-19:00にネットワーキング・レセプションも予定しております）。

席数が限られておりますので、参加登録はお早めに以下のリンクからお願いいたします。お申し込みの締め切りは3月6日とさせていただきます。

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cross-pacific-technology-innovation-partnership-tip-seminar-tickets-15801527795


皆様のご参加を心よりお待ち申し上げます。

Kushida joins panel at AAAS, discusses potential role of Japanese in Silicon Valley

"Diasporans Are Key Drivers in the S&T Start-Up Scene"

Diaspora communities are playing an invaluable role in the establishment of new science and technology companies in their home countries and abroad, experts said at the AAAS Annual Meeting.

.... for full article, please click below.

http://www.aaas.org/news/diasporans-are-key-drivers-st-start-scene