{"id":1779,"date":"2026-06-24T22:31:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T13:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjpf.jp\/?post_type=live&p=1779"},"modified":"2026-07-02T15:22:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T06:22:32","slug":"2025cjpflab-6","status":"publish","type":"live","link":"https:\/\/cjpf.jp\/en\/live\/2025cjpflab-6\/","title":{"rendered":"FY2025 6th CJPF LAB\u3000”Finance & Regional Revitalization \u00d7 Cool Japan”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The 6th CJPF LAB of this fiscal year was held under the theme of \u201cFinance & Regional Revitalization \u00d7 Cool Japan.\u201d Three guest speakers were invited: Kotaro Omae, Chairman of Johoku Shinkin Bank; Naohisa Kawamura, Senior Managing Executive Officer of Cool Japan Fund, Inc. and Takami Kondo, Vice Chairman & Representative Director of SBI NEO MEDIA HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. \/ President & Group Representative of NEXYZ.Group. The moderator was Kenichi Watanabe, Director of the Cool Japan Public-Private Partnership Platform (CJPF). The event gathered a large number of participants both in-person and online, and generated lively discussion about insights from financial professionals engaged in Cool Japan, along with practical case studies. (Event date: March 3, 2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kotaro Omae | Chairman, Johoku Shinkin Bank<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Omae spoke on the topic of \u201cChallenging Content Development to Enhance Regional Value.\u201d He began by classifying financial institutions\u2019 activities into \u201ctraditional financial services\u201d and \u201cnon-financial services,\u201d then explained the background behind Johoku Shinkin Bank\u2019s focus on community engagement. As a non-profit cooperative financial institution, the bank can leverage its ability to take a long-term view on investment decisions, and has been pursuing content development directly linked to enhancing regional value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a specific example, he first introduced the creation of a sake brand set in Kita Ward, Tokyo. The ward has a history of being called the \u201cSacred Land of Sake,\u201d symbolized by the former National Brewing Laboratory (Red Brick Sake Brewery), a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. During the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars, over 3,000 master brewers (toji) gathered there from across the country to acquire the latest sake-making techniques\u2014all in service of securing liquor tax revenue to fund the war effort. As chairman of the tourism association, Mr. Omae promoted the use of this facility and organized tours combining a facility visit with a full-course French dinner featuring fermented ingredients (approximately 50,000 yen per person), which sold out immediately. This experience strongly convinced him of the potential of heritage tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building on these experiences, in 2024 he launched a sake called \u201cHIEI\u201d brewed using the \u201cAsukayama yeast\u201d collected from the former Shibusawa Garden in Asukayama Park, priced at 10,000 yen per bottle and limited to 2,024 bottles. It sold out and went into increased production. It has since been listed at Michelin-starred restaurants and the Imperial Hotel, becoming a high-value-added brand. Products such as caneles and ice cream made from sake lees are also being developed with local businesses. The subsequent \u201cBYAKKO,\u201d a kijoshu (a premium sake brewed with sake in place of water), achieved 200\u2013300% of its crowdfunding target within 5\u20136 hours after a press conference, attracting significant attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a second example, he introduced the \u201cKita Ward Fireworks Festival,\u201d which fuses music, fireworks, and drone performances. Starting from scratch 13 years ago, it has grown to rank No. 1 in the national rankings. A top fireworks team and drone performance team \u201cRed Cliff\u201d\u2014which also made headlines at Expo 2025 Osaka\u2014collaborate on an approximately one-hour show that takes six months to develop, synchronized to a musical worldview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third, he introduced an internet radio station, \u201cShibusawa-kun FM,\u201d entirely planned, recorded, and edited by the bank\u2019s own employees. Currently running 15 programs, it features content aimed at a wide audience, including \u201cMystery Job Hunting,\u201d which takes an unfiltered look at job searching, and a program hosted by comedian Angora Soncho (of the comedy duo Nyanco star).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Mr. Omae raised questions about the future role of financial institutions. He noted that a law revision four years ago expanded the scope of service recipients from \u201cclient companies\u201d to \u201cother businesses,\u201d arguing that financial institutions now have the potential to become direct players, directors, and producers in content development. His words\u2014shaped by a philosophy of \u201cit\u2019s okay to make mistakes; embrace a fail-forward mindset\u201d\u2014offered rich food for thought on the new intersection between finance and Cool Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Naohisa Kawamura | Senior Managing Executive Officer, Cool Japan Fund, Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mr. Kawamura spoke under the title \u201cTaking the \u2018Japanese Way\u2019 Further into the World,\u201d presenting an overview of Cool Japan Fund, Inc. and specific investment cases. Cool Japan Fund, Inc. is a public-private fund established in November 2013 under a specific law, with the aim of contributing to Japan\u2019s sustainable economic growth by expanding supply and demand for attractive goods and services rooted in Japan\u2019s lifestyle and culture. Operating under the belief that Japanese content such as anime and food can become a core industry on par with automobiles and semiconductors, the fund provides high-risk capital\u2014equity investments and subordinated bonds\u2014in advance of private investors, serving as a catalyst for private investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On investment criteria, Mr. Kawamura explained that investments must simultaneously satisfy three conditions: policy significance, ripple effect, and profitability. Since the standard investment ticket size is approximately 1 billion yen, a sub-fund of 100\u2013200 million yen\u2014jointly established with a Taiwanese fund\u2014is used for startup-focused investments. One of this sub-fund\u2019s investees is the drone performance team \u201cRed Cliff,\u201d which drew attention from the audience as it was also connected to Mr. Omae\u2019s Kita Ward Fireworks Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific investment cases presented include: financing to help anime production companies acquire and retain ownership of their IPs (through Japan Content Factory); overseas expansion support for music live hall chain \u201cZepp\u201d in partnership with Sony; introduction of Japanese food ingredients to London; equity stakes in wine distribution companies in China, Australia, and the UK to develop overseas sales channels for Japanese sake; investment in an Indonesian vending machine manufacturer to promote distribution of Japanese beverages and confections; and investments in a Taiwan-based inbound tourism platform and luxury travel agencies in the US, UK, and Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Kawamura identified inbound tourism and entertainment\/content as two key areas of future opportunity. He noted that the convergence of anime and regional tourism\u2014exemplified by \u201canime pilgrimage tourism\u201d\u2014and the channeling of repeat visitors to regional areas represent major business opportunities. At the same time, he pointed out the shortage of equity investment in regional areas by financial institutions, calling for a change in mindset among both local entrepreneurs and financial institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Takami Kondo | Vice Chairman & Representative Director, SBI Neo Media Holdings \/ President & Group Representative, NEXYZ.Group<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Kondo spoke under the title \u201cSBI Group \u00d7 Cool Japan: Realizing a 100-Trillion-Yen Market with All of Japan,\u201d unveiling a grand vision that was also a first public announcement for the SBI Group. He introduced SBI Group as one of Japan\u2019s largest financial conglomerates, with securities, banking, and insurance at its core, a market capitalization of approximately 4.9 trillion yen, consolidated total assets of 37 trillion yen, 18 listed companies, and 820 affiliated companies. The group has recently expanded beyond finance into areas such as biotech, Web3, media, and entertainment, and is planning a content fund of approximately 100 billion yen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He introduced the activities of \u201cSBI MUSIC CIRCUS,\u201d a subsidiary under the group: hosting approximately 30 events per year including music festivals, fireworks shows, food festivals, and drone shows, drawing as many as 200,000 attendees. Upcoming events include: an all-night music festival in Hokkaido (September, its first time in Hokkaido); the \u201cSBI Mai-Hanabi\u201d (SBI Dance Fireworks), the first time in the Kanto region where a music live and fireworks are synchronized (May 30, sold out with 25,000 attendees); and an all-night dome festival co-hosted with SoftBank (June 27, 15,000 people).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Kondo then unveiled what he called a \u201cfirst-ever public announcement\u201d: the \u201cSphere Tokyo Project.\u201d The Sphere is a next-generation spherical entertainment venue, with its first location in Las Vegas at a construction cost of 350 billion yen. Featuring a 360-degree LED screen and the world\u2019s largest sound system, it allows 20,000 people to have an immersive experience without VR headsets. He highlighted its high revenue potential, including multiple daily screenings, combined concert and screening runs, and advertising revenue from the exterior LED (approximately 70 million yen per 24 hours).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He cited Daiba (the Odaiba area) in Tokyo as a candidate site, pointing to its access to Haneda Airport, port facilities capable of accommodating large vessels, and synergies with tourism routes utilizing the waterways. In terms of funding, SBI Group envisions contributing 200 billion yen through a dedicated fund, with the remainder to be covered by a corporate consortium. Mr. Kondo passionately called for \u201ca national, metropolitan, and private-sector effort\u2014all of Japan\u2014to make this happen,\u201d generating great excitement in the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cross-Talk & Q\u00b7A Session<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Facilitated by Mr. Watanabe, a cross-talk among the three panelists followed. When Mr. Watanabe posed the question, \u201cIn an era where festivals, culture, and other things that have not traditionally been recognized as financial assets are becoming new units of value circulation, what is the role of financial institutions that issue credit?\u201d the panelists responded: \u201cThe fusion of media and finance is already the global norm. This is an era of betting on passion and potential rather than probability\u201d (Mr. Kondo); and \u201cFinancial institutions should be in a position to lead entertainment and media\u201d (Mr. Omae). All three panelists expressed their expectations for a new role for finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Q&A session drew active questions from both in-person and online participants. When asked about the possibility of investing in the Sphere, Mr. Kawamura candidly noted that \u201cdue to constraints on the fund\u2019s duration, it is likely that the investment return timeline won\u2019t align,\u201d while still expressing willingness to contribute to pump-priming initiatives. When Hiroaki Sasaki, representative of drone performance team Red Cliff, passionately declared, \u201cI want to connect the Sphere and sky drones\u2014I\u2019d love to be part of it,\u201d Mr. Kondo immediately responded, \u201cLet\u2019s definitely collaborate,\u201d making for a moment where real connections were formed live on stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices also pointed out the shortage of small-scale financing and talent development in the Cool Japan industry. Mr. Kawamura introduced sub-fund-based small-ticket investment initiatives; Mr. Kondo remarked that \u201cthe essence of development is giving people a stage and opportunity, and believing in them wholeheartedly.\u201d A warning was sounded: \u201cThe true resource of Cool Japan lies in the vast number of people who are passionate about something. Investment in such people must never be allowed to dry up.\u201d Mr. Watanabe structured the talent development discussion across three dimensions\u2014dissemination, cultivation, and strengthening\u2014deepening the dialogue further. The networking session that followed saw conversation between panelists and participants continue without pause until the very end, making for a uniquely energetic exchange that exemplified the spirit of this event.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 6th CJPF LAB of this fiscal year was held under the theme of \u201cFinance & Regional Revitalization \u00d7 Cool Japan.\u201d Three guest speakers were invited: Kotaro Omae, Chairman of Johoku Shinkin Bank; Naohisa Kawamura, Senior Managing Executive Officer of Cool Japan Fund, Inc. and Takami Kondo, Vice Chairman & Representative Director of SBI NEO MEDIA HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. \/ President & Group Representative of NEXYZ.Group. The moderator was Kenichi Watanabe, Director of the Cool Japan Public-Private Partnership Platform (CJPF). The event gathered a large number of participants both in-person and online, and generated lively discussion about insights from financial professionals engaged in Cool Japan, along with practical case studies. (Event date: March 3, 2026) Kotaro Omae | Chairman, Johoku Shinkin Bank Mr. Omae spoke on the topic of \u201cChallenging Content Development to Enhance Regional Value.\u201d He began by classifying financial institutions\u2019 activities into \u201ctraditional financial services\u201d and \u201cnon-financial services,\u201d then explained the background behind Johoku Shinkin Bank\u2019s focus on community engagement. As a non-profit cooperative financial institution, the bank can leverage its ability to take a long-term view on investment decisions, and has been pursuing content development directly linked to enhancing regional value. As a specific example, he first introduced the creation of a sake brand set in Kita Ward, Tokyo. The ward has a history of being called the \u201cSacred Land of Sake,\u201d symbolized by the former National Brewing Laboratory (Red Brick Sake Brewery), a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. During the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars, over 3,000 master brewers (toji) gathered there from across the country to acquire the latest sake-making techniques\u2014all in service of securing liquor tax revenue to fund the war effort. As chairman of the tourism association, Mr. Omae promoted the use of this facility and organized tours combining a facility visit with a full-course French dinner featuring fermented ingredients (approximately 50,000 yen per person), which sold out immediately. This experience strongly convinced him of the potential of heritage tourism. Building on these experiences, in 2024 he launched a sake called \u201cHIEI\u201d brewed using the \u201cAsukayama yeast\u201d collected from the former Shibusawa Garden in Asukayama Park, priced at 10,000 yen per bottle and limited to 2,024 bottles. It sold out and went into increased production. It has since been listed at Michelin-starred restaurants and the Imperial Hotel, becoming a high-value-added brand. Products such as caneles and ice cream made from sake lees are also […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1282,"template":"","class_list":["post-1779","live","type-live","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","en-US"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t