CO-FOUNDER / KIARA KAWAGUCHI ATTENDS THE “NRW INVESTMENT FORUM”

Deepening Global Expansion Potential Through Engagement with German Industry and Key European Leaders

Kiara Kawaguchi attended the “NRW Investment Forum,” hosted by the State of North Rhine–Westphalia (NRW), Federal Republic of Germany.

NRW is widely recognized as one of Europe’s largest industrial hubs, home to world-leading companies across diverse sectors such as chemicals, manufacturing, AI, and environmental technologies. The forum provided an important opportunity to gain a broad view of Europe’s investment landscape, industrial policy, and technological innovation—while also serving as a meaningful step as we consider future expansion into Europe.

High-Density Engagement with European Experts and Global Talent

During the forum, we exchanged perspectives with leaders across government, finance, and industry, gaining deeper insights from an international viewpoint.

First, we spoke with Shinji Kagawa, a prominent figure in Japanese sports with a career across major global leagues, discussing international careers and the mindset and values required to take on challenges in global environments.

We also held a meeting with Dr. Carsten Gerhardt, who is involved in finance and consulting for BASF SE, one of the world’s largest chemical companies. The discussion covered core themes shaping international business, including:

• Restructuring of European industries

• The transition toward sustainability

• Financial strategies of global enterprises

• Outlooks across chemicals, manufacturing, and AI

In particular, the analysis that the integration of environmental technology and advanced manufacturing will shape Europe’s competitiveness strongly resonated with our cross-domain strategy spanning space, AI, education, and entertainment—offering meaningful implications as we consider international expansion.

We will continue strengthening global dialogue and expanding opportunities for value creation through international partnerships and networks.