The opening ceremony, which marked the beginning of the main conference, was held on August 20, 2025, at Hotel East 21 Tokyo. Students and guests from Japan and abroad gathered together, creating a magnificent venue symbolizing the start of international exchange. Following opening remarks by the HPAIR 2025 organizing committee, distinguished speakers from various fields delivered greetings and keynote speeches. Notable speakers included Asako Kimura, President of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division for 2023, Professor Emeritus Hiroyuki Sagawa from the University of Tokyo's Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, Yudai Ishikawa, CEO of Maxell Consulting, Aya Komaki, CEO of Sanrio Entertainment, Ichiro Fujisaki, President of the Japan-America Society and former Ambassador to the United States, and Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo. Through speeches based on their respective areas of expertise and experience, they provided students with significant insights and messages encouraging participation in the international community. The venue also featured special performances embodying traditional Japanese culture and opportunities for exchange through dinner, deepening the spirit of friendship and cooperation that transcends borders. The opening ceremony was not merely a formality but vividly demonstrated the direction and philosophy of the entire conference.
President, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division (2023)
Opening Remarks for HPAIR
At the opening of HPAIR, she expressed gratitude to all parties who supported the organizing committee as external advisors. She powerfully advocated for the importance of industry-academia-government collaboration in supporting the next generation's challenges.
Professor Emeritus, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo
Greetings on behalf of University of Tokyo professors
Drawing from his experience in international collaborative research through accelerator experiments and cosmic ray observations, he emphasized the power of direct dialogue and the value of 'human connections.' While noting that post-COVID remote operations and advances in translation technology have accelerated collaboration, he pointed out that face-to-face meetings can resolve misunderstandings in just one minute, encouraging students to actively engage in exchange and build cross-border networks. He also touched on the significance of rediscovering forgotten beauty and history through anecdotes of Japan-US research and cultural exchanges tracing the connections to painter Chiura Obata.
CEO, Maxell Consulting Inc.
Reconsidering Sustainable Capitalism
He presented impact investing, social impact bonds (SIB), and carbon credits as mechanisms to internalize externalities into markets. He argued that organically integrating business, NPOs, and finance would create an 'invisible hand' that maximizes economic value while redistributing it to society. In an era where Web3 and AI relativize the advantages of academic credentials and knowledge input, he positioned the implementation capacity to translate goodwill into institutions (budgets, regulations, market infrastructure) as the core of sustainable capitalism, also touching on scholarship foundation concepts to address global learning loss.
Sanrio Entertainment
Getting Along Through 'Kawaii'
Centered on Sanrio's philosophy 'Getting along with everyone,' she introduced Kawaii as a universal emotion that 'opens people's hearts, promotes dialogue, and reduces psychological distance.' She presented a vision of co-creating a society that respects diversity through entertainment, combining research findings on happiness, self-esteem, and productivity improvement with SDGs practices.
Former Ambassador to the US / President, Japan-America Society
Asia-US Relations: Past and Future
As former Ambassador to the US, he reflected on his diplomatic career, having experienced historical moments such as the Lehman Shock and the Great East Japan Earthquake, and working to build trust with the United States. Amid the instability of the free trade system and rising geopolitical tensions, he emphasized that Japan's role should be international cooperation based on 'transparency,' 'trust,' and 'collaboration.' He also discussed how Japan, facing demographic and social structural changes, can be redefined on the world stage, calling on young people to have the 'courage to persistently dialogue with those holding different values and actively participate in building sustainable peace and prosperity.'
Governor of Tokyo
Urban Strategy Leading the World from Tokyo
In the era of climate crisis, she presented policies to solve urban issues through the utilization of AI and public-private partnerships, the 'WA' fund supporting women's empowerment, and collaboration with universities, while building on behavioral change insights exemplified by Cool Biz. She powerfully advocated for realizing 'Tokyo, the world's best city' together with global partners, leveraging startup support and the achievements of SusHi Tech Tokyo.
Traditional Japanese performing arts embody the "harmony of stillness and motion" through forms, movements, and aesthetics refined over many years. The powerful drums of GARYU represent the heartbeat of the community itself, while the archery of the Ogasawara School visualizes the spirituality of samurai culture through etiquette, movements, and timing. For international visitors, it served as an entry point to understanding Japan, while for Japanese participants, it was an opportunity to reaffirm the cultural values that should be inherited.
Special Performance
A taiko drum unit based in Hiroshima that performs worldwide. GARYU's rhythm resonated throughout the venue, visualizing wishes for peace as a sense of unity.
The Essence of Mounted Archery and Court Etiquette
A lecture and demonstration by the 31st Grand Master. The continuous sequence of etiquette, posture, breathing, and movements culminated as one 'ceremony,' enveloping the venue in refined tension.
International Night was an event where participants introduced their countries' cultures through performances. A total of 7 participants from India, Uzbekistan, Hong Kong, and other countries showcased dance, singing, musical instruments, and recitations. The climax saw audience members raising their smartphone lights, creating a sense of unity throughout the venue.
