G1 Global Podcast

Well-being has become a familiar term in Japanese corporate discourse, yet the gap between knowing, doing, and being remains wide. While many programs focus on making work more convenient (働きやすさ), employees increasingly seek deeper meaning and fulfillment (働きがい). We explore how fostering a culture of self-compassion and psychological safety can be a powerful driver of individual and organizational resilience, and how businesses can move beyond policies to lived practice and authentic well-being. In particular, we explore how businesses in Japan can maintain productivity while tackling these issues and embracing globalization and expanding their global talent.

What will it take for Japan to move from popularity to true leadership in contemporary tourism? This panel features innovators shaping sustainable and regenerative tourism, redefining local gastronomy, and driving mountain resort development. Together, they will discuss how Japan can craft distinctive experiences that resonate deeply with visitors while delivering lasting impact for local communities.

Japan's historical strengths in foundational research, precision manufacturing, and engineering uniquely position it for leadership in the global deeptech landscape, especially in areas like advanced hardware and physical AI. This panel will explore how the nation can leverage these capabilities to commercialize groundbreaking innovations and compete on a global scale. Bringing together top minds from venture capital, academia, and industry, the session will discuss bridging the gap between R&D and the market, the role of government policy in fostering deeptech startups, cultivating a risk-taking entrepreneurial culture, and attracting global talent. The goal is to provide a roadmap for transforming Japan’s deep technical expertise into a thriving, globally competitive deeptech ecosystem.

Beyond the influence of major powers, smaller yet distinctive nations in the Middle East and Far East — guided by their own philosophies, values, and political stances — are navigating complex regional dynamics. Having faced turbulence yet shown resilience, these countries demonstrate how they can contribute to regional and global stability in ways that superpowers cannot. This panel explores how political behavior and leadership intersect with disciplined planning, entrepreneurial daring, long-term vision, and fast adaptation. By sharing experiences, we aim to highlight how political navigation can build trust, strengthen civil society, and open pathways to sustainable collaboration and innovation.

This panel examines how Japanese companies are choosing an "aggregate niche strategy" to compete in new global settings. Based on research from Prof. Schaede's book, "The Kaisha: The Business Reinvention of Japan," panelists will explore how Japanese firms move upstream into critical deep-tech materials to compete against and profit from the activities of Northeast Asian and other manufacturers. How have they made the strategic pivot that has given them a competitive advantage? How long can this leadership last, and will its reach increase under Pax Japonica? Based on the insights from Japanese companies, the panel will share the lessons that can be learned more broadly.

Japan's collectivist society was once criticized as a barrier to innovation, stifling diversity of thought. However, as many Western nations now grapple with deepening social divisions, political polarization, and a crisis of loneliness, the Japanese model is being reexamined. In contrast to societies where individualism clashes with social cohesion, Japan's focus on harmony and collective responsibility is beginning to look like a source of strength. Amidst rising populism and mistrust in institutions, Japan's social fabric appears remarkably resilient. This panel will explore what kind of environment truly fosters long-term stability and well-being, and Japan's unique role in a divided world.

This panel explores the rapid evolution of Generative AI and its implications for business strategy. It will cover key developments including the shrinking of large language models (LLMs), the increasing use of AI agents for complete automation of tasks, and the move toward running AI on edge devices. Attendees will learn about the transition from basic AI agents to truly agentic AI, which can autonomously plan and execute complex, multi-step tasks. Business leaders need to be aware of how these advancements can transform operations and create new opportunities. The panel will address strategies for thriving, despite the possible crash of the current GenAI bubble, in the face of a fast-paced and ever-changing landscape.

How can immigration shape a brighter, more dynamic Japan? Already, there are 2.5 million foreign workers in Japan, in everything from high-tech startups to cabbage farms. As the Japanese labor force falls from 66 million today to 47 million 2050, how much of the gap can be filled by foreign workers? In what occupations and in what industries? How will law and politics handle the challenges of assimilating foreigners and backlash by citizens? How can the private sector help convert challenges to opportunities? The panel will examine the economics, politics, law, and sociology of immigration in Japan

This panel explores how traditional Japanese management philosophies can be a strategic asset in the modern global economy. Discussion will focus on practices like Kaizen (continuous improvement) and Nemawashi (consensus-building). However, these approaches face challenges such as slow decision-making and a resistance to radical innovation, which can be a liability in fast-paced global markets. We will analyze how Japanese companies are adapting these concepts to attract and retain global talent, balancing core strengths like long-term strategy and group harmony with the need for individual empowerment and agile decision-making. The goal is to provide business professionals with actionable insights on how to evolve these unique styles for a global workforce.

The accelerating advances in artificial intelligence are reshaping global power and security. While AI promises extraordinary gains in productivity and innovation, it also introduces new vulnerabilities such as disinformation and autonomous weapons. These shifts directly impact great power competition and alliance structures. This panel will explore the nexus of AI and geopolitics, bringing together thought leaders from the United States and Japan. They will examine how AI is altering the strategic balance, discuss governance models to mitigate risks while fostering innovation, and explore how the two nations can collaborate on responsible AI development. The goal is to generate fresh insights on navigating geopolitics in an AI-driven world.