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Event Details
Event Details
Amid growing global uncertainty, Japan’s equity market continues to attract attention from international investors, driven by positive developments such as the country’s exit from deflation, governance reforms at the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and the formation of a new administration.
In recent years, investment from the Gulf region has been steadily increasing; however, understanding of Japan’s current political and economic landscape remains limited.
Against this backdrop, the Government of Japan, JPX, JETRO, Japanese financial institutions, and media partners are coming together under an “All Japan” initiative to host the Japan-Gulf Business & Investment Forum 2026, a platform designed to directly showcase the appeal of Japan’s market and its investment opportunities.
The forum will provide a comprehensive overview of Japan’s latest economic trends and market strengths, share insights on governance reforms and improvements in the investment environment, and offer opportunities for direct dialogue with Japanese companies and financial institutions to explore concrete investment prospects.
In addition, the event will feature a dedicated networking session that brings together leading financial professionals from Japan and the Gulf region, creating a unique opportunity for meaningful exchange and collaboration. As the first promotional event for Japanese equities in the region, this forum represents an exceptional opportunity for participants to discover new business possibilities.
Date & Time
Wednesday 14 January 2026 9 am to 14:45 pm
Venue
The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC (The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre), Salon 9
DIFC, off - Sheikh Zayed Rd - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Venue
The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC (The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre), Salon 9
DIFC, off - Sheikh Zayed Rd - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Fee: Free of charge (Registration required)
Registration Deadline: 5 January 2026
Speakers
Speakers
Mr. Jun Imanishi
Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai
Consul General
H.E. Arif Amiri
Chief Executive Officer, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority
Mr. Hiroshi Okada
Vice Commissioner for Strategy
Development and Evidence-based Policymaking Financial Services Agency ("JFSA")
Mr. Shinichi Kihara
Director General for Energy and Environmental Policy
Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry
Mr. Masanori Yoshida
Executive Officer,
Global Chief,
Japan Exchange Group
Mr. Yasuhiko Kawakita
Executive Officer, Head of Pan Asian Equities,
Head of Research & Consulting Unit, Mizuho Securities
Mr. Itaru Yamamoto
Monetary Affairs Department,
Bank of Japan
Mr. Ben Powell
Chief Investment Strategist for the Middle East and APAC,
BlackRock Investment Institute
Ms. Ayla Wagatsuma
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications,
Japan Exchange Group, Inc.
Mr. Tomochika Kitaoka
Chief Equity Strategist,
Nomura Securities
Mr. Abhijit Chakrabortti
Senior Strategist,
Brevan Howard
Mr. Govinda Finn
Advisor, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management
Mr. Takeo Nakajima
Director-General of Innovation Department of JETRO
Dr. Tomohiro Fujita
Founder & Chief Executive Officer,
Chitose Bio Evolution
Mr. Yoshihiko Katsuda
Managing Director, Regional Head for Middle East,
MUFG Bank,Ltd.
Mr. Mitsuru Obe
Japan Editor, Nikkei Asia
Mr. Nobuyuki Nakajima
Managing Director,
JETRO DUBAI
Program
Program
14 January 2026
9:00
Coffee / Networking
10:00
Opening Remarks
Mr. Jun Imanishi, Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai, Consul General
10:05
Welcome Remarks
H.E. Arif Amiri , Chief Executive Officer, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority
10:10
Keynote Address
Mr. Hiroshi Okada, Vice Commissioner for Strategy Development and Evidence-based Policymaking
Financial Services Agency ("JFSA")
10:25
Keynote Address
Mr. Shinichi Kihara, Director General for Energy and Environmental Policy,
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
10:40
Presentation : Progress in Corporate Governance Reform in Japan and the Next Catalysts
Mr. Masanori Yoshida, Executive Officer, Global Chief, Japan Exchange Group
11:00
Investor Panel : Macro Environment in Japanese Market and the Impact of Shifting Global Geopolitical Risks
Mr. Yasuhiko Kawakita, Executive Officer, Head of Pan Asian Equities, Head of Research & Consulting Unit, Mizuho Securities
Mr. Itaru Yamamoto, Monetary Affairs Department, Bank of Japan
Mr. Ben Powell, Managing Director, Chief Investment Strategist for the Middle East and APAC, BlackRock Investment Institute (BII)
<Moderator> Ms. Ayla Wagatsuma, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Japan Exchange Group, Inc.
11:40
Coffee Break / Networking
11:50
Investor Panel : Focus Sectors in the Japanese Market, Specific Strategies, and Private Assets
Mr. Tomochika Kitaoka, Chief Equity Strategist, Nomura Securities
Mr. Abhijit Chakrabortti, Senior Strategist, Brevan Howard
<Moderator> Mr. Govinda Finn, Advisor, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management
12:30
Industry Panel : Industrial Policy, Domestic Business Environment, Corporate Management Perspectives, Innovation, and Engagement with the Middle East
Mr. Takeo Nakajima, Director-General of Innovation Department of JETRO
Mr. Yoshihiko Katsuda , Managing Director, Regional Head for Middle East, MUFG Bank
Dr. Tomohiro Fujita, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Chitose Bio Evolution
<Moderator> Mr. Mitsuru Obe, Japan Editor, Nikkei Asia
13:10
Closing Remarks
Mr. Nobuyuki Nakajima, Managing Director JETRO DUBAI
13:15
Lunch / Networking
Networking Lunch is provided by the Consulate-General of Japan in Dubai.
Special Sponsors
Special Sponsors
Sponsors
Supported by
Media Partner
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