Title : Partner

Bio: Yuichiro has started his career with automotive manufacturer in US, and joined Deloitte in 2005. Currently focusing on Aerospace & Defense industry and providing wide range of consulting services including business strategy, organization, process and IT transformation.

Title : Research director of Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center,
JAXA, and a professor of Kobe University. 

Bio: Munetaka Ueno is research director of Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center, JAXA, and a professor of Kobe University.  After his Ph.D in physics from Kyoto University, Japan in 1994, he joined Department of Earth Science and Astronomy, University of Tokyo, then moved to Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), JAXA in 2009, and his former occupations were head of mission instrument technology group, director of space science program office, and Chief engineer of JAXA. His research interests include observational astronomy, solar system science, scientific instrumentation and systems engineering in space development. He has been involved in several space missions, AKARI (Infrared Astronomical Satellite), AKATSUKI (Venus orbiter), and  HAYABUSA mission.
He served a director of Astronomical Society of Japan, a chair person of Standing Space Agency Subcommittee, International Project Management Committee, a vice-chair of Standing Space Agency Subcommittee, Knowledge Management Technical Committee, and a member of space science advisory committee of ISAS, JAXA.

Title : Director - Military Programs and Government Relations at Pratt & Whitney Japan

Bio: Formerly an international business consultant and a defense official, Ms. Ayano Ito is a government relations expert with extensive experiences of facilitating Japanese and international industry and government stakeholders across business sectors. Currently as Director of Military Programs and Government Relations at Pratt & Whitney Japan, Ms. Ito’s expertise includes government relations, policy and regulatory analysis, defense program management and political advocacy.

After years of experience in international business consultation and M&A, she served the Japan Ministry of Defense where her specialities included fighter aircraft programs with focus on F-35 Program at Aircraft Division of Internal Bureau and Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency. In-depth knowledge in industrial security for highly sensitive and classified programs adds to her unique skillsets. In pursuit of gaining a broader range of experiences in the US private sector, she resigned the Government of Japan and joined Pratt & Whitney in 2017.

Since joining Pratt & Whitney, F135 (F-35), F100 (F-15) and PW4062 (KC-46A) Programs comprise her portfolio. Ms. Ito has led F100 Global Transfer Project in country, realizing one of the first business models in Japan’s defense history which enable Japanese defense suppliers to enter global military markets. In collaborative efforts with Pratt & Whitney Canada she also holds the role of a government relations advisor for JGSDF UH-2 Program.

In recent years, Ms. Ito serves as Vice Chair for Aerospace and Defense Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce Japan and Director of Advisory Board at the International Security Industry Council.

From programmatic management to advocacy efforts, Ms. Ito is a committed professional to Japan’s national defense landscape.

Title : Director for Defense Industry Aerospace and Defense Industry Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

Bio: Mr. FUKAWA Hideki serves the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) as Director for Defense Industry since October 2021. He is responsible for defense industrial cooperation enhancement and critical technology development in the field of economic security to strengthen defense industrial and technological base.

Prior to the current role, Mr. FUKAWA had served METI’s Aerospace and Defense Industry Division from 2014 to 2016 as Deputy Director for defense industry where he led collaboration initiatives with domestic and foreign defense industries and authorities. While serving Technology Strategy Office of METI from 2017 to 2018, his scope of specialty included trend analysis of critical technologies and incubation for such critical technologies through providing industrialization opportunities in the markets.

From 2019 to 2020, Mr. FUKAWA implemented Foreign Direct Investment Screening as Director of International Investment Control Office, Trade Control Department at METI, utilizing his diverse experiences from former assignments and roles held

Since July 2021 he has been concurrently supporting METI’s Corona Vaccination Program for Business Unit, as a member of Critical Materials Supply Strategy Office at the Minister’s Secretariat.

Mr. FUKAWA joined Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI, a preceding agency of METI) in 1996.

Title : Director, South East Asia for ArcBlue Consulting

Bio: Chris Hampden is the Director, South East Asia for ArcBlue Consulting, a leading specialist procurement and supply chain consultancy operating across Asia Pacific, and a part of Bain & Company. Chris leads the Aviation, Manufacturing and Sustainable Procurement practices within ArcBlue.

Chris joined ArcBlue in January 2022 having spent more than 15 years working for Rolls-Royce, where he held leadership positions in procurement, supply chain management, strategy and finance across the Aerospace, Marine and Energy sectors. These experiences have been gained whilst spending much of his career living and working in Asia Pacific, including long-term assignments based in Vietnam, Japan and Singapore.

His most recent role at Rolls-Royce was as Head of International Purchasing, where he played a key role in reshaping the aerospace supply chain across Asia Pacific and in emerging markets globally, looking at raw materials, castings & forgings, machining & fabrications, and full assemblies. His prior experiences include two years based in Japan as the Regional Supply Chain Manager – NE Asia, where he was responsible for delivering world class level of operational performance for key strategic partners and suppliers across the NE Asia Supply Chain for aerospace engine programmes

Chris has an academic background in Business and Finance, having qualified as a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and holding a First-Class degree in Business Studies.

Title : Executive Officer, Vice President of Corporate Strategy Headquarters, IHI Corporation

Bio: In 1987, Morioka entered in IHI Corporation, Aero-Engine & Space Operations. She joined various aircraft engine projects and in charge of R&D, design and product support on the control systems.

In 2009, she started at R&D project on the future aircraft & engine system innovation.

In 2021, she became her present position.