Social Transformation
Leading change for society's future together with stakeholders
What Is SX, and Why Is It Needed Now?
SX (Social Transformation) as Envisioned by ICMG Group
Naoka Sono
ICMG Group Intellectual Capital Management ICM
Community Co-Creation Initiatives that Embody SX
Creating new value for communities and the world through diverse partnerships —From the front lines of co-creation that bring SX to life
At ICMG Group, the essence of SX lies in enabling communities to recognize their own unique strengths and, with a future-oriented perspective, develop those strengths on a global stage. Guided by this philosophy, we implement co-creation initiatives that are deeply rooted in local communities.
1. Envisioning the Future of Communities and Supporting It through Human Capital
—Integrating Grand Design and Talent Development
ICMG Group works in close collaboration with local governments to develop “grand designs” that envision the future of each region. By bringing together research outcomes from regional universities, business resources from companies, and public-sector policies, we facilitate careful dialogue to clarify a shared vision and priority issues.
Practical Insights in Social Transformation (SX)
ICMG’s SX Initiatives in Practice
[Catamaran]
Bridging Local Value to the World: ICMG Group’s Vision for Regional Co-Creation
Challenges Our Clients Face
Measuring outcomes through proprietary leading indicators to build a solid foundation of trust that accelerates co-creation with local communities.
Failure to verbalize the uniqueness of the "local" against the global
We have not drawn up an overall strategy as a "region" for the future.
How did we help?
Our Presence
Our Services
Future-Discovering Co-Creation Program
ICMG supports the implementation of open innovation by supporting co-creation with the diverse stakeholders in ICMG's network, while making making the invisible ideas and value that lie dormant within companies tangible.
Realization of a co-creation platform that strategically connects with the world
Leveraging ICMG's global network, ICMG provides a hybrid digital/real platform where all kinds of companies, from global giants to start-ups, can share their knowledge opportunities.
Our Joint Ventures
Not only by accompanying but by becoming "practitioners" ourselves, we will innovate and confront social challenges together with wilful leaders.
Greenway Grid Global Pte Ltd
A joint venture established in Singapore by TEPCO Power Grid, Chubu Electric Power’s power transmission and distribution division, and ICMG Group. This joint venture in the power transmission and distribution sector was established following the merger of the power generation divisions of TEPCO and Chubu Electric Power Company (JERA), Japan’s largest electric power company. JERA is engaged in the development, investment, and operations of overseas power transmission and distribution projects in Asia, as well as renewable energy and next-generation infrastructure.
CleanGrid Partners Pte. Ltd.
A joint venture between WEnergy Global Pte Ltd and ICMG Group. Manages renewable energy funds in collaboration with local partners.
Our Experts
Creating and Expanding the Co-Creation Ecosystem through International Finance
Yu Aruga
Director, CFO and Global Investment Executive, ICMG Group
Director, ICMG Ventures
Fund manager accredited by the Monetary Authority of Singapore
Member of the Securities Analysts Association of Japan
Certified Management Accountant
University College London M.A. in Urban Economic Development
He was in charge of fund raising, investment and liquidity management in Morgan Stanley's finance division. Later, as a founding member of the Singapore subsidiary of a boutique investment bank, he developed the corporate finance business model for Japanese, Indian, and Southeast Asian companies. He was involved in VC investments in India and advisory services for capital tie-ups to APAC companies.He was also in charge of sourcing and DD for the establishment of a global fund of funds. After that, he worked at Nomura Research Institute Singapore as a consultant in the smart city and agriculture fields, and as an advisor for investment in energy business, before joining ICMG Ventures. He is currently engaged in sourcing and DD of investment targets in Asia and networking with VC firms. He lives in Singapore.
Creating cool and shining adults who will lead Japan to be a respected country in the world again.
Naoka Sono
ICMG Group Intellectual Capital Management ICM
Middlesex University BA Joint Honours Degree Management with Accounting
Joined Accel Corporation (now ICMG) in 2002. She has been involved in many projects, mainly for the Hitachi Group, in which he helped visualize intellectual capital and utilize it to create value. In 2009, after the birth of her first child, she became upset with the stagnant postpartum environment and launched a postpartum support business. After 12 years of management experience, she returned to ICMG in 2022. She is currently leading a program to uncover human and intellectual capital, the core of the Discovery Phase, which is the starting point for sustainable corporate value enhancement.
We will continue to be a challenger toward realizing the richness of a diverse and inclusive society.
Makoto Kigawa
External Director, ICMG Special Advisor
Yamato Holdings, Inc. External Director
Oki Electric Industry External Director
Seven Bank, Ltd. External Director
Higo Bank, Ltd. External Director
Author of "Creating Future Markets" (Nikkei BP, Inc.)
Bachelor of Commerce, Hitotsubashi University
After working for Fuji Bank and Mizuho Corporate Bank, he joined Yamato Transport Co., where he was in charge of structural reforms to make the company a holding company and to realize its growth strategy. He also served as President and Representative Director of Yamato Transport, President and Representative Director of Yamato HD, Chairman of Yamato Transport, and President of the Yamato Group Research Institute, Inc.He has also served as Vice President of the Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives) and as a member of the Hitotsubashi University Management Council. He currently serves as an outside director of Seven Bank, Oki Electric Industry, Higo Bank, and others.
We will think and act to realize the society as it should be, a new society.
Yoshihiko Shimizu
ICMG Group Advisor
Former Vice President and Representative Director, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Former President and Representative Director, SMBC Nikko Securities Former Chairman, Yamanashi Prefectural Federation of People's Associations Director, United Nations Association for UNHCR
Bachelor of Commerce, Waseda University
In 1978, he joined Sumitomo Bank (currently Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation). After achieving a number of successes in corporate sales, he held several important positions, including Managing Executive Officer, General Manager of Corporate Banking Division, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer, and was appointed Representative Director and Vice President of the bank in 2012. He joined SMBC Nikko Securities in 2015 after retiring from the bank, and was appointed President and Representative Director of SMBC Nikko Securities in 2016, and Chairman and Representative Director in April 2020, leading the company's development.He was appointed to the Board of Directors of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group from June 2020 to June 2021. He is currently serving as an advisor to several domestic and foreign funds as well as an advisor to industrial companies. He helps each company realize its mission of contributing to environmental, social, and corporate governance in Japan and beyond. He also serves as President of the Yamanashi Prefectural Association of People's Associations and as a board member of the United Nations Association for UNHCR, promoting local economic development and Japan's cooperation with the international community.
Creating a society in which each and every one of us can fulfill our potential.
Takehiko Ogi
External Director of ICMG
Professor, Kyushu University Business School
Author of "The Law of Decline: The Silent Killer Eroding Japanese Companies" (Toyo Keizai Inc.) Having graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law, he holds a B.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School of International Relations, Princeton University, N.J., and an M.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, D. (Economics), Graduate School of Economics, The University of Tokyo
He has served in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), as the President and Representative Director of Tsutaya Online, Representative Director and Managing Director of Culture Convenience Club, President and Representative Executive Officer of Kanebo (seconded from the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan), President and Representative Director of Maruzen (now Maruzen CHI Holdings),and President and Representative Director of Japan Human Resources Development Organization. He has always been involved in the forefront of corporate and social reform.
Create innovations that are intrinsically meaningful to the world.
Yusuke Tsuji
ICMG Group Advisor
Vice-Chairman, Keizai Doyukai Asia Committee
Kyoto University Graduate School of Engineering
Part-time lecturer at the University of Tokyo
He joined J.P. Morgan as a new graduate and later, ICMG. He has led numerous co-creation innovation projects, programs, and platforms based on "Purposeful & Impactful Innovation - creating innovations that have intrinsic meaning for the world". In addition to the execution of projects from ideation to commercialization with clients, he has extensive experience in leading the grand design, detailed design, and execution of corporate strategy, innovation strategy, innovation process, organizational design, and various system designs such as HR systems (including many under the direct supervision of the president).He led the creation of a strategic alliance and joint initiative with UNDP GCTISD in the area of SDGs (obtained approval from UN NY headquarters). He was also elected as Judging Panel and Mentor for various global programs, and on top of that, he teaches a class on Innovation for Well-being at the University of Tokyo.
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