
About GFTN Forum, Japan
In 2023, Japan FinTech Festival was piloted as a new platform for collaboration and innovation in the region. Following its success, GFTN Forum, Japan has been launched as the flagship program for Japan and the wider region.
Organised by the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), the forum serves as a multi-channel gateway for international companies to connect with the local ecosystem, support local businesses in creating new partnerships, and foster a global dialogue between the public and private sectors. Leveraging global expertise and experience of GFTN, the forum delivers a world-class agenda designed to generate tangible outcomes for the community.
Why Japan, Why Now?
Japan is a DeepTech powerhouse
AI, blockchain, quantum computing, digital assets, semiconductors, internet infrastructure and green tech, are rapidly transforming financial services while Japan is a key innovator and investor in these areas.
Strategic investment opportunities
Japan is keen to invest in Fintech, DeepTech and Infrastructure ventures, driving domestic growth and establishing itself as a global leader in financial and sustainable innovation.
Changing demographics key driver for innovation
Structural issues like an aging population and slow economic growth are drivers to accelerate fintech innovation.
Strong Government commitment to remove hurdles
The Japanese government is committed to digital transformation and stimulation of Foreign Asset Management and Foreign Direct Investment, creating an ideal time to align public and private sector efforts.
National drive to grow startups and unicorns
National program to increase to number of startups to 100,000 while nurturing 100 unicorns are a strong drivers for innovation and new investment opportunities in a nation known for its DeepTech and excellence in execution.
2024 in Numbers

Curated by Global Fintech Pioneers

Sopnendu Mohanty
Chief Fintech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore
Group Chief Executive Officer - Designate, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)
Sopnendu Mohanty
Chief Fintech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore
Mohanty extensively engages with global technology and financial services ecosystems and has championed notable collaborative public goods like API Exchange (APIX), Singapore Fintech Festival, Payment Rails, Data exchange platforms, and experimental programs like Project Ubin. In addition, Mohanty advises many international global advisory bodies on Fintech, Innovation and Inclusion. Within five years of his leadership, Singapore has become a leading global Fintech hub producing unicorns and home to many vibrant fintech companies.
He has co-authored several patented works in the application of digital technology in Finance and won many industry recognitions.

Takeshi Kito
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer
The GFTN Forum
Takeshi Kito
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer
Additionally, he serves on the committee for the Government of Japan's Regulatory Sandbox and is a member of the experts group at the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry for cross-border data transfers.
Before starting his own startup, Takeshi worked as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch, gaining expertise in capital markets. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, he worked at Boston Consulting Group.
He also held the position of Vice-chair at Fintech Association of Japan, where he played a pivotal role in navigating international collaborations for 6 years.

Pieter Franken
Co-founder, Safecast
Co-founder, The GFTN Forum
Pieter Franken
Co-founder, Safecast
Advisory Board

Amit Ranjan
Japan & Korea Banking Transformation Leader
Microsoft Japan
Amit Ranjan
Japan & Korea Banking Transformation Leader

Jesper Koll
Global Embassador
Monex Group, Inc
Jesper Koll
Global Embassador
Jesper Koll has been researching and investing in Japan since becoming a resident in 1986. Over the past decades, Jesper has been consistently recognized as one of the top Japan strategists/economists, having worked as Chief Strategist and Head of Research for U.S. investment banks J.P. Morgan and Merrill Lynch. He currently serves as Expert Director for the Monex Group and the Japan Catalyst Fund (Japan’s 1st retail investor based corporate engagement/activist fund). His analysis and insights have earned him a position on several Japanese government and corporate advisory committees. In 2022, he was appointed Global Ambassador for Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike’s Tokyo Financial Center initiative. Jesper serves as Board Director of OIST, the Okinawa Institute for Science and Technology and is a Founder and Board Director of the Asia Society Japan and heads their Policy Committee. He is one of the few non-Japanese members of the Keizai Doyukai, the Japan Association of Corporate Executives; and serves on the board of several Japan-based start-ups. He has written three books in Japanese and, in 2021, created the acclaimed video/pod-cast series “Japan - Capitalism that works”.
Jesper is an economist, angel-investor, patron; and yes, a Japan Optimist.

Joyce Phillips
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
EqualFuture Corp
Joyce Phillips
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Joyce Phillips is an accomplished CEO and transformative leader. Ms. Phillips is Founder & CEO of EqualFuture Corp., a FinTech startup based in San Francisco, building an Ai enabled analytics based financial technology Super Ap platform that delivers affordable personal financial wellness and education to individuals and businesses.
Ms. Phillips previously held senior executive roles for Citigroup including CEO of International Retail Banking, Country Manager for Citibank Japan, and CEO of DinersClub and Citi Cards Japan.
Prior executive roles include Group Managing Director M&A, Group Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) and CEO of the Global Wealth Division.
Prior to joining ANZ, Ms.Phillips was President and Chief Operating Officer at American Life Insurance Company (ALICO), then a subsidiary of AIG.
Ms. Phillips serves as director on several boards including the Smithsonian National Board, and First Interstate Bank Holdings (NASDAQ FIBK) where she Chairs the Technology, Innovation and Operations Committee.
Ms. Phillips was included in the U.S. Banker "25 Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance" list multiple years and named one of the Top 100 Fintech leaders in Asia. Ms. Phillips’ innovation in marketing has also been recognized at the prestigious Cannes Lion marketing festival.

Joyce Phillips
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
EqualFuture Corp
Joyce Phillips is an accomplished CEO and transformative leader. Ms. Phillips is Founder & CEO of EqualFuture Corp., a FinTech startup based in San Francisco, building an Ai enabled analytics based financial technology Super Ap platform that delivers affordable personal financial wellness and education to individuals and businesses.
Ms. Phillips previously held senior executive roles for Citigroup including CEO of International Retail Banking, Country Manager for Citibank Japan, and CEO of DinersClub and Citi Cards Japan.
Prior executive roles include Group Managing Director M&A, Group Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) and CEO of the Global Wealth Division.
Prior to joining ANZ, Ms.Phillips was President and Chief Operating Officer at American Life Insurance Company (ALICO), then a subsidiary of AIG.
Ms. Phillips serves as director on several boards including the Smithsonian National Board, and First Interstate Bank Holdings (NASDAQ FIBK) where she Chairs the Technology, Innovation and Operations Committee.
Ms. Phillips was included in the U.S. Banker "25 Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance" list multiple years and named one of the Top 100 Fintech leaders in Asia. Ms. Phillips’ innovation in marketing has also been recognized at the prestigious Cannes Lion marketing festival.

Jung Seok Kang
Chief Executive Officer
AIZEN Global
Jung Seok Kang
Chief Executive Officer

Jung Seok Kang
Chief Executive Officer
AIZEN Global
Elevandi Japan
Elevandi Japan, the Japanese subsidiary of the not-for-profit global FinTech ecosystem builder Elevandi, is playing a strategic role in developing and accelerating the Japanese and North East Asian FinTech ecosystem; promoting Japan's advancement in critical technologies, and connecting Japan with Elevandi's fast-developing global network of initiatives.

Makoto Shibata
Founder & Head
FINOLAB
Makoto Shibata
Founder & Head

Mukund Tatipamula
COO & Head of Hybrid Markets Japan
TP ICAP Japan
Mukund Tatipamula
COO & Head of Hybrid Markets Japan
He is an ardent fan of the Bollywood genre of music and loves to teach about capital markets and math.
Currently, as Chief Operating Officer of TP ICAP Japan, he is part of the leadership team to expand TP ICAP's Japan footprint. TP ICAP Group is the leading interdealer broker in OTC Secondary Capital Markets. The group operates 5 brands across 25 countries and specializes in OTC price discovery and trade facilitation across Fixed Income, Rates, Currencies, Equities, Energy, and Commodities.

Rei Murakami
Venture Partner
Kazea Capital
Rei Murakami
Venture Partner
Rei Murakami is an investor in Venture Capital and Public Equity. She is also the President of the Murakami Family Foundation.

Tram Anh Nguyen
Co-founder
CFTE
Tram Anh Nguyen
Co-founder
A Part Of

Japan Fintech Week
Japan Fintech Week 2025 took place from March 3 - 7, catalysing business opportunities and fostering the continued growth of fintech innovation. The week featured a diverse array of fintech-related events, provideing a unified platform for fintech professionals from Japan and around the world.
Learn more about Japan Fintech Week
In Collaboration With
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)
The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) is a not-for-profit organisation established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in 2024 to harness technology and foster innovation for more efficient, resilient, and inclusive financial ecosystems through global partnerships.
Learn more about GFTN.
GFTN Japan Team

Sopnendu Mohanty
Group Chief Executive Officer
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)
Sopnendu Mohanty
Group Chief Executive Officer

Takeshi Kito
Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), Japan
Takeshi Kito
Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer

Pieter Franken
Co-founder & Director
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), Japan
Pieter Franken
Co-founder & Director

Navin Suri
Board Advisor
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), Global
Navin Suri
Board Advisor

Pat Patel
Executive Director
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), Global
Pat Patel
Executive Director
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Makiko Otake
Project Director
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), Japan
Makiko Otake
Project Director

Azusa Yamada
Account Director, Customer Success
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), Japan
Azusa Yamada
Account Director, Customer Success
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James Boey
Senior Director
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), Global
James Boey
Senior Director
Gabriel Lee
Head of Customer Success
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)
Gabriel Lee
Head of Customer Success
James Boey
Senior Director, Global
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)
James Boey
Senior Director, Global
GFTN Japan Advisory Board

Amit Ranjan
Japan & Korea Banking Transformation Leader
Microsoft Japan
Amit Ranjan
Japan & Korea Banking Transformation Leader

Tram Anh Nguyen
Co-founder
CFTE
Tram Anh Nguyen
Co-founder

Mukund Tatipamula
COO & Head of Hybrid Markets Japan
TP ICAP Japan
Mukund Tatipamula
COO & Head of Hybrid Markets Japan
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Rei Murakami
Venture Partner
Kazea Capital
Rei Murakami
Venture Partner

Joyce Phillips
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
EqualFuture Corp
Joyce Phillips
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
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Jung Seok Kang
Chief Executive Officer
AIZEN Global
Jung Seok Kang
Chief Executive Officer

Jesper Koll
Global Ambassador
Monex Group, Inc
Jesper Koll
Global Ambassador
GFTN Board of Directors

Ravi Menon
Chairman of the Board of Directors, GFTN;
Singapore's Ambassador for Climate Action and Senior Adviser (National Climate Change Secretariat)
Ravi Menon
Chairman of the Board of Directors, GFTN;

Leong Sing Chiong
Deputy Chair, GFTN;
Deputy Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore
Leong Sing Chiong
Deputy Chair, GFTN;

Neil Parekh
Deputy Chair, GFTN;
Nominated Member of Parliament, Singapore;
Non-Executive Chairman, Tikehau Capital
Neil Parekh
Deputy Chair, GFTN;
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Iqbal Jumabhoy
Chief Executive Officer, ProsperCap Corporation Limited
Iqbal Jumabhoy
Chief Executive Officer, ProsperCap Corporation Limited

Professor Lam Khin Yong
Vice President (Industry), Nanyang Technological University;
Senior Advisor to Hungarian Minister of Culture and Innovation
Professor Lam Khin Yong
Vice President (Industry), Nanyang Technological University;

Andrew Lim
Partner, Allen & Gledhill
Andrew Lim
Partner, Allen & Gledhill

Jessica Tan
Group Executive Vice President and President, Sunlife Canada
Jessica Tan
Group Executive Vice President and President, Sunlife Canada
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Sopnendu Mohanty
Chief FinTech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore;
Group Chief Executive Officer - Designate, GFTN
Sopnendu Mohanty
Chief FinTech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore;
GFTN International Advisory Board
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Dominic Barton
Chairman, LeapFrog Investments;
Chairman, Rio Tinto;
Former Global Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company
Dominic Barton
Chairman, LeapFrog Investments;
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Hon. Paula Ingabire
Minister of ICT and Innovation, Republic of Rwanda
Hon. Paula Ingabire
Minister of ICT and Innovation, Republic of Rwanda
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Eric Jing
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ant Group;
Chairman, Ant International
Eric Jing
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ant Group;

Dr Patrick Njoroge
Former Governor, Central Bank of Kenya
Dr Patrick Njoroge
Former Governor, Central Bank of Kenya
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Dr Veerathai Santiprabhob
Former Governor, Bank of Thailand
Dr Veerathai Santiprabhob
Former Governor, Bank of Thailand

Dr Axel Weber
Advisor, Raisin;
Former Chairman of the Board, UBS Group AG;
Former President, Deutsche Bundesbank
Dr Axel Weber
Advisor, Raisin;