Panel: Beyond LLMs - The Sakana Effect & Japan's AI Hardware

Why this discussion matters now:
While the world races to build the next ChatGPT, Japan is quietly playing a different game. Companies like NEC, Softbank, and the breakout success Sakana AI are building sovereign LLMs designed for the Japanese language and cultural context, rather than relying solely on OpenAI. More critically, Japan's dominance in semiconductor materials - the photoresists and precision components that are the hidden kingmakers of the AI boom - positions the country as an indispensable player in the global AI supply chain. This panel explores why Japan's AI opportunity is not in software wrappers, but in "Physical AI": the integration of artificial intelligence into robotics, materials science, and hardware where Japan has a legacy of global leadership. With an aging society creating urgent demand for AI in elder care and labor automation, Japan is not just building AI - it is building AI for survival.

What you'll walk away with:
A clear understanding that Japan's AI opportunity is fundamentally different from Silicon Valley's. Attendees will gain insight into why global funds like Khosla Ventures are suddenly backing Japanese R&D, how to leverage the J-Find visa to attract global AI researchers to Tokyo, and where the real investment opportunities lie in Japan's deep tech ecosystem. The session will provide a strategic map for founders and investors looking to capitalise on the convergence of AI, hardware, and Japan's unique demographic challenges.