Monthly Meetings
Pharma Delegates normally holds meetings at noon on the third Wednesday of each month at the Tokyo American Club. Speakers have included Ministry officials, industry leaders in Japan and overseas, as well as science and technology experts, R&D executives, physicians, hospital pharmacists, HR specialists, CRO experts, academics, market researchers, industry analysts, economists, wholesalers and entrepreneurs.
Next Meeting
Becoming AI-Native : How Leadership and Operating Models Must Change.’
Speaker: Yuto Ueda, Co-founder and Director / CAIO (Chief AI Officer) at GenerativeX, Inc
Date: 12-2PM, September 16th, 2026 @Tokyo American Club, 2 Chome-1-2 Azabudai, Minato City, Tokyo 106-8649
- What should leadership look like in the AI era?
- How do AI-native organizations and operating models evolve?
- What risks and opportunities do AI present for security?
Yuto graduated from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, and completed the university’s Graduate School of Engineering program in Technology Management Strategy (Matsuo Laboratory). Joined YCP Japan after graduation, where he worked on management consulting — including investment evaluation and strategic planning — as well as AI consulting and management of a portfolio company’s restaurant business. As a leader in corporate planning, he led internal business improvement initiatives and mid-term management plan development. He founded GenerativeX in June 2023 and has since driven numerous DX initiatives powered by generative AI. Specializing in the pharmaceutical industry, the company delivers generative AI implementation support across the entire value chain, from R&D through MR (medical representative) support. GenerativeX takes an implementation-first approach that goes beyond proof-of-concept — supporting clients from smallscale pilots through phased expansion to full operational adoption.
The schedule is as follows:
12:00 Cocktail
12:15〜13:00 Luncheon (seated)
13:00〜14:00 Lecture and Q&A
Lecture Structure:
30min : Presentation
15min : Interview
15min : Q&A
Past Meetings
| YEAR | DATE | Title and Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Sep. | “The Current Status and Future Outlook of Drug Discovery Startups in Japan“ Mr. Taro Inaba, Managing Partner, Remiges Ventures |
| 2025 | Oct. | “Private Equity’s role in transforming Japan’s healthcare sectors: A panel discussion with investors and advisors active in the market today” Panelists: Mr. Shintaro Kohmoto, Principal, Bain Capital. Mr. Yao Li Ho, Managing Director Founder, LYFE Capital. Mr. Atsushi Shiota, CEO, Microbiopharm Japan, Adjunct Professor, Keio University Ms. Helen Chen, Head of APAC Healthcare, L.E.K. Consulting Facilitator: Mr. Patrick Branch, Partner, L.E.K. Consulting Japan |
| 2025 | Nov. | “Beyond the pill, the smartphone? A fireside discussion on Health and Digital in our society” Panelists: Ms. Helene Moore, Founder and CEO of PharmaBD Inc. Ms. Yumi Kawata, CEO of Hedgehog Medtech. Mr. Kei David Nogami, Head of Pharma Innovation BU at Ubie Moderator: Mr. Philippe Auvaro, MEDICAL DETA VISION / PD Executive committee |
| 2025 | Dec. | “Bridging the Gap: How Patients Perceive Our Patient-Centered Efforts ～国内における患者サイドとの協業とは～” and Short lecture: Company case study – “PHARMON Panelists: Ms. Naomi Sakurai, CRS Project Ms. Yukiko Nishimura, ASrid Mr. Nobuo Nishimata, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Moderator: Ms. Mayumi Kaneda, Merck Biopharma Co., Ltd. |
| 2026 | Jan. | “2026 macroeconomic and geopolitical update” Mr. Rodrigo González, Ph.D., North Asia Director, Economist Intelligence Corporate Network(EICN) |
| 2026 | Feb. | “The Future of Drug Pricing in Japan: Balancing Innovation and Affordability” Panelists: Ms. Eunice Kim, Vice President, Head of Market Access & Government Affairs, Bristo Myers Squibb Mr. Yoshihiro Aono, Director General, EFIPA Japan Mr. Bruno Rossi, Owner, Satoru G.K. Moderator： Mr. Simon Collier, Executive Vice President, Head of Market Access & External Affairs, Tanabe Pharma Corporation |
| 2026 | Mar. | “Digital Transformation and the impact of AI on MRs and HCPs” Panelists: Ms. Satomi Kuze, Director, Data Cloud Strategy, Veeva Japan Co., Ltd. Mr. Eiichi Yoshida, Head of Omnichannel Activation, Astellas Pharma Inc. Mr. Kiyoshi Sekine, CEO, Interactive Solutions Corporation Moderator: Mr. Issei Tsukamoto, Astellas Pharma Inc./ PD Executive Committee |
| 2026 | Apr. | “The evaluation and perspective on the Japanese Prescription Medicine market viewed by two leading commercial data providers, IQVIA and ENCISE” Panelists: Mr. Alan Thomas, Senior Director, Thought Leadership, IQVIA Solutions Japan K.K. Mr. Devesh Singh, Head of Research, Encise Inc. Moderator: Mr. Philippe Auvaro, MEDICAL DATA VISION CO., LTD./ PD Executive Committee |
| 2026 | May. | “Honebuto Reform: What to Expect this Year” Panelists: Mr. Junta Asai, President, Institute for New Era Strategy (INES) Mr. Jakob Edberg, Managing Director, GR Japan Mr. Ryoji Noritake, Chair, Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) Facilitator: Jeffrey B. Schnack, 3Rock K.K./ PD Executive Committee |
| 2026 | June. | 2025/2026Term Year End Special Seminar Discussion Title: The Current Landscape of Community Pharmacies and Future Perspectives in Healthcare 医療を支える薬局の現在地と、その先へ Panelists: Ms. Mika Naganuma, Director, Head of Education & Training Division, Qol Co., Ltd. Mr. Ryota Tsukioka, General Manager, Medical Collaboration & Academic affairs Department, Pharmaceutical Operation Division, AIN Holdings Inc. Ms. Juri Fujita, Home Care Pharmacy Tanashi, Tanashi Yakuhin Co., Ltd. Mr. Shogo Nishida, Senior Executive Officer, Pharma Division, Kakehashi Inc. Moderator: Eriha Dekura, Tanabe Pharma / PD Executive Committee |
| YEAR | DATE | Title and Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sep. | Dr. Satoshi Ezoe, Deputy Assistant Minister for Global Health, MHLW. “Japan’s Global Health Diplomacy: A view from health diplomat ” |
| 2024 | Oct. | Dr. Masato Iwasaki, Senior Executive Fellow, Industrial Growth Platform, Inc. “Outlook of the future healthcare system in Japan and expectations to the pharmaceutical industry” |
| 2024 | Nov. | Dr. Yuanzhong Li, Senior Research Manager, Bioscience & Engineering laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation “AI advances and FUJIFILM’s initiatives in healthcare” |
| 2024 | Dec. | Dr. Kenichi Oi ,Program Director, CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY JAPAN “Advancing Health Equity in Cancer Care and Work to Reduce Cancer Disparities: Multi-Partnership-led Grassroots Advocacy” |
| 2025 | Jan. | Mr. Rodrigo González, Ph.D., North Asia Director, Economist Intelligence Corporate Network(EICN)E “EICN Executive Briefing” |
| 2025 | Feb. | Mr. James Feliciano, Senior Advisor, AbbVie Japan Mr. Glen Argyle, President and Representative Director, Baxter Japan K.K. Mr. Jeremy Grossas, President and Representative Director, Merck Biopharma Japan Panel discussion : “Digital Engagement with HCPs: Strategic Imperatives for Pharma Leadership” |
| 2025 | Mar. | Mr. Hiroaki Ueno, Ph.D.,President of Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association（JPMA）. Representative Director, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation “Strengthening Drug Discovery Capabilities in Japan” |
| 2025 | Apr. | Prof. Toshio Miyata, Center for Translational and Advanced Research, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine “A drug from academia helps fight cancer and aging” |
| 2025 | May. | Mr. Alan Thomas, Senior Director, IQVIA Solutions Japan K.K. “Japan Pharma Market Dynamics – Update on 2024 and Outlook to 2029” |
| 2025 | June. | Year-end Special Seminar Mr. Osamu Kunii, MD, MPH, PhD Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund) “The Past and Future of Global Health Issues, Architecture, and Solutions” |
| YEAR | DATE | Title and Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Sep. | Mr. Jun Kusunoki, Ph.D., Senior Director, Japan Country Lead & Early Innovation Partnering Johnson & Johnson Innovation “Advancing New Healthcare Solution Through Collaboration.” |
| 2023 | Oct. | Dr. Yoshitsugu Shitaka, Representative Director, Chairperson of FIRM / Chief Scientific Officer of Astellas Pharma Inc. “Current environment and trends in regenerative medicine products in Japan— how FIRM is tackling with the hurdles toward industrialization” (FIRM: Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine) |
| 2023 | Nov. | Mr. Toshihide Yoda, General Manager of BD, Medipal HD “Overview of Medipal Group’s pharmaceutical wholesale business and new business” |
| 2023 | Dec. | Ms. Yukiko Nishimura ,Representative of ASrid & Mr. Kunihiro Nishimura, Board Member of ASrid “Update on rare disease opportunities and barriers in Japan〜From the Intermediary organization’s Perspective” |
| 2024 | Jan. | Mr. Katsufumi Jo, Director General of Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “Trends in measures to ensure, among other things, a prompt and stable supply of pharmaceuticals” |
| 2024 | Feb. | Ms. Khushboo Sharma, Accumulus Synergy “Regulatory Innovation in the Cloud: Accelerating Critical Therapies to Citizens of the World” |
| 2024 | Mar. | Mr. Alan Thomas, IQVIA Japan “Innovation Driven Opportunities – Perspectives on the Japan Pharmaceutical Market and Outlook to 2028” |
| 2024 | Apr. | Dr. Anavaj SAKUNTHABAI, Pasteur Institute Japan Office Director “Planetary health, aging of the immune system and the creation of Institut Pasteur du Japon” |
| 2024 | May. | Mr. Kyohei Sakita, DST. Ms. Kazuyo Takashima, DST Dr. Takanori Fujita, Project Associate Professor, Health Policy and Management, Keio University School of Medicine. “Creating the future with evidence” |
| 2024 | June. | Year-end Special Seminar Theme: “Trends and views in CXO industry“ Mr. Toru Fujieda, Chairman, Japan CRO Association “CRO Industry – current issues and mid- to long-term perspectives” Mr. Christian Marquant, Signant Health “Digital Health Technologies (DHTs), Industry Trends” Mr. Yoshinori Ikeura, Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners “Empowering Healthcare: The Crucial Role of CRO in Driving Drug Discovery” Mr. Seishoku Masahara, Japan CSO Association “Japan CSO Association Initiatives and Overview of CSO Business in Japan Mr. Yoji Moriyama, Syneos Health “Global CSO Market Trend and Evolution” Mr. Masao Iyama, Japan CMO Association. “Current issues and mid- to long-term perspectives” Mr. Takeshi Yamamoto, Fujifilm Corporation “CDMO Industry – current issues and mid- to long-term perspectives |
| YEAR | DATE | Title and Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Sep. | Mr. Osamu Nagayama, Honorary Chairman, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. President, Japan Bioindustry Association (JBA) “Issues surrounding the Pharma Industry in Japan and it’s future prospect” |
| 2022 | Oct. | Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P. Professor of Medicine in Breast Cancer Research; and Section Chief, Translational Breast Cancer Research — at the Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center “Abc of Team Oncology. Why we need to develop an oncology community?” |
| 2022 | Nov. | Mr. Hans Klemm, Japan Representative, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) “Building a Biopharmaceutical Innovation Ecosystem in Japan” |
| 2022 | Dec. | Ms. Yasue Nosohara, Chief director, Fine NPO Corp. “NPO Fine -a group that supports current, past, and future infertility people- Introduction of activities” |
| 2023 | Jan. | Mr. Masaru Iwasaki, Vice-President of University of Yamanashi, AMED “Drug Lag” or “Drug Loss” – Issues in drug development of Japan and measures to address them – |
| 2023 | Feb. | Mr. Shinobu Uzu, Senior Executive Director of PMDA “PMDA Updates -Responding to current situation and innovation-” |
| 2023 | Mar. | Mr. Daisuke Yoshizumi, Executive Director, General Industry Group, Investment Banking, JP Morgan “Investment theme by risk capital providers in Japanese healthcare market ~ Opportunity for transforming business model in Japan” |
| 2023 | Apr. | Mr. Alan Thomas, Director, Thought Leadership, IQVIA Solutions Japan K.K. “Pain or Gain? IQVIA Perspectives on the Japan Pharmaceutical Market and Outlook to 2027” |
| 2023 | May. | Mr. Yoshihiro Kobayashi, Member of the Board, Head of Pharma Business Strategy Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma “Update on Digital Health, and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma’s Initiatives for Future Development” |
| 2023 | July. | Pharma Delegates Healthcare Seminar Theme: “The Japanese healthcare eco-system: Challenges and Prospects” Mr. Takashi Moriguchi, partner / head of life science investment, Globalbrain “Globalbrain life science investment” Mr. Takeshi Takahashi, Managing Director, Catalys Pacific LLC “Power of External R&D by leveraging ecosystem” Mr. Hiroki Sugita, Partner, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP “Comparison of venture ecosystem in Japan and US from legal perspectives Dr. Rick C. Tsai, President and Chief Executive Officer, LUCA Science Coffee Break “Creating a global biotech from Japan – challenges and opportunities.” Mr. Issei Tsukamoto, Senior Vice President and global Head of Business Development, Astellas “How can Pharma evolve innovative science into value for patients? ” Mr. Bridenbaugh, CEO/CO-Founder, BioFund Therapeutic Strategies “Attracting Foreign Investors” Dr. Shunichi Takahashi, President and CCO, LINK-J “Fostering a Life Science Innovation Ecosystem” Dr. Hardy TS Kagimoto, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Healios K.K. “From Japan to become Global Biopharma : the Rise of Japanese Biotech Industry” |