Advertise on podcast: Inspiration / Innovation Japan with Nick Luscombe

In this episode Nick meets Tokyo-based entrepreneur Max Godin to talk about his FORGIGS platform that works with artists, audiences and venues to streamline the process of buying and selling gig tickets. https://www.forgigs.com/home https://jp.cic.com/en/  

In this episode Nick Luscombe is joined by Yokohama-born and UK-based composer, musician and producer Hinako Omori who recently released her  debut album A Journey... on the Houndstooth record label.

Nick Luscombe meets Yuto Saiki and charts the story of his career to date - from driving Shinkansen to working in PR and marketing! 

In this edition, Nick Luscombe discusses music apps with Musify Founder and CEO, David Liu and learns more about his journey as an entrepreneur. 

In this episode Nick Luscombe talks tourism in Japan with CEO Ken Ikeo of Intellectual Innovations and learns about his pioneering work training future hospitality workers. https://intellectual-innovations.or.jp/ https://jp.cic.com/en/

On this edition Nick speaks with Tania Coke, artistic director of Tarinainanika, a physical theatre company she runs with her partner Kentaro Suyama, from their base in Osaka, the Flying Carpet Factory. The company specialises in Corporeal Mime, a theatrical tradition which prioritises the creativity and physical expression of the actor. As well as the company they also run a full time school where they are busy nurturing the next generation of actor-creators. Originally from the UK, Tania began her career as a management consultant working in London and Paris. She is also a qualified mediator and writes regular articles about communication and conflict management. She is the Japan Ambassador for the RSA and a board member of the RSA Japan Fellows’ Network.  https://www.tarinainanika.com/ For online viewing of past performances: Tokyo Fugue https://res.cthearts.com/event/34:3431/34:59401/ The Same Boat https://res.cthearts.com/event/34:3433/34:59402/ For online classes, performance recordings and more: https://www.patreon.com/tarinainanika https://www.thersa.org/ https://jp.cic.com/en/

Alexander De Vore moved to China to start a business after graduating from University. He learned about manufacturing while in Shenzhen China and discovered how 3D Printing was used to make turbine blades inside the energy industry. In 2014 decided to move to Japan and start a 3D Printing company. In 2016 founded 3DPC K.K. in Japan.  He is currently president of 3DPC and continues his goal of building the largest digital manufacturing supply chain in Asia. 

Nick meets Tim Rowe,  the Founder and CEO of Cambridge Innovation Center and, more recently, CIC Health. For two decades, CIC has been a leading builder and operator of innovation communities. www.cic.com

Seiya Matsumiya is a music supervisor/producer and CEO of Black Cat White Cat Music. Having started his life in music in the thriving music scene of southern California in the early 2000s, he studied at Berklee College of Music, after which he returned to Los Angeles where he performed alongside notable musicians such as Flea, Cat Power, and Maroon 5, while also starting a career in music for film/tv/advertising. He launched Black Cat White Cat Music in Tokyo with his sister Aska Matsumiya in 2018.  As a music supervisor and producer Seiya has won numerous prestigious awards from an Emmy to Cannes Lions to being named Music Company of the Year at CICLOPE Festival in Berlin in 2020, and has worked with both independent and major artists from all over the world on global and Japanese advertising campaigns and films. 

Nick Luscombe chats to Maki Mannami, the international music composer, sound designer, songwriter and vocalist. Born in Osaka, Japan, she currently resides in Los Angeles, California.   As a music composer, Maki has composed music for major companies such as SONY, Google, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, HONDA, "Gran Turismo" series by Play Station 3, FIFA World Cup, Panasonic, and FRED PERRY. She has also composed soundtracks for a variety of independent films, one of which received an award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Mannami prides herself in her ability to arrange and program orchestral scores using MIDI, along with her vocal and piano, and ability to manipulate sounds in unconventional ways.    Maki has released three full-length albums and one EP as a singer-songwriter in England and Japan. Her first album, Journey Of Higher Self Liberation, charted No. 1 in the album category on the iTunes Japan Music Charts. BBC Radio reviewed her EP, Justice and Judgment, commending her voice as "The voice from heaven.”  She has collaborated with top jazz musicians like Nicola Conte, and her songs have been played by popular DJs, including Giles Perterson – a renowned DJ in the European Jazz scene. Mannami’s work has been featured in a variety of compilation albums that have been released in Germany and Italy. She also has experience touring throughout England and France.    Maki has performed at a handful of prestigious venues including: The Royal Opera House -- England’s largest opera theatre, ICA London, Motion Blue -- a Blue Note sponsored night club, and Club Ikspiari -- a Disney-affiliated venue in Japan. Mannami has a unique style, combining elements of jazz, electronica, world music, and classical. Her vocal range can extend four octaves, making her an incredibly rare and exceptional singer.    As a vocalist and choir member, Maki has performed at a Tokyo Collection, fashion show and her vocal has been used in commercials for SONY and Nestle. Her voice was also featured in the theme song for a TV show, Tokyo Eye, which premiered on NHK WORLD. She has also contributed to a number of studio albums and live performances for many bands and artists.    Mannami has always enjoyed the arts. Growing up, she took lessons in piano, drums, voice and dance. At age 19, she dropped out of Osaka Art University for Performing Arts and moved to New York to study musical theatre on Broadway. While she was there she performed in an Off-Broadway theater as a chorus dancer, sang jazz in a cabaret group, and performed gospel music at an African American church.  Maki has also performed as a backup dancer in Vincent Gallo's concert in Japan and as a solo dancer in the biggest night club in Frankfurt, Germany Cocoon Club. https://www.makimannami.com/ Inquires about CIC Tokyo's office space, partnership, etc. https://jp.cic.com/en/

Nick Luscombe meets Fariza Abidova, Co-Founder & CEO of Trusted Corporation and Founder of SOPHYS Corporation. Fariza is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for promoting global business collaboration. In 2010, she established SOPHYS Corporation, a global human resource development company, that trained 3000 Japanese executives and senior managers. Inquires about CIC Tokyo's office space, partnership, etc.: https://jp.cic.com/en/contact-us/

Nick speaks with innovative musician, Takeshi Nishimoto. Born in Fukuoka in 1970, Nishimoto is a classically trained guitarist and composer who is conversant with European, Northern Indian, and American jazz-influenced classical traditions. In addition to collaborations with diverse artists, from sitar master Rahul Sakyaputra to I'm Not a Gun  associate John Tejada,  Nishimoto has performed extensively as a solo artist,  and also works for music tech company Ableton. This podcast also features three tracks, written by Nishimoto and performed live in the CIC LIVE studio. https://linktr.ee/takeshi_nishimoto https://www.ableton.com/ https://jp.cic.com/en/