Osaka (SCCIJ) – The Consulate of Switzerland, Swissnex in Japan, in partnership with Swiss Business Hub Japan and SCCIJ, have hosted the Davos 2025 Debriefing. The topic “Insights into Megatrends and Solutions” reflected the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age” of this year’s annual gathering of the World Economic Forum.
Insights from Davos
Alois Zwinggi, a Member of the World Economic Forum’s managing board, and Fujiyo Ishiguro, Chair of Japan and Chief Representative Officer, opened this year’s Debriefing Davos event in Osaka. They provided a historical perspective on the World Economic Forum and outlined major themes from this year’s Annual Meeting.
Artificial intelligence took center stage at Davos 2025, with nearly 3,000 leaders from more than 130 countries, including 60 heads of state and governments, as the defining force shaping economies and societies. Discussions across more than 220 sessions also delved into long-term strategies for climate, nature, and energy, with the climate crisis being a focal point. The exchanges highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing today’s most critical issues.
“With hosting the Davos 2025 Debriefing, Swissnex in Japan is very happy to offer a window to the world-famous stage in the Swiss Alp, where mega trends and solutions were discussed,” said Dr. Felix Moesner, Consul of Switzerland and CEO of Swissnex in Japan, at the start of the event. The panel discussion featured participants who brought diverse insights from the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos.
Discussion of AI impact
Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa, President of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Shunichi Miyanaga, Chairman of the Board of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the Buddhist monk Shoukei Matsumoto, Founder of Interbeing, Taisuke Sasanuma, Representative Partner of Advantage Partners, and Dr. Matthias Frey, Technology Exploration Manager at Sony, talked about AI’s transformative potential, Japan’s role in the global energy transition, and the evolving relationship between technology and sustainability. The panelists also examined how international cooperation, innovation, and ethical leadership can drive meaningful change in a rapidly shifting global landscape. The moderator was Ayano Sasaki, Curator at the Global Shapers Community Fukuoka.
At the Q&A session, the audience engaged deeply with the panelists. Adding an artistic dimension to the debriefing, the organizers exhibited stunning photographs by Cristina Mittermeier, a renowned marine biologist and conservationist, at the venue. Commissioned by Joseph Fowler, Head of Art and Culture at the World Economic Forum, the exhibition resonated strongly with the ‘Swissnex for the Planet’ initiative.
This Davos Debriefing was made possible through the collaboration of Swissnex in Japan, Swiss Business Hub Japan, Suntory, and the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (SCCIJ). It underscored a shared commitment to fostering dialogue, innovation, and impactful partnerships between Switzerland and Japan.
Text: Swissnex in Japan
