Message From the Chair | About us

The 1^st G1 Summit was held in February 2009 at Aizu Bandai in Fukushima Prefecture. In order to “Change Japan for the Better,” we thought that Japan needed a platform where leaders from each field could gather, learn, discuss, and take action.

107 people gathered for the 1st G1 Summit. Kyoto University Professor Shinya Yamanaka, who gave the keynote speech, later received the Nobel Prize. Mr. Seiji Maehara became a Cabinet Minister. Mr. Hiroshige Seko served as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary in the Second Abe Cabinet. G1 members are playing central roles in politics, working on the front lines of business, and bringing forth new innovation in all their fields.

The G1 Summit has since been held in a different location every year. In 2013, the G1 Summit took the form of a general incorporated association named the “G1 Institute.” The G1 Institute has grown to the extent that it now hosts seven annual conferences including the G1 Summit. The six other conferences are: G1 Global Conference, G1 Executive, G1 New Leaders Summit, G1 Venture, G1 Region, and G1 College.

Numerous initiatives have been spawned from G1 discussions, including KIBOW, Athlete Society, Tokyo Harvest, and Eat, and Energize the East, and are changing Japan in various fronts. Six separate G1 Communities are also organized for each key area—Politics, Governors & Mayors Network, Governmental Agency Staff, Media, Social Entrepreneurs & NPOs, and Sports—where leaders representing each of these areas meet regularly.

The plans under the 100 Actions project launched by G1 have gradually been put into action to bring about change in society. In fiscal 2014, foundation membership (FM) for G1 members in the business category was introduced to strengthen the financial base.

The three principles of the G1 Summit are as follows:

(1) Make proposals rather than mere criticism
(2) Take actions, do not just form ideas
(3) Foster awareness as leaders

One key phrase often used in G1 is the “responsibility of a generation.” It is the responsibility of the current generation to address various issues that we are facing, such as the declining birthrate, fiscal reform, energy, education, and recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, rather than postponing them to future generations. We must create a country that our descendants can be proud of. It is in the spirit of fulfilling this responsibility that leaders sharing the same aspiration meet, discuss and define a vision for the country, and take action.

In order for each one of us to take action and cooperate with other like-minded leaders in our attempt to fight outdated norms and change the future world, G1 will continue to serve as a platform that links people and ideas.

We are the ones who will create the Japan of 2030 and beyond.