Recently, a truly inspiring talk event was held at the “Sugino Machine Lounge” at Toyama University in Toyama Prefecture, Japan.
The theme was [Pastry Making × Industrial Design × Manufacturing]. It was a unique “Fusion” event where top runners from completely different industries came together to discuss the future of regional revitalization.
I was honored to serve as the Emcee and Facilitator for this special session, leading the discussion and diving deep into the insights of these three incredible professionals.
Meet the Three World-Class Visionaries
The venue was filled with an audience of 130 people, with many more joining online. The energy in the room was electric!
The guest speakers are true legends representing Japan on the global stage:
- 【Pastry Master】 Hiroyuki Tsujiguchi A world-renowned pastry chef who has won numerous prestigious international confectionery competitions. He is a culinary icon, continuously sharing food culture with the world.
- 【Design Pioneer】 Kazuo Tanaka (GK Design Group) A leading figure in industrial design who has shaped Japan’s everyday scenery—from public transport and Yamaha sports bikes to the iconic packaging for “I LOHAS” water and Haagen-Dazs ice cream.
- 【Manufacturing Innovator】 Takashi Sugino (Sugino Machine) President of a global manufacturing company proudly based in Toyama. Their cutting-edge “waterjet cutters” can slice through any material using only water pressure, supporting global infrastructure.
Where Does Inspiration Come From? “A Gift from God”
During the Q&A session, we addressed a compelling question: “Where do you get your inspiration when creating something completely new?”
What moved me most was that all three professionals agreed completely on one fundamental truth:
“Ideas don’t just drop from the sky out of nowhere. You research deeply, visit the actual locations, take action, and face challenges. When you keep thinking about it day and night, it suddenly comes to you. It feels like a gift from God. It’s never a stroke of pure luck.”
It reminded me that before that brilliant spark of inspiration arrives, there is always a mountain of effort, trial and error, and the courage to take the first step without fear of failure. Inspired by their mindset, I am ready to take on my next new challenge!
Event Media & Highlights (In Japanese)
Please note that the following media contents are available in Japanese, but they are great resources to feel the dynamic energy and atmosphere of this “Fusion” talk event:
KNB Radio Broadcast: A condensed audio digest will air on July 18th from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM (JST).
YouTube Archive: Coming soon on the official Sugino Machine YouTube channel. (An excellent way to see the event setup and the speakers in action!)
To Global Producers & Creative Directors
Are you looking for a premium voice to elevate your brand? Along with live facilitation, I work as a professional Voiceover Artist and Narrator, providing high-quality voice recordings in Japanese for corporate videos, commercials, and international projects.
To hear my voice samples and view past work, please visit my portfolio via the link below. I look forward to connecting with you on your next global project!
