Sherpa Welcomes Jun Suzuki as Technical Advisor to Enhance AI Capabilities and Sustainability Solutions

Introduction

Sherpa & Company, based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has recently appointed Jun Suzuki, a notable professor at Tohoku University and head of the Language AI Research Center, as their new technical advisor. This move, effective from May 1, 2025, aims to strengthen the company's technological foundation in natural language processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence (AI), which are crucial for their flagship ESG information disclosure cloud service, SmartESG.

Vision and Strategy

Sherpa's mission focuses on creating a world where profit and sustainability converge. With the increasing demand for ESG management, the company aims to develop a sustainability data platform that establishes industry standards in sustainability management—a field marked by uncertainty. By combining expertise in ESG and advanced technologies such as AI, Sherpa hopes to enhance the usability of non-financial information, leading to improved management practices for successful businesses.

Jun Suzuki’s Expertise

Jun Suzuki is a recognized leader in the fields of AI, NLP, and machine learning. He has extensive research experience ranging from foundational technologies to applied research, making him an invaluable asset to Sherpa. Tohoku University, where he serves as a professor, boasts one of the largest research groups in Japan focusing on NLP, contributing significantly to global advancements in this sector.

Enhancing AI Capabilities

The integration of Suzuki into Sherpa's AI department signifies the company's commitment to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies and NLP for processing ESG data, which encompasses a wide array of non-financial information. By providing technical advice and engaging in joint research, Suzuki will contribute to the development of innovative products and systems designed to enhance information processing capabilities. This collaboration aims to improve overall product quality by clarifying the potentials of ESG data through heightened technological proficiency.

Commitment to Sustainability

Through advanced technology and ESG expertise, Sherpa is dedicated to unlocking the potential of non-financial information to support businesses in enhancing their sustainability management practices. This commitment is evident in their continuous efforts to develop their SmartESG platform and associated consulting services, making it easier for companies to manage, analyze, and utilize immense volumes of non-financial data effectively.

A New Chapter Ahead

Profile of Jun Suzuki

Jun Suzuki has built a robust career over approximately 25 years, concentrating on fields such as NLP and AI. Prior to his appointment at Sherpa, he served as an associate professor at the Graduate School of Information Sciences at Tohoku University, and also held positions at NTT Corporation and RIKEN Institute, among others. His recent research has focused on the practical applications of generative AI and language models.

Suzuki’s Vision as Advisor

In his recent comments, Suzuki expressed his enthusiasm for this new role, emphasizing the compatibility of Sherpa’s primary business operations—organizing, analyzing, and utilizing extensive non-financial data—with the fields of NLP and AI. He believes that his expertise could lead to the development of innovative technology to facilitate optimal decision-making and sustainability-focused management for businesses.

Conclusion

As Sherpa & Company embarks on this transformative journey with Jun Suzuki, the synergy between technology and data promises to pave the way for new value creation and enhanced corporate sustainability initiatives. With their dedication to integrating cutting-edge technologies and profound ESG insights, Sherpa is set to lead the charge in transforming sustainability management in the corporate landscape.

Company Overview

- Company Name: Sherpa & Company, Ltd.
- CEO: Jun Sugimoto
- Location: 6-4-22 Minami-Oi, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
- Established: September 2019
- Capital: 100 million yen
- Business: Development and provision of the ESG information disclosure platform, SmartESG; operation of the ESG-focused media, ESG Journal Japan; and consulting services under ESG Advisory.