Announcing the New Judges for the Japan CxO Award: Empowering Future Leaders

New Judges Added to the Japan CxO Award

The Japan CxO Award, organized by BNG Partners, proudly announces the addition of new judges to its esteemed panel. With a total of 21 judges now set to evaluate candidates, this award aims to recognize the vital contributions of CxOs in driving sustainable business growth.

Purpose of the Japan CxO Award

The Japan CxO Award was established to address the lack of opportunities for recognizing and sharing the contributions of CxOs with society, despite their crucial role in a company's sustainable growth. The award seeks to advance the development of future leadership talent in Japan’s industries by elevating the insights and leadership demonstrated by outstanding CxOs to a societal asset, thereby encouraging a new generation of leaders to emerge.

New Judge Announcements

In a commitment to uphold a fair evaluation process, the panel consists of experts from diverse fields, including CxOs, venture capitalists, and academia. Seven more distinguished individuals have recently joined the judging panel.

Noteworthy Judges

1. Koichi Maruo - Former Managing Director at Daiwa Securities and current CEO of Major7th. Maruo emphasized that CxOs serve as the compass guiding organizations through turbulent times, appreciating those who fearlessly explore uncharted territories and propose new values and standards to society.

2. Takaaki Adachi - President of Japan Post Capital, noted that sustainable corporate growth requires profound insights and precise execution. He aims to build a foundation for Japanese innovation to thrive in the future.

3. Takafumi Chiba - General Partner at Spiral Capital, highlighting the importance of pioneering solutions and the spirit of collaboration amongst teams to tackle market challenges effectively.

4. Masayuki Imamura - CTO at BuySell Technologies, pointed out that the award celebrates leaders harnessing technology to break existing barriers and create unprecedented value in business.

5. Naoki Sato - Executive Officer of The JAFCO Group, recognized for his extensive involvement in venture capital and exit strategies from various startups and corporations.

6. Mari Ogiso - Co-CEO of SDG Impact Japan, dedicated to promoting impact investment and supporting social entrepreneurs, advocating for businesses that advance sustainable development goals.

7. Takahiro Kurosawa - Head of Product Management at GO, focused on strengthening product managers and enhancing product development within the industry.

Highlights of the Award Ceremony

Scheduled for December 8, 2025, the Japan CxO Award ceremony will take place at the Jiji Press Hall in Tokyo from 1 PM to 5 PM, followed by a networking event. The event will acknowledge top CxOs in various categories, evaluating their influence on business trajectories, innovation, and organizational excellence.

As the award anticipates elevating CxOs’ stories and professional journeys, nominations from peers or those who have witnessed these individuals' contributions are highly encouraged. The award seeks to promote the roles of capable leaders who continue to evolve alongside their organizations.

For more details about nominations, evaluation criteria, and the event, please visit the official website at Japan CxO Award.

About BNG Partners

Founded to support sustainable corporate growth, BNG Partners leverages its expansive CxO network and expertise to deliver unparalleled services in sales strategies, project management, digital transformation, and workforce globalization.

BNG Partners continues to champion exemplary leadership, sustainability, and innovation within the Japanese business ecosystem. By recognizing outstanding CxOs, the Japan CxO Award aims to not only reward individual excellence but to lay the groundwork for a future where sustainable practices thrive in the corporate world.