On April 15, 2023, a diverse group of professionals gathered to discuss the future of sports from multiple perspectives at the inaugural MINATO Sports Industry Revolution, also known as SpoRevo.

SpoRevo is a new initiative launched by the Minato Ward Committee of the Tokyo Junior Chamber (JCI), with support from the Minato City Government. The goal is to foster the creation of innovative business ideas in the sports sector. Held at Keio University’s Mita Campus, the event welcomed university students—its primary target audience—as participants, and featured panel discussions by experts in various fields.

Yuji Matsumoto, CEO of POD Corporation, took the stage to share insights on the future of sports business from the perspective of an investment specialist, drawing on his experience at Sumitomo Corporation and Goldman Sachs. His talk explored how sports intersect with capital, innovation, and emerging industries.

Other speakers brought equally diverse expertise to the panel:

Ryuichi Tanaka, COO and CMO of Financie Inc., discussed the rise of Web3 platforms and their influence on sports fan engagement and ownership models.

Prof. Takehiko Sano of Keio University’s Graduate School of Health Management offered an academic outlook on the evolving relationship between sports and health science.

Yuki Sato McFarlane, captain of the 3×3 basketball team HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE, shared his firsthand perspective as a professional athlete balancing sports with broader entertainment roles.

Guest Speakers

Ryuichi Tanaka – COO, Financie Inc.

A graduate of Keio University’s Department of Information and Computer Science. Prior to joining Financie, he worked at Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting and DeNA.

Takehiko Sano, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Keio University

Earned his degree in Systems Management from Keio University. Formerly with the Japan Professional Football League (J.League), he now conducts research at the Graduate School of Health Management.

Yuki Sato McFarlane – Captain, HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE

A professional athlete in 3×3 basketball, also active as a model and media personality.

Yuji Matsumoto – CEO, POD Corporation

 A graduate of Keio University’s Faculty of Economics, Matsumoto founded POD after building his career at Sumitomo Corporation and Goldman Sachs.

SpoRevo successfully showcased the value of cross-sector dialogue in shaping the future of sports, giving students rare access to real-world insights from business leaders, academics, and athletes alike. POD Corporation remains committed to supporting innovation at the intersection of sports, culture, and investment.

©︎ Organized by MINATO Sports Industry Revolution G-Lab Supported by: MINATO SpoRevo Executive Committee