Digital Climate Japan (DCJ), Japanese subsidiary of Digital Climate Group (DCG), is pleased to announce that its CEO, Kyoya Okazawa, has been appointed as an advisor to the Economic and Tourism Bureau of the Kobe City Government. This appointment is part of the Bureau’s advisory program focused on leveraging opportunities in Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East, as well as strengthening support for startups. DCJ was selected based on its extensive network across Asia and the Middle East and the proven expertise of its leadership in international business development and policy advisory.

Under this engagement, DCJ will provide insights into global trends, introduce relevant government and private-sector organizations, and advise on policy development and implementation. DCG’s strong connections across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, built through its founding team of experienced bankers from major financial institutions, will play a key role in this advisory capacity.

CEO Kyoya Okazawa brings deep experience as an advisor to both local governments and international startups, making him well-suited to support Kobe City in designing a sustainable economic ecosystem. Through this initiative, DCJ aims to contribute to the long-term growth and revitalization of the Kobe economy.

Key Areas of Engagement:

1. Utilization of Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East

   • Providing up-to-date information on economic trends and private-sector developments in these regions

   • Supporting the planning of potential overseas offices for Kobe City

   • Introducing relevant governmental, international, and private organizations

2. Startup Support

   • Offering insights into global startup support trends and surrounding geopolitical dynamics

   • Assisting Kobe City in developing effective startup support programs

   • Helping select focus industries and introducing strategic partners including government bodies and private institutions

3. Other Contributions

   • Advising on measures to revitalize and support local businesses in the Kobe area

Through this appointment, DCJ is committed to working closely with Kobe City to create a dynamic and globally connected economic environment.

About Digital Climate Japan CEO Kyoya Okazawa:

Kyoya Okazawa founded Digital Climate Japan in December 2024 as a subsidiary in Japan of Digital Climate Group, a financial service company based in Hong Kong working on democratizing access to impact finance products for issuers and investors leveraging blockchain, Web3 and AI.

Oka has more than 25 years of experience in investment banks such as UBS and BNP Paribas. In BNP Paribas, he served as an Executive Committee Member of APAC Global Markets, the Head of Corporate and Institutional Sales APAC and the Head of Research APAC in Hong Kong until March 2021.

After returning to Japan, Oka co-founded Animoca Brands Japan (Animoca Brands KK) as a strategic subsidiary in Japan of Animoca Brands Ltd, a leading global Web3 company based in Hong Kong, and served as Chief Investment Officer.

He also serves as an International Financial City Ambassador and Web3 Business Investment & Attraction Advisor in Fukuoka City, an Advisor of Asuene Inc. and an advisor of Kaizen Capital Management Pte. Ltd. (Head Office: Singapore) etc.

Oka holds a BA degree in Economics from Keio University.