​Capital, Climate, and the Next Industrial Transformation - How AI, Energy Infrastructure, and Sustainable Finance Are Reshaping Global Markets -

​As AI accelerates global electricity demand, energy infrastructure investment, industrial reshoring, and climate innovation are rapidly reshaping the global economy. These structural shifts are creating new opportunities, and new challenges, for investors, corporations, startups, and policymakers alike.

​Join the Yokohama Climate Tech Gateway Program for an exclusive discussion featuring Morgan Stanley and leading experts in sustainable finance and climate innovation. Together, we will explore how capital markets are evolving, where investment is flowing, and what these changes mean for companies seeking to innovate and grow in an increasingly complex global landscape.

​This interactive online session will provide practical insights into emerging investment themes, AI-driven energy demand, industrial transformation, and opportunities for collaboration between Japanese companies and North American innovators.

​Who Should Attend

​This session is designed for:
• Japanese and North American corporations
• Investors, CVCs, and financial institutions
• Climate Tech startups
• Government and innovation organizations

​Introductory Presentation: Market Trends in Climate Innovation and Sustainable Finance

​Maria Ichizawa
Vice President, Global Sustainability Office, Morgan Stanley

​Maria Ichizawa is a Vice President in Morgan Stanley’s Global Sustainability Office in New York. She supports the development of innovative sustainable finance products and advice for clients across the firm’s Institutional Securities, Investment Management, and Wealth Management divisions, and leads the firm’s global sustainability initiatives in Japan. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Maria worked in Tokyo as an ESG ratings analyst at MSCI and then as a sustainability consultant at KPMG, and in London at asset management firm Ninety One. She holds a BA from Vassar College and an MBA from the University of Cambridge Judge Business School.

​Drawing on Morgan Stanley's latest research, Maria will discuss:

• ​The evolving landscape of sustainable finance

• ​Key global sustainable finance trends for 2026

• ​How AI is reshaping energy demand and infrastructure investment

• ​Regional sustainability priorities across North America, Europe, and Asia

• ​What these shifts mean for investors, businesses, and innovation

​Panel Discussion "Climate Innovation, Industrial Capital, and the Future of Global Business"

​Following the keynote presentation, leaders from finance, venture capital, and impact investing will explore how capital markets are responding to the next wave of industrial transformation.

​The discussion will examine where investment is flowing, how AI and growing energy demand are reshaping market priorities, and what these changes mean for corporations, startups, and investors. Panelists will also share practical perspectives on cross-border collaboration, commercialization, and opportunities connecting Japan with North America's climate innovation ecosystem.

• ​Panelist: Maria Ichizawa, Vice President, Global Sustainability Office, Morgan Stanley

• ​Panelist: Chiaki Nakajima, Venture Fellow, Impact Science Ventures

• ​Panelist: Rayfe Gaspar-Asaoka, Partner at Geodesic Capital

• ​Moderator: Kevin M. Ninomiya, Esq., Co-Founder and CEO, ShibuLA Ventures

​Panelists' BIO

​Chiaki Nakajima
Venture Fellow, Impact Science Ventures

​Chiaki Nakajima is a Venture Fellow at Impact Science Ventures (ISV), an early-stage venture capital firm investing in industrial innovation and decarbonization technologies. Her fellowship is sponsored by the Cabinet Office of Japan. She focuses on technology commercialization and building partnerships between U.S. startups and Japanese corporations.
Prior to joining ISV, Chiaki led international strategy and operations at DoorDash, where she grew the company's B2B platform business across North America, Australia, and Japan. Earlier in her career, she worked in go-to-market and partnerships for Silicon Valley startups, as well as sustainable urban development across the United States and Japan. She holds an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, and bachelor's and master's degrees in Architecture from Kobe University.

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​Rayfe Gaspar-Asaoka
Partner, Geodesic Capital

​Rayfe Gaspar-Asaoka is a Partner in the Alliance Fund, focused on investing in early-stage companies in AI, space, cybersecurity, autonomy, and dual-use deep technologies. He was previously a partner at Canaan, where he led investments in AI, robotics, space, and enterprise software. Rayfe began his career as an electrical engineer at Raytheon, and a management consultant at Keystone Strategy. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California, and Stanford University, respectively, where his research focused on signal processing and chip design. He is also a Kauffman Fellow. Rayfe was originally born and raised in Hawaii, and is an active water sports athlete. He enjoys spending time outdoors and attempting to learn Japanese.

​Kevin Ninomiya
CEO & Co-Founder, ShibuLA Ventures (Moderator)

​Currently based in New York, Kevin Ninomiya has a diverse range of experience spanning from startups to large corporations, working as an active startup supporter, ecosystem developer, and U.S. attorney. After working as a development engineer in the electronics industry, he gained experience in innovation-related roles in digital transformation (DX) and green transformation (GX) at large corporations. He also founded an EdTech startup. In 2023, he established the law firm Global Gateway Law and the venture studio ShibuLA Ventures, where he supports US market entry for startups and large companies. Additionally, he serves as an advisor for startups at major accelerators such as Berkeley SkyDeck and Silicon Valley’s Bronco Venture Accelerator.

​Event Details

​This live, 60-minute webinar will take place via Zoom.

​Thursday, July 30 | 7:00–8:00 PM EDT
Thursday, July 30 | 4:00–5:00 PM PDT
Friday, July 31 | 8:00–9:00 AM JST

​Live Only — The session will not be recorded, and recording by participants is not permitted.

​About the Yokohama Climate Tech Gateway Program

​The Yokohama Climate Tech Gateway Program is an initiative of the City of Yokohama that connects Japanese companies with leading North American startups, investors, and innovation ecosystems. Through webinars, networking events, and business matching opportunities, the program supports cross-border collaboration in climate technology, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and other emerging industries.