Japan Go IPO Summit Announces Roster of Expert Speakers for Event June 5th in Tokyo

Kura Sushi Executive to Deliver Keynote Address on Elements of Success for Cross-Border Listings

TOKYO and NEW YORK, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Japan Go IPO Summit, co-hosted by Nasdaq and MarcumAsia, is proud to announce an exceptional lineup of speakers for its 2025 event, which will be held on June 5th at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo.

Keitaro Ishii, Director of Kura Sushi USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: KRUS), will headline the summit with a keynote fireside chat, sharing “The Secrets to Long-Term Success as a U.S. Public Company.” Kura Sushi’s journey from a Japan-based innovator to a thriving U.S.-listed brand provides a blueprint for Japanese companies looking to globalize and access U.S. capital markets.

Also joining the speaker roster is Coincheck Group (NASDAQ: CNCK), one of the most high-profile Japanese tech companies to successfully list in the U.S. via a SPAC merger. Keigo Takegahara, Senior Executive Director & CFO, and Noriko Takase, General Manager of the Corporate Planning Department, will offer an inside view of Coincheck’s journey to NASDAQ, lessons learned through the de-SPAC process, and how the company is building visibility and investor confidence post-listing. Mr. Junsei Ryu, Chairman and CEO of TOYO Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: TOYO) and Abalance Corporation (TSE: 3856), will share the unique perspective of leading public companies listed on both the Nasdaq and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The full-day summit will unite senior executives, investors, and advisors to explore IPO readiness, cross-border strategies, and capital raising in the U.S. public markets. Speakers include leaders from firms that have taken Japanese companies public via traditional IPOs and SPACs and from institutions that support public companies post-listing.

“The interest among Japanese companies in pursuing U.S. listings is stronger than ever, driven by a new wave of leadership focused on global expansion and accessing the unparalleled resources of the U.S. capital markets,” stated Drew Bernstein, Co-Chair of MarcumAsia. “This summit is designed to provide actionable knowledge, drawn from the experiences of those who have had successful listings and the expertise of leading dealmakers and advisors.”

Featured Speakers and Panels

The Japan Go IPO Summit will feature a dynamic lineup of speakers, including:

Keitaro Ishii, Director, Kura Sushi (NASDAQ: KRUS) – Keynote Speaker & Fireside Chat: “The Secrets to Long-Term Success as a U.S. Public Company”
Keigo Takegahara, Senior Executive Director & CFO, Director of the Corporate Division, Coincheck Group (NASDAQ: CNCK) – SPACs: Advantages and Lessons Learned
Junsei Ryu, CEO of TOYO Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: TOYO) and Abalance Corporation (TSE: 3856) – SPACs: Advantages and Lessons Learned
Chieko Murata, NASDAQ – State of the U.S. IPO Market, NASDAQ
Drew Bernstein, Co-Chair, MarcumAsia – Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Media – Elements of IPO Success: What Investors Expect & Tapping the Markets: Shelf Offerings, ATMs, and PIPEs
Jeff Acton, BDA – M&A as a Public Company
Tina Cheng, MarcumAsia – Preparing for the IPO: Legal, Accounting, and Audit
Inez Chew, DFIN – Developing a Following on Wall Street: IR, Research Coverage, and Trading
David Danovich, Sullivan & Worcester LLP – M&A as a Public Company
Doug Ellenoff, Partner, Ellenoff Grossman & Schole – SPACs: Advantages and Lessons Learned
Lisa Forcht, Hunter Taubman – Preparing for the IPO: Legal, Accounting, and Audit
Edric Yi Guo, Chief Executive Officer & Head of Investment Banking, Univest Securities, LLC – Tapping the Markets: Shelf Offerings, ATMs, and PIPEs
Alex Jin, Maxim Group, Developing a Following on Wall Street: IR, Research Coverage, and Trading
Sachiko Katori, Director Japan, AUM Media – Developing a Following on Wall Street: IR, Research Coverage, and Trading
Joshua Kaufman, DLA – Preparing for the IPO: Legal, Accounting, and Audit
Craig Linder, Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC – Preparing for the IPO: Legal, Accounting, and Audit
Yuya Orime – Chief Business Development Officer at GSR III Acquisition Corp (GSRT), Senior Vice President of SPAC Advisory Partners – SPACs: Advantages and Lessons Learned
Yoichi Morimoto, HiJoJo Partners Inc. – Elements of IPO Success: What Investors Expect
Mitch Nussbaum, Co-Chair, Loeb & Loeb – Tapping the Markets: Shelf Offerings, ATMs, and PIPEs
Jesse Pichel, Roth Capital Nasdaq, MarcumAsia, Elements of IPO Success: What Investors Expect
Neil Pinchuk, MarcumAsia – Preparing for the IPO: Legal, Accounting, and Audit
Bob Stephenson, Managing Director, Roth Capital – Tapping the Markets: Shelf Offerings, ATMs, and PIPEs
Noriko Takase, General Manager of Corporate Planning Department, Coincheck Group (NASDAQ: CNCK) – Developing a Following on Wall Street: IR, Research Coverage, and Trading
Jason Tang, MarcumAsia – M&A as a Public Company
Tony Tian, Kingswood – Elements of IPO Success: What Investors Expect
Ed Tsuker, Kingswood – M&A as a Public Company
Yingjie Weng, Managing Director, Chardan – SPACs: Advantages and Lessons Learned