Raising Japan's productivity, through work and capital.

Japan has world-class technology and people who approach their work with real integrity. Even so, Japan ranks 28th of the 38 OECD countries in labour productivity per hour. I do not see this as a question of people's ability. I see it as a question of how the work is done, and how capital is put to use.

Over my career I have worked in institutional sales at a securities firm, R&D for autonomous driving and MaaS, a large stadium-city development, strategy consulting, and running an investment fund. Everywhere, I saw talented people losing their time to work that people should not have to do, and strong companies leaving their capital underused.

How the work is done can finally change, thanks to generative AI and AI agents. AUDENTIA works inside our clients' operations to drive AX — AI transformation — from taking stock of each task through design to everyday use. We want to bring this not only to large enterprises but also to the companies that support Japan's regions.

To put capital to better use, we run Japan as No.1 Fund, a Japanese equity value fund. We invest for the long term in companies valued below their intrinsic worth, and through constructive engagement with management we support better capital allocation and disclosure. When capital goes to growth and shareholder returns, corporate value rises and Japan's capital markets regain their strength.

Time freed up on the front line, and capital put to its proper use. I believe that with both of these in place, Japan's productivity will rise and Japan will regain its energy.

I would be glad to work with anyone who shares this goal.

AUDENTIA Inc., CEOKantaro Tazoe