Professor Takamasa Fujioka, Director of the Sasin Japan Center and Associate Dean of Meiji Professional Graduate School, has been appointed as an Evangelist of Japan Southeast Asia Innovation Platform (JSIP) at the end of August 2024. JSIP is a co-creation community platform aimed at accelerating business startups and expansions for Japanese companies entering Southeast Asia. Based in Singapore, it fosters organic collaboration across industries and organizations to drive the growth of new businesses in the region. In his new role, Professor Fujioka will offer strategic advice to Japanese companies seeking to expand into Southeast Asia and will promote synergies between Japanese and ASEAN businesses. This role is shared with experts from international startup accelerators, law firms, and accounting firms. JSIP collaborates with numerous Japanese government agencies and private companies, including DBJ Singapore, Nikkei, JPX, JETRO, Mitsubishi Estate, Hankyu Hanshin Properties, Toyota Tsusho, Sumitomo Corporation, Obayashi Corporation, Ricoh, Daikin, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Sansan, among others. On August 29, 2024, Sasin hosted the inaugural JSIP Bangkok Lounge, which brought together 30-40 business executives, including Sasin alumni, who are passionate about startups. The event offered a vibrant platform for exchanging ideas and building connections among industry leaders.