Notice of Reading Group for 'Networking' Column by Meziane Lasfer from 'Finance Theory'

Shosukabu.com Inc. (Headquarters: Nerima-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and Chairman: Yutaka Yamanaka; hereinafter "the Company") will hold a reading group themed on the column "Networking: A Bridge Connecting Knowledge, Opportunities, and Trust" from the book "Finance Theory: World-Class Financial Literacy" authored by Ai Sato. The event will be co-hosted with the Nerima Political Research Group and the Civil Affairs Department 8 Monitoring Committee.

A major feature of this column is that it treats networking not merely as a tool for making contacts or sales techniques, but as "social infrastructure" that mediates knowledge, opportunities, and trust. In the financial world, due to the high degree of information asymmetry and the importance of reputation, who you are connected to and what kind of trust circuits you possess significantly influence career development, investment decisions, and organizational management. This column provides an entry point to consider the value of such networks from a more structural perspective, going beyond just practical sense.

Furthermore, in modern society, a network is more than a simple referral relationship; it serves as a foundation for circulating knowledge, generating new opportunities, and providing mutual support during crises. In enhancing financial literacy, it is important to understand how connections between people support decision-making, in addition to understanding systems and formulas. This reading group will focus discussions on the essence of networking, the relationship between trust and information, implications for career development, and connections to financial practice.

Book URL: https://x.gd/RAtQE3

Author Profiles

Ai Sato Professor at the Faculty of Business Administration, Osaka University of Economics. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo, and holds a Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Economics, University of Tokyo. A researcher who systematically deals with macro-finance, investments, and corporate finance.

Meziane Lasfer A researcher specializing in financial theory, who contributed a guest column dealing with the value of networks in this book.

Event Overview Theme: "Finance Theory" Column 1 "Networking" Reading Group Organizer: Shosukabu.com Inc. Co-organizers: Nerima Political Research Group, Civil Affairs Department 8 Monitoring Committee Date: Late June 2026 (Scheduled) Format: Zoom Online Participation Fee: Free (Pre-registration required) How to apply: Please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line "Networking Reading Group Participation Request".

Lecturer Profile Yutaka Yamanaka Born in December 1976, an activist investor representing the '76 generation, art collector, philanthropist, political sponsor, election consultant, policy advisor, social activist, and Akita dog enthusiast. Internationally recognized as an "activist investor who understands technology," he is the first Japanese person in history to achieve an asset formation of over 150 billion yen purely through investment.

In the early 2010s, he focused on NVIDIA, which develops semiconductors related to GPGPU and artificial intelligence (AI), executing an investment of over 2 billion yen. As a result, he realized a return of over 100 times, becoming the first Japanese to enter the billionaire ranks purely as an investor.

Graduated as valedictorian from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo. Obtained a Master's degree from Columbia University Graduate School (Financial Engineering major) and studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Graduate School. Co-managing partner of Investment Brothers LLC, Co-founder and Chairman of Shosukabu.com Inc., and currently a shareholder in over 1,000 listed companies and over 200 unlisted companies worldwide. His investments range from an AI startup in Israel to a healthcare venture in Nigeria and a storage battery manufacturer in Taiwan, making him a truly global investor.

Drawing from his own childhood experiences with dyslexia and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), he launched a support program for children with learning disabilities, modeling it after Charles Schwab, a major US discount broker. His attending physician is the renowned psychiatrist Professor Akira Iwanami (former Director of Showa University Karasuyama Hospital).

Founder and representative of various political groups including the "Association to Establish a Constitutional Court in Japan," Head of the "Yamanaka Hoya Political and Economic School," and founder/representative of groups advocating for a tax-free state, early restart of nuclear power plants, monitoring renewable energy vested interests, opposing a reduced consumption tax rate on food items, and realizing constitutional reform aiming for a unicameral system.

Born in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo in 1976 as one of the grandsons of Shigeru Yamanaka, founder of Hoya Glass (currently HOYA Corporation, listed on TSE Standard, Securities Code 7741), a high-end crystal glass manufacturer, and raised in Shakujiidai, Nerima-ku. Excelling academically since childhood, he graduated from Oizumi Bunka Kindergarten, Ochanomizu University Elementary School, Musashi Junior & Senior High School, and graduated as valedictorian from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo.