Dialogue Video Released Featuring Former Japan National Football Team Coach Takeshi Okada and Cool Japan DX Summit Representative

The Cool Japan DX Summit Executive Committee (organized by Vpon JAPAN Co., Ltd.) has released a two-part dialogue video on YouTube for free, featuring Takeshi Okada, former manager of the Japan national football team, and Shino Yoshihiko (Shino), representative of the Cool Japan DX Summit, on June 16, 2026.

[Background]

As the FIFA World Cup kicks off and global attention turns to the pitch, the Cool Japan DX Summit Executive Committee has released a two-part dialogue video with Takeshi Okada, who led Japan to the World Cup finals twice.

Takeshi Okada currently serves as Chairman of FC Imabari, Principal of FC Imabari High School Satoyama Campus, and Vice President of the Japan Football Association (JFA), actively working on regional revitalization, educational reform, and community development through football.

Okada's initiatives embody the very potential of the 'Cool Japan industry,' deeply resonating with the Cool Japan DX Summit's vision of 'taking Japan's culture and technology to the world through DX.'

Takeshi Okada (left) and Shino Yoshihiko (Shino), Organizer and Executive Producer of the Cool Japan DX Summit (right)

[About the Dialogue Video]

Part 1 (approx. 33 min): 12 Years of the Imabari Model Challenge

In the first part, Okada reflects on the past 12 years since becoming owner of FC Imabari, sharing the realities and philosophy behind community-based club management.

Key Topics:

・12-Year History of FC Imabari — How youth development unexpectedly began with 'town revitalization'

・From building two privately funded stadiums to selling out tickets — The journey of building trust within the community

・The story of 'BARI Healing Village Satoyama Stadium,' which raised 4.2 billion yen — As AI evolves, another form of happiness is being questioned

・The vision of a 'mutual support community' sharing food, clothing, and shelter — A corporate philosophy meant to reach 100 million people

・FC Imabari High School's pursuit of 'education without answers' — The three-year journey of questioning, and the difference between autonomy and independence

'How to live in an age without correct answers' — Okada's words, lived through football, community, and education, are packed with insights for everyone involved in the Cool Japan industry.

▶ Watch Part 1 (Free on YouTube)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGBp3Ila1Pc

Scene from the dialogue. In Part 1, Okada shared the 12-year journey of Imabari and the story of the Satoyama Stadium.

Part 2: Toward the Future of Cool Japan

In the second part, Okada discusses his vision for the future of Cool Japan and how Japan's culture and industries can be globally communicated.

▶ Watch Part 2 (Free on YouTube)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyhB9F0gHhY

[About Cool Japan DX Summit 2026]

Mr. Okada also spoke at the 2024 CJDX Summit. This year's Cool Japan DX Summit 2026 will be held on Wednesday, December 9, at Hachibōen in Tokyo.

The Cool Japan DX Summit is an annual event where leaders driving DX, AI, and data utilization in Japan's 'Cool Japan' sectors — including culture, content, tourism, food, and traditional industries — gather.

This year's key message is 'Sharpening Japan's IP.' Beyond anime, manga, and games, the summit redefines Japan's 'sources of storytelling' — such as Japanese cuisine, crafts, festivals, landscapes, manners, and hospitality — as broader forms of IP, creating a platform for discussion and practice to accelerate overseas market expansion using data and AI.

Early-bird tickets are now available (deadline: June 30, 2026).

▶ Official Summit Website & Ticket Registration

https://www.cooljapan-dxsummit.com/

Profile of Takeshi Okada

Former manager of the Japan national football team. Chairman and Representative Director of Imabari. Yume Sports Co., Ltd. Vice President of the Japan Football Association (JFA). Principal of FC Imabari High School.

Born in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. After playing for the national team, he transitioned into coaching. He led Japan to its first World Cup finals in 1998 in France and reached the Round of 16 in 2010 in South Africa. He now focuses on regional development, education, and talent cultivation through FC Imabari.

Company Overview

Company Name: Vpon JAPAN Co., Ltd.

Established: June 23, 2014

Representative: Yoshihiko Shino, President and CEO

Headquarters: AMBRE 6F, 3-15-7 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0051, Japan

Capital: 232.5 million yen

Offices: 8 locations across Asia (Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa, Hokkaido, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand)

Business: Inbound marketing support, data utilization, cross-border DX

URL: https://jp.vpon.com/

Inquiries

Cool Japan DX Summit Executive Committee Secretariat (Marketing Department, Vpon JAPAN Co., Ltd.)

Contact: Yamada

Email: [email protected]

Cool Japan DX Summit Official Website: https://www.cooljapan-dxsummit.com/