MELBOURNE 2025 | JAPAN-AUSTRALIA PARTNERSHIP: A RENEWED AGENDA FOR CHANGING TIMES

Melbourne, Australia – 24 July 2025 – Leave a Nest Singapore Managing Director Dr. Kihoko Tokue will join an international lineup of leaders at Nikkei Forum Melbourne 2025, a high-profile event themed “Japan-Australia Partnership: A Renewed Agenda for Changing Times” . The day-long forum, organized by Nikkei Inc., brings together senior business leaders, policymakers, and government officials from the Asia-Pacific to share insights and strategies for a competitive, sustainable Japan–Australia alliance . In this setting, Dr. Kihoko Tokue – a scientist-turned-entrepreneur known for bridging cultures – will offer her unique perspective on strengthening cross-cultural connections between Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

Cross-Cultural Leadership

Dr. Kihoko Tokue’s background spans multiple countries and disciplines, making her an inspiring voice on cross-cultural collaboration. Born in Tokyo and raised in Singapore and Thailand, she was educated in the United States and Australia , earning advanced degrees in science in both Japan and Australia. She has built a career across Asia: after working as a researcher and lecturer in Thailand, she joined Leave a Nest in 2011 and co-founded Leave a Nest Malaysia in 2013, before taking the helm of Leave a Nest Singapore in 2016 . This rich global experience has positioned her as a natural “bridge” between East and West. In her work, she focuses on connecting researchers, industries, and communities across borders to “Advance Science and Technology for Global Happiness,” reflecting her personal mission of applying science for societal good.

Earlier this year, she was a featured panelist at the Nikkei Forum in Johor, Malaysia, where she highlighted the importance of nurturing technopreneurial talent through cross-border initiatives. Drawing on years at the intersection of science, education, and innovation ecosystems, she emphasised that young researchers need a strong sense of mission and multidisciplinary exposure to make a real impact. “We need bold, cross-cultural networks that turn research into real-world impact,” Dr. Kihoko noted at the Johor forum, underscoring the role of “Science Bridge Communicators” who can connect cross disciplinary information to create knowledge which can be shared to create business. Her insights on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset that transcends borders resonated with stakeholders seeking to accelerate innovation-led growth in the region.

“Connecting People, Creating Value” – Panel at Nikkei Forum Melbourne

At Nikkei Forum Melbourne 2025 on August 18, Dr. Kihoko will bring this cross-cultural vision to the Japan-Australia context. She is slated to speak in a spotlight panel titled “Connecting People, Creating Value: Shaping the Future at the Crossroads.” In this session, she will join fellow thought leaders from Japan and Australia to explore how bridging people and ideas across cultures can create new value for the future. Her co-panellists include Toshiro Maruyama, Mayor of Hakuba Village in Japan; Temesgen (Tom) Assefa, Chief Consultant at JTB Tourism Research & Consulting; and Hiroyuki Kurahashi, CEO and Managing Director of Japan Australia LNG (MIMI), with Natsuko Ogawa, Chair of the Australia-Japan Foundation, moderating . This diverse lineup – spanning local government, tourism, energy, and cross-cultural affairs – reflects the multifaceted approach needed to strengthen the Japan-Australia partnership in changing times. Together, they will discuss how connecting communities and industries across regions can spark innovation, foster mutual understanding, and shape a shared future at the crossroads of Asia and Oceania. For this to be realised, we need to nurture “Science Bridge Communicator” who can be catalysts for serendipitous encounters.

Inspiring Researchers to Give Back to Society

As an alumna of an Australian university and a leader who has worked in both Japan and Southeast Asia, Dr. Kihoko is keen to give back to the community that helped shape her career. “Having pursued part of my education in Australia, I’m excited to contribute back to society by sharing my insights at the Nikkei Forum,” said Dr. Kihoko, expressing her anticipation for the Melbourne event. “By connecting people across cultures and disciplines, we can create new value. I hope to inspire more researchers to step beyond the lab, engage with society, and turn their knowledge into real-world solutions.”  This call to action echoes her long-standing commitment to empowering young scientists and entrepreneurs. Through her participation, she aims to demonstrate how researchers can leverage international experiences and collaborative platforms to give back to society – whether by developing technologies that address local needs, mentoring the next generation, or driving international research partnerships.

Nikkei Forum Melbourne 2025 promises to be a timely and dynamic platform for such exchanges. As Japan and Australia approach the 50th anniversary of their Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 2026 , dialogues like this forum underscore the renewed agenda for collaboration in an evolving world. By featuring a cross-cultural science leader like Dr. Kihoko Tokue, the forum highlights the power of people-to-people connections in strengthening bilateral ties. Attendees can look forward to actionable insights on building bridges between academia and industry, and between nations – inspiring researchers and business leaders alike to collaborate in creating a brighter, more connected future.

 

Past news release on Nikkei Forum: 2025 Johor, Malaysia