Makato Higashi 

Biography

Makoto Higashi currently serves as CEO of BlazEast Inc., driving innovation and facilitating cross-industry collaboration in emerging technologies. He also brings his expertise to academia at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and has held notable positions in technology sales at NTT DATA GC Inc., underscoring his commitment to integrating technological solutions for global challenges.

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Prior to his current role, Higashi spearheaded strategic partnerships and technological advancements in satellite imaging as CEO and later Executive Advisor at Japan Space Imaging Corp. His broad leadership background also includes serving as Board Member and CEO of WNI USA at Weathernews Inc., overseeing business development for Hitachi, Ltd.’s Defense Systems Company, managing the Data Distribution Department at the Remote Sensing Technology Center (RESTEC), and holding the position of Senior Vice President of the Satellite Data Business Division at ImageOne.

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Higashi launched his career in 1978 at Oceanroutes Japan Ltd., where he rose to become CEO and Vice President of Operations at its San Francisco headquarters. A graduate of Kitakyushu Municipal University with a focus on American and English Studies, he has leveraged nearly five decades of global leadership experience in operations, business development, and satellite technology to shape Japan’s geospatial sector and beyond.