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New Advisor Appointed to D-POPS GROUP

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2023.06.02

D-POPS GROUP Co., Ltd., is pleased to welcome Mr. Ichiro Fujisaki (who was an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States, and is now Chairman of The America-Japan Society) as a new company advisor. Through his extensive experience and broad perspective, we eagerly anticipate his guidance in achieving our next significant growth phase.

Profile of Advisor Ichiro Fujisaki

Career Background

Left Keio University Faculty of Economics before graduating

1969: Joined Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1999: Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau

2002: Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs (Economic Affairs)

2005: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Geneva

2008: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America

2010: Distinguished Professor at Keio University

2013: Distinguished Professor and International Strategy Advisor at Sophia University, Chairman of The America-Japan Society, Board Member of ITOCHU Corporation, Advisor to Hino Motors, Ltd.

2014: Board Member of Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, Member of the International Broadcast Program Council of NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)

2018: Chairman of the Nakasone Peace Institute

Current Positions

Chairman of The America-Japan Society
Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Kitakamakura Girls' School
Chairman of the International Education Center Supporters Association

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EO Venture Cup 2026

D-POPS GROUP participated in the 18th EO Venture Cup Futsal Tournament (Men’s Division and “Enjoy” Division) held on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Over 60 teams participated in the event, creating a thrilling atmosphere! It was incredible to see everyone, from CEOs to employees, giving it their all on the field. There was a true sense of unity between both the players and the cheer squad, who were all shouting together in a show of competitive spirit! Together with the colleagues who came out to support us, we were able to create an unforgettable level of excitement. ◆Match Results Men’s Division Group Stage: 3 Wins, 1 Draw, 2 Losses / 7 Points – 3rd Place in the Preliminary League “Enjoy” Division Group Stage: 2 Wins, 3 Draws, 1 Loss / 7 Points – 3rd Place in the Preliminary League Both teams narrowly missed out and finished in 3rd place. It was a frustrating result, but we vowed to settle the score next year! ◆The Teams Participating companies included a star-studded lineup from our group companies and investment portfolio companies: D-POPS, GOOD CREW, A&K.com, EXEED, and BLUEISH. ◆Participant Impressions Men’s Division Captain Kizuku Tsuda, Store Manager, D-POPS Corp. “I couldn’t participate last year due to poor health, so this was my first time joining the event. Because we entered both the Men’s and “Enjoy” divisions, we had a large turnout from D-POPS GROUP, and both the matches and the cheering sections were incredibly lively! Unfortunately, we were knocked out in the preliminary league, but I am thrilled that I could connect with people from other group companies whom I don’t normally get to interact with, and that we could enjoy futsal as a team all day long. I want to participate again next year and expand the D-POPS GROUP circle even further! We sincerely look forward to everyone’s participation!” Enjoy Division Captain Kenta Ishida, HR Department & Compliance Promotion Office, A&K.com Co., Ltd. “I participated in the futsal tournament again this year, following last year’s event! This time, we took on the mixed-gender “Enjoy” division. The venue was Ajinomoto Stadium, and with the largest number of participating teams in the event’s history, the excitement surpassed even last year! Unfortunately, we were just one step away from the finals, which left us with some frustration, but with constant laughter and shouting, I was able to rediscover the joy of chasing the ball as a team, ha ha. Covering for each other and stringing passes together during this time turned out to be the perfect opportunity to strengthen the unity and expand the synergy across our group companies. I am also extremely grateful to everyone who came out to the venue to support us in the intense heat. I will continue to work hard to deepen communication within the group! A huge thank you to President Goto, President Masuda, and everyone else involved!” Team Manager Haruna Matano, Career Support Team, GOOD CREW “Participating in the futsal tournament as a team manager and cheerleader, I experienced firsthand the overwhelming sense of unity that D-POPS GROUP possesses. Our team was an impromptu mix of members who usually work in different group companies. Naturally, different companies have different cultures, but the moment we stepped onto the field, spontaneous communication sparked immediately, and we instantly became a rock-solid, united team. It was a moment that made me proud to realize the strength of our organization, since we can connect beyond boundaries precisely because our group companies share the same ambitions and culture on a daily basis. It was also memorable that the one person who was hungriest for goals and running around the court with all their might during every match was our CEO, ha ha. Seeing everyone ignore job titles and earnestly aim for victory on the same level felt like the true essence of D-POPS GROUP. On a personal note, I’ve been with my company for 14 years, and one of my highlights was getting to reunite at a stadium with my old coworkers—now thriving in different companies and positions—for the first time since our new graduate training. Seeing them still taking on challenges in their respective fields inspired me and reminded me of the appeal of working in this group.” ◆Monthly Event! D-POPS GROUP Soccer Mixer Here is a look at the monthly soccer mixer hosted by D-POPS GROUP, which started in 2025 as part of member training for the EO Venture Cup Futsal Tournament. (It has now become a wildly popular community with many participants from both inside and outside the company!) Around 40 people—including former Japan national team players, business owners, executives, and young professionals—participate, creating a space for both high-level, earnest competition and friendly interactions. Going forward, D-POPS GROUP will continue to foster this kind of interaction between sports, community, business executives, and youth!

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D-POPS GROUP CEO Kazuhiro Goto Featured in September 2026 Issue of Monthly Project Design

We are pleased to announce that an interview featuring D-POPS GROUP’s President and CEO, Kazuhiro Goto, was published in the September 2026 issue of Monthly Project Design (released August 1). Note: Monthly Project Design is a business publication focusing on new market creation, promotion of startups and new business ventures, and regional revitalization. In this interview, President Goto spoke in detail about D-POPS GROUP’s efforts to achieve its core mission to “continuously produce growth ventures (i.e., unicorn companies) that transform society”, as well as the building of a Venture Ecosystem where entrepreneurs co-exist and thrive together. Interview Contents ・Origin story and entrepreneurial vision: Inspired by his experience studying abroad as a student and encountering the philosophy of Konosuke Matsushita, President Goto founded D-POPS Corp. out of the desire to “create an environment where young people can hold dreams and work hard toward them.” ・Establishing a “Venture Ecosystem”: The whole story of establishing a growth platform through transitioning to a group management system involving more than one type of business, and of leading efforts such as “Goto School”, a mentoring program for executives that has brought together over 330 business leaders to date. ・Venture Ecosystem Case Study, The Salons Japan: The example of how D-POPS GROUP supports a platform business which leases private salon studios, enabling beauty professionals to step out independently or elevate their careers at low risk. The interview is also available on the online edition of Monthly Project Design. We invite you to check it out here! (Page available in Japanese only.)

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Joining Ceremony 2026

At D-POPS GROUP, we are aiming to realize a Venture Ecosystem, with the mission of “increasing the number of growing startup companies that will transform society”. We have expanded to 26 group companies and 35 investment companies (at the time of publication), widening the fields where people can take on new challenges. Please enjoy these pictures of the new members who are eager to carve out a new future together with us starting from this spring! D-POPS Corp. https://d-pops.co.jp/ GOOD CREW https://www.good-crew.co.jp/ Advancer.inc https://advancer.co.jp/ ☆Tokyo area ☆Kansai area ☆Kyushu area STAR CAREER CO., LTD https://star-career.co.jp/ opzt, Inc. https://opzt.net/ A&K.com Co., Ltd. https://www.a-kcom.co.jp/ PLUST.Co.,Ltd. https://www.plust.jp/ We wish all of our new colleagues a warm welcome and congratulations! We truly look forward to seeing you challenge yourselves and grow at your companies. Together with these new members, D-POPS GROUP will not stop growing and pursuing our vision. Thank you for your continued guidance and encouragement.

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