On August 28, 2026, the ICIJ Youth Group marked its one-year anniversary with an evening focused on reflecting on the past year and giving members a more active role in shaping what comes next.

 

The event brought together 30 attendees, creating an interactive setting for members to connect, exchange ideas, and discuss the kinds of events and initiatives they would like the Youth Group to organize in its second year.

 

The evening opened with remarks from Mr. Jagmohan Chandrani, President of ICIJ, followed by Mr. Manjul Agrawal, Governor of the ICIJ Youth Group. He reflected on the journey of the ICIJ Youth Group over the past year, thanked the current committee members for their contributions, and introduced the new committee members who will help take the group forward.​ Following the opening remarks, members divided into three thematic working groups: Social and Cultural, Finance and Entrepreneurship, and Technology and Innovation.

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Social and Cultural Group

 

The Social and Cultural Group discussed ways to create more opportunities for members to connect outside of formal professional networking.

 

The group highlighted the importance of building a stronger sense of community among young Indians and friends of India in Japan through more informal and experience-led formats. Ideas included cultural gatherings, seasonal events, social mixers, food-related activities, outdoor events, hobby-based meetups, and other formats that make it easier for members to interact naturally.

 

Members also discussed the potential for events centered on India-Japan Cultural Exchange, including food, traditions, arts, language, music, and shared experiences. The overall objective was to create a more welcoming space where both new and existing members can build friendships, participate more actively, and feel a stronger connection to the Youth Group community.

 

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Finance and Entrepreneurship Group

 

The Finance and Entrepreneurship Group identified practical topics that could help members better navigate personal finance, investment, and entrepreneurship in Japan.

 

One proposed topic was India-Japan Treaties, focusing on how Indians in Japan can better understand and benefit from bilateral frameworks between the two countries. This topic would be led by Anushree and Ayushi. The group also proposed a session on Credit Cards, Investment Strategies, and Financing Resources in Japan, including the differences between major banks, credit card benefits, and the long-term value of NISA.

 

Other topics included understanding the Japanese Pension System, its structure, long-term returns, and best practices for foreign residents, as well as the fundamentals of Setting Up a Company in Japan, including company structures, basic requirements, and considerations for Indian entrepreneurs.

 

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Technology and Innovation Group

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The Technology and Innovation Group proposed a combination of executive discussions, panel sessions, workshops, and more hands-on event formats.

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Potential panel topics included “ROI of AI: Beyond the Hype,” focusing on how companies can measure the real business value of AI, and AI Governance and Ethics in the Japanese Market, looking at responsible adoption, regulation, and governance in Japan.

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The group also proposed broader discussions around future trends, including “Redefining Innovation: Tech Trends of the Last 20 Years and the Next 20,” as well as a founder-focused session on Building in Japan, covering zero-to-one product development and achieving local market fit.

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For more practical formats, members suggested an AI 101 Workshop for builders and beginners, as well as a potential
24-hour AI Prototype Challenge where participants could develop solutions to real problems faced by Indians living in Japan.