The ICIJ Youth Group successfully hosted its Second Youth Seminar on September 17, 2025, at the ICIJ Hall in Tokyo, bringing together young professionals and students for an evening of inspiration, learning, and connection.

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The seminar began with welcoming remarks from Mr. Manjul Agrawal, Youth Committee Member, who explained the ICIJ’s mission to first-time attendees. He emphasized the importance of establishing a vibrant, inclusive youth network that fosters active participation and collective growth.

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The highlight of the evening was a keynote address by Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, Leader of the ICIJ Youth Group and Executive Advisor at SBI Shinsei Bank. Mr. Gupta shared his powerful life journey — from humble beginnings in India to becoming a senior executive in Japan’s financial sector.

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His story of resilience took the audience through his early struggles, including working blue-collar jobs in rural Japan, studying in the U.S. while holding odd jobs, and eventually landing a career-changing role at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Over the years, Mr. Gupta has held leadership roles at Citibank and SBI Shinsei Bank, where he has spent 35 years, including 18 as General Manager of Finance and 14 as an executive officer of SBI Shinsei Bank. He credited his success to speaking up, building strong relationships, multitasking, and relentless follow-through.

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Following the keynote, participants joined small-group discussions to introduce themselves and share their ideas. The evening concluded with an interactive Q&A session, followed by networking and a dinner reception, leaving attendees inspired and connected.

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The seminar marked another meaningful step in the ICIJ Youth Group’s mission to empower the next generation through shared experiences and leadership insights.