Research & Insights

Insights

Thinking ahead, making the case, developing people.

Through contributions to the World Economic Forum (WEF) and committee work at the Japan Institute of Logistics Systems (JILS), Nexgen Japan sets out the agenda on AI and logistics. Here are the five research themes we focus on.

World Economic Forum (WEF)
As a contributor, we make the international case on physical AI governance and the future of work.
Japan Institute of Logistics Systems (JILS)
As a committee member, we help shape guidance on logistics management and advanced logistics talent.
White papers
Co-authored with industry bodies and consulting firms, setting out the case for CLOs and supply chain transformation.

Written byAriki Ono, CEO and Logistics AI ArchitectView profile

Research Themes

Five research themes

For the next generation, our research is anchored in work and talent in the AI era. From there, we set out our agenda in two areas: AI, and supply chains and logistics.

Core theme

Work and Talent in the AI Era

Key points

Human value is shifting to defining the problem, setting the conditions, judging the output and making the final call. That calls for two roles: the AI architect, who designs how AI is used in the real world, and the AI steward, who answers for its output and its consequences.

Publications

Physical AI

Key points

AI is moving off the screen and becoming physical systems that operate in warehouses and factories. Deploying robots is largely a matter of preparing training data, and Japan can lead the way.

Publications

AI Governance and Security

Key points

The question has shifted from whether AI can be deployed to whether it can be governed. Deciding how far to use it, which uses to permit and who bears responsibility is the job of management.

Publications

Supply chains & logistics

Global Supply Chains

Key points

In an age when crisis is the norm, supply chain crises keep recurring. Internal silos are what spread the damage, so the outcome turns on whether management, legal, logistics and procurement are already connected in peacetime.

Publications

Logistics Management

Key points

Logistics is not a cost centre. It is a core function of the business that acts on both return on invested capital (ROIC) and the cost of capital (WACC). We set out the responsibilities of the chief logistics officer (CLO) and how to develop people for the role.

Publications

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Publications

Key contributions and white papers

We publish our commentary through international organisations, industry bodies and the media.

Speaking, Writing and Media Requests

We welcome requests for talks, articles and interviews on any of the five themes. We also run seminars and training programmes for executives.