Tokyo – June 27, 2019 – OPEN8 is pleased to announce that Yasushi Shingai has been appointed as an outside director, effective today.

During Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT), Mr. Shingai served as President of JT America Inc., and promoted many alliances with US biotech and pharmaceutical venture businesses and also demonstrated his ability in corporate transformation and acquisitions as CFO of JT, Deputy CEO, and CFO of JT International, and Executive Vice President and Deputy CEO of JT. He currently serves as an outside director at many major blue-chip companies, including Recruit Holdings Co.

In the area of corporate acquisitions, he has led the acquisition and integration of Gallaher in the U.K. in 2007 and has successfully acquired overseas companies intending to become a global growth company.

By welcoming Mr. Shingai as an outside director, we plan to use his knowledge and network of management strategies in Japan and overseas to support our mid to long-term management strategies and accelerate our global expansion, including the establishment of new overseas offices and the development of partnerships, in addition to our Singapore office, which is already supporting OPEN8 CORE TECHNOLOGY as an AI technology development base.

OPEN8 will further strengthen its management structure and improve transparency, aiming to become a “technology company that enriches the world by lifestyle innovations”.

• Comment from Mr. Shingai, Outside Director

In the 1990s, when I was involved in joint research and development with start-ups in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields in the U.S., I was impressed by their wisdom and agility in solving social issues and creating products that could contribute greatly to society, even on a small scale. For this reason, after retiring from JT, I have long wanted to support start-up companies. I am convinced that OPEN8’s technologies and services will definitely contribute to society in the future, and I have decided to accept the position of outside director. I would like to use the knowledge, experience, and human network I have cultivated over the years to help boost the business, and to help OPEN8 maintain its entrepreneurial spirit and create a prosperous society.

• New Outside Director Profile

Yasushi Shingai – Date of Birth January 11, 1956

1980
After completing a master’s degree at the Graduate School of Electronic Engineering, Kyoto University, he joined Japan Tobacco Inc.
After a career in the manufacturing sector, including experience at several cigarette factories, until 1987, he worked in the Corporate Planning Department, where he was involved in corporate acquisition projects and cross-border alliances in diversified businesses.

1989
Deputy General Manager, New York Office

1990
Appointed President of JT America Inc.
Over the next six years, he identified and promoted many joint R&D collaboration projects with US pharmaceutical and biotech ventures, including the development of the anti-HIV drug Viracept.

1991
Appointed as External Director of Cell Genesys, Inc., a bio-venture company listed on NASDAQ
(Resigned in 1997)

1996
General Manager, Corporate Planning Department, Japan Tobacco Inc.
General Manager of Corporate Planning Dept. of Japan Tobacco Inc. in charge of medium-term management plans, corporate reform programs, corporate acquisition projects (lead Torii Pharmaceuticals, participation in former RJR International), etc.
In charge of company-wide corporate planning, including medium-term management plans, corporate reform programs, and corporate acquisition projects (lead for Torii Pharmaceuticals and participation in the former RJR International)

2001
General Manager of Financial Planning Dept.
Responsible for company-wide medium-term management planning, business management, and financial strategy
Also involved in corporate acquisitions and divestitures

2004
Appointed as CFO (Corporate Officer) of the company
Responsible for company-wide financial management, including business administration, financial strategy, accounting, finance, cash management, and taxation, as well as real estate and BD (company-wide M&A management)

2005
Appointed as a director of the company

2006
Appointed Vice President and Deputy CEO of JT International (Geneva)
Led the acquisition and integration of Gallaher
From 2008 to September 2009, also served as CFO of JT International for the integration of Gallaher

2011
Appointed Representative Director, Executive Vice President, and Deputy CEO of Japan Tobacco Inc.

2018
Resigned as Director of Japan Tobacco Inc.
(Concurrent position)

2014
External Director of Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd (Resigned in 2018)

2018
External Director, Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.
External Director, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.
External Director, ExaWizards Inc. (present post)
Advisor, Toppan Printing Co. Inc. (present post)
Management Advisory Board Member, Japan Growth Investment Alliance Inc. (present post)
Advisor, Venture Capital ANRI (present post)
Advisor, Corundum Innovation Co. Ltd. (present post)

2019
External Director, Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc. (present post)
External Director, OPEN8 Inc. (present post)

(Front row, from left) Yasushi Shingai, new outside director; and Yuko Takamatsu, president, and CEO.
(back row, from left) Taku Maruyama, Director, and CAO; Masayasu Morita, Outside Director; Yoriko Suzuki, Executive Officer, and CSO; Yuichi Kashima, Executive Officer, and CBO; Hisatake Ishibashi, Executive Officer, and CTO; Kei Sugawara, Corporate Auditor.

Click here for the Japanese version

ABOUT OPEN8 Inc.
OPEN8 Inc. is a content technology company that develops our own AI technology centered on natural language processing and computer vision and possesses “OPEN8 CORE TECHNOLOGY” which consists of algorithm and software modules.

We support companies from various industries to deliver visualized information through the provision of APIs such as the automatic video generation function and “Video BRAIN”, an in-house AI automated video editing cloud service. We also combine our expertise in video content production and distribution knowledge cultivated in the video advertising and video media businesses. In 2019 we were awarded as one of the Red Herring Top 100 Asia Winner, an award given by Red Herring to innovative private technology ventures in Asia.

Based on our business concept of “becoming a growth driver of every company’s information distribution strategy with AI and SaaS,” the company offers the following three businesses

(1) SaaS Business
We provide “Video BRAIN”, an in-house AI automated video editing cloud service to businesses. Once you submit materials such as photos and text, the AI engine analyzes the data and creates a video with a storyline. Anyone can easily create rich video content within a few minutes. Many companies from small businesses to enterprises have adopted this service, regardless of business or objectives including PR, instruction manual, or recruiting contents.

(2) API Business
We provide the “OPEN8 CORE TECHNOLOGY” which consists of algorithm and software modules as an API. It can be used as a stand-alone solution or in combination with multiple technologies and can be used by corporate needs.

(3) MLaaS (Machine Learning as a Service) Business
We build our own unique model based on the company’s private data and develop original solutions in combination with our “OPEN8 CORE TECHNOLOGY”.

For all press inquiries
OPEN8 Inc., Public Relations: Chiaki Iwama, Yuki Kato
Iwama MOBILE +81)80-4105-0853
Kato MOBILE:  +81)80-9745-9220
PHONE: +81)50-1749-7880
FAX:  +81)3-6892-5529
EMAIL:  info@open8.com