On February 17, 2026, the WIPO Japan Office organized an online symposium titled "Intellectual Property and Corporate Management – Special Dialogue with Sumitomo Chemical President Mito."
Focusing on the strategic utilization of intellectual property (IP) in corporate management, the symposium featured multi-faceted discussions on the role of IP amid growing global interest in innovation and corporate value enhancement. The event attracted a diverse audience, including corporate executives, IP and legal professionals, R&D departments, and startup stakeholders, with a total of 1,001 participants tuning in live.
Special Dialogue: The Convergence of IP and Management
The event featured a special dialogue on "The Convergence of Intellectual Property and Management" with Mr. Nobuaki Mito, Representative Director and President of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
The discussion unfolded from the perspective of a top executive who previously served as the head of an IP department. Mr. Mito began by recalling that he was initially shocked and disappointed when he was appointed head of the IP department, but soon found the role to be extremely engaging—dynamic and strategic in nature. He then shared his company's organizational approach to linking IP with management decisions, including restructuring into business-specific divisions and creating mechanisms to bridge R&D, business units, and executive leadership. He also emphasized the importance of fostering an "IP mindset" and developing talent to embed IP into the corporate culture. Furthermore, he provided insights on the role of IP in corporate growth, the perspective of "offensive IP" (including licensing), and the necessity of IP strategies in the context of intensifying global competition, not only in Europe and the United States but also in South America and Africa. He also noted that the idea of being “anti-patent” is no longer viable, and remarked that senior management must determine how to effectively integrate increasingly complex IP issues into corporate strategy. He concluded by affirming that IP is a core pillar supporting managerial decision-making, strongly emphasizing the vital role of organizational leaders who understand IP.
Keynote Presentations
The keynote presentations began with a presentation by Mr. Kenji Saito, Director General, Intellectual Property and Global Talent Dept, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), regarding the importance of IP strategies for Japanese companies expanding overseas. Drawing on extensive support experience, he shared insights on securing and utilizing rights tailored to specific markets, considering regional differences in legal systems and business environments. He also emphasized the necessity of integrating IP strategy with business strategy from a risk management perspective in international business.
Next, Ms. Maki Nakamura, Patent Attorney, IP Strategist at Alps Alpine Co., Ltd., and Managing Director of the Japan Intellectual Property Association (JIPA), took the podium. Ms. Nakamura introduced her company’s initiatives centered on the concept of "IP as an infrastructure for managerial decision-making." She explained how IP analysis—driven by data and strengthened collaboration with business divisions—provides vital insights for management. Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of the IP department's role in "reducing uncertainty" and providing strategic recommendations, demonstrating how to evolve the IP function from a cost center into a driver of value creation.
Mr. Shinji Komai, President / Patent Attorney, PIRAMIDE IP Law Firm, then discussed the importance of IP activities with management strategy from both practical and consulting perspectives. Considering the rapid evolution of AI, he pointed out the need for integrated management of functions such as research, analysis, strategy formulation, filing, and litigation. He also addressed the foundational role supporting IP landscapes and shared insights on advanced IP talent development—emphasizing professionals equipped with communication, legal, and networking capabilities who can also leverage AI.
Through the insights of practitioners, experts, and top management, the symposium reaffirmed the strategic role of intellectual property in corporate growth. The WIPO Japan Office will continue to provide opportunities for dialogue and collaboration that contribute to innovation and the enhancement of corporate value.
The archived video of this event is available on the event website.
Please note that it is available in Japanese only.