Asia’s First Design & Innovation Festival SYNC Set for Bangkok, Featuring Leading Japanese Designers and Business Innovators

BANGKOK, THAILAND — On June 26, 2026, the SYNC Design & Innovation event will take place at Siam Paragon in Bangkok, marking a significant gathering focused on the intersection of design and business. This large-scale forum is organized by Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. and co-organized by FOURDIGIT Inc. and Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA). The event has officially announced its venue and the lineup of key speakers.

A Special Program within SITE 2026

SYNC Design & Innovation is part of SITE 2026, one of Southeast Asia’s largest innovation festivals, running from June 25 to 27. Hosted by the NIA, SITE has previously attracted over 30,000 attendees and generated approximately 2.89 million online impressions, solidifying its status as a pivotal event in the regional innovation calendar. SYNC will occur on the second day of SITE 2026, serving as a dedicated forum where Japanese design expertise meets the rich cultural diversity of Asia.

A Landmark Gathering of Japan’s Leading Designers and Business Leaders

The program features prominent figures who have elevated Japanese design on the global stage. Notable speakers include:

• Manabu Mizuno, known for his long-term brand strategies at Good Design Company.
• Eisuke Tachikawa, a board member of the World Design Organization (WDO) and founder of NOSIGNER.
• Eriko Yamaguchi, founder of MOTHERHOUSE, which operates across six Asian markets.
• Kazufumi Nagai from Tama Art University, recognized for his branding work with numerous Japanese corporations.
• Yoshihiro Yagi, a distinguished designer from Dentsu Japan, who has received over 750 awards internationally.

Ryo Taguchi, CEO of FOURDIGIT Inc., and Takehiro Suenari, a leader in service design across Southeast Asia, will also present at the event.

The business track will include discussions on the convergence of AI, technology, and enterprise, featuring Satoru Yamamoto from Dentsu Group, Akio Kazama of ZOZO, and Shinichiro Nishikawa from NTT DATA Global Payment, among others. They will be joined by senior leaders from Japanese enterprises operating in Thailand.

Thai Innovation and Design Leaders Join the Stage

Local leaders in policy, business, and design will also participate, including:

• Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of NIA and architect of the 4G Strategy for national growth.
• Dr. Chakrit Pichyangkul, Executive Director of the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), who is driving Thailand’s creative economy.
• Dr. Surapant Meknavin from the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), focusing on AI policy and digital transformation.
• Dr. Nares Damrongchai, an expert in organizational transformation.
• Sumpatha Jadee, Senior Designer at Farm Group.

A Special Live Performance Bridging Music and Innovation

In addition to business and design discussions, SYNC will feature live performances by renowned Japanese and Thai artists. These performances aim to symbolize the fusion of business and creativity, broadening the event’s appeal to a wider audience. Artists scheduled to perform include Wednesday Campanella, KIKI, EYE VDJ MASA, Takahito Uchisawa, STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION, and others.

Special Guest: Kumamon to Appear with Manabu Mizuno

The event will also welcome Kumamon, the beloved mascot from Kumamoto Prefecture, who will share the stage with creative director Manabu Mizuno, the designer of Kumamon.

Event Overview

For further details, visit the event’s official website.

Source: www.zawya.com

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Published on 2026-05-27 05:02:00 • By the Editorial Desk