In an email sent to Agency for Global Media employees, obtained by Reuters and The New York Times, the agency’s human resources director told employees they were being placed on administrative leave with full pay and benefits, until notified otherwise.
The 4th Shinzo Abe Conference, held at The Okura Tokyo on March 28, 2025 and hosted by the Boston Global Forum (BGF) under the theme “Government 24/7: AI and Finance Platforms,” will conclude with the groundbreaking Tokyo Accord for Government 24/7: AI and Finance Platforms. “Government 24/7: AI and Finance Platforms” envisions a future where artificial intelligence (AI) powers a platform to assist government work and serve citizens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while a finance platform, also operating 24/7, supports public services and citizens. This finance platform will innovate and reform financial systems using AI, digital tools, and quantum computing, ensuring efficiency and resilience. Building on Shinzo Abe’s legacy of innovation and stability, this pioneering framework harnesses AI platforms for continuous governance and integrates financial systems, positioning Japan as a leader in ethical AI and economic advancement.
Speakers (by Alphabet):
Jonen, Tsukasa, Economic Commentator
Kanehara, Nobukatsu, Executive Director, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation; Professor, Doshisha University; The Inaugural Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Secretariat
Kano, Takehiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Delegate of Japan to UNESCO
Kiuchi, Minoru, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy
Matsuo, Yutaka, Professor from Tokyo University (AI)
Moreno, Elisabeth, Former French Minister
Nakayama, Yasuhide, Representative of BGF Japan and Taiwan; Former Deputy Minister of Defense, Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Nguyen, Tuan, BGF Co-Chair and CEO
Poort, Joris, CEO, Rescale
Tang, Audrey, The First Minister for Digital Affairs, Republic of China
In a primetime address on March 5, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron, recipient of the BGF World Leader for Peace and Security Award, issued a strong call for a significant European rearmament, emphasizing the urgent need for the continent to bolster its defense capabilities amid rising security threats from Russia. Macron also announced that he would begin consultations with European allies on the potential use of France’s nuclear deterrent as a broader shield for Europe. His remarks signaled a pivotal shift in France’s defense posture and underscored the growing concerns over Europe’s strategic vulnerabilities in the current geopolitical climate.
President Macron received the Plaque of Honor for the “BGF World Leader for Peace and Security Award.”
Co-Chair and CEO, Boston Global Forum BGF Roundtable: “Humanity and Compassion in Vietnamese Film and Contributions to the AI World Society” Harvard University Faculty Club, Cambridge, MA March 11, 2025
My dear friends,
Congratulations on the successful U.S. visit by the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA) delegation, led by our esteemed friend Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman of the Association. The delegation engaged in meaningful events across Hollywood, Washington DC, New York, and Boston, culminating in today’s historic gathering at Harvard University.
Celebrating 30 years of normalized Vietnam-U.S. relations, this event marks a profound milestone: the launch of a pioneering initiative—the AIWS Film Park—to advance cinema through Vietnam-U.S. collaboration. This project will create natural film studios paired with cutting-edge AI technology in a beautiful Vietnamese city. It will be a hub for creators, filmmakers, screenwriters, directors, stars, investors, and producers, linking to Boston, New York, and Hollywood. Today, distinguished figures from Harvard, MIT, and Boston—an intellectual capital of the world—have expressed enthusiastic support for this vision.
We have officially announced the Friends of Vietnam-U.S. Film Collaboration, uniting notable friends in this roundtable, and including Governor Michael Dukakis and Former Acting Secretary of Commerce Cameron Kerry. From Vietnam, we have VFDA Chairwoman Ngo Phuong Lan and our Vietnamese attendees. We warmly welcome Vietnam’s Ambassador to the United States, Nguyen Quoc Dung, and his spouse, Tran Thi Bich Van, as well as Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, to this esteemed group. We will also support and connect the Da Nang Asian Film Festival with Boston.
Ladies and gentlemen, today’s event continues the momentum of the AI Action Summit held in Paris last month, where the Boston Global Forum co-organized a session with the French government on AIWS Government 24/7—AI-driven governance serving citizens around the clock. This laid the groundwork for our gift, “Creating a New Enlightened Paris,” presented to President Macron and the French people to position France as an AI leader. There, I met with President Macron and Prime Minister Trudeau, discussing AI and modern cinema among other topics. The outcomes of today’s roundtable, especially the AIWS Film Park Initiative, will be shared with President Macron and the AI Action Summit organizers as a key result of the 2025 Summit.
Dear friends, as we close this meaningful roundtable, we begin a new chapter of collaboration and historic initiatives. With Boston’s unwavering support, we will turn these noble dreams into reality. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your presence and invaluable contributions. My thanks go to our partners—Harvard University, the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, and VFDA—for co-organizing this extraordinary event with the Boston Global Forum. I also thank our BGF staff and supporters for making today a resounding success. Together, we embark on a journey to create lasting value. My deepest gratitude to you all.
At the historic BGF Roundtable, “Humanity and Compassion in Vietnamese Film and Contributions to the AI World Society,” held at the Harvard University Faculty Club, the AIWS Film Park emerged as a central highlight, symbolizing a bold new vision for cinema in the AI age. Co-organized by the Boston Global Forum, Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA), Harvard University (Vietnamese Language Program), and the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, the event also celebrated 30 years of U.S.-Vietnam normalization, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations. Powerful remarks from Governor Michael Dukakis, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, and Chairwoman of VFDA Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Mr Dinh Trong Tuan, VFDA underscored the importance of the AIWS Film Park as a hub for creativity, technology, and global collaboration. Their statements marked a historic moment in advancing Vietnam-U.S. film partnerships and shaping the future of AI-driven storytelling.
