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This is a belated report, but I appeared at “Fin/Sum | BG2C 2020,” co-hosted by Japan’s Financial Services Agency and The Nikkei. It was originally scheduled for March but had been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The venue was Muromachi Mitsui Hall & Conference on the 3rd floor of COREDO Muromachi Terrace in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. Although seating was provided, social distancing was maintained, and attendance felt somewhat sparse. Minister Aso appeared by video message, while many of the other speakers also participated remotely.

  • Minister Aso appearing by video
  • The main hall during a keynote
  • Everyone except moderator Professor Sako of Waseda University participated remotely
  • Professor Matsuo of Georgetown University came to Japan for this and spent 2 weeks in quarantine
  • This is what Room 2 looked like
  • An unusual panel consisting entirely of Japanese panelists

My session, beginning at 11:20, was a panel discussion titled “Blockchain and Identity” held as part of BG2C. I was the moderator and the only person in the room, while the speakers were:

Naturally, they participated remotely from Spain, the United States, and Canada, respectively. Irene’s session began at the extraordinary time of 3:20 a.m. for her, yet she appeared stylish and impeccably dressed. Maria did as well, of course. Overall, among the overseas panelists, the men seemed to have tousled hair while the women looked polished.

Remote panels like this really are nerve-racking. Conditions are not ideal: the remote participants’ audio may have so much reverberation in the venue that it is difficult to hear. Even before that, there are many uncertainties, such as whether they will call in properly and whether their connections will hold up.

With all that going on, I forgot to take screenshots of my own session. I am hoping that the organizers will eventually release photographs or a recording…

At Fin/Sum | BG2C, I also participated in 2 other unconference sessions and served as facilitator for one of them. A remote unconference was itself quite an interesting experience.

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