role: Strategic Advisors

Nupur Tewari is actively engaged in exploring the strategic partnership between India and Japan. Her focus on this critical aspect of national security underscores her commitment to promoting bilateral cooperation and strengthening defense ties between the two nations. Through her work, she seeks to highlight the significance of this partnership in safeguarding shared interests and ensuring regional stability.

Interestingly, Tewari-san has a multifaceted professional background. She is known for her work as a motivational speaker, spiritual healer, philanthropist, performance coach, and yoga instructor. She has also been involved in fostering bilateral relations between India and Japan through her consultancy service, Connect India Japan, which aims to bridge cultures, create job opportunities, facilitate internships, support businesses, and provide startup visibility.

Nupur is also producer of The Nupur Tewari Show on YouTube, where stories are brought to life through engaging conversations. With a dedicated series titled “Indian Army: The Shield That Protects India, ” she delves deep into the realm of defense, spotlighting the valor and sacrifices of the armed forces. She has served alongside the Indian Army in Kashmir, gaining firsthand experience in challenging terrain.

The Rising Sun Conclave, an event spearheaded by Tewari-san, features exclusive discussions including a Fireside Chat with Maj. Gen. Gagan Deep Bakshi and Defense Experience with Japan with Lt. Gen. Sanjay Kulkarni. With a focus on strengthening Indo-Japanese ties, defense dialogues take center stage.

Her journey began in a small village in West Bengal, and despite facing adversities, she has worked her way up to become a respected figure in her field. Now based in Tokyo, Japan, she continues to inspire and connect people across the globe.

Emanuel Pastreich serves as the president of the Asia Institute (asia-institute.org) with offices in Washington D.C., Seoul, Bangkok, and Tokyo. He was independent candidate for president of the United States in 2020 and also ran against Cornel West as one of two candidates in the Green Party US (2023). He serves as an associate at the Council on East Asian Studies at Yale University.

Pastreich has written seven books in English, four books in Japanese, eight books in Korean, and three books in Chinese on international relations, science policy, history and culture, in addition to articles for Global Asia, Korea Times, Yonhap News, Foreign Policy in Focus, the Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies, etc. His third book in Korean was designated as a national security book by the Korean Ministry of Defense.

Pastreich worked at the Korean Embassy in Washington D.C. (2005-2007) as advisor to the ambassador and editor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs journal “Dynamic Korea.” He was appointed as advisor to Lee Wan-goo (who became prime minister) when he was governor of Chungnam Province (2007-2009), to President Park Geun-hye (2015-2017), and to Park Wan-soon, the mayor of Seoul (2016-2018).

Pastreich conducted research projects with the Korea Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology, the Korea Institute for Nuclear Safety, the Korea Institute for Geoscience and Materials, the Korea Research Institute for Standards and Science, Seoul National University, and was co-founder of the Daejeon Environment Forum run by KAIST University.

He started his career as assistant professor of Japanese literature at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He has taught at Kyunghee University, Harvard University, and George Washington University. Pastreich received a B.A. in Chinese literature from Yale University (1987), a Master’s Degree in comparative culture from the University of Tokyo (1992) and a Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University (1998).

Robert Moss is General Manager, Asia-Pacific for Nikon SLM Solutions, a global provider of integrated metal additive manufacturing solutions, headquartered in Lübeck, Germany, a Nikon Group Company. As GM Rob oversees all daily operations of Nikon SLM Solutions’ businesses in the Asia-Pacific region, including corporate entities in Singapore (Regional HQ), India, Korea, and Japan. The team at Nikon SLM Solutions provides cutting edge laser powder bed fusion machines using selective laser melting technology to provide advanced additive manufacturing solutions with over 16 metal alloys and is developing new materials to meet customer needs all the time. Rob was recruited to join the SLM team in March 2025.

Prior to his current role, Rob was the Senior Director, Sales and Business Development, APAC for Teledyne FLIR Defense. In that role he led all sales and BD activities in the region for all government and defense specific products and services of Teledyne FLIR, a role he held for five years. Before FLIR Rob worked as Managing Director, Asia for Collins Aerospace, as Director of North Asia sales for Rockwell Collins, and as Director of Strategic Marketing and Business Development for Pall Aerospace, Defense, and Marine. Rob has been based in Tokyo, Japan and worked as a regional expert in Aerospace, Defense, and Marine businesses, and as a business development professional since retiring from the US Navy in 2014.

Robert Moss spent 24 years, 1990 – 2014, as a commissioned officer and helicopter pilot in the United States Navy. His primary aircraft was the Sikorsky MH/CH-53E, which he flew extensively across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa while stationed at Naval Air Station Sigonella, in Sicily, as part of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron FOUR, the Black Stallions. In addition to flying Rob served in multiple shore and ship-based assignments in various locations, culminating his Navy career as the Officer in Charge and Regional Director, Asia and the Americas, for the Office of Naval Research Global, based in Tokyo.

Rob holds Master of Science Degrees in Systems Technology, and in Defense Analysis, both from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach, and was commissioned an officer in the US Navy by the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit at the University of California, Los Angeles. Rob also holds certificates in Internation Management, Congressional Affairs, Archives Management, Lean/Six Sigma, and Defense Acquisitions (both Program and Technology Management). Rob has lived and worked in Japan for over eighteen years, fifteen of those in Tokyo.

Jean-François Rébeillé is the founder and principal consultant for ReTo Conseil, based in Tokyo. At ReTo Conseil, he provides advisory services for global and Japanese stakeholders, covering aerospace, defense & security, as well as energy. With a focus on technological and industrial elements, he supports business collaboration, co-development, and project management.

Prior to his current role, Jean-François served in Asia-Pacific regional management positions, at General Electric, ENGIE and BayWa r.e. At GE, he held roles in operations and program management, for aircraft engines (civil and military, MRO), and for power generation equipment & services. At ENGIE and at BayWa, he served as the Japan country leader for energy projects and services, working closely with Japanese partners.

Jean-Francois is also a board member of the Japan committee of the CCEF (Foreign Trade Advisors of France). He works closely with the French chamber of commerce in Japan, and with various departments at the embassy of France in Japan.

Jean-François was trained at the Saint-Cyr Coetquidan Military Academy, and is a reserve officer in the Army National Guard of France. He also completed training at the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Defense Nationale), in economic and strategic intelligence. Over the years, he has been involved in supporting the French Ministry of Defense on various elements in the region.

In addition, Jean-François has been an active member of the Energy Committee at the European Business Council in Japan , and now serves as committee chair.
Jean-François holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia, and completed executive education at the ESSEC business school in Paris.

Jean-François has lived in Japan for 18 years, 15 of those in Tokyo and Yokohama.