Forest Digital Appoints Former Kurashiru/GREE Executive Masaaki Kaneko as CBO

Forest Digital, Inc. (Headquarters: Urahoro, Tokachi, Hokkaido; CEO: Yuji Tsujiki), developer of the immersive viewing platform 'uralaa', announced that Masaaki Kaneko, who has extensive business experience in the advertising, media, and entertainment sectors, has been appointed as Executive Officer and Chief Business Officer (CBO). In the United States, immersive sports and entertainment facilities such as Cosm and Sphere are experiencing rapid growth, and location-based entertainment (LBE) is expanding into a global industry. Forest Digital's 'uralaa' will enter this growing market with a unique approach as a Japan-originated immersive viewing platform. This appointment of a CBO is intended to strengthen the management structure to accelerate full-scale deployment. Kaneko has previously worked at a general advertising agency and an online advertising company, and has served as a division manager and subsidiary executive at GREE, Inc. and Kurashiru, Inc. As a business leader in advertising, media, and entertainment, he has been responsible for business development and organizational management, as well as promoting M&A, PMI, and leading IPOs. He has now been appointed as CBO to further accelerate the company's business expansion. Regarding the background of the appointment, 'uralaa' is an immersive viewing platform that provides a new experience of being 'wrapped in what you love,' focusing on sports, music, and entertainment. By utilizing 360-degree live streaming, multi-surface immersive projection, and simultaneous multi-location connectivity, it provides an overwhelming sense of immersion that traditional video viewing could not achieve. It delivers a sense of presence to those who cannot go to stadiums or live venues. With Kaneko's participation, the company aims to further accelerate business development and partnership strategies, and establish a new market position where 'immersive viewing means uralaa.'