Executive Impact
Priyanka Yoshikawa: From Miss World Japan to entrepreneur in the wellness world
From moving from Japan to the States to India all before the age of 10, to being picked on at school for looking different to winning the 2016 Miss World Japan title—and being the first half—Japanese contestant to do so, Priyanka Yoshikawa is the definition of resilience. While she’s been… Read
The human touch: Cisco Japan President Dave West on saving your business and community
Covid-19 has turned the business world on its head, and technology has become the lifeline to keep society running as efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus force people apart. Online collaboration and secure communication are especially important, and American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) President’s Circle member company Cisco Systems G.K. is… Read
Shogo Suzuki: The CEO changing Japanese society’s attitude to ex-inmates
Japan’s prison system has been thrown into the spotlight in recent months thanks to the accusations against, and detention of, one Carlos Ghosn, illustrious ex-CEO of Nissan. This has exposed questionable practices such as “hostage justice”; forcing suspects into limbo through extended detention until they confess, irrespective of real guilt.… Read
Inspiring women: U.S.-raised entrepreneur nurtures work–life balance
Entrepreneur Megumi Iguchi always looked up to her parents as guiding lights for life’s journey. From childhood, Iguchi admired her father, an executive in a trading company, and her mother, a stay-at-home mom. Both, she told The ACCJ Journal, struck a good balance between success at work and stability at home, something… Read
Startup upstart: Help at last for ladies who launch
Ruriko Koko Sato never thought she’d become an entrepreneur, let alone help lead a community of women business founders. But as one of the creators of Startup Lady, that is precisely where she finds herself. Together with Startup Lady co-founders Moeko Suzuki, Amee Xu, and Steffie Harner, Sato is helping the association grow its influence across… Read
Preferred Hotels & Resorts brings independent hotel experience to guests worldwide
Many independent hotels, both large and small, often need help to attract inbound visitors. Unlike major chain hotels, they don’t have the network and they also wish to keep their identities distinct from other hotels. Membership in Preferred Hotels & Resorts helps them do that. The family-owned company, founded in… Read
Kenichi Yasuda navigates international business and labor law for foreigners
In today's changing economy and society, legal issues are becoming more diverse and complex. This creates a greater need for the services of lawyers such as Kenichi Yasuda of Dojima Law Office. Established in in Osaka in 1957, Dojima Law Office opened its Tokyo office in 2010 to better serve its… Read
Family inspiration: Tania Coke seeks to transform elderly care
When Tania Abedian Coke was in college, her mother called her out of the blue to offer words of encouragement: “You know, you can be a CEO. I just want you to know that,” her mother said. Coke, who recalls growing up in a family environment that was always supportive, was… Read
MSC Cruises sailing ahead with innovation
The cruise ship industry continues to gain in popularity, as operators offer exciting new destinations and new entertainment and dining experiences on board. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents 95% of cruise capacity worldwide with 63 member cruise lines, around 28.5 million passengers went on cruises in… Read
Found in translation: Entrepreneur Oya Koc interprets her way to startup success
The best thing about being a founder is being able to do whatever you want, meaning you have full control over the business, and full decision-making powers. That’s what Oya Koc, co-founder and chief executive officer of Japan-based on-demand interpretation services provider Oyraa, told The ACCJ Journal when asked why she started… Read
