Executive Impact
Pronto chief always one cup ahead of the competition
“This is my hobby. That’s why I’ve been in this business for 15 years and yet I never get tired of what I do.” This is how enthusiastically Norihiko Takemura, president of Pronto Corporation, speaks about his business of running the coffee shop chain. However, Takemura is quick to point… Read
Finding work–life balance and social change through global experience
Venture capitalist and impact investment trailblazer Eriko Suzuki knows a thing or two about mid-career change and taking on ever-greater challenges. After all, her career has straddled several fields—from investment banking to startups, retail to impact investing, and even venture capital. And that’s not to mention an upbringing that began in Japan but… Read
Halekulani brings luxury resort experience to Okinawa
Halekulani Okinawa, a new luxury resort, will open its doors on July 26. It is the second hotel to be created by the Hawaiian luxury hotel of the same name and its first outside Hawaii. The Okinawa hotel will also become Japan’s third member of The Leading Hotels of the… Read
KEF punches above its weight in Japan's audio market
In Japan’s mature and fiercely competitive audio market, Nobu Asai is helping high-end loudspeaker manufacturer KEF punch above its weight. While domestic and foreign brands vie to attract the country’s discerning consumers, company president Asai is adopting innovative management and leadership to help his team compete. It is a fitting… Read
Coding boot camp
“Learning how to code and becoming a software engineer gave me a kind of freedom and confidence that I never had before,” said Yan Fan, co-founder of Code Chrysalis, a Tokyo-based coding boot camp with roots in Silicon Valley. “If I didn’t like where I was working, or if I… Read
Robert Walters brings insight to hiring
The global job climate is continuously changing. This rings true now more than ever as the pace of globalisation and technological change hastens. Robert Walters Japan, a leading name in the recruitment industry, was the first firm to share insight into such trends. In January, the firm held a seminar to celebrate the launch… Read
One Chinese woman's passion to bring feel-good factor of silk to Japan
Daisy King is one of the many foreigners who came to Japan for a year, only to find her raison d’être, leading her to still be here a decade later. Three and a half years ago, she set up her business, Daisy King: Love Silk More, a brand of silk items… Read
Prime location: Eli Lilly’s Patrik Jonsson on Kobe’s strengths
Kobe’s strong infrastructure for scientific and medical research has attracted many companies from around the world, including Eli Lilly. The Indianapolis, IN-based pharmaceutical developer, which is a Corporate Sustaining Member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), set up its Japan headquarters in the city. To find out why, The ACCJ Journal interviewed… Read
Global and local creative: How Williams Lea Tag is making it happen in the market
Williams Lea Tag was founded in 1820 and has grown to be a leading independent provider of marketing and communications services with 10,000 staff in more than 180 countries. Today, about 80% of its employees work outside the UK. Japan is a key market for this British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ) member as it… Read
HARMAN Professional Solutions: How AV equipment impacts everyday life
Ramesh Jayaraman is a seasoned business leader, with a deep knowledge of Asia and a long-running association with the technology industry. Currently he serves as vice president and general manager for HARMAN Professional Solutions, the world’s leading supplier of audio, video, controls and lighting solutions. Originally from India and currently… Read
