Paul Kuo

CEO Edinburgh Enterprise

Paul Kuo is CEO of Edinburgh Enterprise. He is a private investor focused on advising, mentoring and investing in venture capital start-ups. He worked at Credit Suisse between 1994 and 2012 and served as Japan CEO and member of its Global Operating Committee. Prior to that he worked at Goldman Sachs & Co for 8 years both in New York and Tokyo.

As a long-standing member of the financial services community in Japan, Kuo also served many roles within the industry. He was Board Member of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, as well as the Tokyo Financial Exchange. As the Chairman of the International Bankers Association, he represented the foreign banking community in advocating financial reforms in the Japanese capital Markets. He was a member of the Strategy Council of the Japan Securities Dealers Association as well as various government study groups on financial sector reforms.

He is also currently a Board Member of Endeavor Japan, Board Member of Hands on Tokyo, Board Member of Liquid Group, and a member of Board of Trustees at St. Mary’s International School. He also served as Board member of Sushiro Global Holdings.

Kuo attended Tufts University where he majored in Economics and graduated in 1984. He received his MBA from Columbia Graduate School of Business in 1986.

Laurence W. Bates

Former Executive Officer, General Counsel, Chief Risk Officer and Chief Compliance Officer Panasonic Corporation

Laurence W. Bates is Executive Officer, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Risk Officer of Panasonic Corporation, based in Osaka and resident in Tokyo. As of June 28, he became the first non-Japanese to be elevated to Panasonic’s Board of Directors, in the 100-year history of the company. In this capacity, he has overall responsibility for Panasonic’s legal affairs globally and in Japan, and oversees an organization of 500 people.

Bates was originally admitted to the New York Bar in 1987, where he started his career engaged in corporate transactions with the New York law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. He has spent the past 31 years working in the legal profession in Japan, China and Hong Kong. At GE, where he spent 22 years of his career, he served in key legal leadership positions in the Asia region, including as General Counsel for each of GE Medical Systems Asia, GE Capital Japan and GE Japan. Immediately prior to joining Panasonic this year, Bates held the position of Senior Managing Director, Executive Officer and General Counsel of LIXIL Group Corporation, based in Tokyo, for four years.

While at GE, Bates was deeply involved as an advocate for the interests of the international business community in Japan, and served in various leadership positions at the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, including six years as a member of the Board of Governors, and as President in 2013. In addition, he has served as a director or auditor of other non-profits, including currently Asia Catalyst, a New York-based group focusing on the health needs of marginalized sex workers in Asia, and EMA Japan, a Japan non-profit dedicated to raising awareness of the issues around LGBT marriage equality.

Bates earned his Bachelor of Arts from Yale University, with a dual major in Chinese studies and economics, and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. In addition, he studied Japanese while at Harvard, and spent a year at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies in Tokyo, as well as another year as a Fulbright Senior Professional Research Grant in the law faculty at Tokyo University, where he co-taught a course--in Japanese--on international investment law. Fluent in Chinese as well, Bates spent two years in the early 1980s, as a Yale-China Association teaching fellow, at Wuhan University, in China. Long having held a strong interest in educational matters, Bates was elected, while at Yale, as the then youngest board of education member in Connecticut, serving on the local board in his hometown of Stonington.

Mark J. Davidson

BOARD MEMBER, U.S.-JAPAN BRIDGING FOUNDATION; FORMER SENIOR DIPLOMAT AND CORPORATE EXECUTIVE; ADJUNCT ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, JAPAN CAMPUS

Mark Davidson has spent more than three decades working to bring the United States and Japan closer together as a senior diplomat, business executive, congressional staffer, and academic.

From 2015 until 2024, Mark oversaw government and corporate affairs, public communications, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability for Amway Japan, a $1 billion company.  He initiated and managed an array of educational initiatives, including the Japan-U.S. Leadership Program, the Tomorrow HOPE Scholarship Program, a $1 million strategic partnership with the U.S.-Japan Council’s TOMODACHI exchange, and ongoing support for Temple University, Japan Campus and U.S.-Japan Bridging Scholarships.  

Previously, Mark was a career U.S. diplomat.  He served four times in Japan, including as U.S. Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs, and Cultural and Educational Affairs Officer. In Washington, Mark oversaw public diplomacy on the State Department’s Japan Desk and managed Japan issues on the staff of the U.S. House of Representatives International Relations Committee.

He also served in Islamabad, Asuncion, Madrid, and Caracas.  

Previously, Mark taught U.S.-Japan relations and grand strategy at the National Defense University, Washington, DC. Currently, he is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Political Science and Asian Studies on the TUJ faculty. He has lectured widely and published articles, columns, and book chapters on U.S. domestic politics and foreign policy, and is regularly quoted in international media outlets about diplomatic and military developments in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mark achieved the Senior Foreign Service rank of Minister-Counselor, equivalent to a two-star general in the military. He received the Secretary of State’s Career Achievement Award and the State Department’s Superior Honor Award, among other honors. He received the 2020 Gold Standard Award for running the most socially impactful corporate philanthropy program in the Indo-Pacific/MENA regions.

Fluent in Japanese, Spanish, and French, Mark holds an A.B. from Dartmouth College and an M.A. in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School, Tufts University.  He won an American Political Science Association (APSA) Congressional Fellowship for a post-graduate year at the Johns Hopkins University.

In addition to his support of Temple University, Japan Campus, Mark serves on the boards of the U.S-Japan Bridging Foundation, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy Asian Advisory Council. He is a member Leader of the U.S.-Japan Council.

Etsuo Doi

Partner (Attorney-at-law admitted in Japan and in New York) Foley & Lardner LLP

"It has been said these days that a majority of young Japanese people are becoming domestic minded and do not want to study or work abroad. This tendency should be a serious concern for Japanese society but is a great thing for TUJ students. The more Japanese society becomes inward looking, the more valuable TUJ students will be. As Japan needs more and more young people who understand different culture and think globally, I foresee a bright future for TUJ students and alumni who will contribute even more to Japanese society. I am proud of the Temple University students and alumni pursuing this path with 'challenge spirit'."

Steven Greenberg

Managing Partner, Partner-in-Charge, Japan, Heidrick & Struggles Japan Godo Kaisha

Steven Greenberg is Partner-In-Charge of the Tokyo Office at Heidrick & Struggles. In addition to leading the Tokyo Office, Steven is a core member of the Financial Services Practice and leads the Insurance Sector for the Asia Pacific and Middle East region. He is also a member of the CEO and Board of Directors Practice.

With more than 13 years of executive search experience in Japan and the Asia Pacific region, Steven has successfully recruited for all levels of senior management across banks & securities firms, insurance companies, asset managers, private equity firms, and other financial institutions. He has also advised clients on multiple senior management and board succession planning and selection engagements across a range of sectors. Steven has a particularly strong focus on senior, strategic hires for complex, challenging leadership roles for the C-suite in Japan.

Prior to entering the executive search and leadership consulting profession, Steven was the Representative Director and President at The Gallup Organization Japan, Director of Business Development, Asia/Pacific, at Thomson Financial, and Manager, Global Financial Services Industry Group, at Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting. Before joining Heidrick and Struggles, he was a consultant with another leading global executive search firm.

Steven is a member of the Keizai Doyukai (the Japan Association of Corporate Executives), and previously was a member of the Board of Directors of Nishimachi International School (2014 – 2020). He also previously chaired the Membership Committee & the Nominating Committee at the Tokyo American Club. He is fluent in spoken and written Japanese.

Steven holds a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley and an M.A. in international affairs –international finance & business from Columbia University.

Ernest M. Higa

Chairman, President & CEO Higa Industries Co., Ltd.

Ernest Higa is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Higa Industries Co. Ltd, and Chief Executive Officer of Wendy’s Japan LLC.

He is a member of Keizai Doyukai, Japan Association of Corporate Executives, an Outside Director of Shinsei Bank, Limited, a Member of the Board of The Tokyo New Business Conference, a Non-Executive Director at JC Comsa Corporation, and a Member of the International Board of Chief Executives Organization.

Mr. Higa also serves on the Advisory Board of the Asian Cultural Council Japan and is a Member of the Board of Councilors of the US-Japan Council. He is a Visiting Professor at Nihon University, a Member of the Board of the Wo Center at Punahou School in Hawaii, a Member of the Board of Trustees of the American School in Japan, a Member of Board of Overseers at Columbia Business School, and a Member of the Board of Trustees at Showa Women’s University.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mr. Higa is a graduate of the American School in Japan. He holds a BS from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University.

In 1990, Mr. Higa was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Japanese semi-governmental organization New Business Conference, and in 1998 he received an award from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Jason Hyland

Director BrioNexus KK

Jason P. Hyland is Director, BrioNexus KK, a start-up established in 2020 that is committed to innovative solutions across business sectors and to serving our community.

Jason Hyland has held various leadership roles around the world. He was a career Senior Foreign Service Officer with the US Department of State, whose assignments included Iraq, Australia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan, in addition to Japan.

From 2017-2020 Mr. Hyland served as President & Representative Officer of MGM Resorts Japan. He continues to support MGM Resorts Japan as Senior Advisor. Prior to joining MGM Resorts Japan, Hyland served as the Charges d’Affaires for the US Embassy Tokyo from January 18 until July 31, 2017. He had been Ambassador Caroline Kennedy’s Deputy from July 2014 until her departure in January 2017.

Mr. Hyland has worked and studied in Asia for more than 17 years, including 14 in Japan. He has lived in Tokyo, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Osaka, and speaks and reads Japanese at the near-native level.

As Charge d’Affaires and as Deputy Chief of Mission at US Embassy Tokyo, he supervised more than 700 employees, five consulates and a language school, engaging daily with the most senior officials in government, business and academia. In his tenure at US Embassy Tokyo, he oversaw American participation in the G7 Summit, President Obama`s historic visit to Hiroshima, and the revision of US-Japan Defense Guidelines.

Hyland is respected as a diplomat, senior leader and manager, and expert on cross-cultural issues, and is grounded in foreign affairs from study at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, The National War College, University of California, Berkeley, the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies and as Visiting Foreign Scholar at the University of Tokyo. He has received numerous awards from the Department of State, including Superior Honor Awards, Meritorious Honor Awards, the Expeditionary Service Award and the Sinclaire Language Award.

Christopher Keisuke Iki

Chief Operating Officer, TBWA\HAKUHODO

Chris Iki has more than 30 years of experience in the marketing profession managing global brands in the US and overseas.

After joining TBWA in 2004, Chris was assigned to work on the Nissan global account based in Tokyo out of TBWA\HAKUHODO International, formerly called G1 Worldwide. Over the course of 8 years, as the Global Account Director, Chris led the Nissan global account team in Japan and worked closely with TBWA agencies across 14 countries, including the U.S. and Europe.

Chris started his career at Wunderman in New York working on the American Express Platinum and Optima Cards. During this time he also served as a key member of the team that launched the Optima Card in Japan. Since then, Chris has worked on clients such as VISA, National Football League, Apple, Gore-Tex, United States Postal Service, Harrah’s Casinos, and AT&T, all of which has provided for his unique combination of management, branding and holistic communications credentials.

Born and raised in Tokyo, with an international educational background, Chris’ bilingual and bicultural background, together with his experience managing major brands, enabled him to seek success in an ever-growing international environment.

Recognized as 2018, 2020 and 2024 Agency Head of the Year by Campaign Asia, Chris looks to lead TBWA\HAKUHODO in its path of continued success as its Chief Operating Officer.

Midori Kaneko

CEO, Jazzy Marketing Co., Ltd.

"Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) is a unique place in Japan where the kind of leadership that is highly valued in today's environment is nurtured. Globalization is here now, however, many countries including Japan need to develop leaders who can face rapidly evolving challenges. These challenges include poverty, diseases, human rights, education, the environment, and food, to name but a few, and they must be tackled through the collaborative effort of multiple nations. Students and graduates of TUJ have already built a strong foundation upon which to become a global leader because of its diversity of students from approximately 70 countries and regions, the quality of faculty and staff, and the way in which students learn to communicate with those who come from diverse cultures. The Board is committed to supporting past, current and future students in this great institution."

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Akihiko Kubo

Managing Director, TAG WORLDWIDE NORTH ASIA, REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR, TAG JAPAN

"Like products and services, learning institutions and academies also need strong brands to distinguish themselves among a crowd of competitors. However, such stand-out brands can only be created using well-designed, well-executed marketing strategies. I am excited to be able to contribute to the branding / marketing challenge that lies ahead for TUJ."

Norishige Morimoto

Vice President of IBM Japan, Chief Technology Officer, IBM Research & Development, IBM Japan, Ltd.

Norishige (Noly) Morimoto graduated with BS of Electrical Engineering from Keio University and joined IBM Yamato Laboratory in 1987 as a hardware engineer.

After he earned a Master of Science in Electronic Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he joined IBM Research-Tokyo (TRL) in 1995. Between 1996 and 2002, he led multiple research projects such as Digital Watermarking, Digital Rights Management, and Mobile Computing. In 2004 he led a company wide collaborative project between IBM Research and IBM Business Consulting Services (IBCS) called On-Demand Innovation Services (ODIS) and worked as a managing consultant at IBCS to deliver new technology to clients and consulted innovation management process to various companies.

In 2005 he returned to research to lead hardware research group and in 2006 he was appointed to be an Executive Assistant to Dr. John E Kelly, Senior VP of IBM Research, at Watson Research Center, NY. In 2008, Noly led the work to expand the global IBM research network to growth countries, and in 2009, he was appointed to Director of IBM Research-Tokyo.

In 2015, Noly took a new position as VP & CTO in IBM Asia Pacific stationed in Singapore, and in 2017, he was appointed as VP of IBM Research & Development in Japan. In 2020, Noly was named to be a Chief Technology Office of IBM Japan, in addition to his role as a head of R&D. Noly has more than 20 patents in digital watermarking and copyright protection, and several publications in the area of innovation management.

Yoshio Murakami

Advisor, New York Times International Edition in Japan and former Board Director of Asahi Shimbun

"Through a long career as a journalist specializing in international affairs, I have come to believe that imparting knowledge about other countries to young people and encouraging them to acquire the attitudes and skills needed to thrive in cultures other than their own should be our highest priority.

I first became acquainted with TUJ some 10 years ago, when, as a board member of the Asahi Shimbun, I was discussing with TUJ an opportunity to participate in the publication, in English, of the Asahi's famous current affairs and arts journal, The Japan Quarterly. Since that time, I have been convinced that TUJ is one of the most suitable places for young people of diverse backgrounds and nationalities to learn empirically about the world they will enter on graduation as full-fledged members of society. I need not go into detail about the reasons why except to say that the English language education and the American college degree which TUJ endows function as a veritable "driver's license," a must have for those who wish to make their way in the international community. I am sad to say that at this time no Japanese university can do the same.

As a board member, I would like to contribute through my journalistic and other networks to make the opportunities that TUJ offers through high quality English language education better known both in Japan and abroad."

David Semaya

Executive Chairman & Representative Director, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management Co., Ltd.

David Semaya is Executive Chairman and Representative Director of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management Co., Ltd. (SMTAM)

His thirty year career spans three continents in executive leadership roles in financial services across the US, Europe and Asia. Now based in Tokyo, he joined SMTAM in April 2018.

Previously, David served as Executive Chairman of Nikko Asset Management for four years both in London and in Tokyo. Prior to returning to Japan, he was with Barclays plc as CEO of UK and Ireland Wealth Management, and Chairman of Barclays Asset Management Ltd.  Prior to 2009, he served as CEO for Barclays Global Investors (now BlackRock) Europe and Asia.  Until 2004, David was with Merrill Lynch in a variety of executive leadership positions in both asset management and investment banking in New York and Tokyo.

David was also formerly a Trustee Director for one of Europe’s largest pension funds and served on the board of the Investment Association and the Wealth Management Association (UK). He currently serves as Chairman of the ICI Pacific Policy Council.

David holds a BA from the University of Florida, an MA in education from Temple University and has completed the Stanford/NUS Executive Program in International Management.

He is a dual US/UK national and is fluent in Japanese.

Ari Staiman

Roblox, President of Roblox China, Head of Roblox Japan

Mr. Staiman is President of Roblox China and Head of Roblox Japan.  Roblox, a platform, where hundreds of millions of people around the world interact with over 30 million immersive experiences created by users, from gaming to social hangouts, to concerts, sports, fashion shows, education, and entertainment, went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021 with a $41 billion valuation. 
 
Mr. Staiman recently returned to Japan to help with Roblox’s efforts in Japan and Asia. He regularly is a keynote and featured speaker at industry events, including most recently at the acclaimed 2022 Tokyo Game Show.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Staiman served in various capacities with Borderfree for about five years including Country Manager (China and Ireland) as well as General Counsel, bringing them through their IPO and eventual sale.  Borderfree’s technology assisted millions of shoppers around the world with a global shopping experience.

Mr. Staiman worked with the Sega family of companies for about eight years including Global General Counsel of Sega based in Tokyo. He was also President of Sega Amusement Works in Florida. Before joining the world of in-house counsel, Mr. Staiman worked as an attorney for the Tokyo office of Baker & McKenzie and the New York office of Healy and Baillie (merged with Blank Rome in 2006).

Mr. Staiman holds a juris doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law and a Bachelor of Art in Asian Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.

Hiroyuki Tsutsumi

Director, Enterprise Business Unit, Amazon Web Services Japan G.K.

Hiroyuki Tsutsumi has over 30 years of experience in the IT industry and extensive management experience at global companies in Japan, Europe, the U.S. and Asia. He has led business operations in B2B, B2C and B2B2C, devoting his energy to creating IoT (Internet of Thing) platforms and new business models.

In April 2024, he was appointed as the Director of the Enterprise Business Unit at Amazon Web Services (AWS) Japan G.K. He is further promoting Cloud and AI business in Japan and taking on the challenge of creating a bright future by creating new value.

Prior to joining AWS, he served as Corporate Executive Officer SEVP/Japan Region CEO at Fujitsu Limited, where he oversaw business operations in Japan and led Digital Transformation (DX) / Sustainability Transformation (SX) efforts to improve enterprise productivity and address various social challenges.

At Philips, he served for 5 years as President and CEO of Philips Japan, leading the company as a diversified solution provider in healthcare field by expanding multidisciplinary ecosystem partnerships and driving innovation in the increasingly digitalized healthcare environment.

At Samsung Electronics Japan Corporation, where he served as the first Japanese president and CEO, he was in charge of mobile phone and networking business. In particular, he focused on promoting the Galaxy brand and the mobile devices through enhanced marketing and PR activities and establishing next generation mobile networks.

While at Cisco Systems Inc., he was in role of Vice President of Emerging Solution Partner Business Development in Asia Pacific, Japan and Greater China and responsible for solution portfolio development. Prior to this, he was engaged in service provider operations as Vice President in Cisco Systems GK in Japan.

Before Tsutsumi joined Cisco Systems, he served at NEC Corporation as secretary to the president and senior manager to develop overseas businesses including alliances and acquisitions and propel new business creation.

He is also committed to promoting IoT, education, and sustainability. He has been invited as a guest speaker at ICT/DX/SX-related summits and forums, and as an external lecturer at universities. He has been appointed as “Yamanashi Ambassador” since 2015 and “Yamanashi-shi Tourism Ambassador” since 2024. Furthermore, he has been an outside director of Allm since 2018, and a director of the Sports Healthcare Design Promotion Organization, a general incorporated foundation since 2021.

Tsutsumi obtained a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Keio University in Japan and completed the Stanford Executive Program at Stanford University in the United States.

Akiko Yamahara

General Counsel, Citi Global Wealth
Citigroup

Ms. Yamahara holds a juris doctor degree from New York University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and International Business from the New York University Stern School of Business. She also studied at Tsukuba University. Akiko is admitted to the New York Bar in 1997. She has taught in the Beasley School of Law program at the Japan campus of Temple University. Her courses involved cross-border negotiations and securities regulation. Akiko has extensive international experience in the corporate finance sector. She specializes in securities, banking, white collar investigations and corporate legal matters.

At present, Ms. Yamahara is serving as General Counsel of Citi Global Wealth, which includes the private banking and consumer wealth businesses. With global responsibilities at Citi Global Wealth, she manages a team of nearly 100 lawyers across 10 countries.

At Citigroup, Akiko has also worked as the Citi Private Bank General Counsel for a decade and EMEA General Counsel for Consumer business and Private Bank business in London (2012-13) and General Counsel of Citigroup Global Markets Japan (2003-11). Prior to joining the Citigroup family, Ms. Yamahara distinguished herself as an attorney at the global law firms of Davis, Polk & Wardwell LLP and Shearman & Sterling LLP. At these law firms, she advised banks, software companies, and Internet companies on equity and debt global offerings as well as merger and acquisition transactions. Acting on behalf of the venture capital arm of investment banks, she also handled stock purchase and stockholder agreements. She has also advised the government of Japan on US securities issues in connection with the privatization of a major Japanese company.

Akiko has won awards for her role in international finance, including the best in-house lawyer at Legal Media Group’s inaugural Asia Women in Business Law Awards. She is an active member of Leadership Advisory Committee to the National Women’s Law Center and Advisory Committee to the Asian American Bar Association of New York among others. She has been engaged with the Association for Women in Finance in Tokyo and actively volunteers in her communities.

Akiko Yamakawa

Partner Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo

"I am honored to serve as a member of the Board of Overseers of TUJ. As a Japanese bengoshi lawyer, I work with many talented people who work at global companies and feel that there is an increasing demand for good talent with a truly international mindset. I believe that TUJ is the perfect place to educate fresh international talent and am delighted to be able to contribute to this great institution."

Toshiaki Yokozawa

President & CEO Asahi-Ecocarry Inc.

"It is my great honor to serve on the Board of Overseers of Temple University Japan Campus in the year of its 30th anniversary. I went to TUJ from 1988 to 1990, then, transferred myself to the main campus in 1990 and got a degree in 1992. I really feel honored to be the first board member who studied at TUJ. As a person who actually attended classes at TUJ, I believe that I can see things from the students' point of view to make suggestions on various matters at TUJ.

Nowadays, major Japanese companies hire a great number of new foreign graduates to seek further economic success internationally. Companies are looking for new graduates who can speak foreign languages fluently and work hard to compete in the world. At TUJ there are students from more than 60 countries. TUJ students study hard to get what they want to achieve, while most students at Japanese universities spend years of college in doing club activities or interviewing for jobs. TUJ is the most prominent educational institution in Japan which can provide students with skills and experiences necessary to the current companies' needs.

I would like to contribute to TUJ for its further success."