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OUR
TEAM
Representative Offices
U.S.A.
Mr. Kazuo Saito,
Chief Representative in
Detroit (Detroit)
Mr. Kazuo Saito is an established businessman in Detroit area. He was
once an owner and CEO of Anco Tech, Inc, a manufacturing company of
metal tubing and Top Players, LLC, a sports goods export company. Prior
to coming to the USA, his career was with Nippon Mining Co., Ltd. to
which he contributed greatly particularly in marketing and sales
strategy of its various new products. Mr. Saito received his bachelor’s
degree in Economics from Keio University in Tokyo.
Mr. Hideaki Iwatani, Executive Vice President and Chief
Representative in
New York (New York)
Mr. Iwatani was named Chairman and CEO of Matsushita
Electric Corporation of
America in 2000. In
this position, Mr. Iwatani oversaw Panasonic’s consumer, B-to-B and
industrial sales, marketing, production and R&D operations for the
company that, along with its affiliates, had at the time, over 150
business locations in the US, Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico. Mr.
Iwatani was also named to Matsushita Electric’s board of directors with
responsibility to oversee operations in both North and South America.
Mr. Iwatani, who joined Matsushita Electric Co. Ltd. in 1968, was named
President of Panasonic Consumer Electric Company since 1996. Prior to
that assignment, he was President of Panasonic Company West, which is
based in the Los Angeles suburb of Cypress. After serving as Chairman
and CEO of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, in 2004, Mr.
Iwatani was responsible for the international affairs of the company as
well as the Director of the Global Strategy Research Institute. Mr.
Iwatani has spent nearly 30 years on assignments in the US, and is
currently a Permanent Associate for Matsushita Electric Co., Ltd. In
2001, Mr. Iwatani received an award in NY for his contribution and
dedication toward international affairs, and in 2004, received an
international humanitarian award. Mr. Iwatani graduated with a
bachelor’s degree in Economics from Meiji Gakuin University in Japan.
Mr. Naoki Achiwa, Representative in
New York (New York)
Mr. Achiwa is a successful business person with
international experiences primarily in the Western hemisphere, with
Mitsui & Company, a leading Japanese trading company, experienced
various managerial functions such as corporate communications, sales &
marketing, and planning and management functions. He was responsible
for the Dupont-Mitsui alliance project from 1993 to 1995, and was also
seconded from Mitsui & Company to APEC Business Advisory Council as its
first Executive Director to set up the organization in 1999. After 34
years with Mitsui & Company, he joined Sunstar Ltd. (a manufacturer of
oral care and health/ beauty products) as the head of NY office, and
also became President of Sunnex (Ohio),
a supplier of adhesives/ sealants for the auto industry, and of
sprockets and brake rotors for motorcycles. Geographical experience
includes Japan,
the US (over 13 years), and the UK (2 years). Mr. Achiwa provides
consulting services to American companies who are interested in entering
the Japanese market as well as for Japanese companies entering the US.
Mr. Achiwa received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Hitotsubashi
University in Japan. He also attended the University of Birmingham (UK)
and Harvard
Business School, PMD (Program for Management Development).
Mr. Makoto (Mike)
Suzuki,
Chief Representative in Silicon Valley (Silicon Valley)
Mr. Suzuki joined Takenaka Partners in November 2005.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Suzuki was involved in
Hitachi’s
international business activities, particularly the electric power
systems and semiconductor business. Mr. Suzuki has served in various
managerial positions in Hitachi Group: Chairman & CEO at Kokusai
Semiconductor Equipment Corp. (in San Jose), Chairman & CEO at Bruce
Technologies International (in Boston), Executive Managing Director,
Overseas Operations at Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. (In Tokyo), General
Manager, Overseas License & Business Support Division at Hitachi Ltd.
Mr. Suzuki received his bachelor’s degree in Electric Engineering from
the University of Tokyo.
Asia
Mr. Masaki Tsukiji,
Chief Representative in
Osaka, Japan (Osaka)
Mr. Tsukiji is Representative for Haruka Audit Firm as a Certified
Public Accountant and a Certified Tax Consultant. Prior to joining
Haruka, Mr. Tsukiji was working for KPMG, Osaka and Dusseldorf over ten
years. He also worked for Daifuku before becoming a CPA. Mr. Tsukiji
graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Kobe
University.
Mr. Jerry Guo,
Chief Representative in
China (Beijing)
Mr. Guo is a founder and President of TechView Investment Consulting
Corp. TechView provides strategic consulting, manufacturing facility
turnkey transfers, and equipment / technology representative services to
international companies investing or marketing in China. TechView
connects its clients with
China’s
vital industry and regulatory resources, advises on the social and
cultural uniqueness of doing business in China, and helps clients
maximize business opportunities while effectively controlling risks.
Selective clients served by TechView include Ford Motor Company,
Hitachi, Electronic Engineering Company, Caswell International, Oneida
Research Services Inc., Midas Vision System Inc., and Taiwan Cando
Corp. Prior to founding TechView in 1991, Mr. Guo worked for over 20
years at various Chinese central government authorities that regulate
and support the development of
China’s
key R&D and manufacturing industries. Mr. Guo was responsible for the
government’s elevation of project feasibility and management of planning
and funding processes for electronics, telecommunications,
semiconductor, automotive, and aerospace industries. Mr. Guo has built
an extensive network of connections and excellent working relationship
with government and industry leaders. These connections have
tremendously benefited TechView’s clients and business partners.
Joonho (James) Kim,
Chief Representative in
Korea (Seoul)
Mr. Kim has substantial experience in cross-border incubation of high
tech companies, M&A transactions and management consulting in
telecommunications and mobile enterprise solution and outsourcing
industries as well as consulting in Business Process Re-engineering of
process industries such as the steel industry. Prior to joining the
firm, he was a founder of a venture capital company, nShaper. Before
joining nShaper, Mr. Kim worked for Deloitte Consulting in
Korea,
as Director and Co-leader of Pan-Asian Telecommunications practice.
Prior to Deloitte, he worked for McKinsey Consulting in Korea as
Director in Charge of Business Development and Communications. He also
served as Assistant to Chairman at POSCO, the largest steel company in
the world as a single unit. He received his master’s degree in
Interpretation and Translation from Hankuk University of Foreign studies
in Korea.
Mr. Keith Tay Ah Kee,
Chief Representative in
Singapore
Mr. Tay was Chairman and Managing Partner of KPMG Peat Marwick Singapore
from 1984 to 1993 and Chairman of KPMG ASEAN Board from 1989 to 1993,
and was concurrently a member of KPMG’s International Board and its
Executive Committee. Mr. Tay now serves on the boards of several
public companies which include Singapore Reinsurance Corp. Ltd,
Singapore Power Ltd. and Singapore Post Ltd. He is a founding member and
currently Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Institute of
Directors. He served as Adjunct Professor in the School of Accountancy
and Business of The Nanyang Technological University from 1988 to 2003.
He was Chairman of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce from
1995 to 1997 and he continues to serve as a Board member. A Fellow of
the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, Mr. Tay was
awarded the First International Award by the Institute in 1988 for his
contribution to the profession. He served as the President of the
Institute of CPAs of Singapore from 1982 to 1992 and as Chairman of
Edusave Advisory Council from 1993 to 2000. A Member of the Economic
Committee formed by the Government of Singapore in 1986, he was chairman
of its Fiscal and Financial Policy Sub-Committee. He was conferred the
Bintang Bakti Masharakat (Public Service Star) by the President of the
Republic of Singapore in 1990.
Mr. Lim Chiang,
Representative in
Singapore
Mr. Lim Chiang is Special Investment Advisor to the Japan External Trade
Organization (JETRO). In this capacity, he promotes investment into
Japan and helps companies set up presence there. He is also the Director
of Capacity Development Consultants Pte Ltd which specializes in
providing business consultancy and investment advisory services. Mr. Lim
has many years of business and consulting experience. When he was a
Senior Manager of KPMG Peat Marwick Management Consultant Pte Ltd in
Singapore, he managed consulting engagements in operations review,
strategic marketing study, feasibility study, business planning,
manpower and salary review and executive recruitment. The industries
which he has experience include information technology, marine
engineering, electronics manufacturing services, public transportation,
food and beverage, dry battery, ceramic color, building material,
ceramic tableware, furniture, animal feed, etc. Mr. Lim is a President
and Mombusho (Japanese Ministry of Education) Scholar. An electronic
engineering graduate from the University of Tokyo, he also has an MBA
from the University of Warwick. Mr. Lim is fluent in English, Mandarin
and Japanese and has a working knowledge of Indonesian.
Mr. Susumu Nitadori,
Chief Representative in
Thailand (Bangkok)
Mr. Nitadori has extensive experience in the banking business with Dai-ichi
Kangyo Bank (now Mizuho Bank) including both domestic and international
transactions. He was seconded from the bank and worked for Thai Farmers
Bank in Bangkok for four years, and also worked as the bank’s
representative in Bahrain for four years. He was also involved in
developing and marketing condominiums, and managing a golf course in
Hawaii for over 10 years. Through these experiences, he established
many key contacts with influential business persons and gained thorough
knowledge of business practices around the world, particularly in
Thailand, the Middle Eastern region, and Hawaii. Mr. Nitadori received
his Bachelors of Arts degree in business administration from
Keio
University in Japan.
Europe
Mr. Ryoichi Urata,
Chief Representative in France (Paris)
Mr. Urata has extensive experience in corporate management in France.
As President of
Hitachi
France, SA, Mr. Urata spent 25 years directing sales and marketing of
Hitachi’s home appliances. While at Hitachi, Mr. Urata was responsible
for the home electronics division achieving record sales and market
share for its products in
France.
Additionally, Mr. Urata worked extensively with the French authorities
to negotiate fewer restrictions on foreign imports while strengthening
Hitachi’s sales channels with French distributors. Mr. Urata received
his bachelor’s degree in French Language from Osaka University of
Foreign Languages in
Japan.
Mr. Martin A. Lewis,
Chief Representative in the
Netherlands
(Amsterdam)
Mr. Lewis has extensive experience in accounting and international
business. Prior to joining Takenaka Partners, Mr. Lewis was a partner
at KPMG, serving in various positions within the company for over 30
years. As International Contact Partner, Mr. Lewis was actively
involved in KPMG’s Japanese practice, overseeing all of the firm’s
Japanese accounts within Europe. Additionally, Mr. Lewis was a member
of KPMG’s global steering committee for many years. Currently, Mr.
Lewis serves as the Chairman of the International Business Club of
Amsterdam, as an advisor to KPMG’s Corporate Recovery Group, along with
various other community activities. In 2003, Mr. Lewis was knighted by
the Dutch queen in the Order of Oranje-Nassau for his contributions to
the community. Mr. Lewis graduated from the London School of Economics
with a B.S. degree in Economics specializing in Accounting.
Additionally, he was qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1967.
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