Team
Team Members with
Diverse Experience and Accomplishments
As professionals who pursue a client-first approach,
our consultants are experienced in the areas of corporate governance, top executive advisory,
and business strategy (management) consulting to help address core management and corporate governance issues.
Hideaki Tsukuda
Hideaki Tsukuda is founder and CEO of the firm, and a leading board and leadership advisor in Japan. He provides a full range of services, including board effectiveness review, advising nomination committee for CEO succession and appointment, assessment of executives, executive coaching and non-executive director search. He also advises clients in the task of increasing corporate value by supporting business restructuring and new business development efforts.Read More
Prior to founding Board Advisors Japan, Hideaki was Representative Director and Managing Partner of Egon Zehnder’s Japan office and a member of the Global Executive Committee. While at Egon Zehnder, he concurrently assumed the roles of Representative Director and Chief Operating Officer of Japan Investment Corporation in 2018. This was preceded by his career as an HR Consultant at McLagan Partners. Hideaki began his career at Sanwa Bank (currently Mitsubishi UFJ Bank) where he engaged in multiple positions including Human Resources Manager and Manager, International Division.
Hideaki is an Independent Director at Katitas Co., Ltd. He also serves as a committee member of the Council of Experts Concerning the Follow-up of Japan’s Stewardship Code and Japan’s Corporate Governance Code (jointly organized by Financial Services Agency and Tokyo Stock Exchange), the Council of Experts on the Stewardship Code (set by Financial Services Agency), Market Working Group at Financial Services Agency, and has recently served the Business Restructuring Study Group at Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Hideaki earned a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Tokyo and an MS from MIT Sloan School of Management.
Yuko Yasuda
Yuko Yasuda provides a full range of services including board effectiveness review, nomination committee and CEO succession advisory, and leadership development in management. She is also active in executive search for senior executive positions including non-executive director, CEO, CFO, and other C-suite positions for a variety of industries.Read More
Prior to joining Board Advisors Japan, Inc., Yuko was a Managing Director at Russell Reynolds Associates where she led the Board Services and Technology sector in Japan. She engaged in various leadership positions including Executive Committee member, Country Manager of Japan, and Regional Sector Leader in Technology in the Asia Pacific region. Previously, she worked for multiple clients in the technology sector as an Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton (currently PwC Strategy&). She began her career at IBM Japan as a Systems Engineer.
She has also served as Non-executive Director at SCSK, Showa-Shell, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. and Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. Yuko is also a member of Japan Association of Corporate Executives (“Keizai Doyukai”).
Yuko received a Bachelor of Social Studies from Hitotsubashi University and an MBA from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
Tomohiro Noguchi
Tomohiro Noguchi has strong capability in building corporate strategies and organizational capabilities of Japanese companies mainly in financial industry. Based on his extensive experience in management consulting, he focuses on board effectiveness reviews and executive management assessment, as well as leadership development through coaching.Read More
Prior to joining Board Advisors Japan, Inc., he worked for Boston Consulting Group where he engaged in management consulting work for a wide range of top management agendas, including group strategy development, business strategy implementation support such as overseas expansion, digital utilization, and store operation reform, as well as governance and culture reform, mainly for financial institution and insurance company clients. As a principal, he was also deeply involved in the development of consultants, practicing numerous coaching and training programs (awarded Best Coach in 2018). Previously he worked for Bank of Japan where he was engaged in analyzing financial markets and macroeconomy both in Japan and New York office.
Tomohiro earned a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tokyo and subsequently obtained an MSc. In Economic Analysis and Policy at Warwick University (Chevening Scholarship, UK).
Yuya Nakane
Yuya Nakane is dedicated to supporting corporate governance and management reforms, along with the transformation of organizational structures, human resources, and corporate culture, all aimed at enhancing corporate value over the medium to long term. His expertise extends to strengthening the functions of the Board of Directors, Nomination Committee, and Compensation Committee, as well as developing robust succession planning, including CEO succession.Read More
Prior to joining Board Advisors Japan, Inc., Yuya distinguished himself as a thought leader in corporate governance and organizational transformation. As the Account Lead of the Global Industrial Market at Korn Ferry, he focused on the automotive, heavy chemical, and electrical industries, advising on the fortification of nomination and compensation committees and spearheading initiatives for organizational, HR, and corporate culture transformation.
His career as a consultant was meticulously shaped at UFJ Research Institute, now Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting, and PwC Advisory. His extensive experience and strategic insights have consistently driven impactful results, positioning him as a trusted advisor in the field.
He received Mater degree on international affairs from Graduate School of Foreign Studies at Tokyo University of Foreign, and also Sciences Po.
Klevis Sevrani
Klevis Sevrani provides advisory services for corporate governance, including Board Effectiveness Review, Leadership Succession Planning, and Non-Executive Director Search. He is also active in geopolitical and economic security risks advisory for critical Japanese listed companies. He publishes in corporate governance and geopolitics and economic security in Japanese leading news media and business law journals.Read More
He started his career working for Arex Corporation, a Japanese public relations advisory firm, where he supported various Japanese and foreign-funded firms on Strategic Communications Planning, Media Relations, and Crisis Communication. Before joining Board Advisors Japan, he was a core member of the governance advisory group at Egon Zehnder (Tokyo Office).
He grew up in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture of Japan. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the School of Law of Tohoku University, Japan, in 2014. He received the Master of Advanced International Studies (M.A.I.S.) from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna in 2021.
Takumi Tsuji
Takumi is committed to enhancing the sustainable corporate value of Japanese companies through targeted advisory services, including board effectiveness review, strengthening the functions of nomination and compensation committees, CEO succession planning, and leadership development for senior executives. His expertise also extends to recruiting independent directors, CHROs, and other key senior executives, vital to strengthening corporate governance.Read More
Beginning his career at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in 2004, Takumi quickly transitioned into strategic recruitment roles at Recruit Agent (Recruit) in 2005, where he focused on developing and implementing recruitment strategies for the electrical and heavy industries. In 2008, he joined Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, where his remit spanned human resources, labor relations, organizational development, regional HR management in India, and leadership development for management candidates.
In 2018, Takumi took on the role of HR Director at Mitsui Chemicals, where he spearheaded the company’s nomination strategy, ESG and human capital initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and drove corporate transformation (CX) through digitalization, contributing to the company’s long-term sustainability. He joined the firm in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a strategic approach to governance, leadership, and organizational transformation.
He earned a Bachelor of Commerce from Chuo University and an MBA from School of Business Administration of Hitotsubashi University.
Takahiro Kaneko
Takahiro plays a pivotal role in a broad array of corporate governance initiatives, including board effectiveness review, strengthening the functions of nomination and compensation committees, and driving succession planning for senior leadership.Read More
Takahiro’s career began in 2007 at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, where he initially focused on corporate sales in Tokyo, managing both listed and unlisted clients. He later contributed to the establishment of a new department tasked with high-level, specialized finance projects and the creation of strategic collaborations with private equity funds.
He demonstrated strong leadership during the merger of the bank’s securities subsidiaries, overseeing the integration of HR systems and the development of the newly formed organization. His governance expertise was further sharpened as a key member of the Nomination and Compensation Committees at Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, where he led efforts to revise executive compensation, establish promotion criteria for senior management, and design comprehensive training plans for leadership development.
In 2023, Takahiro joined Toyota Motor Corporation, where he played an instrumental role in transforming the organizational culture and personnel systems across its domestic dealership network. He brought this extensive experience in corporate strategy, governance, and HR management to the firm in 2024, where he continues to focus on enhancing leadership and governance frameworks.
He obtained a Bachelor of Laws from Waseda University.
Katsuro Ogushi
Katsuro Ogushi is active in the financial and chemical industries practice. He provides advice on board effectiveness, CEO succession, management appraisals, and non-executive director search.Read More
Prior joining to Board Advisors Japan, Inc., Katsuro was an IT Analyst at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, where he was engaged in multiple projects including infrastructure integration at the PMI phase, and SOX compliance.
Katsuro earned a Bachelor of Laws from Kyoto University and a Master of Laws from Osaka University.
Akimitsu Fujisawa
Akimitsu Fujisawa engages in developing enterprise value-up measures, board effectiveness review, outside director search, advisory of response to activists, CEO succession, and executive management development.Read More
Akimitsu started his career at SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. in 201, where he had engaged in domestic retail sales. Prior to joining Board Advisors Japan, Inc., he provided various advisory services at IR Japan Inc.
Akimitsu’s motto is “being thoroughly client focused”. He has been involved in developing enterprise value-up measures from the perspective of institutional investors, dealing with activists, board effectiveness review, outside director search, and advising on hostile takeovers and proxy fights.
Graduated from the Faculty of Policy Management at Keio University in 2012.
Masao Sakuma
Masao Sakuma is active with domestic listed companies in a wide range of industries, particularly in the manufacturing and retail sectors.
As an advisor to boards of directors and CEOs, he engages in resolving various governance issues faced by listed companies by providing solutions such as board effectiveness review and non-executive director search.Read More
Embarking on his career journey in 1991, Masao Sakuma commenced his professional voyage at Sumitomo Trust & Bank, presently known as Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to retail and enterprise sales, stationed in key locations such as Sendai, Shinjuku Nishiguchi, and Nagoya. In 2002, he transitioned into the securities transfer agent business, assuming pivotal roles including leadership positions as the head of the Planning Team of the Securities Transfer Agent Department, General Manager of the Securities Transfer Agent Sales Department I, and General Manager of the Osaka Head Office's Securities Transfer Agent Sales Department.
With an unwavering commitment spanning over two decades, Masao Sakuma has played a pivotal role in consulting for more than 500 listed companies in Japan. His consultative purview encompasses intricate facets of stock operations, meticulous guidance on the orchestration of shareholders' meetings, and an expansive array of governance-centric consulting services.
Masao earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Tohoku University in 1991.
Junichi Namiki
Junichi has been engaged in advisory services to the management through various approaches such as board effectiveness review, independent directors search, assessment for senior management, and advice on business strategy, finance, and capital policy.
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His journey began in 1991 at The Sumitomo Trust and Banking Company, now known as Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited. There, he traversed diverse roles spanning retail and wholesale sectors, corporate screening, and governance consultancy.
Ascending to the esteemed position of Director within the Head Office Sales Division, his purview expanded to encompass the formulation and execution of financial and capital strategies. His strategic acumen extended to the realm of human capital, where he meticulously crafted frameworks to optimize organizational talent. Moreover, his contributions to nomination and compensation practices underscored his commitment to augmenting corporate value.
He joined the firm in April 2024 to contribute to Japan's economic and social development by resolving various issues related to governance and management human resources of listed companies.
Junichi earned his Bachelor of Laws from Sophia University in 1991.
Tomomi Murakami
Tomomi Murakami has strong expertise in ESG and she leverages her expertise for board effectiveness review, training for corporate executives and disclosure advisory to provides advice for various client companies.Read More
She began her career at Fuji Research Institute Corporation (later Mizuho Information & Research Institute, Inc., current Mizuho Research & Technologies, Ltd. ) in 1990. Since then, she has supported overall development process of environmental-oriented, CSR and ESG management for companies from both industrial and political aspects. She has proven track record of development for ESG strategy and long term environmental vision, materialization of ESG information disclosure, including TCFD disclosure, scenario analysis, management scheme improvement, and training and support for policy making to promote them, by analyzing issues of ESG management, with taking due consideration for investors and other stakeholders.
Tomomi Murakami earned a Bachler of Science from College of Natural Sciences, First cluster for Colleges of University of Tsukuba.