Management Team

Yoshiyuki SUZUKI

Chief Executive Officer

Graduated with a degree in sociology from the Department of Human Relations, Faculty of Letters, Keio University.
Relocated to the United States after working at McCann Erickson Hakuhodo (now McCann Erickson Japan). Awarded Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Middle Tennessee State University Graduate School of Clinical Psychology. Participated in the founding of Coach 21 on returning to Japan. Appointed Director/Vice President of COACH A Co., Ltd. upon its founding through the spinoff of the Corporate Business Division in 2001. Appointed to current position in January 2018.

Yutaro INAGAWA

Director, Vice President / Executive Officer

Graduated from Faculty of Economics of Seikei University; awarded MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
After working in publication sales with Dai-Nippon Printing, served as a broker for foreign exchange transactions and interest-rate derivatives with domestic and international banks, trading companies, securities companies, and other clients at the Ueda Tanshi Group (in New York and Japan). Later, participated in numerous corporate reform projects for publicly traded and privately held firms as a project manager of Proudfoot Japan. After participating in company reforms as Representative Director of Nichimo Co., Ltd., leveraged his diverse experiences in management revitalization and business transfer as general manager of a golf course before joining COACH A.

Wataru KURIMOTO

Director （COACH U, INC.Director CEO）

Graduated from the Waseda University Faculty of Law.
After handling highly challenging engineering projects utilizing state-of-the-art technologies at an IT consulting firm, participated in functional management organization in areas including CEO assistance, general affairs, HR development, and legal affairs. Joined COACH A in 2004. Has provided executive coaching for more than 200 organizational leaders, including CEOs and core management of major organizations and top management of overseas facilities for over 15 years.

Junji KOUKETSU

Director, Executive Officer/CFO

Graduated from the Department of International Economics, Faculty of Economics, Chuo University. Awarded a Master's Degree in Civil Law from the Chuo University Graduate School of Law.
After working with an accounting firm, joined Recruit Computer Publishing (now Recruit Co., Ltd.). Worked in accounting supervision with Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. and Recruit Co., Ltd., including planning and promotion of group-wide accounting and tax operations, PMI for domestic and foreign M&A activities, and adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Joined COACH A in March 2017. Appointed Executive Officer in charge of accounting and finance in January 2018. Appointed to current position in January 2020.

Mamoru ITOH

Director/Founder

Awarded Master's Degree by the Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies, Nihon University.
A pioneer in Japan's coaching field and the first Japanese citizen to be awarded Master Certification by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Introduced coaching to Japan and launched the nation's first coaching program in 1997. Founded COACH A Co., Ltd. as an executive coaching firm in 2001, participating in projects in areas including corporate leadership development and organizational cultural reforms. Studied interpersonal relations and communications for 40 years while authoring numerous works on related topics. Published more than 50 books on communications and coaching. Authored numerous series and other features for magazines, newspapers, and other publications. Lectures widely based on years of experience in business and coaching for a wide range of organizations including companies, managerial associations, local governments, and medical and educational institutions. Even after resigning as Representative Director in March 2018, continues to contribute to COACH A's progress by advising on product development and coach training. Involved in management of a publishing company, an anti-aging clinic, and an internet consulting firm

Michiko AOKI

Director / Executive Managing Officer

Awarded a Master's Degree by the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University.
Joined Tokio Marine Insurance (now Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance). Involved in new product development, primarily for the public sector and financial institutions and strategic planning for new markets in the product planning section. Joined COACH A in 2006. Supports as executive coach top management leading organizational transformation in numerous fields including manufacturing, financial institutions, and service businesses. Appointed Managing Director of COACH A's facility in Thailand, COACH A (Thailand) Co., Ltd., in 2017. Returned from Thailand to assume the position of Director in March 2021. Appointed to current position in April 2023. Oversees the North American operations.

Shoko KATAOKA

Director (Audit and Supervisory Board Member)

[Academic history, etc.]

March 1991

Graduated from the Department of Law, Faculty of Law, Doshisha University.

October 1995

Passed the National Bar Examination.

April 1996

Joined the Legal Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (50th class).

March 1998

Graduated from the Legal Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan.

[Career history]

April 1998

Joined the Law Office of Koichi Kitano.

April 2000

Founded the DoSOLO! Law Office (as co-manager).

October 2001

Joined the Legal Affairs Division, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (now Panasonic).

November 2007

Appointed Leader, Legal Affairs Division, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.

November 2012

Appointed Leader, Legal Affairs Division, USJ Co., Ltd. (now USJ LLC).

January 2018

Joined COACH A.

April 2018

Appointed Legal Affairs/Internal Controls Manager, COACH A.

December 2019

Appointed Outside Director, D.I. System Co., Ltd. (current position).

March 2020

Appointed Director (Audit and Supervisory Board Member), COACH A (current position).

August 2021

Appointed Corporate Auditor, Prime Road Inc. (current position).

June 2022

Appointed Director (Audit and Supervisory Board Member), KPP Group Holdings Co., Ltd. (current position).

[Other position]

April 2010 - March 2012

Director, Japan In-House Lawyers Association

May 2018 - March 2022

Deputy Director, Japan In-House Lawyers Association

Hidetoshi KAMEZAKI

Outside Director (Audit and Supervisory Board Member)

1966

Joined Mitsubishi Corporation.

1975

Appointed head of East Berlin resident officers.

1992

Appointed General Manager, International Business Division II.

1995

Appointed General Manager, North America/Europe Business Division.

1996

Appointed General Manager, Planning Division.

1998

Appointed General Manager, Executive VP, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).

2000

Appointed President, Mitsubishi Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd.

2001

Appointed Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Corporation.

2002

Appointed Managing Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Corporation.

2005

Appointed Representative Director, Vice President, and Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Corporation.

2007

Resigned from Mitsubishi Corporation.
Appointed Review Member, Policy Board, Bank of Japan

2012

Resigned from Bank of Japan
Appointed Standing Corporate Advisor, Mitsubishi Corporation.
Appointed Japan member, APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) .

2017

Resigned from Mitsubishi Corporation.
Resigned as ABAC Japan member.

[Current positions]

2015

Appointed member of the Management Committee, Yokohama National University.

2016

Appointed Hometown Tourism Ambassador, City of Miyama, Fukuoka Prefecture.

2017

Auditor, Japan Stadtwerke Network

Koichi HANABUSA

Outside Director (Audit and Supervisory Board Member)

[Academic history]

March 1982

Graduated from Faculty of Economics, Keio University.

[Career history]

October 1981

Joined Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC).

May 1989 -

Assigned to Ernst & Young's New York office as a resident staff member.

March 1996

Oversaw account auditing and consulting on risk management and other topics for Japan-affiliated firms.

April 1996

Worked in account auditing after returning to Japan. Oversaw consulting on subjects such as international accounting standards.

May 1997

Appointed an employee of Ota Showa & Co. (now Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC).

July 2003

Appointed a representative employee of ShinNihon LLC (now Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC).

October 2008

Appointed General Manager, Finance Division, Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC.

August 2010

Appointed Managing Director, Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC.

August 2012

Appointed Managing Executive Director / General Manager, Audit Business Division/General Manager, Finance Business Division, Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC.

July 2014

Appointed Chairperson of the Board, Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC and EY Global Japan Area Managing Partner.

January 2016

Resigned as Chairperson of the Board, Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC and EY Global Japan Area Managing Partner.

June 2016

Retired from Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC.

July 2016

Certified Public Accountant with Hanabusa Certified Public Accountant's Office (current position).

July 2019

Appointed Director (Audit and Supervisory Board Member), T&K TOKA Co., Ltd. (current position).

March 2020

Appointed Outside Director (Audit and Supervisory Board Member), COACH A (current position).

[Positions, etc.]

July 2014 - present

Auditor, Non-life Insurance Policy-holders Protection Corporation of Japan (current position)

Yusuke ARIYOSHI

Executive Officer

Graduated from the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo.
Joined Accenture Japan, where he played a role in company-wide transformation from strategic planning through business reforms, system development, and support for implementing reforms. Contributed in a broad range of areas including marketing, sales, and supply-chain management, chiefly for manufacturing and retail firms. Has a solid track record as project leader in phases ranging from strategy to system development. Also offers a wealth of experience in projects in the digital and data-analysis domains. Joined COACH A out of a desire to support organizational transformation by improving ways in which people interact and raising awareness based on a keen recognition, gained from experience in multiple company-wide reform projects as a consultant, of the importance of subjectivation of employees . Appointed to current position in 2021, responsible for expanding existing key accounts.

Takako KATAGIRI

Executive Officer

Graduated from Faculty of Economics, Tohoku University.
At the Fuji Research Institute (now Mizuho Research & Technologies, Ltd.), worked in design, development, and operation of business application systems involving multiple industries (mainly centered on settlement systems) and project management. Also consulted on the adoption of accounting systems for financial institutions. While seconded to Mizuho Bank, engaged in activities including design, proposals, and restructuring of business processes and negotiation on alliances with partner firms in a project to develop new products for individual customers. Joined COACH A, and assumed current position in 2016, overseeing coachAcademia business.

Yuko MIZUNO

Executive Officer

Graduated from Yokohama National University, Faculty of Business Administration.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the United States. Worked at Chuo Aoyama Audit Corporation (currently PwC Arata LLC), engaged in auditing and advisory services for financial institutions. Later, served as Head of Business Planning at a major beauty company, contributing to the achievement of medium-term management plans through strengthening internal controls, enhancing compliance frameworks, and planning and operating sales strategy innovations and new businesses. Expanded performance through the promotion of Post Merger Integration (PMI) as Head of a new business division, focusing on talent development and improving revenue structures. Joined COACH A in 2016 as an Executive Coach, supporting organizational transformation through coaching sessions with top executives of global companies. Assumed current position in April 2023, responsible for developing the capabilities of internal coaches and improving operational processes.

Hiroshi MOCHIZUKI

Executive Officer/Managing Director, COACH A (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Thailand subsidiary)

Graduated from the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law, Keio University
Awarded an MBA by the Graduate School of International Management Studies at Aoyama Gakuin University.
Worked in global business for more than 20 years in the foods organization of a general trading company. Responsible for tasks including planning and management, alliance and investment negotiations, management strategy, and business administration. Patented a new business model as part of efforts to increase the visibility of food logistics in Japan. Has experience as a member of resident staff at an overseas subsidiary and strengths in organizational management in a cross-cultural environment. Joined COACH A in 2016. Transferred to COACH A (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in March 2020 and named its Managing Director in May of the same year. Has served in current position since March 2022. Oversees the ASEAN operations.

Yukari MORIYA

Executive Officer

Graduated from the Graduate School of Engineering, Systems Integration Engineering Program, at Yokohama National University.
While enrolled in the university's research laboratory, joined a venture company in the field of medical devices to conduct fundamental research. After completing the graduate program, worked at a venture company in the healthcare field, involved in establishing new businesses related to preventive medicine, corporate sales, and engaged in technology development and collaborative research through industry-academia-government partnerships. Joined COACH A in June 2011. Joined the healthcare team and contributed to the development of grant projects, coaching programs for healthcare professionals, and the establishment of the Medical Coaching Research Society. Assigned to the Coaching Research Institute in 2012, involved in research and system development for evidence-based coaching. Assigned to current position in April 2023, responsible for global operations including domestic and international activities, as well as overseeing the Coaching Research Institute.

Hitoshi MURAKATA

Executive Officer

Graduated from the Master's program at the Graduate School of Media & Governance at Keio University. After being responsible for the verification and enlightenment of the latest technology in database software at Oracle Corporation Japan, transferred to the consulting department. Engaged in the construction and troubleshooting support of numerous large-scale systems as a database introduction consultant. After joining Coach A, engaged in executive coaching targeting corporate management. Leveraging experience in developing the main service DCD (Driving Corporate Dynamism), consistently supported various projects in organizational development of various company sizes, from planning to operation, including major manufacturing companies, insurance agencies, long-established confectionery manufacturers, mid-sized IT companies, toy manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and chemical manufacturers, and achieved numerous successes. Additionally, responsible for teaching "Leader Development and Coaching" at Keio University. Appointed to current position from April 2024, responsible for coaching quality management, quality improvement, and coach capability development.

Takeshi NAKAJIMA

Executive Officer

Graduated from the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law, Keio University
After passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination Stage 2, joined Chuo Aoyama Audit Corporation in 2004. Transferred to PwC Advisory Co., Ltd. (currently PwC Advisory LLP) in 2007, gaining six years of experience in advisory services primarily focused on financial due diligence for M&A transactions. From 2013, worked at Recruit Administration Co., Ltd. (currently Recruit Co., Ltd.) handling internal advisory services for M&A and global governance design. Subsequently, was seconded to overseas acquisition targets to drive Post Merger Integration (PMI). Joined COACH A in September 2019 and assumed current position in April 2023. Responsible for business management.

Yusuke OSADA

Executive Officer/President, COACH A Co., Ltd. (Shanghai) (China subsidiary)

Graduated from the School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University
Worked in sales with Shiseido Co., Ltd.
Played an active role in growing the sales of cosmetics boutiques in Kobe, Osaka, and Tokyo. Sensing how the motivation of boutique staff had a major impact on sales figures, positioned staff-motivation management as a basis for solutions. Joined COACH A, and assumed current position in 2013. Oversees China operation since 2022.

Shiho OTSUKA

Executive Officer

Graduated from Kanagawa Prefectural College of Foreign Studies, English Department.
Worked in Investor Relations (IR) at Sony Corporation. Later joined a consulting firm specializing in retail business. Provided management guidance to franchisees in the franchise business division. Contributed to the turnaround of a major English language school, establishing a roadmap for business recovery as an Area Manager. Recognized the importance of individuals within an organization generating ideas and executing them passionately to ensure continuous growth, even in rapidly changing external environment. Felt the limitations of the consulting approach and joined Coach-E in 2012. Served as a Manager for the healthcare team since 2020 and assumed current position in April 2023. Responsible for expanding the healthcare business.

Yu OYAMA

Executive Officer

Graduated from the School of Social Sciences, Waseda University.
Worked in consulting for major Japanese enterprises in numerous businesses and industries as part of the strategy section of a major general consulting firm. Contributed to project success and building client relationships as a project manager and account manager in business reform projects ranging from strategy planning to operations, human resources, organizations, and IT areas. Believing that human resource development is essential to the success of any project, he has been actively involved in program development and lecturing for core business skills training such as logical thinking, presentation and facilitation, and has received numerous nominations. Joined COACH A in light of his view that the autonomy of human resources has a major impact on organizational culture, based on his experiences in numerous projects as a consultant. Appointed to current position in 2021, responsible for new business development.

Sou UCHIMURA

Executive Officer

Graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the United States with a degree in physics and philosophy.
At IBM Japan, served in roles including project manager on multiple large-scale system development projects, assistant to expatriate officers in the consulting section, and manager in internal operation sections. Led numerous system development projects to successful results in cooperation with a wide range of overseas partners. Also involved in global corporate management as a member of the management team while in charge of internal sections. Served as Japan representative of a global organization-wide reform project within IBM. Joined COACH A, and appointed to current position in 2015, responsible for marketing.