Logo provided by Sasakawa USA
Sasakawa USA is pleased to host a virtual event on May 20th featuring Mr. Kenichiro Mizoguchi, Mr. Shinsuke Takahashi, and Ms. Misato Kogure, representatives of three Japanese private sector firms, for a discussion of U.S.-Japan economic ties in the context of the broader U.S.-Japan strategic partnership.
Japan became the largest source of foreign direct investment in the United States in 2019, surpassing the United Kingdom. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga underscored the importance of cooperation on economic initiatives during their meeting on April 16th. Yet, there is still room to work on challenges, including how to bring the U.S. back into the CPTPP and balancing competition and cooperation with China. In their presentations, our speakers will discuss their firm’s approach to investment and business operations in the United States and their expectations for the U.S. to build strong U.S.-Japan business ties. Please join Sasakawa USA for this special discussion of a growing area of the U.S.-Japan relationship.
This event is free with registration. Click the button below to register:
Schedule:
1:00 PM Welcome & Introduction of Speakers by Dr. Satohiro Akimoto
1:05 PM Remarks by Mr. Kenichiro Mizoguchi
1:20 PM Remarks by Mr. Shinsuke Takahashi
1:35 PM Remarks by Ms. Misato Kogure
1:50 PM Q&A Discussion moderated by Dr. Satohiro Akimoto
2:15 PM Conclusion of Event
Speakers:
Mr. Kenichiro “Ken” Mizoguchi is the General Manager of Hitachi, Ltd.’s Corporate Offices in Washington, DC and LA, where he is responsible for government and external affairs in the Americas, as well as CSR. Over the course of his 32-year career, Mr. Mizoguchi has overseen crisis management, internal communications and advertising activities for Hitachi’s global operations.
Previously, he served as Executive General Manager of Hitachi, Ltd.’s Corporate Brand and Communications Division in Tokyo, Japan, where he played a critical role in developing and executing Hitachi’s integrated corporate branding and communication strategy worldwide. In this capacity, Mr. Mizoguchi launched a new global brand campaign in 2013, as well as “Hitachi IR Day,” an annual investor dialogue event started in 2010. Prior to that, he spent a decade in Tarrytown, NY and San Jose, CA, directing Hitachi’s corporate communications and business development strategies for the U.S. market.
Mr. Mizoguchi serves as President of the Japan Commerce Association of Washington, DC (JCAW) and Vice Chair of the Japan-America Society of Washington, DC. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies from Hitotsubashi University.
Mr. Shinsuke “Shin” Takahashi is Chairman of the Board and Head of Government Relations for NEC Corporation of America, an industry leading provider of biometrics and communications technology and integrator of IT solutions. In his Government Relations role, Mr. Takahashi is focused on further strengthening NEC’s relationships in the U.S. government and other international organizations based in the Washington, DC area.
Mr. Takahashi previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer for NEC Corporation of America and was responsible for the business strategy, operations and leadership of the company.
He is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of extensive sales, marketing, business development and management experience with NEC Corporation and NEC America, primarily in satellite, network and wireless communications. Before joining NEC Corporation of America in January 2013, Mr. Takahashi was President of JAE Electronics, Inc., a provider of advanced electronic components and aerospace products. As head of JAE Electronics, he was instrumental in strengthening the focus on customers and innovation as well as driving significant new business growth.
Mr. Takahashi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sophia University, Tokyo and attended the University of Wisconsin as part of an International Exchange Program.
Ms. Misato Kogure is the Director for Business Development and Environmental Affairs with Daikin U.S. Corporation and manages activities to promote Daikin’s environmental technologies in North America, including national and local building codes, environmental regulations and laws affecting the HVAC industry. She has been working in Washington, DC since 2017.
Previously, Ms. Kogure was a policy analyst at CSR and Global Environment Center of Daikin Industries, Ltd. in Osaka, Japan, where she engaged in activities related to environmental impact and sustainability issues in North America. Prior to that, she managed the safety of chemical substances as an EHS coordinator at the Yodogawa Plant, Osaka.
Ms. Kogure earned her Bachelor of Arts in Global Political Economy from Waseda University in Japan and Master’s Degree in Innovation and Business Development from the Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden
Dr. Satohiro Akimoto is Chairman and President of Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA. He is also Contributing Writer for the Japan Times, Associate Fellow for the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, and Contributing Commentator for Okazaki Institute in Tokyo.
He received his Ph.D. in sociology and an MA in East Asian Studies from Harvard University, a certificate of Russian studies from Leningrad State University, and bachelor’s degree in law from Keio University.
Bios provided by Sasakawa USA