Ever tried to attend three Bonenkai in five days? I just did, and it reminded me why these year-end gatherings remain such an important part of Japanese business culture, even as traditions evolve.

December in Japan, and for Japan-related communities worldwide, means Bonenkai, the traditional “forget-the-year” party. These gatherings are more than just social events; they’re a way to close the year with gratitude, camaraderie, and a fresh start. I’m also looking forward to the Japan Consulting Office Bonenkai this week, held over Zoom, with our favorite drinks in hand because our team is spread all over the world.

Click below to read more!

Last week I had the privilege of mentoring a group of remarkable young people from Sendai through the Sendai Global Startup Campus (SGSC) – U.S. Program, hosted by the U.S. Market Access Center (USMAC). These students came to Silicon Valley with big dreams and an eagerness to learn about entrepreneurship, and they truly impressed me.

Sendai holds a special place in my heart. It’s not only home to these inspiring young innovators, it’s also the hometown of Yoshito Hori, the founder of GLOBIS, Japan’s leading business school. Years ago, I had the chance to visit the region on an MBA school trip, and I still have fond memories of its warmth, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit. Seeing this new generation carry that same energy forward is truly moving.

Click below to read more!

I’m so grateful for the chance to share my perspective on the future of work in Japan in an interview with Ryo Hagiwara. It was such a meaningful discussion because it went beyond policies and paychecks, it was about well-being and creating workplaces where people can thrive. One idea I hope will catch on is the “Hybrid Model”: balancing the security Japan values with the flexibility and personalization today’s workforce needs. Big thanks to Ryo for spotlighting topics like personalized well-being and how AI can make HR more human.

This conversation resonates deeply with what we do at Japan Consulting Office. Our mission is to help global teams work better together by bridging cultural gaps and designing practical solutions for collaboration. Whether it’s rethinking job descriptions, introducing hybrid work models, or supporting HR transformation, we focus on strategies that respect Japanese strengths while embracing global best practices.

Click below to read more!

One of the things I love most about working with Japan Consulting Office is the constant opportunity to create. Every new session feels like building a bridge, connecting cultures, ideas, and people. And honestly, the fact that we’re encouraged and incentivized to keep learning ourselves makes the process even more fulfilling.

Walking up to the TCHO factory in Berkeley, the first thing that hit me was the bitter-sweet aroma of chocolate wafting through the air, a sensory teaser of what was to come. It’s the kind of smell that instantly makes you curious about what’s happening behind those walls.

Inside, I joined a factory tour led by Master Chocolate Maker Brad Kintzer, whose passion for cacao and craftsmanship was evident in every word. Listening to Brad explain the journey from bean to bar was like peeling back the layers of a story that spans continents. He spoke about sourcing cacao directly from farmers, the importance of fermentation and roasting, and how TCHO’s mission is rooted in transparency and flavor innovation.

Read more by clicking below.

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the new GLOBIS USA office at WeWork in San Mateo, a bright, collaborative space that perfectly reflects their mission of innovation and connection. After the visit, we gathered for a hotpot lunch, which felt like the ideal way to celebrate community and shared purpose.

As I sat there, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own journey with GLOBIS. Over a decade ago, I was a full-time MBA student at their Kojimachi campus in Tokyo. That experience shaped me profoundly, not just academically, but professionally. It helped launch my career in HR at Deloitte Tohmatsu, where I learned the importance of people strategy in driving business success.

Read more by clicking below.

There’s something electric about being in a room full of dreamers, especially when those dreamers are Japanese startup founders bringing their bold visions to Silicon Valley.

Recently, I had the honor of mentoring a group of Japanese startups during their visit to the Bay Area, as part of the X-HUB Tokyo Outbound Program, a fantastic initiative funded by JETRO and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The program was expertly organized by Silicon Valley in Your Pocket, whose attention to detail, from the thoughtfully curated venues to the excellent food and drinks, made the experience both seamless and inspiring.

Read more by clicking below.

On October 27, I had the pleasure of attending, and volunteering at, the CGJ-JCCNC U.S.-Japan Dual-Use Tech Seminar - Space Sector. As part of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California (JCCNC) seminar committee, I was stationed at the welcome desk, the uketsuke, where I handed out name tags and greeted participants as they arrived. It was a fun and rewarding experience that gave me the chance to meet everyone firsthand and feel the excitement build as the room filled. The event itself was incredibly well-organized, with a full house and a vibrant atmosphere that reflected the growing momentum behind U.S.-Japan collaboration in space technology.

Read more by clicking below.