Please enjoy making new connections with aspiring persons.

* Workshop #11 and #21 are the only two workshops conducted in English.

11) Working and Doing Business in Japan as a Foreigner

The speakers in this workshop have worked in Japan for many years and will discuss their experiences doing business here, including the challenges faced by a foreigner and the secrets to success in Japan.

	Julia Maeda	:	President, Foreign Executive Women
	Juan Pablo Campos	:	President, Daabon Organic Japan Co., Ltd.
	*Donald Nordeng	:	President, Ecocert-QAI Japan Ltd.

12) Case Studies in Corporate Diversity

Diversity is being given a strong push in the corporate world, and many companies now have departments dedicated to their diversity programs. This workshop will feature managers at the frontlines of these efforts, discussing where we are today, the challenges being faced and the outlook for the future. Examining what companies are doing and attempting will highlight specific steps that we can begin taking today.

	Yasuko Kuwahara	:	Manager, EPOCH-Women Role's Improvement, HR and General Affair Department, INAX Corporation
	Michiko Achilles	:	Head of Talent & Organization Strategy, Sumitomo 3M, Ltd.
	*Machiko Osawa	:	Professor, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Social Sciences, Japan Women's University

13) Careers and Lifestyles in Your 30s

You are in your 30s and have been working for over a decade. This is the time when you encounter new life stages and have an opportunity to rethink your career. This workshop will feature people who have been there before you, who are experiencing this life stage right now and will discuss what it is you should be thinking and doing in your 30s.

	Junko Hata	:	Senior Manager, Strategy Group, Management Consulting Department, Accenture, Inc.
	Kaoru Nemoto	:	Executive Director, Japan Association for UNHCR
	Mami Ito	:	President, Nihon Dento Kogyo Co., Ltd.
	*Harumi Kobayashi	:	Chief Survey Manager, ewoman, Inc.

14) Learning from Young Entrepreneurs

This workshop is for entrepreneurs who want to create new values. Through their experiences and challenges we will gain a glimpse into both their diversity and the source of their drive. Facilitating the discussion will be former Microsoft President Susumu Furukawa, and the interaction between him and the speakers is sure to produce new insights.

	Kentato Iemoto	:	President and CEO, Clara Online Inc.
	Hiroki Komazaki	:	Founder and President, NPO Florence
	*Susumu Furukawa	:	Professor, Graduate School of Media Design Studies, Keio University.

15) Diversity and Community Development

"Local communities" are also an important component in diversity because they bring new perspectives, cultures and ideas -- new non-Tokyo ways of thinking. This workshop looks at the relationship between diversity and community development as it explores the potential for geographical differences to create new insights and values.

	Yuri Tazawa	:	Director, YS Staff Inc.
	Sanzo Okada	:	President, Hida Sangyo Corporation
	Chihiro Nishimoto	:	Director, Japan Area Management Inc.
	*Masayoshi Fujita	:	Freelance journalist

 

16) Diversity in the Media Industry

The mass media has a wide-ranging impact on people, but does it really consider diverse points of view in the process of selecting and editing information? The speakers for this workshop are all active in the media industry. They will discuss the current situation and challenges faced by the media and what you, as readers and viewers, should do.

	Renge Jibu	:	Staff Writer, Nikkei Business Associe, Nikkei BP
	Sayuri Daimon	:	Director of the National News Section, the Japan Times
	Ai Nakajima	:	Deputy Director of Publication Department & Assistant Head Editor for on-line President, President Inc
	Keiko Yamamoto	:	Journalist, News Department, NHK Nagoya Office
	*Kyoko Altman	:	Journalist

 

17) Communications Workshop: Adapting to Diversity

The world is essentially full of diversity. That is even more the case today, where physical and geographical barriers are largely erased. People today need to truly adapt to diversity, to go beyond the company’s diversity handbook. Everyone has their own, individual personality; everyone is different. We need to rediscover the sheer joy and fun of meeting new people, and those are the experiences you can look forward to in this workshop.

	*Makoto Tange	:	Actor/Producer, Business Trainner

 

21)Thinking of Asian Women's Roles in the Economy and Society

A greater role for women is one of the key pillars in diversity. This workshop will look at the status of women in economies and societies throughout Asia. Sharing their challenges and experiences, the speakers will discuss what can be done to provide greater opportunities for women in Asia.

	Eun-Mi Chae	:	Managing Director of FedEx Korea
	Kyoko Altman	:	Journalist
	Machiko Osawa	:	Professor, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Social Sciences, Japan Women's University
	*Elok Halimah	:	Assistant, UNICUL International, Inc.

22) LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) and the Corporate World

When they embark on diversity programs, companies tend immediately to think of providing greater opportunities for women, but truly global companies also need to include LGBT employees in their management. The speakers in this workshop will discuss their perspectives on the status of the LGBT community in Japan today and the issues to be addressed in the future.

	Claudette Byers	:	First Vice President, Head of Japan HR and Pac Rim Head of Countries and M&A, Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd
	Aya Kamikawa	:	Member of Setagaya Ward Assembly
	*Kaku Sechiyama	:	Associate Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Tokyo University

23) What is Happening in the Global and Japanese Economies?

The subprime lending crisis, skyrocketing oil prices, global warming, collapsing states... Just what is happening in the global and Japanese economies? What changes will there be in our work and lives? In what direction should we try to guide events? The speakers in this workshop are active at the forefront of the economy and will consider these questions together with participants.

	Takejiro Sueyoshi	:	Special Advisor, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), Analyst, International Finance
	Kan Suzuki	:	Member of the House of Councilors
	Oki Matsumoto	:	President and CEO, Monex Group, Inc.
	*Yu Serizawa	:	President & CEO, Forma Corporation

24) Training Yourself to Think Ethically and Strategically

What does it mean to think ethically and strategically? How do you communicate those ideas successfully to other people? Learning how to think ethically can transform not only your career, but your family life. This workshop asks professionals in ethical and strategic thinking about their approaches and techniques.

	Izumi Kobayashi	:	President, Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd.
	Naoko Iino	:	President, Japan Medical Information Research Institute
	*Ken Kusunoki	:	Associate Professor, Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy, Hitotsubashi University

25) Careers and Lifestyles for Executives in Their 40s

Your 40s are the time when you show your true worth as a business person. You play a greater role and take on greater responsibilities in your work, and also as a member of your family and community. This workshop will discuss approaches and strategies for improving your leadership and enhancing both your career and your private life.

	Hitomi Iba	:	Vice President, Beverage Innovation-Marketing Department, Coca Cola (Japan) Company Limited
	Sakiko Kon	:	General Manager of Women's Health Department, Johnson & Johnson Medical Company
	Shiho Konno	:	Lawyer, Statutory Auditor, Yahoo Japan Corporation, Visiting Associate Professor, Meiji University School of Law
	*Nami Araki	:	Director, Business Development Department, ewoman, Inc.

26) Wellness (Genki) Management Improves Leadership and Drive

Your health is your most important asset. Management your "wellness” is an investment you must make. Our speakers will share their experiences and professional expertise on bringing energy and vigor to day-to-day living.

	Yukio Fujimaki	:	Vice President, Fujimaki Japan Corporation
	Chinami Sugiyama	:	Athletic Trainer, Vice President, Ribbon Project K.K.
	*Kaori Sasaki	:	President & CEO, ewoman, Inc.

 

27) Breaking down the Walls of Common Sense: What Laughter Can Do

"Laughter" is a kind of stretching exercise, a warm-up that helps to make us more accepting of diversity. The speakers in this workshop will talk about their perspectives on using "laughter" to build communication among people.

	Takuji Higuchi	:	Broadcast Writer, Furutate Project
	Emiko Magoshi	:	Professor, Faculty of Economics and Management, J.F. Oberlin University
	Yoko Kuroki	:	Actress, Representative of "Unit Bijin"
	Akiko Kamimoto	:	Actress, Member of "Unit Bijin"
	*Makoto Tange	:	Actor/Producer, Business Trainner

 

*About interpretation
Simultaneous interpretation (Japanese - English) is available at the keynote address and the feature speeches. Interpretation is not available at the workshops or the networking reception.
*Above schedule is subject to change.