Honorary Board of Advisors

Personal
Born in 1943. Married with two children. Hobby: Singing and playing the guitar
 

Education
American Field Service exchange student at The Choate School, Wallingford, Connecticut. LLB., University of Tokyo (1966). M.A. (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics), University College, Oxford (1968)
 

Professional Background
Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1966. Served as Director of the GATT Division, the Japan-US Security Division and the First North America Division. Deputy Head of Mission at the Japanese Embassy in Canberra, Australia (1989-91) and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Japanese Embassy in London (1994-97). The Foreign Ministry Spokesman (1998-2000). Ambassador to Pakistan (2000- 2002). Ambassador to Canada (2005-2007). Executive Director, the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) (2007-2009). Advisor, KAJIMA Corporation (2007-2022). Chairman (2011-2023) and Emeritus Chairman (2023-) of the English-Speaking Union of Japan (ESUJ). 
 

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
External Director (current)

Kao Corporation
Outside Director (current)

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd
Outside Director (current) 

Professional Background

January 1991 Joined McDonald’s in Canada

January 1997    Appointed Senior Director, Marketing of McDonald’s Russia/Ukraine

July 2001   Appointed Senior Director, Marketing of McDonald’s Canada

October 2004    Appointed Vice President, Marketing of McDonald’s Japan

April 2007       Appointed Senior Vice President, Business Development of McDonald’s

Japan

July 2009       Appointed Managing Director of McDonald’s Malaysia

May 2012       Appointed Managing Director of McDonald’s Malaysia and Regional Manager 

McDonald’s Singapore and Malaysia

August 2013     Appointed Representative Director, President and CEO of McDonald’s Japan

March 2014     Appointed Representative Director, President and CEO of McDonald’s Holdings Japan

March 2019     Appointed Representative Director and Chairman of McDonald’s Japan

March 2021       Appointed Representative Director and Chairman of McDonald’s Holdings Japan

June 2023       Appointed External Director of Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

March 2025      Appointed Outside Director of Kao Corporation

March 2025      Appointed Outside Director of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

April 1965        Born in Canada

December 1990   Master of Business Administration from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada

Tomofumi Hiraku

Chairman of The Board, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)

Personal
Born : March 23, 1956, Gifu
 

Education 
1978 Graduated From the University of Tokyo, Degree in Economics
 

Career
1978 Entered the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)
1991 Multilateral Trade Negotiator, International Trade Policy Bureau ,MITI
1993 Director , Industrial Labor Policy Office, Industrial Policy Bureau, MITI
1994 Consul, Consulate-General of Japan at Vancouver, Canada (MOFA)
1997 Director, Tariff Division, International Economic Affairs Department, International Trade Policy Bureau, MITI
1998 Director-General, General Coordination and Policy Planning Department, Kansai Bureau, MITI
2000 Director, Planning Division, Coal and New Energy Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, MITI
2001 Director, Policy Planning Division, Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, METI*
*MITI was reorganized to METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ) in 2001. 
2002 Director, Economic and Fiscal Management Bureau, Cabinet Office, 
Government of Japan
2005 Deputy Director-General, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, METI
2006 Deputy Director-General, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, METI
2008 Director-General, Kansai Bureau, METI
2009 Director-General, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, METI
2011 Retired from METI
2011 Joined IBM Japan as an Executive Advisor (until 2021)
2021 Chairman of the Board, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)

Family
wife, son
 

Personal
Date of birth 3 December 1946

Education
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Profession
June 2012 – June 2013           Adviser, Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.

June 2004 – June 2012           President, Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.

June 2002 – June 2004            Managing Director, Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.

June 2000 – June 2002               Director and General Manager, Micro Technology Division 
                                                   Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.        

March 1999 – June 2004         Non-Executive Director, Surface Technology Systems plc
 

March1995 - June 1999              Director, Surface Technology Systems Ltd., UK subsidiary 
of Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.

April 1993 - March 1995        General Manager, New Business Development Department,
Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.  

April 1987 - April 1993         Manager, Planning and Development Department, 
                                                      Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.  

November 1981 - April 1987       General Manager, European Office, Dusseldorf, Germany, 
Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.

May 1969 - November 1981      Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.

May 1969 - Graduated from the University Tokyo
 

Personal

Japanese, born in Tokyo, Japan
Married with a daughter
Loves Gardening, Travelling, Tennis and Swimming
 

Current
Dec.2024~Present: Japan Principal, University of Alberta
Jul.2023~Present: Senior Advisor, Edmonton International Airport
Jun.2016~Present: Executive board of Director, Meiho Facility Works Company Ltd.
Nov.2013~Present: Honorary Board of Advisor, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan

Professional background
As a Catalyst for a more sustainable future of the world, actively facilitate strategic  international collaborations of various projects, such as India-Japan global partnership,  Canada-Japan trade projects, leading innovation and environment program, founding and  management of an NPO for environmental conservation, women’s Leadership program,  global Leadership development hosted by METI, fostering young entrepreneurs, etc.

2012~:  -Executive Board Member of India Japan Global Partnership, India Center 
Foundation
2011~:  -Advisor to Coach A Co., Ltd., the largest executive coaching firm with a global network
            -Business Coach for Leadership development, Organization development and Career design
2009~:  -Executive Vice President of DHR International, Executive search firm headquartered Chicago
            -Chairperson of Personnel Manager’s Association of foreign affiliated companies
2005~:  -HR Director of McDonald’s Corporation Japan
           -Executive member of Steering committee of Asia Pacific Women’s Leadership Association
2001~:  -Human Resources Vice President of Prudential Corporation Asia, Japan
1999~:  -Human Resources and Administration Director of CIGNA-Sopmp Japan Securities Co., Ltd.
1992~:  -Human Resources Director of British Airways Japan
1979~:  -Sales Manager of British Airways Japan

Degree of International business administration, Marketing and Organization development 

Certificate of Executive coaching

Personal

Date of Birth: 24th March, 1938

Nationality: Japanese

Family: Wife and two sons.

Education

BA in Public Law, Tokyo University, 1962

Career History

1962 Joined Mitsubishi Corporation, Oil Dept. B, Tokyo

1966 Mitsubishi Corporation, London Branch

1970 Manager, Gas Carbon Dept, Mitsubishi Corporation, Tokyo

1990 General Manager, LNG Business Division, Mitsubishi Corporation, Tokyo

1994 Became a Director of Mitsubishi Corporation

1994 President of Mitsubishi Australia, Ltd

1996 Chairman of Mitsubishi Corporation (UK) PLC in London Chairman of Mitsubishi Corporation International N.V. EUR

1997 Appointed Managing Director of Mitsubishi Corporation and General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation's Kansai Branch, Osaka

2000-2008 Corporate Advisor, Mitsubishi Corporation, Tokyo

Civic Positions Held

1994 President of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sydney Inc

1994 Director of the Japan Society of Sydney

1994 Director of Japanese School in Sydney 1996 Chairman, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in London, Inc, UK

1995 Chairman, the Federation of Japan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Australia

1996 Deputy Chairman, Japan Club, UK

1996 Director, Japanese School Ltd.UK

1996 Trustee, Rikkyo School in England

1996 Councilor, Gyosei International College, UK 1996 Director, Japan Society in the UK

1998 Member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Trade, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry

1998 Member of the Board of Executive Directors and Vice Chairman International Committee, Kansai Economic Federation

Conference Talks and Presentations

"LNG Contracts", International Bar Association, 1987

"Japanese Economy and Energy" Cambridge University, 1988

"International Economy and Energy" Nanzan University, 1989

"Comparison between the economies of Japan and Australia", University of Western School, University of Pennsylvania in US, 1997

Publications, Essays and Articles 

Article on The Middle East Issue in The Nikkei Financial Daily Article in Sekai Shuho (World Affairs Weekly), published by the JIJI Press of Japan Since 2000, a regular contributor to Sentaku Magazine (mainly natural gas topics)

Awards and Decorations

The Most Distinguished Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Third Class-August 2001

Personal

Born: 1941, Kyoto

Nationality: Japanese

Family: Wife and two sons, and one Grandson

Likes: Cooking, Eating, Drinking

Education

Kyoto University, 1964

Career History

1964 Joined Toyota Motor Sales Company*

The company became Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in 1982 by amalgamation.

1985 Executive Assistant to President of Toyota Canada Incorporated (TCI)

1991 General Manager for Americas Operations, TMC Tokyo

1995 TCI President, Canada

2003 Retired from TMC to become Senior Managing Director of Japan Automotive Recycling Promotion Center (JARC)

2007 Resigned from JARC after inaugurated the new Automotive Recycling System in Japan

2007 President of Japan Operations, Woodbridge Foam Corporation (WFC)

2012 Retired from WFC, June

Special Activities

2001 Speech delivered to CCCJ on theme of Free trade between Canada and Japan

2002 Recipient of Special Citation from the Canadian Government as appreciation for contribution to deepening the understanding between two nations

Current Position

Outside Director, Info Mart Corporation
Outside Director, Mercuria Investment Co.,Ltd.
Senior Advisor, Sotheby's Japan
Executive Trustee, Nezu Art Museum
Director Emeritus, Japan Animal Welfare Association
Advisor, Sankyu Corporation

Date of Birth

November 25th 1949

Education

Faculty of Business Administration, Konan University, 1972

Experience
Advisor, Seiko Holdings Corporation, 2011
Managing Officer; Mitsui & Co.,Ltd. President & CEO,Mitsui & Co.,(Canada) Ltd., 2009
Deputy General Manager, Osaka Office, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., 2004
General Manager, Merchandising Division, Retail Business Unit, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., 200
President Secretary, Secretariat, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., 1999
General Manager, Business Promotion Department, Planning & Coordination Division, Osaka Office, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., 1996
Logistics Information Division, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., 1992
General Manager, Processed Oil Section, Oils Division, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., 1989
Food Department, Mitsui & Co. (USA) Inc., Chicago Office, 1985
Oils Division, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., 1984 Secretariat, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., 1981
Grain & Oils Division, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., 1979
Food Department Trainee (New York), 1978
Grain & Oils Division, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., 1976
Overseas Finance Department, Finance Division, Osaka Office, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., 1972
 

Current 
Senior Advisor, Overseas Market Development, JK Holdings Co., Ltd.
Senior Advisor, Ehime Wood Products Market Development Council

Personal 
Born in 1945 in Gifu Prefecture, Japan
 

Professional Background

An international marketing and management professional with over 40 years of experience in Canada/USA– Japan forest products trade.

April, 2012: Chairman, Interex Forest Products Japan Limited

April, 1995: President & General Manager, Interex Forest Products Japan Limited

September, 1993: Vice President & General Manager, Interex Forest Products Japan Limited         

November, 1991: Managing Director, Seaboard Timber & Plywood Asia Ltd. (location – Tokyo)

January, 1990: General Manager, Seaboard Timber & Plywood Asia Ltd.

August, 1988: Manager, Lumber Sales, Seaboard Lumber Sales Ltd. (Vancouver head office)

February, 1985: General Manager, Seaboard Timber & Plywood Asia Ltd.

April, 1983: Manager, Market Development Coordinator, Seaboard Timber & Plywood Asia Ltd.

May, 1977: Market Development Coordinator, Seaboard Timber & Plywood Asia Ltd.

April, 1969: North American Timber Division,  Ataka & Co., Ltd, Nagoya Office

March, 1969: Graduated from Nanzan University (Nagoya), British/American Department, Foreign Language Faculty

Kazuhiko Toyama began his career at BCG and later became one of the founding members of Corporate Directions, Inc. (CDI), a Tokyo-based independent management consulting firm, eventually becoming its CEO. In 2003, he was appointed to lead Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan (IRCJ), a government-backed restructuring fund, as COO. In 2007, when IRCJ was dissolved, he founded Industrial Growth Platform, Inc. (IGPI) and served as CEO until September 2020. In 2020, he founded Japan Platform of Industrial Transformation (JPiX), an investment and business management firm by providing capital along with long-term management support.

He graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo and holds an MBA from Stanford University. He has passed the Japanese National Bar Examination.

He currently serves as Outside Director of Mercari, Inc., Chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Directors (JACD), and a member of numerous government-related committees.