We’ve finally put the abnormally long rainy season behind us.  The heat of summer has certainly hit us.  What a great time to enjoy some time networking with other CEOs.

In our Summer OTR evening, we will catch up for food and drinks in central Tokyo, Nihonbashi.  In this casual get together of Asia’s leading CEOs and other c-levels, you’ll be able to enjoy the quickly developing Nihonbashi area, fondly known as “Mitsui Mura” as Mitsui Fudosan owns so many buildings in the area.

We’ll enjoy the Septieme Restaurant with it’s bar and terrace looking out over the area.

As this is a casual meeting, bosses just need to show up sometime between 1830 and 1900PM and enjoy whatever you like as you catch up with your peers in upper management.  Leave whenever you like and just settle your bill for whatever you consumed when you leave.  We plan to close up between 2030PM and 2100PM.

We will have some c-levels who are not CI Network members also join.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Venue details here

Most of this year we’ve had some excellent speakers and topics that we have developed regarding marketing, legal, human resources, and other areas of interest for the CEO and the c-level. In August, we’ll do something a bit different.  We’ll be having our members only Round Table.  Round table means we’ll have a list of significant topics, issues, and upcoming market changes to discuss where we’ll gain insights from each other on the latest information.  In the August CEO Insights lunch, we plan (but are not) limited to discuss

• The latest of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, less that a year away!
• Predictions for the next rise in consumption tax and it’s affect on the economy as well as our clients in consumer and corporate spending
• JKC!  (Japan, China, and Korea) What is on the horizon for trade in North Asia and greater Asia?  Will we see another Tiananmen Square in Hong Kong?  Will they get away with claiming remote islands in other territories?  Will Korea and Japan ever figure out their differences?

Join us for an unparalleled chance of getting insights for other industry c-levels

Date: 13 August 2019 (Tuesday)

Time: 12:30pm to 2:00pm

Venue: Roppongi Hills Club

51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi Minato-ku, 106-6151

Most of this year we’ve had some excellent speakers and topics that we have developed regarding marketing, legal, human resources, and other areas of interest for the CEO and the c-level. In August, we’ll do something a bit different.  We’ll be having our members only Round Table.  Round table means we’ll have a list of significant topics, issues, and upcoming market changes to discuss where we’ll gain insights from each other on the latest information.  In the August CEO Insights lunch, we plan (but are not) limited to discuss

• The latest of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, less that a year away!
• Predictions for the next rise in consumption tax and it’s affect on the economy as well as our clients in consumer and corporate spending
• JKC!  (Japan, China, and Korea) What is on the horizon for trade in North Asia and greater Asia?  Will we see another Tiananmen Square in Hong Kong?  Will they get away with claiming remote islands in other territories?  Will Korea and Japan ever figure out their differences?

Join us for an unparalleled chance of getting insights for other industry c-levels

Date: 9 August 2019 (Friday)

Time: 12:30pm to 2:00pm

Venue: Roppongi Hills Club – the horizon room

51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi Minato-ku, 106-6151

Life is not just about knowing people, it’s about knowing good people. There’s no beating the quality of CEO Insights members and our guests around a table. As an executive, it can be lonely at the top and CI fills that void. As we close out and say “sayonara” to summer 2019, we want to give an extra opportunity for our CI groups to get to know each other. The evening of September 26th, we will break away from our regular luncheons and OTRs and have arranged a special event.

This evening of strictly food and networking gives members a chance to catch up with fellow CEOs after a relaxing summer break.

For the evening, real estate developer Pembroke welcomes us back for special outdoor barbecue reception at their luxurious Azabu Gardens property’s Rooftop

Terrace. The catering is by Soul Food House in Azabu. Please sign up early as space is limited to the first 25 CEOs to sign up.

CEO Insights – Sayonara Summer Barbecue (SS BBQ)

When: Thursday, September 26th, 7pm – 9pm.
Where: Azabu Gardens West (Behind Roppongi Hills)
Cost: 9,700 yen / person
RSVP: CI Support Team

*Payments shall be made via credit card (PayPal). Due to booking with the catering, no cancellations or refunds after 5pm on 19 Sept (Thursday).

Special thanks to Azabu Gardens for Hosting this event.

Over the past decade, the brand consultancy RISKYBRAND INC. has been taking the pulse of Japanese consumers through its annual nationwide surveys.  In this relatively short span of time, they have witnessed subtle but significant changes in the Japanese’s attitudes, beliefs and purchase behavior, with an on-going shift towards what they call a ‘cynical mindset’.

Understanding what’s driving this shift will be fundamental to help brands maintain their appeal. In the July CI Network lunch, RISKYBRAND CEO Mr. Kazuteru Tasaki will share on the major trends that are expected to affect the future of marketing in Japan and provide practical insights into what can make Japanese consumers tick in the age of cynicism.

Date – Tuesday, 9 July 2019 1230PM-1400PM

Venue –

Roppongi Hills Club: Roppongi Hills Club- la cucina

51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower,

6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku,

Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan

More About Our Guests

-Kazuteru Tasaki is the CEO and co-founder of RISKYBRAND.

With over 30 years’ experience in market research, Kazuteru is one of the pioneers of psychographic research in Japan. He founded RISKYBRAND in 2001 with Sony top designer Noriaki Kozuka. The agency’s proprietary research engine MINDVOICE®, that gathers data across the values, beliefs and lifestyle of the Japanese, was born from Kazuteru’s strong belief in a more holistic approach to research that apprehends customers not only as consumers, but as individuals, revealing more meaningful layers of insight into what makes them tick. Today RISKYBRAND has evolved into a multi-cultural strategic branding agency that combines deep insights with the power of design to bring beautiful breakthrough to major domestic and international brands, from Toyota to Hilton group.

-Born in a French-Japanese family, Apolline Coat graduated from HEC Business School

in France. After working in various marketing roles between Paris and Tokyo including two years at Evian Japan, she joined RISKYBRAND in January 2018 as a research and strategy planner.

• 

Profit and loss, looking at the deals in the pipeline, and talking about how to grow a business are all very important roles of corporate leadership. However, to bring longevity and growth to our businesses, there is more than just number crunching.

In our June luncheon, we are please to welcome back Mr. Philippe Grall. Mr. Grall will be sharing on the power of putting dreams back into ourselves and in our organizations. As an accomplished executive coach and leadership trainer, he has been able to help transform several businesses here in Japan to become national competitors. He will engage you on how to cultivate the role of the dreamer, the realists, and the critic in your organization.

Philippe got great reviews after his last visit to CI and we look forward to seeing him again!

More About Mr. Grall-
Mr. Grall is the founder of Equilibre k.k. in 2006. He is an executive coach for several leading brands in Japan. 
His clients are famous international brands (luxury, fashion, Food, retailer) and pharmaceutical industry. Philippe is a member of Marshall Goldsmith 100 coaches since 2017.

Date – Tuesday, 11 Jun 2019 1230PM-1400PM
Venue –
Roppongi Hills Club: Roppongi Hills Club- The Horizon Room
51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower,
6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan

Japan is famous for its economic transformation from post-War devastation to one of the world’s top economic powers.  But how much progress did Japan really make after the ‘Bubble’ burst?  With the new Japanese emperor getting ready to ascend the throne of the land of the rising sun, we can reflect on what actually happened during the time of his father, otherwise known as Heisei.

In the May meeting, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Keiichiro Asao.  Mr. Asao started his career at the Industrial Bank of Japan (“IBJ”), which is now part of Mizuho Bank, and was a member of the Diet (both the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors) for almost 20 years.  He will share his insights on what happened during Heisei, where he sees Japan heading into the new Reiwa Era, and brainstorm with the CI members about the future of Japan from both political and economic perspectives.

More About Keiichiro Asao

Mr. Asao is not your typical Japanese politician, he is a business professional with extensive political experience.  At one time, he was the leader of a political party called Your Party (i.e. minna-no-tou), and is currently a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.  He is one of the rare top Japanese politicians who are fluent in English.  He received a law degree from the University of Tokyo and an MBA from Stanford University.  

Date – Friday, 10 May 2019  12:30-14:00

Venue –

Roppongi Hills Club: Roppongi Hills Club- La Cucina (Italian)

51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower,

6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku,

Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan

Japan has the highest density of vending machines worldwide–almost 5 million nationwide.  In fact, there is approximately 1 vending machine per every 23 people in Japan with annual sales total more than $60 billion.  Ever wonder what supply chain supports this massive industry and how a beverage product that hasn’t changed it formula in over 120 years continues to grow?  Then come hear Edward Walters, the Head of Logistics for Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan and 20 year veteran of the Coca-Cola system explain more about this topic and how it is supplied around the world.

Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of our peers and global brand c-level.  We will discuss what it takes to make a brand that will last.

Date: 9 April 2019 (Tuesday)
Time: 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Venue: Roppongi Hills Club – La Cucina
51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi Minato-ku, 106-6151