CEO Insights Executive Group

January C28 - How Technology & Government Is Changing the Future Of Asia Finance & Accounting
2020-01-09 12:30 - 14:00 (Asia/Tokyo) | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
The cloud has really changed the way we communicate in business. If a CEO wants, they can always be plugged in to their business. (But not always a good idea if you want to have a family life). Finance is also seeing upheaval in business due to tech advances with major changes in areas such as Fin-tech, AI, and the cloud. Management can not continue to see the finance resources of our businesses in the same light.
In the August lunch, finance CEO, CPA, and Japan entrepreneur, Mr. Ichiro Waki will visit CEO Insights to share his insights on where he sees the market going based on the regulatory, technology, and on the experience of running a group of finance businesses. With his command of the market, Ichiro will discuss

When to automate, and when to go with traditional finance practices
Common trouble in Japan company finance that can be avoided
The future of AI, Fin-tech, automation and other technology on our future businesses

January G3 - Changing To Stay The Same: How Successful Brands Update Their Communication While Keeping Their Soul
2020-01-07 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
Come meet with and listen to Jean Henaff, Semiotician and Marketing Consultant for Japanese and Western brands, and former Marketing Research Director for L’Oréal Group in Asia.
What is unique in a brand? How do we fight new competitors, adapt to Japanese consumers and speak to digital natives without losing our “soul” and the unique values defining our brand, that should be worldwide and timeless? Based on more than 20 years of experience in Japan and Asia in consumer goods, Jean Henaff will show how all those issues can be understood, clarified and solved by simple approaches exploring the generation of brand meaning and consumer culture.
The presentation will show how some Western and Japanese brands have successfully adapted their communication, store architecture and merchandising to a radically different context while being able at the same time to strongly assert their unique values.

About The Speaker

Jean Henaff is a consultant using extensively semiotic research tools to provide marketing advice to leading Western and Japanese companies in cosmetics, luxury and food industries. He is a native French speaker and he is also fluent in English and Japanese. Japan-based clients make up 40% of his activities and he regularly works in cooperation with the Japanese consulting company Itochu Fashion System and Yumiko Yoshimizu.
He also previously worked in marketing research for L’Oréal Cosmetics in Asia and Europe. Jean is a graduate of the HEC School of Management (Paris) and of Hitotsubashi University (Tokyo) and holds a Master’s Degree in Semiotics.

2019 December Special Event OTR
2019-12-12 18:30 - 20:30 | The Tavern Lounge, 51F, Andaz Tokyo
As this year comes to a close, let’s take the time for one last get together.
Lots of new changes have come around this year, as the months have come and gone.
This year, we’ve had 12 G3 Meetings, 11 C28 Meetings, 5 OTR Meetings, and special events like out Summer BBQ, a special insider’s only look at Marunouchi, and a fun networking event at Miele.
We’d like to take the oppurtunity to give everyone a chance for one last hurrah of the year, getting our G3 and C28 groups together for a joint CEO Insights Christmas/year-end special event.
Location:
The Tavern Lounge, 51F, Andaz Tokyo
Overlooking the Imperial Palace on the 51st floor, The Tavern Lounge offers a sophisticated and inviting space for guests to unwind. Specializing in Japanese comfort foods, stop by the lounge for a light meal, catch up with friends over seasonal afternoon tea, or join us in the evening for a glass of wine accompanied by live jazz music.

2019 Dec C28 Wrapping Up 2019, Achieving More in 2020
2019-12-06 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
When we started our meetings in 2004, we could have never imagined how invaluable the CEO Insights network would be for business intelligence, market changes, and the great friendships between c-levels in so many different industries and experiences.

Every year, one of the best sessions we have in the year is our interaction on what we learned this year, and what we are going to change in our businesses next year. We call it our CI year end wrap up.

Join us for this once in a year chance to learn what a year it’s been and challenge yourself to take your business and personal strengths to the next level.

Location:
Roppongi Hills Club

2019 Dec G3 Wrapping Up 2019, Achieving More in 2020
2019-12-03 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan

CI Leadership Committee- 2020 Planning
2019-11-28 08:00 - 09:30 | Tokyo Amercian Club- Cafe Med, Japan
In December, our leadership committee will be getting together to reflect on the past and plan for the future.

For 2020, we’re working on pulling together

the plan
speakers
topics and events

Please RSVP below to confirm your attendance.

2019 Nov (G3)- How The Hospitality Industry And The Hotel Business Is Changing In Japan
2019-11-12 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
The astute c-level knows that if you’re not growing with your product in the market place, chances are, you will be left behind in the future. Businesses have to be constantly enhancing their offerings to meet the needs of the clients, whether it is existing or anticipated. The hospitality industry in Japan is not typical. It has many players, mostly offering commodity products, whether it be small rooms of the business hotels, convenient but disconnected from P&L or the higher end luxury hotels that don’t invest in the tech to make themselves most efficient. With more than 30M inbound tourists in Japan in 2018, it would seem to be a great chance for the hospitality industry is being missed.
In the November CEO Insights lunch (G3), we will welcome Mr. Seth Sulkin who has really set the tone in Real Estate development in energy, shopping malls, and now hospitality. In our interactive discussion, Seth will share insights into how he is building a new business that takes advantage of the changed market and where he sees the hotel industry heading.
More on Mr. Sulkin-
Seth will share some of his insights on the Japan market, where it has come from and where it is going. His firm, Pacifica Capital, is now focused on the hospitality industry. Pacifica is building and operating internationally-branded hotels in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
MEMBERS PLEASE RSVP AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

2019 Nov CI SPECIAL JOINT EVENT- Marunouchi: The Insider's Look
2019-11-08 11:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
With buildings going up all over Tokyo, it’s hard to keep up with the rapid development much less the names of these new buildings. Marunouchi locates between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace is the first central business district (CBD) in Tokyo and it continues to be the most symbolic and prime CBD in Japan. Apple has opened its largest store in Japan in Marunouchi just last week.
Mitsubishi Estate is the dominant landlord in the area owning, subleasing or managing the vast majority of the buildings. They are deep into a 125-year development of the area, which has been highly successful to date. Join us for an insider’s view on their plans to stay on top of relatively newer business CBDs such as Akasaka-Roppongi-Toranomon (Mori Building) and rapidly gentrifying traditional CBDs like Nihonbashi-Kyobashi/Yaesu (Mitsui Fudosan) including renovation of their oldest building and turning it into a hub for leading business incubation facilities and their CSR effort to pursue environmental initiatives (e.g. purification of the Imperial Palace moat). Last but not least, the tour will show you the latest office building technology and design up close.
This would be a great opportunity to walk through the past and future of Marunouchi, Tokyo’s most symbolic CBD.
We’ll be starting early and capping everything off with a nice lunch. Please note the schedule.
Meet @ 11:30, Otemachi Park Building 3F, Mitsubishi Estate Presentation room.
Please RSVP below so we can do the final set up for the event.
See you there!

2019 Oct OTR
2019-10-31 18:30 - 20:00 | Tokyo

2019 Oct C28 - Bringing Innovative Thinking Into Your Team
2019-10-11 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
New ideas are essential for business growth. But how do you generate new and innovative ideas? How do you constructively handle new ideas and present them in a logical and persuasive way? How do you test and implement new ideas without taking too much risk? Businesses that don’t adjust to keep up with the changing needs of their clients, won’t exist long.
In the October Friday CI Luncheon we will welcome Mr. Conrad Heraud. Conrad runs a management consulting company that has injected innovative thinking in it’s blood. In this talk Conrad will introduce The 8 Techniques of Innovative Thinking® to further increase the productivity and profitability of your organization.
Please select “1” in the box below and RSVP with your name if you would like to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!
Date: 11 October 2019 (FRIDAY)
Time: 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Venue: Roppongi Hills Club
51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi Minato-ku, 106-6151
About Conrad Heraud
Conrad Heraud is president of Heraud Associates, a management consulting company specializing in innovative thinking. He graduated with a Master of Science degree in psychology from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. In Japan he continued research on innovative thinking under a Japanese Ministry of Education Research Scholarship at Hiroshima and Okayama Universities. The 8 Techniques workshop has been conducted for leading Japanese, European and American corporations that have included Shiseido, Ericsson, Bayer, Virgin Atlantic, Michelin, Johnson & Johnson, FedEx, American Express and Waseda University Business School.
+++++++++
PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT REPLACES MARUNOUCHI EVENT THAT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO NOV.
+++++++++

2020 October C28
2019-10-08 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
TBD

2019 Oct G3 Red Pill or Blue, How Deep Does The Rabbit Hole Go?
2019-10-08 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
Red Pill or Blue, How Deep Does The Rabbit Hole Go?
Conspiracy theory or truth?
With mainstream media ratings reaching new lows, alternative media, truth seekers and “conspiracy theorists” have gained mind share for some.

How do we know what is true and what is “fake news”?
Who controls the mainstream media?
Who are we giving our personal information to?
Was the 2016 election hacked by Russians?
Why is Donald Trump orange?
“The Truth is Out There”

In October, we’ll take you on a different type of journey, away from P&L, HR, transfer pricing, and other c-level issues. We’ll have two guests who are heavily involved in internet based services and dabble a bit in the associated cyber security. You will leave the lunch with insights and more accurate realization of what may or may not be happening around us, and how that affects our business. Join Brent & Andy in a journey down the rabbit hole as they explore theories from the past and present.

More About Our Guests-
Information security veterans Brent & Andy founded Blueshift Data Protection in 2004. Over the past few decades they have participated in the evolution of security technology and chronicled the various attacks on business and individuals.
Date: 8 October 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

Sayonara Summer – BBQ @ Azabu Gardens (SSBBQ)
2019-09-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Azabu Gardens
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 via fields below

*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!

2019 Sep (C28) Understanding Commercial Property, Development, And The Japan Customer
2019-09-13 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
Before many major Japanese developers were building and operating shopping malls, a Japanese company run by international management with foresight was already setting up in the market. Many retailers had come from France, the UK, and the US just to fail in the huge market despite all their efforts. Costco Japan seems to be very successful now with it’s 24 warehouses around Japan, but it wasn’t such an easy start.

In the September CEO Insights meeting we well accomplished real estate developer and boss, Mr. Seth Sulkin. Seth will share some of his insights on the Japan real estate market, where it has come from and where it is going. His firm, Pacifica Capital, is now focused on the hospitality industry. Pacifica is building and operating internationally-branded hotels in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.

Come join us for a insider’s take on real estate, the consumer, and the future of travel in Japan and around the world.

PLEASE RSVP BELOW TO CONFIRM YOUR PLACE
** CI does not collect payments on this website for lunches. Please note that you will settle your lunch order payment with venue directly.

2019 Sep (G3) Case Studies On Collaborating As Teams And The Microsoft Vision
2019-09-10 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
The way in which organizations work has evolved. There are several trends that we’re seeing regarding teamwork, even in Japan.
Diverse and global
Teams are becoming more diverse. In today’s work environment, teams are often comprised of people in different buildings, time zones, or even different companies. For the first time, there are five generations in the workplace—all with different background and expectations about collaboration tools. For example, some are comfortable chatting on a phone, others prefer e-mail, or face to face. How is work evolving?

Team-based and collaborative
There is also a movement towards transparency and inclusivity in how decisions are made. Organization structures are becoming more flat which results in people being on more—often cross-organizational—teams. And those teams are dynamic. It’s rare that people don’t change on a multi-month project. And when they leave, the first step is for all to go through their e-mail to find the information needed to get the new person up to speed. Being on more teams has also led to a dramatic increase in the amount of collaboration. The new way of work is team-based and collaborative. Workers report that 80% of their time at work is spent collaborating (i.e. in meetings, calls).
Global Teams are increasingly geo distributed. Employees are no longer in the same office, let alone time zone. Per IDC, 72.3% of employees will be working remotely by 2020, making it more challenging to have face-to-face conversations.
For many employees, this has made collaboration more challenging. It’s hard to maintain open dialogue when teammates are distributed. It’s complicated to manage the volume of information. It’s difficult to attend every meeting.All these challenges hinder teamwork and productivity. We’ll look at how some global enterprises have tackled the issue with technology, specifically Microsoft Teams.
Join us for a insightful discussion at the September CI luncheon with Alice Graham. Alice is Assistant General Counsel, Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA) Microsoft Japan, Co., Ltd. Alice heads up the external relations department and has very interesting experience on both the legal and political sides of business.
PLEASE RSVP BELOW TO CONFIRM YOUR PLACE
** CI does not collect payments on this website for lunches. Please note that you will settle your lunch order payment with venue directly.
More On Alice Graham
Alice Graham is seasoned inhouse legal department leader with over 20 years of experience, working with industry leading companies and currently employed by Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd. where she leads an experienced team of legal, government affairs, philanthropy and digital crime professionals. She graduated from the University of Florida School of Law with honors and has spent most of her career in the technology industry.  After 12 plus years in Microsoft Corporation (Redmond) helping to deliver Windows to millions of users around the world, she is passionate about leveraging that knowledge to drive digital transformation in Japan and make a difference in the lives of all Japanese.

Aug OTR In Nihonbashi
2019-08-29 18:30 - 20:00 | Septieme, Nihombashi 2-5-2, 7F Annex Nihombashi Takashimaya S.C, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-6107, Japan
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

2019 Aug CEO Insights Round Table (G3)
2019-08-13 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
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

2019 Aug CEO Round Table (C28)
2019-08-09 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
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

C28 Red Pill or Blue, How Deep Does The Rabbit Hole Go?
2019-07-12 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
Red Pill or Blue, How Deep Does The Rabbit Hole Go?
Conspiracy theory or truth?
With mainstream media ratings reaching new lows, alternative media, truth seekers and “conspiracy theorists” have gained mind share for some.

How do we know what is true and what is “fake news”?
Who controls the mainstream media?
Who are we giving our personal information to?
Was the 2016 election hacked by Russians?
Why is Donald Trump orange?
“The Truth is Out There”

In July, we’ll take you on a different type of journey, away from P&L, HR, transfer pricing, and other c-level issues. We’ll have two guests who are heavily involved in internet based services and dabble a bit in the associated cyber security. You will leave the lunch with insights and more accurate realization of what may or may not be happening around us, and how that affects our business. Join Brent & Andy in a journey down the rabbit hole as they explore theories from the past and present.

More About Our Guests-
Information security veterans Brent & Andy founded Blueshift Data Protection in 2004. Over the past few decades they have participated in the evolution of security technology and chronicled the various attacks on business and individuals.

Date: 12 July 2019 (Friday)
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

2019 July G3 How Brands Can Stay Relevant In A Market Moving Towards Cynicism (Japan)
2019-07-09 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
2019 July (G3) How Brands Can Stay Relevant In A Market Moving Towards Cynicism (Japan)

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.

2019 June OTR- A Private CEO Meeting In Ginza (Riedel)
2019-06-27 18:30 - 20:30 | Riedel Ginza, 東京都中央区銀座6-2-1 Daiwa銀座ビル 1F, 104-0061, Japan
In our June OTR evening, we will assemble for catching up and drinks in central Tokyo, Ginza. In this casual get together of Asia’s leading CEOs and other c-levels, you’ll be able to sample wine and other drinks at Riedel cool showroom and tasting in central Tokyo.
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!
**Please note that there will be no food available at the show room. Of course, plenty of wine and other drinks like our other OTR events

2019 June C28 - Understanding Data Intensive Applications In Entertainment, Science, And Technology
2019-06-14 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
“BIG DATA and Artificial Intelligence have become commonly used terms these days. We know that a huge share of all data consists of Netflix streams, Social Media messages, tracking of internet usage preferences, content in ERP and CRM systems. Autonomous driving will be also very data intensive.
The June CEO Insights luncheon will highlight few examples from different areas : Movie Industry, Life Science, Manufacturing Industries, and the Medical Field. Some applications blur the line between reality and science fiction.” The discussion will be lead by Mr. Stefan Sacre, CEO of Carl Zeiss Japan.
More About Stefan
Trained as physicist and engineer he started his career as professor at Tokyo University. After a term as agent at the European Commission he joined industry- as CEO of sensor and automation companies. Now he is with ZEISS.
Date: 14 June 2019 (Friday)
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

C-Level Summer Networking Event @ Miele in Aoyama
2019-06-13 18:30 - 20:30 | Tokyo
With the start of the Summer, we’re celebrating an evening @ CEO Insights. CEO Insights Members and other guest c-levels are gathering for an evening of food, drink, and networking at CI member company Miele. Miele is a famous whitegoods and electronics manufacturer based in Gütersloh, Germany. Miele offers their appliances about 100 countries around the world. Miele makes appliances including laundry appliances; vacuum cleaners; dishwashers; cooking appliances; and much more. It was recognized in 2015 being the best corporate brand in Germany that year. In 2018, Miele participated in the highly reputable ‘Great Place To Work’ benchmark project, and won first place.
The evening will begin with a welcome from CI chair Spencer Wolfe. CEOs are always wanting to learn about each other’s experiences. Miele Japan, Managing Director, Hideki Matsubara will introduce the Miele brand and its business. The rest of the evening will give CI members and their guests a chance to catch up at the start of the Summer. We are also planning for a special surprise guest. More to come on that.
UPDATE – Special Guest!!
Special Guest- Harry Hill- Getting A Hit In the Japan Market
We are pleased to welcome serial entrepreneur, Mr. Harry Hill as our special guest. Harry has started businesses in real estate, eCommerce, and television shopping.
A passionate and dynamic business and civic leader. Hill served as President and CEO of Oak Lawn Marketing, Inc. for 11.5 years from 2006 until 2017. During Hill’s tenure, the company grew from ¥15 billion to ¥68 billion in sales while creating numerous hit products that become household names. Doing business to the consumer as Shop Japan, the company created several long selling product brands, creating new niche categories such contour overlay mattresses, home fitness, ceramic cookware and steam cleaning.
His latest endeavor is starting a new business that is a JV between Gold’s Gym that intregrates fitness and education throughout Japan.
Mr. Hill will be sharing briefly on making hit products in the Japan market.
Event Details:
Date: 13. Jun(Thus) 18:30-20:30 (18:00 Doors Open)
Venue : Miele Center Omotesando
4-23-8 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, TOKYO, 107-0062 JAPAN
Payment: 8,000 yen Sign up here!
(Please sign up by 6 June before 5PM. Space is limited. No refunds or cancellations after 7 June. Your EA will be contacted for payments will via credit card or bank transfer prior to event). Going to be another great event!

2019 June G3 The Power Of Dreams For The Individual And Throughout the Organization
2019-06-11 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
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

2019 (G3) How Big is Big Data? The Real Story Straight From The Source
2019-05-14 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
2019 (G3) How Big is Big Data? The Real Story Straight From The Source

“BIG DATA became a commonly used term these days. We know that a huge share
of all data consists of Netflix streams, Social Media messages, tracking of internet
usage preferences, content in ERP and CRM systems. Autonomous driving will be
also very data intensive.

The May CEO Insights luncheon will highlight few examples from different areas : Movie Industry, Life Science,
Manufacturing Industries, and the Medical Field. Some applications blur the line between
reality and science fiction.” The discussion will be lead by Mr. Stefan Sacre, CEO of Carl Zeiss Japan.

More About Stefan
Trained as physicist and engineer he started his career as professor at Tokyo University. After a term as agent at the European Commission he joined industry- as CEO of sensor and automation companies. Now he is with ZEISS.

Date: 14 May 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

2019 May (C28) It’s A Wrap- The Heisei Era- What Did Japan Accomplish?
2019-05-10 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
2019 May (C28) It’s A Wrap- The Heisei Era- What Did Japan Accomplish?
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

2019 Apr OTR
2019-04-25 18:30 - 20:00 | Tokyo

2019 Apr C28: Locked & Loaded – The Long Arm of the Law in Japan, Taiwan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK)
2019-04-12 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
The recent 108 days incarceration of Carlos Ghosn has raised many passion debates and questions of Japan’s law enforcement: “how it is done and what CAN and CANNOT be done.”
In our April luncheon, we are fortunate to have Mr. James Moynihan join us, an expert on law enforcement and intellectual property (IP), to answer that very question.
Mr. Moynihan, currently the Director of Louis Vuitton Intellectual Property Department/Japan office (since 2007), has been in Japan a total of 25 years on five separate tours. His first tour dates back to 1971-1972 at Sophia University/University of Notre Dame Year-In-Japan Program. As the FBI Special Agent/Attorney from 1981 to 2006, New York State Prosecutor from 1979 to 1981, and General Motors Corporation Labor Lawyer from 1977 to 1979, Mr. Moynihan has accumulated a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and case history.
In addition to discussing law enforcement (i.e. criminal procedure law, extraditions, deportation, evidentiary assistance matters, etc.) Mr. Moynihan is happy to discuss and/or field any question on: Asian organized crime, international terrorism investigations, Japan Red Army investigations, development and use of informant/confidential sources of information; security measures for special events such as the 2019 Japan Rugby World Cup or 2020 Tokyo Olympics; or about intellectual property (IP) enforcement from an IP right holder’s perspective.
You will not want to miss this one!
Date – Friday, 12 April 2019 1230PM-1400PM
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

2019 Apr G3: Business Over 100 years: The Story Of Coca Cola With A Japan Twist
2019-04-09 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
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

2019 Mar 12 G3 - The Edelman Trust Barometer: Measuring Your Clients
2019-03-12 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo
The Edelman Trust Barometer, the world’s largest survey of trust in institutions conducted in 28 countries shows that only 40% of Japanese employees trust the company they work for. This is somewhat counter-intuitive given the image of the self-sacrificing, all for the company image that is held about Japans salarymen. Ross will address this and other issues including what is behind the Trump phenomenon and rising populism in the world’s advanced economies.
March’s CEO Insights meeting will welcome Edelman’s Japan boss, Mr. Ross Rowbury. Ross has been living and working in Japan for 35 years. Originally working in finance, Ross moved to the public relations industry some twenty years ago. Over that period he has been advising executives from both Japanese and non-Japanese companies on communications strategy and implementation.
Date– Tuesday, 12 March 1230PM-1400PM
Venue–
Roppongi Hills Club- Private Dining Room – The Horizon Room
51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan
