Issue:

Regular Member

Diederik Baazil

Het Financieele Dagblad/De Groene Amsterdammer

A few months ago, I moved from the Netherlands to Tokyo and was lucky to be welcomed into the FCCJ.

Back in the Netherlands I worked as a reporter for Bloomberg News, focusing on Dutch politics and economics. In addition, I wrote background articles for the Dutch magazine de Groene Amsterdammer.

In Japan I will write about the region and the country for the newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad, a Dutch financial daily, as well as de Groene Amsterdammer.

I am looking forward to meeting more of my international colleagues (always open for a coffee) and getting to know Japan a bit better.

Regular Member

Mayuko Ono

AP

I joined the Associated Press' Tokyo team June 2024 as a senior producer. I started my career as a newspaper journalist for the Asahi Shimbun and was stationed in Nagasaki and Fukuoka. I then moved back to London where I grew up to join AP’s video HQ and have worked intensely in the field as well as in the newsroom.

Professional/Journalist Associate Member

John Flanagan

A+E Networks

John Flanagan is President and Manager Director of A+E Networks for Japan and SE Asia. New York-based A+E Networks is a global media company with a brand portfolio that includes A&E, THE HISTORY CHANNEL, CRIME + INVESTIGATION and LIFETIME. In addition to distributing A+E Networks US content, Flanagan produces documentaries in the region, including the award-winning series Defending Japan, that explores the strategies Japan and the US leverage to thwart security threats in the region. Among other programs, he also produced Tokyo Legacy, a 2-hour documentary on the post-war history of Japan up to 2020, War of Innocents, a pre-war history of Japan, and the Food That Built Asia series.

Flanagan is a media professional with over 30 years' experience in Japan. After starting as a journalist for the Japan Times in Osaka, career highlights include launching J:COM and running marketing operations at 20th Century Fox and the iTunes. Flanagan also teaches marketing part time at Japan's largest MBA school, GLOBIS University.  He graduated Colorado College with a BA in Political Economy, which included one year's study at Waseda University in Tokyo. Mr. Flanagan later attended INSEAD, graduating from the business school's International Executive Program.

Associate Member

Aung Soe Moe

SHEINOVIC Japan

My name is Aung Soe Moe, a diplomat and advocate dedicated to serving my country and advancing global diplomacy. Born on September 21, 1969, my academic and professional journey has shaped me into a resilient and versatile individual with a passion for international relations, diplomacy, and policymaking.

After graduating from the University of Yangon in 1993, I pursued further studies, earning diplomas in Policy and Management of Trade in Thailand and Oriented Economy for Developing Countries in China. These studies provided a solid foundation in economic policies and international trade, shaping my career path.

Joining Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993, I served in various capacities, including Attaché in Brazil, Chief of Chancellor in Vietnam, Second Secretary in Sri Lanka and Counsellor Officer in Japan. My roles have deepened my expertise in political science, diplomacy, and economic relations.

In 2021, I joined the Civil Disobedience Movement, committing myself to justice and democracy. Currently, I volunteer at the National Unity Government's Representative Office in Japan, continuing to work for Myanmar’s future.

Fluent in Myanmar, English, and Japanese, I aim to bridge cultures and strengthen communication. Perseverance and adaptability define my journey, and I remain dedicated to making a meaningful impact through my work.

Associate Member

Kyi Thu Shein

SHEINOVIC Japan

I came to Japan to study abroad in 2001 at the age of 23. After six years of studying abroad in Japan, I got a job and started a business in Japan in April 2010. Looking back, it has been 24 years (as of January 2025) since I came to Japan, and Japan has become my second home. My home country, Myanmar, has been in a very difficult situation since February 2021. This situation has been repeated several times in Myanmar over the past 70 years. I believe that the way to eradicate this dilemma is to raise the "human development level" of the people of Myanmar. On the other hand, since 2021, many young people from Myanmar have come to Japan in search of work and learning opportunities. Young people from Myanmar are good at learning foreign languages. In addition, the grammar of Burmese, the native language of Burmese, is almost identical to that of Japanese, so it is easy to master Japanese in a short period of time, which is an advantage. Our company supports young people from Myanmar who have such strengths and aspirations to gain experience in Japanese workplaces and become a valuable asset to domestic companies. To that end, we have been providing online learning and study abroad services for Myanmar people since August 2021. At the same time, in order to expand employment opportunities for young people from Myanmar in Japan, we provide various services such as services to introduce Myanmar talent to corporate customers, retention support services, and consulting to improve retention rates.

We support Japanese and Myanmar people to work together in Japanese workplaces, demonstrate their abilities, and contribute to companies. This will lead to acquiring Myanmar's brains. Then, Myanmar's young people will become fans of Japan, and countless bridges will be born between the two countries. It is certain that Myanmar will enter a period of reconstruction and recovery in a few years. At that time, the young Myanmar people who have acquired brains in Japan will be involved in various fields of reconstruction and recovery of their homeland together with Japanese companies. Our company has a vision for Myanmar's human resources in five or ten years' time. I believe that this will be in the medium- to long-term interests of both Japan and Myanmar.

And I strongly wish to expand the circle of business support administration and business managers in Japan. I am sure that there are areas where we are lacking, but I would appreciate your guidance and advice.

Associate Member

Takashi Hikiba

Kimoto Co., Ltd.

Takashi Hikiba Managing Director and Representative Director Kimoto Co., Ltd. In the sales department, he is engaged in sales of film products in the loT field. He has earned the trust of customers for his ability to accurately grasp constantly changing market trends and provide products that meet their needs. Currently, as Managing Director and Representative Director, he is providing R&D, product technology development, and workflow in the technology division.

Career Summary

  • April 1998: Joined Kimoto Co., Ltd., Sendai Office
  • December 2002: Assigned to Electronic Industrial Materials Sales Department, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2011: Transferred to Head Coat Project, Sales Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2014: Assigned to Technical Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2015: Transferred to Marketing Group, Sales Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2017: Assigned to loT-7 Supervisory Group, Sales Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd. and appointed Executive Officer of KIMOTO TECH, INC.
  • April 2020: Appointed General Manager of Sales Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd. and Executive Officer of KIMOTO TECH., INC.
  • June 2020: Appointed Director and General Manager of Sales Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd. and Executive Officer of KIMOTO TECH., INC.
  • April 2023: Appointed Director and General Manager of Technical Headquarters Kimoto Co., Ltd. and Executive Officer of KIMOTO TECH., INC.
  • April 2024: Appointed Managing Director and Representative Director and General Manager of Technical Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd. (current position)

Associate Member

Shoichi Kobayashi

Kimoto Co., Ltd.

Shoichi Kobayashi President and Representative Director Kimoto Co., Ltd. Engaged in the fields of surveying, architecture, and spatial information, including digital twins. Has been dedicated to advancing technology and expanding market opportunities. Currently serving as President and CEO, leveraging extensive experience and achievements accumulated over the years to adapt to rapidly changing environments and diverse needs while diving the enhancement of corporate value.

Career Summary

  • November 1985: Joined Kimoto Co., Ltd., Image Technology Department
  • April 2003: Assigned to Tsukuba Sales Office, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2010: Transferred to Tokyo Branch, Government and Public Agencies Group, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2017: Appointed Deputy General Manager of Sales Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2019: Appointed General Manager of the Digital Twin Division, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2020: General Manager of the Digital Twin Division and Deputy General Manager of Sales Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • June 2020: Director, General Manager of the Digital Twin Division, and Deputy General Manager of Sales Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2021: Director and General Manager of the Digital Twin Division, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2023: Executive Director, General Manager of Sales Headquarters, and General Manager of the Digital Twin Division, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2024: President and Representative Director, General Manager of Sales Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd. (current position)

Associate Member

Motoko Yamada

Kimoto Co., Ltd.

Motoko Yamada Managing Director and Representative Director Kimoto Co., Ltd. Leveraging experience in the sales division, successfully implemented various workflow reform in the management division by gaining cooperation from both internal and executing critical management strategies, such as accelerating financial closing processes. Currently serving as Managing Director and Representative Director, utilizing extensive experience to execute growth strategies for the Digital Twin Division and advance various workflow reforms across the organization.

Career Summary

  • April 1996: Joined Kimoto Co., Ltd., Management Operations Department, Purchasing Group
  • January 2006: Assigned to Industrial Media Second Sales Department, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2010: Transferred to V-mosaic Project, Sales Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2015: Assigned to MD Group, Sales Coordination Group, Sales Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2017: Appointed Sales Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd. and Executive Officer of KIMOTO AG.
  • April 2019: Appointed Deputy General Manager of Management Headquarters Kimoto Co., Ltd. and Executive Officer of KIMOTO AG.
  • April 2020: Appointed General Manager of Management Headquarters, Kimoto Co., Ltd. and Executive Officer of KIMOTO AG.
  • June 2020: Appointed Director and General Manager of Management Headquarters Kimoto Co., Ltd. and Executive Officer of KIMOTO AG.
  • April 2021: Appointed Director and General Manager of Management Headquarters Kimoto Co., Ltd.
  • April 2024: Appointed Managing Director and Representative Director and General Manager of Digital Twin Division, Kimoto Co., Ltd. (current position)