Members
- TOP
- Members
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Representative and CEO
Yu Aoki
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Director and COO
Shinnnosuke Saito
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CTO
Yasuhiro Nishiwaki
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Corporate Business Division
ManagerYuichi Nakada
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Media Growth Division
English Edition EditorRamona Taranu
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Product Divisoin
DesignerKenji Asami
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Media Growth Division
ManagerMiho Wang
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Media Growth Division
Japanese Edition EditorNaoki Mizobata
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Media Platform Business Division
SalesKenta Sugizaki
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Media Growth Group
Taiwan Edition EditorChen Jung
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Inbound Strategy Division
ManagerKentaro Ito
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Media Platform Business Division
Web MarketerMiyuki Tojo
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Inbound Strategy Division
Project ManagerTaku Kosugi
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Media Platform Business Division
MCM SalesSachiyo Akiyama
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Media Platform Business Division
MCM Customer SuccessMisaki Arahata
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Media Platform Business Division
Project ManagerEri Nagashima
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Media Platform Business Division
Project ManagerNatsuki Ebihara
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Media Platform Business Division
MCM SalesShota Yanagihira
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Media Platform Business Division
MCM Customer SuccessShoko Doi
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Media Platform Business Division
MCM SalesKunpei Asari
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Official Mascot
Macchan
Representative and CEO
Yu Aoki
Born in 1989 in Tokyo. Graduated from the Global and Japanese Studies Department at Meiji University. Took a gap year during university to make a journey around the world. In 2012, participated in the management of the Doha International Book Fair. After graduating from university, joined the digital agency augment5 Inc. In 2013, founded MATCHA, and became as a Representative and CEO. Hobbies are traveling and going to hot springs.
Director and COO
Shinnnosuke Saito
Born in 1992 in Miyagi Prefecture. Graduated from the School of Business Administration at Meiji University. Experienced studying abroad in New York and developed a love for international exchange. After working as a media producer in the digital domain at Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, joined MATCHA in the autumn of 2018. Enjoys pleasant environments with alcohol and music, and spend the weekends engaging in DIY furniture making. Awarded Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia in 2020.
CTO
Yasuhiro Nishiwaki
Born in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture. Graduated from Waseda University Graduate School. After serving at CyberAgent Group and experienced as CTO at a foreign financial IT company, took on the role of driving DX at UserBase. Additionally, founded lanitech with the theme of "solving social issues through IT," provides IT, DX support, and management support to companies and local governments. Also serves as an advisor to UTEC SOC (University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners) and as the CTO of CoIU, a private university scheduled to be established in 2024. Involved with MATCHA as a technical advisor since 2020, and became as an current position since June 2022.
Corporate Business Division
Manager
Yuichi Nakada
Bron in Chiba Prefecture. After gaining diverse experience in various headquarters departments such as labor management, corporate planning, and accounting at a major long-established hotel company, joined MATCHA in 2022 as a Corporate Manager. Big fan of the charms of the local area that became a founding member of a community organized by a regional media. Actively supporting MATCHA, a company that aims to "preserve valuable Japanese culture over time," from behind the scenes. Hobbies are Pokémon, driving, and camping.
Media Growth Division
English Edition Editor
Ramona Taranu
Born in 1985 in Romania. While specializing in Noh theater research at the Graduate School of Letters at Waseda University, serialized theater critiques and essays in the comprehensive literary web magazine "Bungaku Kingyo" ("Literary Goldfish"). After completing graduate school, joined MATCHA. Currently, [he/she] is in charge of editing and writing articles for MATCHA's English edition.
Product Divisoin
Designer
Kenji Asami
A graduate of Musashino Art University's Department of Design Informatics. After working at a production company, joined MATCHA in 2018. Works as a web designer, handling the design, implementation, and improvement of the website. Hobbies include fishing, mountain climbing, cooking, and attending traditional Japanese storytelling (rakugo) performances. Enjoys tranquil rural landscapes.
Media Growth Division
Manager
Miho Wang
Born in 1989, graduated with a degree in Film Studies. Started information sharing through a blog while studying in Japan. With experience in editing and translating for Japanese fashion magazines, worked as a copywriter at an advertising agency, and writing for the Japan National Tourism Organization and private travel companies, published four books about Japan in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and one in China. Currently, oversees and edits MATCHA Taiwan edition.
Media Growth Division
Japanese Edition Editor
Naoki Mizobata
A Sagittarius with blood type O. Graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies with a degree in Russian Literature. Involved in supporting corporate CSR public relations and working in the media field of international cooperation. Fascinated by the charm of various regions in Japan after coming into contact with people involved in regional revitalization, and joined MATCHA. Yoga enthusiast.
Media Platform Business Division
Sales
Kenta Sugizaki
After working at a domestic financial institution, embarked on a year and a half journey around the world. Inspired by the warmth experienced during the travels, joined MATCHA with the desire to convey that same warmth to foreigners visiting Japan. A fan of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. Hobbies include camping, mountain climbing, attending festivals, enjoying ramen, listening to music, and watching movies.
Media Growth Group
Taiwan Edition Editor
Chen Jung
Born in 1988 in Taipei, Taiwan. While working in inbound tourism in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, shared information about Japan's tourist attractions as a blogger. Joined MATCHA Taiwan edition as an editor in October 2019.
Hobbies include traveling, watching trains, exploring stylish sweets and cafes, collecting temple seals, watching musicals, photography, and many other diverse interests that even I find surprisingly wide-ranging.
Inbound Strategy Division
Manager
Kentaro Ito
Born in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. After experiencing the early stages of MATCHA's establishment, worked in inbound promotion and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) at a Japanese travel company. Rejoined MATCHA in 2021, taking on the role of a producer responsible for inbound promotion strategies for companies and municipalities. With experience ranging from promotion to MICE and national events, he has a broad background in inbound business. Prefers to take different paths going and coming back. Spends weekends involved in soccer as a player and coach.
Media Platform Business Division
Web Marketer
Miyuki Tojo
Born in 1995 in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. After working in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in areas related to aviation, tourism, and administration, joined MATCHA in the summer of 2021. During [his/her] tenure at the Japan Tourism Agency, gained experience in subsidy programs for both inbound and outbound initiatives, as well as support for businesses. A big fan of "KochiKame" (Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen Mae Hashutsujo). Enjoys exploring cafes in Tokyo with beloved dog as a hobby.
Inbound Strategy Division
Project Manager
Taku Kosugi
Born in Tochigi Prefecture. Graduated from ICU (International Christian University). After working as a consultant in the cloud domain at Microsoft Japan and Accenture, [Name] joined MATCHA in 2022. As a Director, [he/she] is responsible for project management. Engages in literary expression activities, excelling in cultural and linguistic expression. Hobbies include music and mountain climbing.
Media Platform Business Division
MCM Sales
Sachiyo Akiyama
Born in Saitama Prefecture. Graduated from Meiji University's International Japan Studies Department. After working in a Japanese travel company, where I involved in planning and operating inbound tours and managing the pre-Olympic training camp secretariat, joined MATCHA in 2022. Currently, works as a producer, overseeing inbound promotion planning for municipalities and companies. Hobbies include Studio Ghibli, playing the piano, and enjoying hot springs.
Media Platform Business Division
MCM Customer Success
Misaki Arahata
Born in 1996. Graduated from ICU (International Christian University). After working at a hotel in Tokyo, where I involved in hosting foreign media visits and concierge services, joined MATCHA in February 2023. Currently serving as MCM Customer Success, supports information dissemination for municipalities and companies targeting inbound visitors.
Media Platform Business Division
Project Manager
Eri Nagashima
Born in 1995 to a mandarin orange farming family in Aichi Prefecture. After studying abroad, joined MATCHA with the desire to contribute to preserving and passing on the preciousness and beauty of Japanese culture to future generations. Currently serving as a Project Manager, responsible for project coordination and management. Favorite foods are tonkatsu and hamburgers.
Media Platform Business Division
Project Manager
Natsuki Ebihara
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, graduated from an international studies program, engaged in corporate sales for a company specializing in social media management and customer support outsourcing. Subsequently, experienced operations and marketing at a major live streaming company. Inspired to share the charm of Japanese culture learned from my grandmother, as well as insights from studying abroad and traveling overseas, joined MATCHA.
Media Platform Business Division
MCM Sales
Shota Yanagihira
Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1987. With a background in sales in the childcare education and tourism industries, joined MATCHA in July 2023 with the aim of delivering the charm of Japan to inbound tourists and contributing to the revitalization of local communities. Engaged in inbound promotion-related tasks for municipalities and companies at MATCHA. Enjoys futsal, supports the BayStars (Yokohama DeNA BayStars), and has a passion for camping.
Media Platform Business Division
MCM Customer Success
Shoko Doi
Born in 1988. Graduated from ICU (International Christian University). After working in public relations for an airline and government tourism bureau at a PR company, worked as a marketing assistant for a food manufacturer. From 2017 to 2023, gained experience in project management and vendor management at Amazon Japan. Joined MATCHA in 2023 and currently serves as MCM Customer Success, supporting information dissemination for municipalities and companies targeting inbound visitors.
Media Platform Business Division
MCM Sales
Kunpei Asari
Born in 1992 in London, United Kingdom. Started in Osaka, producing tours for groups of inbound tourists, and later gained experience in Tokyo with the overseas expansion of a Japanese SaaS product. Joined MATCHA to contribute to the deployment of MATCHA Contents Manager, a service for disseminating information to inbound tourists.
Official Mascot
Macchan
There are multiple siblings like Ryokuchan (Green Tea) and Kochan (Black Tea).
Age and gender are unknown. A mysterious presence.
The raised left hand is a welcoming gesture to attract customers from afar (overseas).
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