Brunswick Group Launches "Strategy Board" at Tokyo Office
Brunswick Group has established a "Strategy Board" at its Tokyo office to strengthen support for Japanese companies. The board will discuss the impact of AI technology on corporate and stakeholder engagement throughout fiscal year 2026. Experts from various fields, including Professor Yoichi Matsuo, participated and shared practical insights on corporate communication strategies in the generative AI era.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 22:18 (11h 47m after Collected)
Brunswick Group (hereinafter "Brunswick") has launched a "Strategy Board" at its Tokyo office with the aim of further strengthening its support for Japanese companies. Throughout fiscal year 2026, this board will discuss and examine the impact of AI technology, including generative AI, on the engagement between companies and their diverse stakeholders.
The Strategy Board brings together leading experts from various fields. Members include Professor Yoichi Matsuo of the University of Tokyo Graduate School, a leading authority in AI research; Akio Wazumi, a lawyer specializing in capital markets and financial regulation; Yoshimi Nakajima, former president of American Express Japan; and Ken Shibusawa, a senior advisor to Brunswick and an investor known for practicing stakeholder capitalism.
The first meeting focused on "The Role of AI in Corporate Engagement," fostering a lively exchange of opinions. Brunswick introduced its proprietary AI tools that can identify communication challenges for companies in the generative AI era, as well as digital twins that replicate the thinking of specific stakeholders such as activist shareholders. Discussions among participants led to the sharing of diverse and practical insights regarding future technological advancements and the impact of AI on corporate communication strategies, trust-building, and governance.
Tom Burns, Global COO of Brunswick, commented:
"AI is a critically important theme for our firm, and under our 'Human First' philosophy, we emphasize the stance that humans should be the main actors, utilizing AI as a tool. Through the discussions on this board, we anticipate gaining practical insights to better support companies through AI tools. We also aim to expand this Tokyo-originated initiative globally."
Akiko Karaki, Managing Partner of the Tokyo office, stated:
"It is very encouraging to be able to consider the future direction of the Tokyo office's initiatives from multiple perspectives, guided by representatives from various fields. Through this board, we aim to derive concrete insights that contribute to the sustainable value creation of Japanese companies."
---
■ Strategy Board Participants (titles omitted)
Yoichi Matsuo (Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo)
Professor at the Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. Specializes in artificial intelligence, particularly deep learning, large language models, and web mining, leading AI research and social implementation in Japan. He has served as Chairman of the Japan Deep Learning Association and Chairman of the Cabinet Office's AI Strategy Council, deeply involved in government AI policy formulation. He plays a central role in building an AI ecosystem that spans industry, academia, and government.
Akio Wazumi (Lawyer / Senior Counsel, Greenberg Traurig LLP)
A lawyer specializing in capital markets and financial regulation. Has extensive experience representing major domestic and international financial institutions in cutting-edge financial areas, including derivatives transactions. He has long been involved in supporting the legal activities of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) in Japan and has served as a member of the Financial Services Agency's Financial System Council and as Representative Director and Chairman of the TIBOR Administrator. He also contributes to the development of future generations as a professor at Sophia University Law School, possessing expertise across practice, policy, and academia.
Yoshimi Nakajima (Outside Director)
Engaged in management at American Express in Japan and the Asia region, overseeing individual and corporate businesses and marketing strategies. Currently serves as an outside director for multiple listed companies. With management experience in global corporations, she possesses practical knowledge in corporate governance, risk management, and customer strategy.
Ken Shibusawa (Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group / Representative Director, Shibusawa and Company, Inc. / Chairman of the Board, Commons Asset Management Co., Ltd.)
After experience at major US financial institutions, he became independent and promotes long-term investment and the practice of stakeholder capitalism. He is actively involved in domestic and international communication regarding the modern application of Eiichi Shibusawa's philosophy, the formation of sustainable capital markets, and the re-establishment of relationships between corporations and society.
---
Brunswick will continue to provide strategic and practical support for the complex and advanced challenges faced by Japanese companies, integrating global knowledge with local insights.
The Strategy Board brings together leading experts from various fields. Members include Professor Yoichi Matsuo of the University of Tokyo Graduate School, a leading authority in AI research; Akio Wazumi, a lawyer specializing in capital markets and financial regulation; Yoshimi Nakajima, former president of American Express Japan; and Ken Shibusawa, a senior advisor to Brunswick and an investor known for practicing stakeholder capitalism.
The first meeting focused on "The Role of AI in Corporate Engagement," fostering a lively exchange of opinions. Brunswick introduced its proprietary AI tools that can identify communication challenges for companies in the generative AI era, as well as digital twins that replicate the thinking of specific stakeholders such as activist shareholders. Discussions among participants led to the sharing of diverse and practical insights regarding future technological advancements and the impact of AI on corporate communication strategies, trust-building, and governance.
Tom Burns, Global COO of Brunswick, commented:
"AI is a critically important theme for our firm, and under our 'Human First' philosophy, we emphasize the stance that humans should be the main actors, utilizing AI as a tool. Through the discussions on this board, we anticipate gaining practical insights to better support companies through AI tools. We also aim to expand this Tokyo-originated initiative globally."
Akiko Karaki, Managing Partner of the Tokyo office, stated:
"It is very encouraging to be able to consider the future direction of the Tokyo office's initiatives from multiple perspectives, guided by representatives from various fields. Through this board, we aim to derive concrete insights that contribute to the sustainable value creation of Japanese companies."
---
■ Strategy Board Participants (titles omitted)
Yoichi Matsuo (Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo)
Professor at the Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. Specializes in artificial intelligence, particularly deep learning, large language models, and web mining, leading AI research and social implementation in Japan. He has served as Chairman of the Japan Deep Learning Association and Chairman of the Cabinet Office's AI Strategy Council, deeply involved in government AI policy formulation. He plays a central role in building an AI ecosystem that spans industry, academia, and government.
Akio Wazumi (Lawyer / Senior Counsel, Greenberg Traurig LLP)
A lawyer specializing in capital markets and financial regulation. Has extensive experience representing major domestic and international financial institutions in cutting-edge financial areas, including derivatives transactions. He has long been involved in supporting the legal activities of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) in Japan and has served as a member of the Financial Services Agency's Financial System Council and as Representative Director and Chairman of the TIBOR Administrator. He also contributes to the development of future generations as a professor at Sophia University Law School, possessing expertise across practice, policy, and academia.
Yoshimi Nakajima (Outside Director)
Engaged in management at American Express in Japan and the Asia region, overseeing individual and corporate businesses and marketing strategies. Currently serves as an outside director for multiple listed companies. With management experience in global corporations, she possesses practical knowledge in corporate governance, risk management, and customer strategy.
Ken Shibusawa (Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group / Representative Director, Shibusawa and Company, Inc. / Chairman of the Board, Commons Asset Management Co., Ltd.)
After experience at major US financial institutions, he became independent and promotes long-term investment and the practice of stakeholder capitalism. He is actively involved in domestic and international communication regarding the modern application of Eiichi Shibusawa's philosophy, the formation of sustainable capital markets, and the re-establishment of relationships between corporations and society.
---
Brunswick will continue to provide strategic and practical support for the complex and advanced challenges faced by Japanese companies, integrating global knowledge with local insights.