Rena Onoe, Director at Material, Appointed as Director of the Public Relations Society of Japan

Rena Onoe, Director of Material Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: So Aosaki; hereinafter referred to as "Material"), a subsidiary of Material Group Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: So Aosaki; hereinafter referred to as "Material Group"), which comprehensively supports clients from corporate communication to marketing communication, was appointed as a director at the 15th Ordinary General Meeting of the Public Relations Society of Japan (hereinafter referred to as "PRSJ") held on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The PRSJ has been engaged in activities to enlighten and disseminate public relations in Japan, seeking the ideal form of public relations suited to the times since its establishment. Ms. Onoe has been responsible for a wide range of practical tasks, including PR strategy planning, advanced media relations, IR, crisis management, media training, speechwriting, and lobbying. She has also served as an adjunct lecturer at Waseda University and a specially appointed associate professor at Kyoto University Graduate School of Management. Furthermore, she has held positions such as an expert committee member for the Agency for Cultural Affairs, a member of the UN World Food Programme Japan Impact Council, and a juror for the PR category at Cannes Lions. She will fully utilize the PR knowledge and know-how she has cultivated to contribute to the development of the public relations industry in Japan going forward. Appointment Comment I am deeply honored to be appointed as a director of the PRSJ, an organization where my predecessors in public relations have built a foundation of trust. I recognize that the PR industry is at a major turning point due to changes in media structures, the rise of generative AI, and the increasing sophistication of societal demands on corporations. The role of PR is being re-examined from a "job of disseminating information" to a "job of designing relationships with society." Since transitioning to the PR industry after my experience reporting at NHK, I have consistently faced the question of "how to design trust" with my clients. I believe the PRSJ is a place where we can confront this question head-on. Moreover, I feel that the role the PRSJ, as an industry association, must play in supporting the PR profession, which stands at the forefront of all societal changes, is greater than ever. To return the collective wisdom of practitioners to society and communicate the value of public relations to society, I intend to fulfill my responsibilities as a director and contribute to the improvement of the social status of the entire PR industry and the development of next-generation PR professionals. About Material Material is a brand-building company that provides corporate and marketing communication services aimed at enhancing corporate and product value, based on storytelling. We offer one-stop services including story design, which encompasses the overall planning of branding and promotion, content planning and development, creative production, casting, PR execution, crisis management, public affairs, lobbying, and digital marketing. About Material Group Material Group is a group of specialized companies that comprehensively support communication for all businesses. We contribute to our clients' success as partners who solve their business challenges and strengthen their relationships with society. With the vision of "Switch to Red. (Ignite passion in individuality, change values and common sense, and make the world passionate.)" and the mission of "Ignite passion in all individuality and maximize potential," our companies, each with different areas of expertise, gather to develop all communication businesses that build desirable relationships between brands and stakeholders. Company Profile Name Material Inc. URL https://materialpr.jp/ Established February 2, 2005 Representative So Aosaki, President & CEO Location 35F, Ark Mori Building, 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Business Activities Overall marketing communication operations, primarily PR business Name Material Group Inc. URL https://materialgroup.jp/ Established August 18, 2014 Representative So Aosaki, President & CEO Stock Code 156A Location 35F, Ark Mori Building, 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Business Activities Management policy formulation and management for group businesses *In order of business segment* Material Inc. (Overall marketing communication operations, primarily PR business) Rooms Inc. (Product placement and styling business) Candlewick Inc. (Agency business and consulting for PR, public relations, and advertising) Material Digital Inc. (Consulting support for overall digital marketing) Bridge Inc. (Internet advertising business, SEO consulting business) CONNECTED MATERIAL Inc. (Operation of "CLOUD PRESS ROOM") Material Links Inc. (Marketing support for social commerce and e-commerce) Trepro Inc. (Social media marketing business)