staff

Joined Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. in 1991 after completing a doctoral course at Kyoto University, Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Petrochemistry. Kurusu was engaged in researching and commercializing new catalysts for about 11 years at the company's research institute. After that, after working in the business planning department at the head office, he was in charge of IR and public relations for about 18 years from 2004. From FY2014 to FY2020, he was appointed IR/Public Relations General Manager and Corporate Communications General Manager from FY2021 to FY2022. In Tokyo and Osaka, he has been leading the general BtoB corporate public relations and IR investor relations of a chemical company for many years, including crisis communications. He has extensive connections with media reporters, domestic and foreign institutional investors, and industry groups. Joined Arex in September 2022 and appointed Representative of the Kansai Office in November 2022. Certified member of Japan IR Planners Association Class S (CIRP-S). Doctor of engineering.

Yukiko Ochi has more than 10 years experience working in the public relations field. Ochi joined Arex in 2006. After working as Executive Officer and Account Director, Managing Executive Officer, and General Manager in Corporate Public Relations Consulting Department, she has been in her current position since April 2022. She has served as an account leader in providing corporate and marketing communications for companies in various industries including manufacturing, finance and service. She is also engaged in public affairs and media relations. She has extensive relationships with the media including reporters and editors of national papers and magazines, and with financial circles. Before Arex, Ochi worked for six years at Matsushita Electronic Industrial Co., Ltd., now known as Panasonic Corporation, in the area of customer relations and sales promotion. Following this, she worked for a public relations firm where she was specialized in various product branding, cosmetics and beauty. She then subsequently joined Hatsuko Endo Group in 2001 where she was in charge of public relations for 5 years. Ochi holds a degree from the Department of Literature at the University of Sacred Heart, Women's School. She is also experienced in providing corporate training.

After graduating from the Sophia University, Faculty of Law, Kitamura joined Kyoei Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (currently Gibralta Life Insurance Co., Ltd.), where he was engaged in business management and business planning department, and the public relations department as a general manager. He joined Arex in 2017. In addition to corporate crisis management PR consulting, he is responsible for corporate PR consulting for global companies and financial clients, with his extensive PR experience.

After graduating from Keio University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kamata joined Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. (now Toshiba Corporation), where he set up an automatic design and drawing system for housing. He then joined Information Services International-Dentsu, Ltd. (ISID), where he worked as a systems engineer, as well as in sales, general affairs and human resources, and held posts as a board member of an affiliated company, executive officer and head of the secretarial section. His extensive business experience at ISID includes IPOs, setting up overseas offices, compliance and information security management. In 2008, he was transferred to SJI, where he worked as Chief Administrative Officer and Internal Audit Manager. In April 2016, he joined Arex as Account Director / Senior Consultant. As a head of the administration division, he is responsible for corporate planning, human resources, general affairs and internal communication. He is also in charge of crisis management, media training, liaising with the investors of listed companies in crisis situations and IR consulting. After working as Executive Officer, he has been appointed as Executive Advisor in 2021.

Hatayama joined Arex after he graduated from Waseda University's School of Law. He has been working at his present post since April 2019 and has accumulated experience in corporate communications in various fields, including a global financial company, an information and telecommunications company, and a major global tire manufacturer. Since 2007, he has experienced crisis communications training for a number of major Japanese companies, crisis management guideline preparation, and has handled a number of actual corporate scandals. In regard to crisis communications, he has handled fireproof fraud incident, medical instrument recall, professional negligence resulting in bodily injury case and harmful rumors. As a project leader, he delivers a wide range of media training services as a coordinator/ co-lecturer while taking a role of a reporter. He is a Public Relations Planner Accredited by PRSJ.

Murase started her career as a public relations professional at PRAP Japan, Inc., one of the largest public relations agencies in Japan. At PRAP Japan, she learned the basics of public relations as well as media relations. She was in charge of foreign food company and logistics companies supporting their marketing PR planning. After PRAP Japan, she worked for Sankei Shimbun Co., Ltd. There she managed their news portal website. In 2000, she co-founded a consulting firm, where she managed public relations activities including one for an HR consulting firm and she was engaged in various kinds of projects as well, including online shop management and book publication. In 2010, she joined Arex. After serving as Senior Account Executive, Account Supervisor and Account Manager, she has been working at her present post since 2020. Currently, she is in charge of providing corporate communications services for companies including U.S. based real estate investment management firm as well as crisis communications for foreign and Japanese financial institutions. She concurrently served as Director of Strategy Development Department. She graduated from Tsuda University in 1995, majoring in International and Cultural Studies. Public relations Planner Accredited by PRSJ.

Yoshioka joined arex in 2003. After working as Senior Account Executive, Account Manager and Account Director, she has been appointed as Deputy General Manager in Corporate Communication Consulting Department in 2019. Yoshioka, once a finance professional, now works as a public relations consultant for her clients in various fields including financial institutions, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), major HR firm, manufacturers, major pharmaceuticals and global real estate services firm. She also leads a team which provides services mainly to global companies. Prior to Arex, she worked at Yamaichi Securities and developed her skills and knowledge of equity business at the Tokyo Offices of Credit Suisse First Boston and finally with Lehman Brothers. With her extensive experience in securities trading and investment, her public relations clients in the financial industry know that they can rely on her for sound advice tailored to their needs. She graduated from Otsuma Women's University's Department of English in the Faculty of Language and Literature. Holds securities broker representative license.

Yamano started her career as a public relations professional at PRAP Japan, Inc., one of the largest public relations agencies in Japan. At PRAP, she learned the basics of public relations and media relations, and took charge of event marketing PR for a global food company among others. She has lived in the United States for 5 years since 2007, and joined Arex in 2013. After working as Senior Account Executive, she has been appointed as Account Supervisor in 2017. Currently, she is in charge of corporate communications for a global chemical company. She also provides crisis communication consulting services for overseas wine & spirits company, major food company and Japanese financial institution. She graduated from Sophia University's Department of Luso-Brazilian Studies in the Faculty of Foreign Studies. Public relations Planner Accredited by PRSJ.

Nishida started working at Arex as an intern while studying at university, and then joined full-time in April 2013.He gained experience as Assistant Account Executive in corporate public relations for a global real estate services firm and multinational pharmaceutical companies. After serving as an Account Executive and Senior Account Executive, he was appointed as a team leader in Crisis Communication Consulting Department in 2019. He has served as an Account Supervisor since April 2020. He also has experience in crisis management, various crisis response training, and crisis management guideline preparation. He is in charge of advice on a wide range of crises such as non-profit funding problems of NPOs; illegal behavior of employees; data leak problems, etc., as well as negative reports on software vulnerabilities. Graduated from Meiji Gakuin University, Faculty of Letters, Department of English.

HYODO started her career as a reporter at Sankei Shimbun, a national newspaper. She covered police, judiciary, administration, medical care, economy among others in the Osaka Social Affairs Department, Wakayama Branch Office, and Hanshin Branch Office. Since joining Arex as Senior Account Executive in 2018, she has gained a reputation for her guidance based on her experience as a reporter in the Social Affairs Department, when offering mock press conferences to simulate crises and interview trainings for executives. In 2020, she was appointed as Team Leader of the Strategy Development Office. She graduated from the Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki University.

Era graduated from Tokyo Gakugei University with a major in pedagogy and entered Esmod Japon in 1994. In 1995, she moved to France to study where she graduated from Esmod Paris in 1997. After returning to Japan in 1998, she debuted as a freelance fashion writer with her first column in Bunka Publishing Bureau's leading fashion magazine "SO-EN". Later, she continued her career as a freelance writer and in 2001, she participated in the establishment of Arex and became a Director. Currently, she actively writes for "VOGUE JAPAN"(web), "Marisol ONLINE". She has also done translation of the lyrics for various artistes including THE WATERBOYS, EMEL, TÉMÉ TAN, Disclosure.

After working as Director of the Public Relations Department at Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., Noguchi became the president of Human Create Inc. in 1998. He joined Arex as a Senior Consultant in 2004 and became a Director in 2006. He became Special Advisor in December 2009, and a part-time consultant since July 2011. Noguchi earned a B.A. in Law from Tokyo University.