Sumio Takeichi
Adviser
Sumio Takeichi is a Japanese business leader with a distinguished career in international trade, economic diplomacy, publishing, and global development. After decades of service at Mitsubishi Corporation, he held leadership roles at the World Bank (IFC), government advisory positions, and international organizations. He is currently an advisor to the international picture book publisher Shiko-sha and is working on a forthcoming publication about Japan’s future, scheduled for release in 2026.
Education
1962: Studied at Marquette University, Milwaukee (Faculty of Business Administration)
1966: Graduated from Keio University, Faculty of Economics (after study in France and the U.S.)
Career Highlights
1966: Joined Mitsubishi Corporation
1968: Assigned to Germany and led the world’s first trilateral trade project (President's Award, 1971)
1973: Returned to Tokyo HQ, handled investment and trilateral trade in Asia, Europe, and the U.S.
1980s: Member of the team that issued Mitsubishi’s first US-dollar-denominated commercial paper in Europe – the first such issuance by a Japanese private company
1989–1990: Lecturer in Harvard Business School Summer Program “US Competitiveness and Strategic Alliance with Asia” (with George Lodge and Ezra Vogel)
1995–1998: General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation’s Washington, D.C. Office, engaged in U.S. political and economic affairs
1998: Resigned from Mitsubishi upon appointment as Director at IFC (International Finance Corporation), becoming the first Japanese national in the role
2002: Returned to Japan; served as Advisor to Mitsubishi Corporation (2002–2004)
2002–2006: Director, Japan Office of Cosmos Alliance (founded by former FDA Commissioner Dr. Frank Young)
2004–2010: Advisor to Japan Management Association (JMA), founded and led the Global Business Leader Program
2011–2016: Economic and Diplomatic Advisor to the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture
2011–2016: Director, Japan Office of GCC (founded by former FDA Deputy Commissioner Dr. John Norris)
2017–2020: President, Global Collaboration Center (GFC)
2021–Present: Advisor, Shiko-sha Publishing Co., Ltd. (Founded 1950, publishes in over 20 languages globally)
2024–Present: Authoring a book titled The Path Japan Must Take, to be published in 2026
International Contributions
1961: Attended the World Student Peace Conference in Huy, Belgium, as a Japanese delegate
First Japanese government-funded scholarship student at the University of Paris (Faculty of Law & Economics)
Received ECMRA International Excellence Award for his market analysis on China
Led Japanese delegation to the Caux Round Table in Switzerland, laying groundwork for global CSR philosophy
At the World Bank/IFC: coordinated post-crisis support for South Korean banks and development investments across Africa, Latin America, and Asia
Languages
Fluent in English, French, and German