Meet the Electronics Link Japan Team
Peter W Bacon - Chairman
Established ELJ in June 1996, opened Yokohama office January 1998. Worked in Philips for 27 years, including 5 years in Tokyo, Japan (85-90) as Sales and Marketing Director, Asia Pacific, for Philips' IC Division. Seconded to DTI from 1993-1996 as Export Promoter for Electronics to the Japan market, and then held position of Director of International Operations, Japan Electronics Business Association (JEBA) from 1994 to 2002 in addition to running ELJ
Steve Crane - Chief Executive Officer
Steve Crane joined ELJ in November 2003. He previously worked for RS Components, Iota Software and latterly Teamstudio Japan KK where he spent the last 4 years establishing, developing and managing Teamstudio's Japanese Operation. The business experienced rapid growth under his leadership and moved from start up phase to profitability within 3 years, with a customer base exceeding 400 Japanese companies. Steve brings 12 years experience of sales, marketing and operations skills to the expanding ELJ client base.
Yoshiyuki Sato – General Manager Japan
Yoshiyuki joined ELJ from Xilinx Japan, where he held a ‘key account’ sales position. Prior to Xilinx Yoshiyuki worked at Tokyo Electron Device (TED) and Teamstudio Japan. Yoshiyuki has over 15 year experience in the electronics sector, and in particular he specialises in Semi-conductor and IP sales activities.
Hiroko Tanaka - Assistant to General Manager Japan
Tanaka-san joined ELJ in 1999 and is responsible for daily management of the Japan office. She arranges the visit programmes and logistics for ELJ clients, and co-ordinates the activities of the Business Development Managers in Japan. Her goals are to ensure the smooth running of all client visits, and maximum value is gained from clients' time in Japan.
Hideyuki Matsuda - Business Development Manager
Hideyuki Matsuda previously worked in sales roles with IBM and Lotus in Japan, and was involved in from the early stages of introduction of Lotus Notes to the Japanese market. In year 2000 he joined Teamstudio, to help the UK based company open their Japan office and build up sales operations. Matsuda-san has over 15 years experience of technology sales, and a unique understanding of assisting overseas companies to rapidly grow their business in Japan.
Dr Yutaka Hirai Phd
Joins ELJ from Canon Inc where he spend a career working in various divisions gaining a unique insight into the many business activities of one of Japans most successful corporations. Hirai-san has deep knowledge and understanding of how to develop business in Japan and joins ELJ to support the growing portfolio of clients.
Dr Noboru Kubo
Prior to joining ELJ Dr Kubo worked for Sharp Corporation in Osaka, and was one of ELJ’s contacts there for many years. Kubo-san has a wide industry knowledge and extensive contact base inside Sharp and many other Kansai based Japanese companies. Kubo-san joins ELJ on the back of a significant new contract won by ELJ on behalf of Apical to incorporate their technology into Sharp handsets.
Mutsuo Ogawa
Joins the ELJ team from Ricoh, where he worked in various divisions gaining an in-depth knowledge of consumer electronics across the Ricoh organisation. With a large contact network inside Ricoh and at several other Japanese organisations, Ogawa-san is quickly supporting various ELJ clients to grow their business.
Tad Awaya
Prior to joining ELJ, Awaya-san held the position of Design Director and Board Member at Matsushita Electric (UK). During his 36 years with Matsushita Awaya-san developed a wide network of contacts, and broad knowledge of the Japanese Electronics sector. He spent two periods working for MEI in the UK, and is now located in Takatsuki, Osaka.
Akira Takyama
Takayama-san joined ELJ from Omron. During 35 years of service he held senior management roles in marketing, business development, sales, import /export, and license production. Sectors included automation, components and system devices. Takayama-san spent many years working for Omron in overseas markets gaining experience of European and US business culture. He is located in Tokyo and brings a wealth of contacts, knowledge and industry experience to the ELJ operation.
Hiroshi Ohtani
Prior to working for ELJ Ohtani-san spent 34 years in Matushita Electric (Panasonic). He initially worked in the central research laboratory, and then in the components business. Ohtani-san held the positions of GM - Engineering, Business Division Director and Deputy Director of Marketing for Matushita. In addition to working for ELJ Ohtani-san founded "Hot Techno", a consultancy company based on technologic support. Ohtani-san utilizes his network of contacts to support ELJ clients in Japan.
Tad Kubodera
Kubodera-san joins ELJ from Sony Corporation where he worked for 37 years. He was initially in charge of circuit design and new components design development. He then moved to the UK to work on Colour TV design and component development for the European market. Kubodera-san went on to hold various posts, such as director of Sony US TV division in San Diego, Regional President of North America Mobile Phone Division, and European President of TV / Audio. He shares his various technical and commercial experience for ELJ client activities.
Chisato Maeda
Maeda-san studied at Cardiff University from 1985 to 1988. She then gained valuable experience working in Senior Sales Management roles for British and Japanese Electronics companies for 13 years, until returning to Japan in 1999. In addition to supporting ELJ clients with their business development in Japan, Maeda-san assists with Marketing and data intelligence gathering initiatives.
Chikako Hirono
Chikako Hirono brings in depth skills and experience of the Japanese advertising industry, she has been specialising in this sector for many years, with particular experience in producing written promotion materials on behalf of foreign companies. Chikako spent time living and working in the UK gaining a unique understanding of British culture and business practice. In her spare time Chikako is a voluntary secretary of the UK-Japan friendship society.
Asako Naruki
Naruki-san lived in the UK for 4 years and became a professional interpreter in 1992. She worked as an interpreter for the JEBA missions to Japan, and since 1995 has been interpreter on the JEBA Booth at Electronics events. She is a registered interpreter with the commercial section of British Embassy, Tokyo.
