TEAM
Board of Directors
Representative Director
Co-Founder & CEO
Masatoshi Nagasaki
In Sept 2017, Masatoshi co-founded Space BD Inc. where he assumed the position of Co-Founder & CEO. As a seasoned expert in business development, he embarks on his new challenge in the space industry.
Previously he founded Nagasaki & Co. in 2014 where he mainly engaged in business development in the field of education. Notable projects include AOKI Global Entrepreneurship Project, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Entrepreneur Education Promotion Project. He is also an invited researcher at Waseda University Transnational HRM Research Institute, and a research fellow for Yokohama National University Growth Strategy Research Center.
Prior, he served at Mitsui & Co., Ltd., one of the biggest conglomerate in Japan, and spent 11 years working in steel making and mineral resources (iron ore) industries, covered trading and business development positions including joint venture development in Brazil and Australia for 4 years in total.
He graduated from Waseda University with a bachelor’s degree in education.
Director
Chief Marketing Officer
Kenichi Kawamoto
Kenichi graduated from Hitotsubashi University in 2003 and joined Sony Corporation.
He led sales & marketing and market development, corporate planning, and organizational transformation in the Japan market and Indian and German entities. Afterwards, he worked on mid-term business planning and new business plan execution for business departments.
Director
General Manager
Administration
Tomonobu Akita
Graduated in March 2001 from Hokkaido University’s Graduate School of Environmental Science with a degree in Environmental Materials Science.
Upon graduation, Tomonobu entered NEC Solution Innovators Ltd. and supported installations of accounting package software. Worked on various accounting-related operations and projects for clients including auditing firms and consulting firms, and provided internal control auditing for banks and financial securities firms, accounting consulting, and due diligence.
Originally from Gifu Prefecture. Certified public accountant/auditor/information systems auditor.
Outside Director
Co-Founder
Tohru Akaura
IncubateFund General Partner
Worked for 8 and a half years in the investment department at JAFCO Co., Ltd., involved in investment development tasks in the front line. Started their own venture capital business in 1999. Since then he launched and managed 13 venture capital funds with a total of 40 billion yen. Consistently specialized in the initiation period, while also carrying out investment development.
Since July 2019, he is the Chairman of the Japan Venture Capital Association.
Outside Director
Ko Ogasawara
During his over 25 years working for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, he participated in design, development and operation of series of launch vehicles. After taking charge of design and development of the Japanese space shuttle HOPEX and ISS Kibo, he was dedicated to promoting the H2A rocket launch service in overseas market. From 2021, he has started to work at the Tokyo University of Science to train the next generation of space engineers and conduct research on space transportation systems. Member of the Board of Directors at the Japan Space Liner Association. A fellow at the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences.
Audit & Supervisory Board Member
Audit ＆Supervisory Board Member
Sayaka Oyama
Sayaka engaged in accounting audit and advisory services, etc. at Aarata Audit Corporation (now PricewaterhouseCoopers Aarata LLC) from 2006, and subsequently handled the development and operation of internal controls and compliance in the administrative department of a foreign telecom company’s Japanese entity. After that she engaged in forensic services, among others, at PwC Advisory LLC. She was appointed corporate auditor at Space BD in August 2021.
Sayaka is a Certified Public Accountant.
Audit ＆Supervisory Board Member
Kendo Watanabe
Kendo graduated from Hokkaido University Law School in 1995, and joined Nippon Long-Term Credit Bank (now Shinsei Bank).
In 2000, he joined the subsidiary company of Intelligence (now Persol) as a director, after which he became the managing director in 2002. In 2006, he established Executive Board Co., Ltd., and Juristic Co., Ltd., where he currently serves as the representative director.
Kendo has been providing organisational and business support from the time of Nagasaki & Co., the predecessor of Space BD.
Audit & Supervisory Board Member
Kenichi Koyanagi
Joined Mitsubishi Corporation, Energy Business Group in 1980 where he was engaged in retail business of petroleum products, including wholesale to gas stations in Japan, then in global marketing of carbon materials with over 70 countries.
He was then assigned, in 1994, to Mitsubishi International Corporation, New York, for almost 6 years, and during this term, he was involved in the antitrust trial, U.S. vs. Ucar International, to negotiate with the Department of Justice, and took the stand in the grand-jury and the federal court in Philadelphia to defend Mitsubishi Corporation.
Back to Tokyo in 2000, he supervised variety of investment businesses in Japan and overseas, including the U.S., Mainland-China, and South Korea, then appointed as Chief HR Officer of the Group, and further assigned to a member of the Advisory board of Investment & Credit Committee of the Company to actively participate in decision-making process of every investment business and project of the Company.
In 2012, he was named as Executive Officer in charge of E&P business of worldwide petroleum and natural gas, then in 2015, he took office as president of Chubu office, covering central regions of Japan, to promote various projects of MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet) and many others.
And in 2017, he was assigned to standing Advisor to the Energy Business Group.
In October, 2018 to date, he has served CEO of Dainichi Concrete Company, cum Group COO of Dainichi group of companies.
Business Development
Head of Business Unit Business Development
General Manager
Genki Hiraga
Genki graduated in 2012 from Osaka University. He started his career at HANWA Co., Ltd., and developed his experience in the steel export business. He further developed his career at Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting LLC by taking in charge of formulating and executing sales strategies, DX promotion, business sprocess reengineering, etc. for the customers in the manufacturing industry. Genki joined Space BD after working with Japanese Mega Bank.
Head of Business Unit Business Development
Senior Engineer
Tetsuya Honda
Tetsuya joined Space BD as a senior engineer.
He had engaged in developing the ISS Kibo external experiment platform at IHI Corporation from the early stage. Later, he had worked at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to develop the IVA-Replaceable Small Exposed Experiment Platform (i-SEEP) and other experiment equipment.
Head of Business Unit Launch Service
Manager
Mia Lee
Graduated from the University of Washington in 2016 majored in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering. During her undergraduate study, Mia was engaged in designing and analyzing shock absorption mechanisms of Origami-based metamaterials.
After graduation, Mia started her career at National Instruments Corporation as an engineer, then took her role as an account manager for a major automotive OEM, electrical equipment manufacturer, and research institute providing from the development strategy centering on test automation to engineering support for the operation phase. Mia has participated in Space BD and is engaging in expanding overseas business opportunities and collaborative opportunities with companies around the world.
Head of Business Unit Launch Service
Manager
Engineer
Hirokazu Yokoyama
Hirokazu started his career at Japan Airline Co., Ltd. where he was involved with the management and procurement of aircraft parts. He then joined Amil Co. Ltd., and was subcontracted to JAXA Tsukuba Space Center and worked on projects related to the International Space Station. He was responsible for cargo integration of refueling equipment, and international coordination related to operational resources for on-orbit experiments. After working at Axelspace Corporation, Hirokazu joined Space BD as an engineer. Hirokazu engages in multiple satellite integration operations in the SmallSatellite deployment service from the ISS, as well as the rideshare launch service with the H-IIA and H3 launch vehicle for the SmallSatellites.
Head of Business Unit ISS Platform Business
Manager
Shuji Yamazaki
Joined AGC Inc. in 2012, and worked on the development of glass material at the firm’s main research center. In 2016 Shuji proposed the establishment of a new business category in the life science field, and gained experience in R&D, production, and sales. He was appointed as leader of the business development team and took charge of project management.
He works on developing business themed on ‘space x life science’ in Space BD.
Head of Business Unit ISS Platform Business
Manager
Ryo Yoshizawa
After graduating from Hosei University in 2016, Ryo joined Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting LLC where he was in charge of formulating strategies (new business development, mid-to-long-term management strategies, etc.) and overseeing operations (operational reform, cost reduction, new company establishment, etc.) of a wide range of projects, gaining extensive experience in the import/export, consumer goods, electric machinery, and food industries.
His goal is to develop Space BD as Japan’s first global leader in space business and to help people gain a closer relationship with space.
Education
Manager
Nishi Shinichiro
Shinichiro graduated from the Faculty of Education at Kyoto University. He worked for two years in Osaka Prefecture as a junior high school teacher, and then he served as an attendant at the Japan Pavilion at the Milan Expo 2015. Upon his return to Japan he worked in the IT monozukuri department at LITALICO Inc. developing content and operating classrooms for children. After this Shinichi worked on developing workshops that used Lego® blocks at the amusement park LEGOLAND Japan. He also facilitated classes at elementary schools and universities.
Business Development
Senior Engineer
Akihiro Wakimura
Completed a master’s course in Applied Science at Waseda University.
Worked for IHI Aerospace developing the space station system and the on-board experimental device. A certified first-class radiation protection supervisor, Akihiro was in charge of the CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET), a device to perform high precision observations of electrons and gamma rays.
Business Development
Kyohei Akaizawa
Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University in 2011, and joined Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. After working in domestic sales for the UNIQLO brand, Kyohei was assigned to product planning for international markets. With the mission of maximizing sales and profits in UNIQLO's overseas markets, Kyohei collaborated with various business partners to implement and support the product planning PDCA.
Kyohei is a member of the Business Development team at Space BD. He is focused on shaping future society through the development of the space industry.
Launch Service
Engineer
Kyoichi Akiyama
Kyoichi graduated from the Tohoku University Graduate School in March 2019. He subsequently joined Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. He engaged in aircraft airframe inspection and maintenance (mainly in charge of engines), multiple business improvement projects in the maintenance department, business management, and promotion of digital transformation (DX).
He engages in satellite integration and technical coordination for the smallsatellite deployment business from the ISS. He also utilizes his experience in multiple technical fields to develop new businesses as an engineer aiming to connect space and non-space. He is from Shizuoka Prefecture.
Education
Momori Imamura
Graduated from Nippon Sport Science University (NSSU), Faculty of Sport Science, in 2020. Participated in activities to help primary and junior high school students learn to become independent and was also involved in the planning and operation of university events during her university years. Focused on studying the academic and physical difference in the performances of primary, junior and senior high school students in Japan and abroad.
After graduating from NSSU, Momori worked for the theme park, Legoland Japan, and took charge of the operation of assembly and programming workshops using Lego® blocks.
Shoki Kawata
After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at Chiba University, Shoki joined SIGMAXYZ Holdings Inc. in 2018, where he worked on new business development, cost reductions, digital transformation (DX), and formulating and executing business operations transformation. He worked with numerous companies, including major Japanese IT companies, telecom, logistics, and manufacturing companies. Shoki works on developing microgravity environment experiment services for the International Space Station Kibo at the Business Development in Space BD. Shoki aims to make using space more familiar to people.
Business Development
Masataka Sato
Master of Engineering, Keio University Graduate School of Science and Technology / Ecole Centrale de Nantes (2019). Worked as marketing manager for overseas division at an HR firm, experienced the establishment of new businesses. Conducted CRM and SFA by implementing sales data platform and coordinated the creation of UX designs.
At Space BD, being charged of the Business Development, hope to develop the space industry to one of the leading industries in Japan.
Business Advisor
Business Development
Ryuichi Sato
Ryuichi graduated from a bachelor degree in Aerospace Engineering from University of Queensland, and a master degree in Space Engineering Delft University of Technology. After conducting his research on space mission design research at OHB Systems, a major German space company, he worked as a satellite data analysis engineer at the Portuguese Institute of Ocean & Atmospheric Studies, where he gained gained experience with satellite data. He returned to Japan in 2016 to take on a position as the MINERVA research fellow at the Japan-European Industrial Cooperation Center, where he conducted research on EU-Japan cooperation in the field of Earth observation products and services. Japan-Europe cooperation, involving market research, policy analysis, and user needs analysis. As the expert on European space sector, he provides analysis on business trends and policy developments for companies and ministries, and holds a broad range of knowledge and insight on not only on the technical aspects of space, but also on satellite data, space policy / international relations, and space business.
Launch Service
Shohgo Suzuki
After graduating from the School of International Liberal Studies at Waseda University in 2017, Shogo joined Mitsubishi Corporation. During his time there he engaged in management of investment target companies in the iron and steel industry, exports to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Southwest Asia, and Australia, and trilateral transactions. He also worked to secure stable procurement of chemicals that serve as raw materials for the semiconductor industry.
He aims to further grow the space industry through partnership with companies in Japan and abroad through the satellite deployment project.
Launch Service
Engineer
Kazuyuki Takao
Graduated from Nagoya University Graduate School and joined IHI Corporation in 2017 where he worked on production engineering of aircraft engine parts and new product development. Kazuyuki went on to work for Interstellar Technologies Inc. and designed and developed engines for observation and orbital rockets.
ISS Platform Business
Kenta Takahashi
Graduated from Otaru University of Commerce in 2019 and joined YKK AP Inc. where he worked on a wide range of construction-related tasks, including sales, construction management, and surveying. After leaving YKK, Kenta entered M & A Navi to design merger and acquisition systems mainly for the finance sector, taking charge of concluding alliance agreements with financial institutions. Working in the Business Development team at Space BD, his goal is to help develop the space business so it becomes a natural part of our lives and an area that attracts and interests people.
ISS Platform Business
Daisuke Takahashi
Daisuke graduated with a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama in 2008. He then joined IHI Co., Ltd. and took part in a wide range of operations related to aircraft engine life cycle business as an engineer of aircraft engines. In 2018, he moved to the company's space division and participated in new business development using satellite data.
Daisuke experienced international sales and business development in Space BD. From February 2020 to October 2020, he engaged in the developing new business such as environmental testing equipment export services at Corporate Strategy. Since November 2020, he has led overseas exporting projects of the space equipment and related services at the Business Development team.
Hoshiko Nakata
Business Development
Engineer
Hoshiko Nakata
Hoshiko graduated in 2014, majoring in Risk Engineering from the Graduate School of Systems and Information Enginesering, from the University of Tsukuba. She then joined Advanced Engineering Services Co., Ltd. as an engineer to work on engineering design and manufacturing. In 2017, she was in charge of coordination work with Asian countries to utilize the Kibo, Japanese Experiment Module. Hoshiko joined Space BD in December 2019, where she was involved mainly in the space education business at the Corporate Strategy Department. Since November 2020, she has been engaged with the user integration for J-SSOD and i-SEEP projects as an Engineer.
Launch Service
Engineer
Masanari Fujimura
Originally from Aichi Prefecture, Masanari graduated with a master’s degree in Management of Technology and a doctorate in the field of thermal fluid (graduated from the Program for Leading Graduate Schools).
Joined an IT firm and developed technologies for thermal fluid simulation and machine learning, worked on national R&D projects, and supported model base development for automobile manufacturers. He then moved to a research center of a heavy electric machinery manufacturer, helping to promote the reform of the development process of power generator plants and power electronics products and the organizational culture at the research center.
He is in charge of the development and sales of new projects that involve new technologies in Space BD.
Launch Service
Hoshino Yosuke
Originally from Niigata Prefecture. Graduated in 2007 from Chuo University and entered Nippon Steel Trading Corporation where he was assigned to the sales division selling steel products in overseas markets. After working on the export of steel plates, Yosuke spent six years in Singapore following up on existing customers, from major corporations to mid and small size firms, and developing new leads. He also served as project manager on energy-related projects. After returning to Japan, Yosuke was put in charge of global marketing and sales of steel coils and semi-manufactured products. Also received an MBA degree from the Shizenkan University Graduate School of Leadership and Innovation.
Business Development
Engineer
Takayuki Monobe
Takayuki has engaged in multiple satellite integration operations for the smallsatellite deployment service from the ISS and the rideshare launch service with the H-IIA / H3 in Space BD.
Takayuki started his career at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. He engaged in a Japan-US joint project as a manufacturing engineer for the aircraft, defense, and space segment. He worked for a production improvement system construction and factory startup.
At the Tohoku University, he took the role of a representative and project manager for a student group to produce and launch the rockets.
Takayuki holds a Master's Degree from the Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering at the School of Engineering, Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University.
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Launch Service
Yuichiro Yamada
Originally from Osaka, Yuichiro graduated from Waseda University in 2018 and started working for C. Itoh and Company, importing pork mainly from North/Central America and Europe for three years, and spent another year in the sales of ingredients used at restaurants.
He is in charge of satellite launch projects in Space BD.
Launch Service
Senior Engineer
Tetsuro Mizuno
Tetsuro graduated from Kyoto University with a Master’s Degree in the School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering , and a Bachelor’s in the School of Global Engineering.
Before joining the company, Tetsuro joined Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation, where he engaged in user integration for controllers and experimental equipment installed on the ISS.
Cooperation with JAXA / United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs from the experience of technical support for selected countries from the first time of KiboCUBE, he decided to contribute to the wider space development of the international community and joined Space BD. Hobbies are diving, climbing and watching movies.
Public Relations
Public Relations & Recruiting
Manager
Haruna Iizuka
Graduated from Sophia University in 2012, majoring in Science and Technology and studied neuronal migration in the brain.
Upon graduation, Haruna worked for Recruit Co., Ltd., and assisted clients in formulating their strategy for hiring staff and supported their recruitment process. Appointed in 2016 to work at the organising committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 where she was put in charge of organizational development and volunteer management. After returning to Recruit, Haruna served as a liaison for government relations, supporting the communications with government ministries and agencies.
Communication & Public Relations
Marin Hara
Marin is in charge of Space BD’s Public Relations where she has engaged media relations and creative content production.
Formerly worked for LIXIL Corporation where she worked in the Global Communications Department and gained experience in providing information to domestic and international media about the company and its corporate responsibility (CR) activities.
Graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and Earth Sciences. Studied public space design and the use of roads as a communication site for citizens.
Creative Advisor
Creative Advisor
Hiroto Hori
Born in 1979. Marketing strategist and Brand consultant. After graduating the university in Tokyo, Horry joined an US based global advertising agency, McCANN ERICKSON group. After agency work, he had several marketing leadership experiences at best-in-class global brands such as adidas, Levi Strauss, Nike, LVMH, and Rakuten. His unique and broader experiences from Luxury, Fashion, Sports, FMCG to IT will enrich our value to be the best brand in its industry.
Administration
Administration
Manager
Naohiko Kurihara
Born in 1980, raised in Sapporo City, Hokkaido.
Attended the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (majoring in Italian).
After graduating in 2005, entered Gracchus & Associates, Inc., to work on M&A, provide support in financial affairs and due diligence for business restructuring projects, and taking charge of corporate valuation. Moved to Advantage Risk Management Co., Ltd., in 2011 where he worked mainly on management accounting and IR and was put in charge of projects with firms listed on the Prime Segment of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Promoted to the head of Business Management in April 2018, overseeing the firm’s administration, legal, finance, and accounting departments in addition to management accounting. Joined a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Segement where he was in charge of finance and accounting.
Manager
Administration
Kazuma Momoo
Kazuma provides a one-stop service, including business development, marketing, project management, and technical coordination of smallsat deployment from the ISS Kibo module.
Before joining Space BD, he joined Sumitomo Corporation, where he got exposed to a range of business models in communication, sustainable energy, export of infrastructure systems, and business investments. He stayed in Beijing for a total of three years, during which he was involved in a wide range of national space development projects through the
sale of satellite components by major Japanese satellite manufacturers after he studied at Peking University.
Kazuma graduated from Osaka University Graduate School of Engineering in 2012. He aspires to create a world like Star Wars, which he admired as a child.
Administration
Fumiya Yasui
Worked in the management division of a specialized trading firm, taking charge of promoting DX and operational reform.
