Rudie Filon, CEO of AKISHA KK, is a former EU diplomat with 17 years of experience in the Asia-Pacific region. 

He managed several successful EU-funded business support programs, including the Executive Training Programme to Japan (ETP) and the EU-China Managers Exchange & Training Programme (METP), focused on international business development for EU SMEs. ​

He also launched the "EU Gateway to Japan" programme, a matchmaking service for EU SMEs and Japanese clients, which inspired similar programmes in other countries. Furthermore, he supported the launch of the first EU-PNG Trade & Investment Conference. ​

His extensive experience working with European, Japanese, and Chinese SMEs has given him valuable insights into their operations. ​

A Dutch native speaker, Rudie is also fluent in English and French, with knowledge of German and Japanese. He holds a BA in Dutch Civil Law from Leiden University.

Bernard CATTRYSE serves as Chief Administration Officer at AKISHA KK. He oversees the daily administrative operations of the company including communication, public relations and reporting about the company’s performance. 

Bernard resided in Japan for more than 30 years, pursuing a career focused on art and culture as director of the Flemish Centre, as co-founder and Board Member of the Osaka European Film Festival and on academics as lecturer at Konan University in Kobe. 

Bernard holds a Master’s degree in International & Monetary Economics from the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) and is fluent in Dutch, Japanese, English and French. 

As Chief Purpose & Sourcing Officer (CPSO) Rob is responsible for identifying and successfully negotiating the acquisition of Japanese manufacturing SMEs with succession challenges. These acquisitions are strategically aligned with AKISHA KK's portfolio to secure future global business growth. The AKISHA business model was honored with the Jury Award during a Nerima Ward Business Support Pitch on 6 December 2024.

 

Rob's earliest business-related memory as a child was the construction of the 'koba' (workshop) of his father's family business in Tessenderlo, Belgium. This experience instilled a deep-rooted connection to manufacturing.

 

Upon graduating from university, Rob joined Honda Foundry Belgium (HFB) as a Production Planning and Procurement Leader.  HFB, a newly established Joint Venture between Honda Motors Belgium and Honda Foundry Japan (HFB), specialised in the local manufacturing of aluminium Intake Manifolds. This 'genba' (on-site) role at Honda, complete with the standard white Honda work uniform, provided Rob with a foundation in manufacturing expertise and a strong quality assurance mindset. 

 

Following his tenure at HFB, Rob moved to Japan, where he established his own companies. Over the subsequent 30 years, he built a successful track record in customer-centric business development and management consulting for global corporations and public organisations. His clientele included prestigious entities such as Cartamundi (Belgium), Centrica Business Solutions (UK), TEPCO Ventures (Japan), Goodman (formerly Eurinpro, Belgium), the Belgian Olympic Committee, and the Delegation of the European Union to Japan. Concurrently, Rob worked extensively with numerous SMEs in both Japan and Europe, further deepening his interest in the Japanese manufacturing sector.

 

Rob, a Belgian national, holds a Master’s degree in Japanese Studies from both the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) and Kansai University (Japan). He also completed  post-graduate studies on European Export Strategies to Japan at EHSAL Management School in Brussels. In addition to his excellent proficiency in spoken and written Business Japanese, Rob is fluent in Dutch, English, and French.

Kotoku NIINUMA serves as Chief Technology and Operating Officer  (CTOO) at AKISHA KK. 

He is responsible for overseeing the company's Digital Transformation (DX) strategy and overall business operations to ensure the sustainability and growth of AKISHA KK's acquired companies. He has extensive experience in the IT industry, including sales and presales, promotion, new business development, alliance building, and consulting. 

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, he has been involved in project launches and management, public relations, promotion, social media management, and information system construction and operations management for non-profit organizations and companies. He currently works as an IT advisor and business transformation and change management consultant.

Kotoku has Japanese native and conversational English skills following his past studies in Sydney, Australia.

Takanori MIYADERA serves as AKISHA KKs Chief Financial Officer (CFO). 

With a strong background in finance, Miyadera-san’s professional career includes a stint at KPMG AZUSA & Co starting in 2013, establishing and managing his own tax advice company SAKURA KK and Tsubane Audit Corporation in 2019 and working as an auditor in a venture capital-backed company from 2025.