Our Tokyo office aims to serve as a bridge between the Japanese and international sport sectors through knowledge, expertise and opportunities. Our fully bilingual team ensures we are able to contextually translate and localise international expertise best practices for our Japanese clients, whether they are the big multinational corporate sponsors, the rapidly growing professional sports leagues, or the traditional teams and federations that are the foundations of the system. We also work with clients including government to access international markets such as South East Asia and the Middle East through our global network and offices. Our Tokyo office also supports international investors, rightsholders, and businesses looking to expand into the Japanese market by helping to develop strategies localised and contextualised to the Japan.

As one of the largest, culturally unique and innovative sports markets in the world, we see huge potential for our clients overseas to learn from Japan, and vice versa. Historically, linguistic and cultural barriers have limited the opportunity, but our ambition is to be the conduit for clients to create value from both sides.

 

The Japanese market is increasingly opening up to foreign investors, and equally we see opportunities for Japan to export its expertise in sport tech, sport for development, and major events. Our aim to ensure that we are there with our expertise and capability, for every sport entity that is looking to make that journey to or from Japan.

Regional Leadership Team

Asahi Takano

Partner & Head of Asia Pacific

Asahi is a Partner and Head of APAC at Portas, with 20 years of experience. His areas of expertise include government sport policy, sector development, sport participation and social impact. Asahi previously worked as an advisor to Tony Blair and held roles at UNDP and McKinsey & Company. He holds an MA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Oxford.

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Chiaki Inoue

Japan Office Leader

Chiaki is the Japan Office Leader at Portas, with 18 years of experience. She focuses on launching the Japan office and managing Japan projects. Chiaki previously worked in various roles in the sports industry worldwide. She holds a Master of Science in Therapeutic Recreation Management from Springfield College, a Master of Arts in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa, and a PhD (ABD) in Physical Education, Health, and Sport Sciences from the University of Tsukuba.

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