Asia Society Japan Center Names First Executive Director
Experienced Executive Sawako Hidaka Tapped to Head Organization
TOKYO, Sep 25, 2018 - Asia Society Japan Center announces the appointment of Sawako Hidaka as Executive Director. Her appointment was unanimously approved by the Japan Center’s search committee and the board of directors.
Hidaka will assume office on Sep 25, 2018 becoming the first Executive Director of the newly founded Japan Center.
“We are very excited about the leadership and executive prowess that Sawako Hidaka will bring to Asia Society,” said Thierry Porté, Co-Chair of Asia Society Japan Center and Managing Director, J.C. Flowers & Co. LLC. James Kondo, Co-Chair of Asia Society Japan Center and Co-Chair, Silicon Valley Japan Platform added, “As we launch Asia Society Japan Center with strong aspirations, Sawako is the leader we need to achieve our full potential.”
Hidaka comes to Asia Society with many years of experience leading corporate service functions at global financial institutions, including MetLife Insurance K.K. and Goldman Sachs Japan Ltd. In those roles, Hidaka built out robust operational foundations for growth for the organizations, overseeing events and hospitality, travel, purchasing, expense management and other corporate functions.
“I am honored to be selected to lead this important institution,” said Hidaka. “In this environment of rapid change, it is an exciting time to take part in, and lead, Asia Society Japan Center which will play a critical role in promoting ideas and innovation shaping Asia.“
The search committee comprised Thierry Porté, James Kondo, Rika Beppu, Chris Wells and Jesper Koll.
About Sawako Hidaka
Sawako Hidaka is an executive with 25 years of experience managing corporate services at global financial institutions. Most recently, she was Head of General Services and Vendor Management at Metlife Insurance K.K. and previously Vice President, Corporate Services and Real Estate at Goldman Sachs Japan Ltd.
Hidaka also has a background in the arts. She received a diploma in fine and decorative arts at The Study Centre for the History of Fine and Decorative Arts in the UK and worked at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York earlier in her career.
Hidaka is a graduate of Gakushuin University and London School of Economics and Political Science.
Hidaka’s interests include sports and travel. She also has training in French, Italian, Japanese and Chinese cuisine and pastry.
About Asia Society Japan Center
Asia Society Japan Center is part of a leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context. Across the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, the Society provides insight, generates ideas, and promotes collaboration to address present challenges and create a shared future.
Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution with major centers and public buildings in New York, Hong Kong, and Houston, and offices in Los Angeles, Manila, Mumbai, San Francisco, Seoul,Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo, Washington, D.C., and Zurich.
Asia Society Japan Center was established in Tokyo in Spring 2018.
Web page: https://asiasociety.org/japan
Contact: [email protected]
Address:
Asia Society Japan Center
1F, International House of Japan
5-11-16, Roppongi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, 106-0032
Japan