Launched in 2023 as part of the U.S.-Japan Women Leaders Initiative, the Group Mentoring Program is a six-month initiative offered exclusively to Japan Society corporate members, specifically designed to elevate and empower women in their careers by enhancing critical skills in areas such as communication, work-life balance, influence, leadership, and more. Now in its second year, the program ran from January to June 2025 and was once again a resounding success. It brought together four accomplished mentors and 15 highly motivated mentees from Japan Society’s corporate member companies, fostering meaningful connections and professional growth.

Meet the Mentors

Our mentors played a vital role in championing women’s empowerment and fostering inclusive workplace cultures throughout the program. Drawing on their deep expertise and leadership experience, they provided thoughtful guidance and advice to the mentees. Through active engagement and support, the mentors empowered mentees to reflect on their professional journeys, navigate challenges, build confidence, and take meaningful steps forward in their careers.

• Stephanie Bowker
  Managing Director & General Manager, Co-Head of Corporate & Investment Banking Coverage, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
• Miyoko Demay
  Outside Director, Member of the Board, Nintendo; Executive Representative for Japan, World Monuments Fund; Former President, Tiffany & Co. Japan; Vice Chair, Women in Business Committee, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan; Demay Luxury Consulting
• Frances Green
  Of Counsel, Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.
• Keishi Hotsuki
  Vice Chairman, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group

Meet the Mentees

For this year’s program, we welcomed mentees from 8 corporate members of Japan Society, including Citi, Daiwa Capital Markets America Inc., Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Mizuho Americas, Morgan Stanley, MUFG Bank, Ltd., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Tokio Marine North America, Inc. We express our deep appreciation to these companies and their mentees for their commitment to the Group Mentoring Program and their dedication to fostering growth and learning.

• Ikuko Arakawa
  Director, Treasury Department, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)
• Tracy Braden
  Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis, MUFG Bank, Ltd.
• Maria Ichizawa
  Vice President, Global Sustainability Office, Morgan Stanley
• Yoko Iizuka
  Internal Auditor, Internal Audit Department, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)
• Natsumi Kato
  Investment Analyst, Tokio Marine Delphi Capital Management
• Sumika Kono
  Associate Director, Human Resources, Daiwa Capital Markets America Inc.
• Bella Jia Liang
  Credit Portfolio Officer, Citi
• Yuka Masumoto
  Executive Director, Institutional Equity Division, Morgan Stanley
• Miyako Otake
  Senior Home Office Financial Reporting Advisor, Tokio Marine North America Services, LLC
• Kazue Peck
  Translator, Daiwa Capital Markets America Inc.
• Mari Sugisaki
  Director, Performance & Rewards, Human Resources, MUFG Bank, Ltd.
• Yukiko Watabe-Ushijima
  Wealth Advisor, Vice President, Citi Personal Wealth Management, Citi
• Mieko Wooten
  Vice President, Legal Department, Mizuho Americas
• Mizuka Yamamoto
  Associate, Compliance Department, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
• Fangqi Yu
  Vice President, Strategic Planning Group, Finance & Strategic Planning Department, Americas Division, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

Group Mentoring Sessions:

The group mentoring sessions were held monthly for one hour, providing a structured yet flexible space for meaningful dialogue and personalized guidance. Each mentor worked with a small group of three to four mentees, fostering discussions tailored to the group’s needs. The sessions (conducted both in person and virtually) focused on key areas such as career development, goal setting, and navigating professional obstacles. By sharing experiences and supporting one another, mentees built strong connections and a network focused on growth and learning.

Other Events (Major Events, Workshops & Networking Receptions):

In addition to the mentoring sessions, the program included an exclusive networking event hosted at the Epstein Becker & Green office, which created a more personal setting for mentors and mentees to build meaningful connections. We also organized a series of impactful events highlighting women’s empowerment within the U.S.-Japan context. These included a fireside chat with EXIM President & Chair Reta Jo Lewis, who shared insights from her career journey, and a special Women’s History Month event in March 2025 focused on the evolution of women’s empowerment and workplace inclusion, reflecting on the progress made over time.

The U.S.-Japan Women Leaders Initiative is generously supported by Advocate sponsors.

Advocate

Business & Policy programs are generously supported by Japan Society Global Leaders & Corporate Partners.

Global Leaders

Corporate Partners

Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Japan Society’s 120th anniversary initiatives and related programs are generously supported by Champion Sponsor, MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Advocate Sponsor, Mizuho Americas; and Friend Sponsor, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).