The board of Watanabe Gakuen Educational Institution is the central function of important decision making. Our board members consist of various business backgrounds to share innovative ideas with our school community.

Introduction of our board members

Hisao WATANABE Chair of the board

Founder of Watanabe Gakuen Educational Institution. Taking over Nagara Kindergarten from his aunt in1965, he has devoted his life in early childhood education over 50 years. Former vice chair of Japan private kindergarten association, awarded blue ribbon medal for his contribution to Japanese education in 2002. Graduate Hosei University.

Hisayuki Watanabe

Head of School Sunnyside International School
After spending his 20’s in Europe, he came to be aware of “unchanged” Japanese education style, his passion becomes “Education innovation in Japan”. He took over the small kindergarten in the rural area of Gifu City which was run by his father. Hiring English native speakers in conjunction with Japanese teaching staff, he opened Sunnyside International School in 2002. Aiming for the better quality of education, he applied for the candidacy to become an IB-PYP(Primary Years Programme) school. In January 2016 Sunnyside International School has become the first IB-PYP authorized Japanese school. He is now the member of IBO Heads Council, member of IB consortium established by Japanese Ministry of Education.

Tatsuyoshi YABASHI

CEO YABASHI Holdings Ltd. Born in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture. He takes over his family business 1984, becomes CEO in 1988. Besides his lime stone, forest business in Japan, he is one of the very first Japanese business persons who established a company in Vietnam. He actively employed Vietnam people with the belief “What Japanese can do, can be done by Vietnam people”. His contribution to bridge two countries, Japan and Vietnam is highly appreciated by Japanese government as well as that of Vietnam. His company now employs over 500 people in Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia. His other passion is Sado(Tea Ceremony) and the Arts. Yabashi family house is recognized as a cultural heritage by Japanese government.
Public Safety Commissioner of Gifu Prefecture. 。

Yoshihiro KAWAMURA

CEO Tranomon Jitsugyo Kaikan Ltd. Completing his study in business strategy at Gakushuin University. Started his career at Tohmatsu Consulting（at present known as Abeam Consulting), as business consultant in the field of IT and finance.
He inherited the family business that continues from before the war as the third generation. Spread the business area to New Zealand. His family runs several boutique hotels in Christchurch, Rotorua, Queenstown as well as development of other real estate properties.
His hotels have been awarded Conde Nast(Most recognized Awards for the hotels in Oceania), Travel Leisure, World Travel Award, which recognize the high quality standards of facility and services. Many celebrities(Royal families, Government VIP) have stayed at his hotels.
In Japan, the family owns several commercial buildings in the area of Tokyo, also boutique hotels and apartments in the famous ski resorts such as Hakuba and Nozawa. His own child attends IB school in New Zealand.
Executive member of Japan New Zealand Business Council
Member of general incorporated association “Tokyo Building Association”
Member of general incorporated association “Gakushuin Ohyukai”

Naohiko Kishi

CEO general incorporated association Art TOKYO
Completing his degree in Science and Technology at WASEDA University, started his career at TBS(Tokyo Broadcasting System, inc.). Mr.Kishi led the team with several significant projects such as AKASAKA BLIZ(Live music hall), AKASAKA SAKAS(Entertainment Commercial complex), he produced many kinds of concerts, world tour of artists, musicians, singers.
In 2015 Mr.Kishi established General incorporated association Art TOKYO, organizes Japan largest contemporary art exhibition Art Fair Tokyo as executive producer every year.
In the year 2018(New Japanese era as Reiwa begins), he hosted Art Fair KYOTO at Nijojo Castle. His vision is to develop the culture of art as well as the art market in Japan, his project has been strongly supported by the Ministry of culture of Japan, many international Embassies.
He leads the national project of Art Tourism that brings many inbound customers to various local areas in Japan. Mr.Kishi has commenced the research project on “Japanese art market” in collaboration with Ministry of Culture where he is finding a lot of convincing evidence that the Art market can further develop in Japan. Mr.Kishi lectures at Kyoto University, Tokyo University of the Arts, he is invited as the guest speaker for several important government committees.
He aims to introduce Japanese precious cultures to the world overlooking the field of Art and Culture.

Tokushi NAKASHIMA

CEO Global Mobility Service Co.Ltd(GMS)
Completed Master’s degree at Tokyo University of Science
Mr. Nakashima has incorporated three entities till today. He is now actively involved in his 2nd EV(Electric Vehicle) company established both in Japan and the Philippines. The vision of GMS is to help and support the people who have not been given the opportunity to improve their life qualities despite diligence. Using FinTech(Finance+Technology) Mr.Nakashima & GMS are enabling loan finance to those who have not been able to receive financial support.
Mr.Nakashima was elected to be one of “50 Japanese who changes the world” 2019, he was awarded with “Forbes Japan 20 best entrepreneur” in two consective years(2019,2020). “Award of Secretary of the Small and Medium Business Administration” in 2019, “Award of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry” in 2020.
Mr. Nakashima is the member of Federation of Economic Organizations; Keidanren, member of SDGs&ESG investment committee of Japanese ministry of economy, Trade and Industry. Guest professor at University of Gifu, University of Tokyo graduate school.

Sanefumi Sammy SHOJI

Founder and CEO of LiVEARTH, Inc. Mr. Shoji received MS in planetary science and BE in mechano-informatics, both from the University of Tokyo where he intensely worked on space-related research. Mr. Shoji joined the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs and executed various financing transactions from growth capital to leveraged finance. He then joined a boutique investment firm where he was engaged in venture investment. During 10 years of his career in the global financial industry, and through meeting and working with distinguished talents worldwide, Mr. Shoji came to realize the crucial role of early childhood education. While playing his role as the founder and CEO of LiVEARTH, Inc., an innovative Edtech startup, he has joined the management team of Sunnyside International School from April, 2017. Mr. Shoji has had oversight of the primary division since and played a significant role at its early stage of business expansion.