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Mitsue Takahashi
Executive Relationship Management Manager
Career and Background
Takahashi was born in Setagaya, Tokyo and raised in Yokohama, Kanagawa. From an early age, she learnt care and compassion for others thanks to her father, who was like a Buddha when it came to empathising with others. After graduating, she decided to devote herself to serving business executives and wealthy foreigners at a high-end restaurant in Ginza. Her talent of being in touch with people's backgrounds and kindly listening to their problems was inherited from her father, and now, many of those she has worked with have risen to become major executives and presidents. She continues to maintain relationships with these people. After some time in the industry, her experience was brought to the attention of a B2B consulting company. She was headhunted and worked as an in-house therapist and personal assistant for representatives, directors and consultants. Later, she met Nadir, our founder, and worked with J Leopard as a product planner for company executives and wealthy foreigners, as well as a business counsellor for young Gen Z. Her sociability and receptiveness surpasses her English skills, and she is often requested by foreign managers and executives to be their point of contact.
Interest and Hobby
My Work Ethic and Early Life
Do you have any favorite sayings or a particular attitude toward your work?
A once-in-a-lifetime encounter. I have the opportunity to meet and make connections with people I don't know, on the train or in the towns I travel to. Sometimes, I really like to be exposed to the thoughts and feelings of different people, such as students, working people and managers, and compare them with my own experiences. People have told me that I am a good adviser, and when one employee I have known for many years became the representative director of a major steel company, I was as happy as if it were me. I believe this attitude has been put to good use in my work!
What kind of environment did you grow up in during your childhood and youth?
In my childhood, my father and mother used to take me on trips all over Japan. Thanks to that, I now look forward to choosing souvenirs for my dear family, friends and colleagues. I feel satisfied when I discover each region's unique specialities and especially its food, and the look of joy on their faces when I give them to others. I have found that my interest in souvenirs has crossed borders into foreign specialities, thanks - in part - to my many trips abroad. My colleagues often say to me, "Ms Takahashi, you are like an encyclopedia for souvenirs!" If you are ever stuck on what to get as a souvenir, please let me know!
My Business Skills and Experience
Our clients have shown strong interest and appreciation for the following skills. Please note that, due to the nature of our B2B operations, we do not disclose client names or certain specific achievements in order to protect their brands.
Product development planning
I have been involved in the planning of products for foreign markets for our own business. I am often involved in B2B and B2C strategy planning meetings.
Building relationships with domestic and foreign executives
I have worked as a bridge between domestic clients and international managers. We work on what each side is looking for, not only in terms of business interests, but also in terms of amicable relationships between different nationalities.
Therapist for Gen Z
We have had many opportunities to listen to company presidents and executives from the older generation, and now we have many opportunities to consult with the new Gen Z. The work attitude and approach to learning from the new generation is also stimulating, and I devote myself to counselling work every month!
My Contributions and Projects
At a long-established B2B consulting firm in Tokyo, Mitsue was involved in internal counselling services and general affairs. While it is difficult to directly attribute sales contributions to psychological counselling, the company boasts annual sales of approximately 240 million yen. Ms. Takahashi frequently provided counselling to the CEO and executive team. Additionally, owing to her significant experience with overseas travel, she was also involved in the promotion of the English conversation business project.
Mitsue also dedicated herself to psychological counselling services at an IT startup. The young CEO was genuinely concerned about how to deliver presentations that would be better received in business negotiations. Despite having an impeccable track record, a strong focus on concrete numbers, and good social skills, he kept losing deals. Looking back, the issue lay in his slightly restless and pushy speaking style. We trained him for three months in a more composed speaking style, focusing on breathing techniques, nodding, word choice, and mental preparation. Afterward, the deal closure rate increased, and the new business's sales exceeded 8 million yen in the first year.
Experience in customer service at high-end restaurants
Focused on listening attentively to business owners and wealthy foreigners and ensuring they enjoyed themselves.
Promotion of English
Focused on establishing the Mac English business and providing in-house counselling services.
Consultants for Generation Z
Focused on consulting with young business owners and executives.
Background and Personal History
Childhood and Early Years
From an early age, Ms. Takahashi was raised by her travel-loving parents (middle school teachers) with a curious personality. She loved learning new things and was enthusiastic about gym class, music, tennis, and especially English conversation, which she started at the invitation of a friend. Influenced by her parents, Mitsue enjoyed sightseeing and trying new foods while travelling. This led her to develop her own love of travel. As a child, adults regularly asked her to help out, and she often had the opportunity to look after younger children at after-school care.
University Years
Her interest in foreign countries grew steadily, and during high school and vocational school, Mitsue travelled to both Los Angeles and San Francisco in the United States. Despite concerns about language and safety, the experience of interacting with people from different cultures and trying new foods was invaluable. Additionally, through her involvement in event operations, she gained insights from front-line, operational, and management perspectives, striving to maximise customer satisfaction.
First Career
Ms. Takahashi was given the opportunity to focus on customer service in the food and beverage industry. Her natural inclination to listen to others, cultivated from a young age, was put to use in advising a diverse range of customers, including corporate executives, political figures, and affluent foreigners. Her approach of treating everyone equally, regardless of status, reputation, or ethnicity, has led to many regular customers who specifically seek her out. Mitsue continues to cherish the connections formed during this period.
Present
After being headhunted by a B2B consulting firm, she took on roles as an in-house counsellor and administrative officer. Ms. Takahashi dedicated herself to bridging the gap between senior management, including the CEO, and junior consultants. She focused on bridging the gap between management perspectives and on-site perspectives, striving to understand the intentions of both sides. Later, her previous overseas experience was recognised, and she was involved in launching a B2C English-language business. Mitsue dedicated herself to figuring out how to provide practical, real-life English in conjunction with baseball, collaborating with famous Major League Baseball players.
Toshinobu Takahashi
The Most Important Person
Takahashi's father was an office worker at an insignificant middle school. He was not a talkative person, but his relatives described him as gentle and kind. Takahashi realised that the term 'insignificant’ was incorrect when her father passed away. At the funeral, the number of attendees far exceeded the expected number, with over 500 people in attendance. Among them were many current school principals, who all expressed their gratitude, saying, “We were greatly indebted to your father during his lifetime.” Looking back now, Takahashi is deeply moved by the fact that so many people who had no business connection with her father came to pay their respects. How much must her father have cared for others and shown consideration? Having grown up watching her father's back, Takahashi reflects on the concept of selfless love and strives to serve as many people as possible.
My aim with
J Leopard
"We want to use our communication skills to build bridges between Japan and other countries around the world. We also want to develop authentic Japanese products and promote them worldwide."
Mitsue Takahashi
