Photographic portrait of Nobuko Kobayashi
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Nobuko Kobayashi

EY Asia-Pacific Strategy Execution Leader

Multi-cultural thought leader in Japan. Connector and relationship builder. Embodies a bridge that connects Japan with the outside world. Specializes in the Consumer sector.

Nobuko co-leads the EY-Parthenon Consumer practice in Japan, advising C-suite clients in consumer industry both from Japanese and multinational companies. Her consulting topics include growth strategy, organizational strategy and corporate development (M&A).

Given her background as an activist fund analyst, she provides a shareholder’s perspective. Her cross-border work and educational experience gives her the unique ability to cross the cultural gap which often hinders multinational companies operating in Japan or Japanese companies operating overseas.

Prior to joining EY in 2018, Nobuko served Japanese and multinational clients at a strategy consulting firm for over a decade. Outside consulting, she also has corporate development experience. She shares her views on a range of topics from corporate governance to gender diversity on various media outlets, including Nikkei Asian Review and Bloomberg.

Nobuko earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a master’s degree in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics from the University of Tokyo.

How Nobuko is building a better working world

“I help my clients make sense of the fast-changing world, eliminating noise from signals, then helping them choose the best course of action. In this fast-moving world, my writing and public speaking roles give me an opportunity to stop and think. I try to give back my analysis to the community. Meeting new people through my media work is a delight; I care about connecting people and staying connected. I enjoy keeping in touch with clients after and in between projects. Indeed, I regard some of them as my good friends.”

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