Our Team

Dr. Satohiro Akimoto

Chairman and President

Dr. Satohiro Akimoto is chairman of the board and president of Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA (Sasakawa USA). He joined the organization in January 2019 and brings with him experience in the areas of business, research, dialogue, and exchanges between Japan and the United States.

Prior to joining Sasakawa USA, Dr. Akimoto was senior vice president of Mitsubishi Corporation, and his career has included roles at Mitsubishi International Corporation, Hughes Electronics, DirecTV Japan, Massachusetts Corporation for Educational Telecommunications, Keidanren USA, Japan Society and Mt. Fuji Dialogue.

On top of his responsibilities at Sasakawa USA, Dr. Akimoto is a contributing writer for The Japan Times, associate fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in the UK, a contributing commentator for the Okazaki Institute in Japan, and a Japan Advisory Committee member of the Salzburg Global Seminar in Austria.

Dr. Akimoto received a PhD in sociology and a MA in East Asian studies from Harvard University, as well as a BA in law from Keio University. He also received a certificate in Russian studies from Leningrad State University (currently St. Petersburg State University).