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M&A Advisory & Consulting
Executive search
Our executive search solution supports organisations across Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, and other key cities, in securing the right leaders in one of the world’s most complex recruitment markets.
Connecting like-minded leaders and employers
Cultural and language barriers, combined with a nearly 2:1 job-to-applicant ratio, are just some of the hurdles when it comes to successfully identifying, hiring and onboarding bilingual executive-level talent that can meet the expectations of global businesses in Japan.
Finding first class leaders and matching them with the right organisation is a fine art – and we’ve honed this skill over more than three decades. Individual leaders and employers trust us to understand their respective qualities, vision, and capabilities, and to connect them with like minds from across borders, informed by our experience in executive recruitment in Japan.
Through our executive recruitment in Japan, we connect the best organisations with the brightest leaders. Our solution focuses on:
- C-suite hiring
- Market-entry and start-up recruitment, including EOR services
- Strategic market expansion
- Confidential search mandates
- Bespoke projects
Executive-related content
In this research, we speak to senior business leaders from Japan and across the globe to learn about their experiences of starting a new role; including how they handled the transition, how they established credibility whilst learning....
Mike’s story with Robert Walters began more than 20 years ago when consultant David reached out to him with a lucrative opportunity for him to reconnect with the energy industry in a top c-suite role...
Jacob has been a cornerstone of EF Education First since 2004, starting with a transformative role in the company's network of English schools for children in non-English-speaking markets. Under his leadership....
Brittany Arthur is at the forefront of driving innovation through human-centered design as a business executive and the head of Design Thinking Japan. With her extensive experience...
Kei Shibata built Venture Republic Group from scratch in 2001, creating Japan’s largest online travel metasearch website Travel JP, which now has over 35 million monthly users. We sit down with Kei, now a notable leader in Japan’s travel...
Executive events
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Philip Morris Japan Commercial Leadership Program Seminar & Networking Event: 3rd Edition
On 2nd April 2025, Robert Walters Japan co-hosted the third edition of the Philip Morris Commercial Leadership Program Seminar & Networking Event, where we were joined by 20 guests who were keen to learn more about the program and culture. Mari Takayanagi, Manager of the P&C Commercial Business Part
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Top Talent Trends in Recruitment 2026
Understanding talent trends is essential for organisations navigating today’s fast-changing workforce. Each year, shifting employee expectations, evolving hiring models and advances in technology reshape how businesses attract, engage and retain people. Our latest guide explores the global talent tr
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Global Tech Skills Gap Analysis
The tech industry has experienced rapid transformation over the last few years and the demand and supply of technology talent has significantly varied. While there’s been an increase in skill adoption across the globe, there are still noticeable gaps in AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, and more, resul
Read MoreOther executive-related services
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International career management
Attract international talent with our specialist International Career Managers.
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Hiring inclusivity roadmap
Identify bias and bias in your recruitment process with our bespoke reporting solution.
Read more -
Women's talent development solutions
Help organizations within Japan build and foster the next generation of women leaders.
Read more
Our expertise
Meet your executive search experts
Alessandro Foletti
Executive Search Lead, Tokyo
With 17 years experience in Japan, Alessandro has helped some of the most prominent global companies acquire leadership and scale sales organizations.
Clive O'Brien
Commerce, Logistics & Finance, Tokyo
With almost 20 years' experience at Robert Walters, Clive has deep experience in a range of industries & currently leads Tokyo's Commerce division.
Goro Yoshimura
Sales & Marketing, B2C & Healthcare, Tokyo
With over 15 years of recruitment experience, Goro currently leads two highly successful businesses specializing in the areas of Healthcare and BtoC.
Joshua Bryan
Financial Services, HR & Legal, Tokyo
Josh leads a team of over 45 specialist recruiters in HR, Financial Services, Legal and Office Support and has spent nearly 20 years living in Japan.
Cameron McAllister
Technology & Transformation, Tokyo
Cameron is a seasoned recruitment professional with 12 years' experience at Robert Walters, leading teams specialising in the IT and tech space.
Your tailormade recruitment solution
Our specialist executive search service gives the full picture to hiring managers and prospective leaders alike. Our recruiters invest the time to deeply understand both sides’ aspirations, culture, values, and track records. In this way, we find the ‘sweet spot’ where professionals and organisations perfectly align.
The result? Employers and prospective leaders can confidently cherry pick the choice that is right for them.
Unlock the potential of a nationwide network for executive recruitment in Japan and beyond. Elevate your search with our tailormade solutions.
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FAQs
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What are the current trends in executive search in Japan?
Current trends in executive search in Japan reflect a shift toward greater strategic alignment, specialised expertise, and cross-border leadership. Organisations in Tokyo, Osaka, and other key cities are increasingly prioritising candidates with proven digital, transformation, and change-management capabilities to navigate evolving market demands. There’s also stronger emphasis on diversity and inclusive leadership, with firms seeking executives who can lead multicultural teams and foster innovation. Another trend is the rising importance of succession planning, where companies work proactively with executive search partners to build leadership pipelines rather than filling roles reactively. Additionally, international experience and language skills are often highly valued, especially in Japan’s globalised business environment. As a result, executive search is becoming more consultative and data-informed, with firms leveraging market insights, assessments, and strategic talent mapping to identify and engage top leaders. -
Why do Tokyo and Osaka have the highest demand for executive search?
Tokyo and Osaka have the highest demand for executive search in Japan because they are the country’s two most important business and commercial centres. Both cities are home to a large concentration of major Japanese corporations, multinational companies, and regional headquarters, making them focal points for strategic decision-making and leadership activity. Tokyo plays a central role in finance, technology, and global corporate management, while Osaka is a key hub for manufacturing, life sciences, and commercial industries. Together, Tokyo and Osaka account for a significant share of Japan’s corporate leadership roles and high-impact business functions. As organisations in both cities continue to grow, transform, and compete internationally, the demand for experienced senior leaders remains consistently strong compared to other regions.