Our Executives

STAFF PROFILES

Founder and CEO / Yu Kato

Born in 1985. After graduating from the Department of Education at Tokyo University, he joined Recruit Agent Co. Ltd. in April 2007, as a recruiting advisor specializing in supporting mid-career recruitment within the consumer goods and service industries. In 2013, he co-founded Neural Inc. and was involved in setting up a CSR and sustainability specialist media channel. After leaving Neural, he established Harch Inc. in December 2015. Licensed Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Practitioner, authorized by The Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Company Director / Takahiro Amano

Born in 1984. After graduating from the Department of Education at Tokyo University, he joined Mizuho bank where he was responsible for corporate sales. After leaving Mizuho bank, he founded web consultancy agency Lea Co. Ltd. and was involved in web marketing support for over 200 businesses, from ones listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange to smaller venture companies. In 2010, he was appointed as a member of the Deliberative Promotion Committee for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, aside from his day job, taking part in the planning for the education policy formation symposium for public-private industry. In February 2017, he sold off Lea Co. Ltd. and joined Harch.

Company Director / Tomoyo Matsuda

Born in 1984. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at Hitotsubashi University, she joined Benesse Corporation in April 2007 and engaged in marketing,editing, and planning the communication service for the education business. She joined Harch Inc. as a short-time regular employee in 2019 and engaged in planning and editing the content for the owned web media. She also engaged in promoting projects, planning events, and supporting creating content for companies to solve social issues in corporate sustainability support projects. She was involved in the promotion of sustainability management of Harch Inc. and became a director in April 2022. She is a mother of three children.

Company Director / Keisuke Kikuchi

Born in 1987. After graduating from the School of Business at Aoyama Gakuin University, he joined paperboy&co. (presently GMO Pepabo, Inc.) After leaving paperboy&co., he joined Lea Co. Ltd., a web consulting company, where he was involved in web marketing support for a variety of industries from Human Resources to EC. He is one of the founding members of Harch and oversees advertising sales for its media and new business development. He became an executive member in Oct. 2018.

Director and Chief Design Officer / Yuko Nagano

After studying design at Tokyo University of the Arts, she joined Hakuhodo Inc. in 2016. As an art director, she worked not only in advertising communication but also extensively in branding and service development. Her approach has centered on the theme of creating “designs that are not consumed quickly but loved for a long time.” Going forward, she aims to contribute further through the power of design toward creating a society where all beings, including those who struggle to raise their voices, such as marginalized people and animals, are respected. Recognizing the significant impact media has on society, she is also focused on expanding its influence through design. In October 2024, she was appointed Chief Design Officer.

Outside Director / Yutaka Hara

Hara joined American Express International Inc. in April 1984, where he worked in sales and marketing. After working for a direct marketing company of J. Walter Thompson, Hara joined Members Co. Ltd. in September 1999. In October 2012, he established Engagement First, a Member’s subsidiary company, where he became CEO. He joined Harch Inc. as outside director in November 2019.