Who We Are

Global + Local = Glocal

GLocal Insight’s research and consultation services are driven by its staff.

Below, we are pleased to introduce the core members of our team, each of whom combines a wealth of experience with solid problem-solving and communications skills.

Team Japan

Kensuke Nakamura
Founding Partner

After initially starting in banking, Kensuke transitioned to Japan’s domestic marketing research industry by joining a leading firm in 1997. For the next 16 years, he worked in a variety of research and consulting-related positions, his employers including another domestic firm affiliated to a leading Japanese advertising agency, and a well-known global player in the marketing research industry. In December of 2013, he co-founded GLocal Insight.

When working for the global player, in addition to being mainly responsible for B2B and B2C research projects both within Japan and overseas, Kensuke also acted in support of numerous market-entry initiatives. He also assisted many well-known Japanese firms with their establishment of local offices throughout Southeast Asia. With his previous employer, he held the positions of Brand Communications & Solutions Practice Leader, Sales Development Department Leader, New Technology & Business Development Leader, and Global Account Director, etc.

In addition to his extensive network of contacts both domestic and international, Kensuke has lots of experience in solving problems for clients in numerous industries. He also has much hands-on experience on the research frontlines. That experience includes using a broad range of quantitative and qualitative research methods, from the most traditional to the most modern.

DOB: February 14th, 1969

Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from the Department of Politics, Faculty of Law, Keio University
  • Master of Business Administration in International Business from Aoyama Gakuin University

Languages: Japanese & English

Memberships: ESOMAR Individual Member, Supporting Individual Member of the Japan Marketing Research Association.

Sei Shiba
Founding Partner
Sei first arrived in Japan from China in the early 1990s. His subsequent marketing-related career was then greatly influenced by the work that he did on a series of television documentaries on China that was commissioned by NHK (Japan’s national broadcaster). His involvement in that project allowed him to both visit every region of China and to meet broad cross-sections of society.

Sei has been involved in marketing research and consulting for approximately 20 years. Focusing on the Chinese market, he has covered numerous different industries and topics including automobiles, cosmetics, household appliances, logistics, media, social values and lifestyles, etc.

Based on their segmentation by age cohort and region of residence, Sei has a special interest in Chinese consumers with respect to their social values, lifestyles and consumption habits.

DOB: December 19th, 1964

Education:

  • Sei is a graduate of the Dalian University of Foreign Languages

Languages: Chinese & Japanese

Career Highlights:

  • China Team Leader, Soken Co., Ltd.
  • Senior Manager, Nielsen Japan
  • Sales Planning Division Manager, Dentsu Research
  • Deputy Managing Director, Dentsu Top (Shanghai)
  • Managing Director, C-insight Beijing
James Hodges
Partner – Web Strategy

First arriving in Japan in 1990, James started his career at a major Japanese research firm where he assisted in the establishment of the company’s international business. He subsequently worked as a research account manager/client liaison. In that position, he was responsible for both inbound surveys conducted throughout Asia, and research projects undertaken in North America and Europe that were commissioned by Japanese clients. Qualitative and quantitative domains he has handled include pharmaceuticals, beverages, medical devices, financial products, tourism and personal care. In 2000, he established his own consultancy and translation business through which he assisted numerous overseas firms with their Japan-entry strategies. He joined GLocal Insight in December of 2016.

DOB: January 5th, 1967

Education:

  • James received his bachelor’s degree in Japanese politics from the Australian National University.
  • He also holds an MBA in marketing and international business from the University of New England in Australia.

Languages: English & Japanese

Junko Fujii
Research Director/Moderator

After graduating from university in 1997, Junko worked for a total of 16 years at a domestic marketing research firm affiliated to a leading advertising agency, a well-known global player in the marketing research industry, and then Japan’s largest marketing researcher. In April of 2014, she went freelance.

When employed by the global player in marketing research, Junko gained a wealth of experience via the numerous qualitative and quantitative projects she managed. More recently, however, in focusing more closely on the qualitative domain, she has sharpened her skills in planning and analysis, while also working as a moderator/facilitator.

During her career, Junko has handled accounts and projects that traverse many domains, among which are cosmetics, general household goods, foodstuffs, beverages, automobiles, mobile phones, tobacco products, pharmaceuticals, supermarket and convenience store logistics, retail, finance, housing, and the public policy sector, etc.

Education:

  • Junko is a graduate in marketing from the Department of Information and Culture, College of Contemporary Society, Kinjo Gakuin University.

Languages: Japanese

Team China

Peggy Pang
Country MD/China
Peggy joined our Beijing Office as Country Managing-Director in November of 2016. In that role, she is responsible for the projects we undertake throughout China.

Having moderated more than 5000 focus groups and home visits mainly in the cosmetics domain over her career of almost 20 years, Peggy has gained extensive experience as a qualitative researcher and moderator. She has also had the opportunity to manage many user surveys undertaken in the automotive, foodstuffs and media domains. Additionally, Peggy has also worked closely with numerous cosmetics firms and automobile manufacturers in the conducting of research regarding consumer values and lifestyles, and the acceptability of proposed product packages and designs.

Furthermore, in having previously worked as a Planning Division Manager, Peggy has a lot of experience in the planning of quantitative research. What is more, she can advise clients on the planning and fieldwork management of both Chinese qualitative and quantitative studies, as well as being on hand to report on the results.

Education:

  • Peggy is a graduate of the Renmin University of China.
Yu Da
Research Manager
We welcomed Yu Da to the GLocal Insight team as China Research Manager in November of 2016. In that role, she is responsible for overseeing our Chinese fieldwork operations.

In addition to Chinese, Yu Da is both fluent in Japanese and well-versed in the nation’s culture. So far in her career, she has worked closely with numerous Japanese clients. She also possesses the necessary skills to manage all phases of the research process.

Over recent years, Yu Da has managed a broad range of research studies, such involving cosmetics, automobiles, personal care items, advertising copy, brand penetration, and concept and packaging acceptability tests.

Education:

  • Yu Da is a graduate of both Shenyang University in China and St. Thomas University of Osaka.

Languages:

  • Chinese & Japanese

CONTACT US

We are always happy to hear from people. Please feel free to contact us regarding anything whatsoever to do with your marketing research needs in China or Japan.

Just fill out the simple form on the right, and then click the send button.

TOKYO HEADQUARTERS

2-14-1-403 Nihonbashi Kayabacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan 103-0025

+81-3-5643-5596

New York Glocal Insight US LLC.

369 Lexington Ave, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017

CONTACT US

  • We are always happy to hear from people. Please feel free to contact us regarding anything whatsoever to do with your marketing research needs in China or Japan.
  • Just fill out the simple form below, and then click the send button.
TOKYO HEADQUARTERS

2-14-1-403 Nihonbashi Kayabacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan 103-0025

+81-3-5643-5596
New York Glocal Insight US LLC.

369 Lexington Ave, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017