Each transaction is led and managed by a team of seasoned executives with credentials from globally recognized investment banks, financial institutions, Big 4 accounting firms, corporate valuation advisory firms and strategy consulting firms.
Hidehito “Jake” Kanai joined Takenaka Partners in 2020 and has been in his current role since April 2024. Before joining Takenaka Partners, Mr. Kanai spent three years working as a Partner in the Assurance and Outsourcing Services Group at Singer Lewak, specializing in rendering financial statement audits under US GAAP/JGAAP/IFRS, attestation services such as J-SOX audit, M&A due diligence, and business process outsourcing and leading the business development activities of the Asia Practice. Prior to that he spent ten years in Japan, first working as a Minority Owner, COO, and CFO at Capital Servicing Group – Asia and then working as the Executive Director of Sales Management at CBRE Japan K.K. Mr. Kanai first began his career at KPMG LLP in the Los Angeles and Mountain View offices, as a Partner in the Assurance and Advisory Service Group, servicing high-tech, manufacturing, and consumer market clients. Mr. Kanai received his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of California and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the California Board of Accountancy.
Joseph Kim joined Takenaka Partners in January 2005, and has extensive experience in investment banking, financial advisory, and strategic planning. Mr. Kim’s prior experience includes serving as a Director at Marshall & Stevens and as an Associate at Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin (HLHZ). As a Director at Marshall & Stevens, Mr. Kim managed valuation and consulting engagements for merger & acquisition, fairness opinions, and SEC related purposes. Prior to that, as an Associate at HLHZ, he managed mid-sized investment banking transactions, financial restructuring, and fairness opinion engagements. Prior to that, as Vice President of Business Development at PeopleLink, Mr. Kim was responsible for business development, strategic planning, technology licensing, and strategic partnership initiatives. Mr. Kim received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the Walter A. Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
James Horiuchi is Managing Director and Head of the Midwest and East Coast, a role he has held since joining Takenaka Partners in May 2025. He is a seasoned M&A advisor with more than 24 years of experience, including 12 years focused on Japanese cross-border transactions. James advises Japanese corporates and U.S. middle-market companies on buy-side and sell-side acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. Prior to joining Takenaka Partners, James held senior advisory roles at boutique investment banks, including building Japan desk capabilities for inbound and outbound transactions. His sector expertise covers industrial technology, mobility, advanced materials, and specialty chemicals, with a focus on relationship-driven cross-border execution. James has lived and worked in Japan, the United States, and Europe, and brings native-level Japanese and English language fluency to client engagements. He combines deep regional networks with disciplined transaction management to deliver complex international M&A advisory. James graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with Master of Business Administration and Indiana University at Bloomington his Bachelor of Science. He is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he leads client coverage across the eastern United States.
Yoshi Fujimoto joined Yamada Consulting Group in 2007 and engaged in consulting duties. He was seconded to Nomura Securities’ Investment Banking Business Development Department for one year in 2012. He established the Cross-border M&A Department in 2017 and has since been involved in various cross-border M&A advisory services. Since being assigned to the local US office in 2020, he has been working on projects between Japan and the US.
Paul Yonamine is the Chairman of Takenaka Partners, bringing deep experience in cross-border leadership and strategic advisory roles. Mr. Yonamine also serves as the Chairman Emeritus of Central Pacific Financial Corp. (NYSE: CPF) and its subsidiary, Central Pacific Bank (CPB) and is a Member of both companies’ Boards of Directors. Mr. Yonamine has served as CEO of three high-profile firms: GCA Corporation Japan, IBM Japan Ltd., and Hitachi Consulting Co., Ltd. He was the first non-Japanese President & CEO of GCA Corporation Japan, one of Japan’s largest independent M&A advisory firms, where he led the firm’s cross-border practice. Prior to that, Mr. Yonamine served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IBM Japan, a position to which he was appointed in 2015 as the first non-Japanese to lead IBM Japan. Earlier in his career, he served as the President & Chief Executive Officer of Hitachi Consulting Co., Ltd., from 2010 to 2014, leading the firm’s expansion across Asia-Pacific. Mr. Yonamine also serves on the boards of SMBC Bank, Seven & i Holdings, and PayPay, and is an advisor to Hawaii Governor Josh Green. He is a board member of BlackSand Capital and List Co Ltd. Mr. Yonamine is a Member of the Board of Councilors of the U.S.-Japan Council and a Board Member of the Pacific International Center of High Technology Research (PICHTR). Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan and a graduate of the University of San Francisco, Mr. Yonamine is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Hawaii.
We look forward to the opportunity to serve you and your business needs.
