Our Team

Kentarō Tsurushima, born in Osaka in 1976. After graduating from Keio University with a degree in Policy Management, he joined IBM Japan and worked as a sales representative in the finance sector. Having spent his middle and high school years in the United States, he developed a desire to "spread the values and culture of Japan through business." To realize this aspiration, he transitioned to a major Japanese food wholesale joint trading group in the U.S. in 2004. From 2005 to 2011, he served as the purchasing manager for the company, involved in exports from Japan and imports into the U.S., as well as product development in the food business, handling a total of 4,000 products in the U.S. market.

In 2011, he became the company's vice president and branch manager, responsible for managing the New York branch. He led various new business initiatives, including expanding sales channels, launching an e-commerce site, developing retail locations, establishing new branches, and optimizing logistics.

With the motto "Creating the Future of Japan-U.S. Business," he founded Canvas Creative Group in 2020. Utilizing the diverse experiences and connections he has built in New York, he engages in launching businesses and managing projects across various fields. His roles include:

• Advisor for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' platform project and U.S. export support
• New York representative for Fukuoka Prefecture
• Coordinator for the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Small and Medium Enterprises Overseas Expansion Local Support Platform
• U.S. agent for the All Japan Rice and Rice-related Food Export Promotion Council (ZENBEI YUSHO)
• WSET sake instructor at the Sake School of America
• Board member of Keio Academy of New York

Kanako Tsurushima, born in Tokyo in 1976. During high school, she studied abroad at Aspen High School in Colorado, USA. After graduating from Aoyama Gakuin University with a degree in International Political Economy, she joined IBM Japan, where she worked in global finance sales, focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises and remarketing. In 2001, she received the Outstanding New Sales Award in her division.

In 2005, she moved to the United States. While raising three children, she has embraced the mission of bridging the U.S. and Japan, engaging in training and coaching programs for Japanese companies in the U.S. and conducting seminars for job seekers, primarily in New York.

With the aim of promoting international understanding in Japan and fostering youth to thrive globally, she has been involved in planning and managing various international exchange programs over the past 15 years. In April 2020, she founded Canvas Creative Group, where she serves as the vice president.

• Advisor for the non-profit organization Utrek (UTREK)