Susumu Araki M.S.

Location: Japan

Susumu Araki, M.S. is a Japan-based executive coach and management consultant with decades of leadership experience across the UK, USA, Germany, Netherlands, and Switzerland. Formerly a Board Director at Ciba Geigy and COO of AKZO NOBEL Japan, he combines his corporate background with deep expertise in ontological coaching to support senior leaders in refining their clarity, presence, and performance. His coaching is grounded in the belief that lasting transformation begins with who leaders are—not just what they do.

Fluent in English and Japanese, Susumu specializes in executive development, sales coaching, and high-performing teams, drawing on frameworks like Stakeholder Centered Coaching, Conversational Intelligence, Theory U, and Strength-Based Coaching. He holds a Master of Science from Kyoto University, completed executive training at Stanford, IMD, and IESE, and is certified in Hogan, Facet5, StressScan, and various organizational culture tools. His clients include Microsoft, Cisco, GSK, Novartis, Coca-Cola, AXA, and Deloitte, and he has served as Vice President and long-time executive member of the Asia Pacific Alliance of Coaches.

Notable Engagements

• President of a pharmaceutical MNC in Japan: Strengthened communication skills, resulting in improved leadership team performance and organizational effectiveness.

• Board Director of a major IT company in Japan: Elevated executive presence, leading to stronger relationships with government officials and board members of large Japanese corporations.

• Young president of a Japanese company: Developed core leadership capabilities, enabling the transformation of the business into a profitable and sustainable enterprise.

• Investment banker: Successfully transitioned careers by identifying her deeper life mission, allowing her to contribute to society with greater purpose and fulfillment.

• Board Director of Finance at an IT giant: Adapted leadership style to regional culture, facilitating a smooth transition from a Japan-based role to a regional Asia-Pacific leadership position.

Client List

Susumu Araki has coached leaders across a broad spectrum of industries, including technology (Microsoft, Dell, Cisco, Hitachi, Fujitsu, NEC), pharmaceuticals (GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Amgen, Abbvie, Takeda), industrial and manufacturing (Asahi Glass, Agilent, Clariant, CEA, HOYA, National Instruments, Syngenta), consumer goods (Callaway Golf, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Bel, Cartier), and finance and consulting (AXA, Deloitte, ABeam Consulting). His work consistently draws praise from clients—such as the Managing Director of Microsoft Japan, who shared: “Susumu’s constructive feedback is always encouraging. He is a great listener, therefore, I am aware of what I am missing as well as what I have to do more.”