Takehiro Umemura is currently serving as a program director at the Nippon Foundation, one of the largest private non-profit philanthropic organizations in Japan. He joined the organization in 2008. He is responsible for planning, funding, and implementing programs on peacebuilding, human resource development, as well as track 1.5-2 diplomacy in Asia. From 2012-2017, and in 2019, he was assigned to Myanmar as a deputy head to set up the liaison office, the first overseas office for the foundation, to support the peace process in the country. He was responsible for implementing humanitarian and rehabilitation programs working closely with both the Government of Myanmar and ethnic armed organizations to support conflict-affected people in the country. He received his B.A. in sport science at Waseda University in 2005 and M.A. in sport management at London Metropolitan University in 2007.