Akinori Sugai is executive director of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) in Tokyo. He oversees the Foundation's departments of human resources, financial operations, communications and information technology, facilities management and other administrative operations. Currently, he is in the process of revamping the SPF's education and training HRM system due to a merger with an affiliated organization. Since he began his human resources career in 1994, Akinori has concentrated all his efforts on strengthening organizational management and developing better foundational culture. Prior to the SPF, he worked for the Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese multinational corporation, to promote the development of the Chinese market for musical instruments and professional audio equipment. Akinori then worked for the Nippon Foundation, the largest philanthropic organization in Japan and the SPF's parent organization. Primarily, he took initiative as manager to carry out reforms in the Foundation's operating support and HRM systems. He also completed various grants and projects in the fields of education, social justice, environment and community development in Japan and internationally. He serves as a treasurer and a member on the board of directors for the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA in Washington, DC. He also serves as a member of the board for several organizations in Japan. He holds a B.A. in international and area studies from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies