Announcement of the 3rd “Compliance & Leadership Forum”
— A comprehensive introduction to highly anticipated training programs supporting compliance and talent development at Japanese-affiliated companies in the U.S. —
Waterview Consulting Group will host the 3rd Compliance & Leadership Forum on Friday, January 23, 2026 (Japan time: Saturday, January 24)**.
The theme of this forum is:
“How Learning Changes the Brain and Behavior: When Learning Shifts from ‘Understanding’ to ‘Taking Action,’ Organizations Transform”
As competition in the U.S. market continues to intensify, this forum brings together a wide range of topics designed to help Japanese-affiliated companies quickly address current challenges in human resource development.
Please register using the application button below.
Background
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, investment in human capital and training opportunities at Japanese companies has declined significantly. Japan’s level of investment in human resources has fallen to approximately 1/20 of that in the U.S. and 1/30 of that in China. However, amid recent labor shortages and wage increases, the importance of talent development has once again come into focus.
In addition, since 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has required publicly listed companies to disclose information on human capital development. In California, mandatory training requirements have expanded beyond sexual harassment prevention to include workplace violence prevention training. Combined with new legal requirements related to corporate training, productivity improvements through AI utilization, and the growing need for employee education, companies now face urgent demands for action.
To help organizations respond quickly to these changes, Waterview Consulting Group hosts this forum twice a year to support human resource development at Japanese-affiliated companies in the United States. We hope this forum will provide you with an opportunity to carefully consider what types of training are available, what impact they can have, and how to strengthen your company’s talent development strategy.
Speakers
● Waterview Consulting Group (E-learning)
Eriko Imaizumi
“Why the Same Challenges for Japanese Expatriates in the U.S. Persist After 30 Years — Explained Through History, Learning, Knowledge Accumulation, and Behavior”
Why do the same challenges faced by Japanese expatriates in the U.S. continue to repeat themselves even after 30 years? Are these truly issues of “people” or “culture”? This session explores the reasons through the history of expatriates, learning and knowledge accumulation, and behavior.
Profile:
Founder and CEO of Waterview Consulting Group Inc. and organizer of the C&L Forum. She advocates for increased investment in talent development at Japanese-affiliated companies in the U.S., providing coaching to over 70 expatriate executives and offering HORENSO e-learning programs to strengthen organizational culture and skills.
● Michiki Morgan Worldwide (Organization Development)
Nozomi Morgan
“Resetting the Tired Brain: How Neuroscience Helps Leaders Reduce Doubt and Make Better Decisions”
Learn neuroscience-based methods to reset a tired brain, reduce doubt, and strengthen clarity, focus, and leadership capacity.
Profile:
Intercultural leadership expert helping global leaders grow and organizations thrive.
● WE Building by Laura Kriska (Rapid English Acquisition)
Laura Kriska
“From Anxiety to Fluency — The Neuroscience of Speaking English with Ease”
This practical program focuses not on studying English, but on leveraging how the brain works to reduce speaking anxiety and develop sustainable habits for using English naturally and confidently.
Profile:
Author of three books and contributor to Harvard Business Review. For over 30 years, she has supported the success of thousands of Japanese expatriates, helping them thrive professionally in English-speaking environments.
● Japan Consulting Office (Cross-Cultural Communication)
Saskia Rock
"Unlocking Global Efficiency: Hybrid Models for Japanese & Non-Japanese Teams"
In today’s global workplace, efficiency depends on more than technology: it’s about aligning cultural expectations. This short session explores practical strategies for creating hybrid working models that bridge Japanese and non-Japanese approaches. Learn how to balance structure with flexibility, foster trust across borders, and design workflows that truly work for diverse teams.
Profile:
Japan-focused HR Consultant & CTI-Trained Coach | Managing Director at JCO USA | Former Deloitte Japan | GLOBIS MBA | JET CIR Alumna (Ishikawa, 1997–1998)
Passionate about bridging cultures and empowering global teams through strategic HR and cross-cultural communication.
● Texas Honganji (Applying Buddhist Principles to Modern Society)
Hiroki Nishihara
“Buddhist Thinking That Brings Management to Life”
The Japanese word "keiei" (management) originates from Buddhist terminology, meaning “to govern the world’s principles as taught through sutras.” This concept goes beyond business operations. This session introduces “Buddhist thinking” practiced by global leaders.
Profile:
A former IBM global leader who successfully transitioned from a Japanese subsidiary to U.S. headquarters. After retirement, he now supports leadership development and organizational culture transformation by applying Buddhist thinking through neuroscience and psychology.
● Philosophy LLC (U.S. HR, Labor, and Insurance)
Norikazu Yamaguchi
“AI + HI: Why the Value of HR Does Not Disappear in the Age of AI — The Collaborative Model Proposed by SHRM”
The SHRM concept of “AI + HI” emphasizes that AI does not replace people but enhances human judgment, ethics, and empathy. This session explains the evolving role and value of HR in the AI era from a practical U.S. HR perspective.
Profile:
Based in Los Angeles, he has provided HR consulting services to Japanese and U.S. companies for over 20 years, covering labor relations, employee handbooks, compensation systems, insurance, and benefits, offering hands-on support to resolve client challenges.
● Imagination Improvement Institute (Stress Reduction)
Yumi Tomita
“Skills and Imagination Required in the AI Era: Insights from the World Economic Forum”
This session organizes the top skills needed in the AI era and explains how imagination influences judgment and action, along with methods for cultivating it.
Profile:
Founder of Imagination Improvement Institute, providing workshops and training for corporations and universities that also incorporate practical stress reduction techniques.
● Make Things Happen (English Pronunciation Coaching)
Yoko Watanabe
“Don’t Worry If English Is Hard! Make Life in America Easier and More Enjoyable by Starting with Pronunciation”
Designed for expatriate spouses who struggle with English, this session introduces learning methods that build listening and speaking skills naturally through pronunciation, helping participants gain confidence in being understood and understanding others.
Profile:
After graduating from university, she worked as a Delta Air Lines flight attendant for 25 years. As the only Japanese crew member on board, she developed strong English communication skills and now supports expatriate spouses in improving their quality of life in the U.S. through pronunciation-based coaching.
● Hatsuon Studio (English Pronunciation Training)
Maiko Iizuka
“Sound Confident Instantly: English Pronunciation Tips Using Breath and Rhythm”
This session delivers pronunciation tips rarely taught in school, covering:
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Whether pronunciation should be learned at all
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Where to start if you do learn it
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Differences in breath usage between English and Japanese
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Why Japanese speakers are often asked to repeat can vs. can’t
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Key pronunciation points Japanese speakers should focus on
Profile:
Founder of Hatsuon Studio, specializing in pronunciation coaching for business professionals, as well as speech coaching for international conferences and contests. She also serves as the dedicated pronunciation instructor at Sony Bridge Terminal.
● BeyondVoice Inc. (English Coaching)
Kaori Ozawa
“What People Who Can Respond Instantly in English Have in Common: Brain and Behavior Training Methods”
The difference when put on the spot is not total English ability, but retrieval speed. This session explains how to embed English “response patterns” (agreement, concerns, questions, proposals) into the brain and practice script design that enables reflexive responses in meetings.
Profile:
With 15 years of overseas business experience at Panasonic and SoftBank-affiliated companies and 11 years living abroad, she holds a TOEIC score of 945. Leveraging experience in achieving ¥1 billion in sales, she provides English coaching for executives and professionals.
Event Details
Date: Friday, January 23, 2026
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5:00–7:00 PM (U.S. Eastern Time)
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2:00–4:00 PM (U.S. Pacific Time)
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4:00–6:00 PM (U.S. Central Time)
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7:00–9:00 AM (Japan Time, Saturday, January 24)
Format: Online (Zoom)
Fee: Free
Target Audience: Executives, HR, IT, and Training Professionals
Registration
Please register using the application form here.
Schedule
5:00 – 5:20 PM EST
Opening Remarks (Waterview) – Main Room
5:25 – 5:55 PM EST
Track 1 Speakers
6:05 – 6:35 PM EST
Track 2 Speakers
6:35 – 6:55 PM EST
Game & Awards Time
6:55 – 7:00 PM EST
Closing Remarks (Waterview) – Main Room
Contact
Waterview Consulting Group Inc.
Contact: Eriko Imaizumi
Email: eriko@waterviewcoaching.com
Phone: 914-433-1447