Hello visitors!
This is the homepage of Genta Sugihara, “GenZee” This made-up name is a combination of Gen “爺” (zee), which sound means an “old man” and Generation “Z”. I hope “GenZee” will pass on his experiences and life skills to the new generation who will create the blight future.
My name, “眼太” is a very unique name. There are some people who have the same sound of the name, but no one else in Japan who has this set of Kanji characters. The first character is “眼” – eyes. This comes from one of the characters of the book title “正法眼蔵 (Shobo Genzo)” written by Dogen Houshi, a famous monk. The second one is “太” – fat. My father named me this hoping that I will become “a person who has a wide vision to see the world”. To live up to the name, I have broadened my career and deepened my experience in the IT industry looking into the future with a wide vision of the world.
Self Introduction
I have been riding the wave in the IT industry for three decades. Through my work experience at both established companies and startups, both global and Japanese companies, I developed my key strengths – well organized, strategic thinking, relationship building and tenacious efforts. I am an ex-Google, ex-AOL, ex-Napster. I regularly go to the gym, hot springs, cruising and trekking to keep my physical and mental fitness.
In July 2023, at the age of 56, I retired from a company worker, and I hope to be free to take on new initiatives that will benefit the world.
Career Summary
- 1990 BS – Information Science, University of Tsukuba
- 1990~ CSK Inc., Senior Programmer
- 1993~ DDI Inc., all kinds of sales related jobs
- 2001~ AOL Japan Inc., Sr Manager of Network Operations, Director of MIS
- 2004~ eAccess Ltd., General Manager of AOL Contents
- 2006~ Napster Japan Inc., Director of Business Development
- 2007~ Google Inc.,
- Oct 2007, Strategic Partner Development Manager
- Feb 2009, Head of Japan Syndication & Distribution
- Sep 2010, Head of Distribution APAC
- Nov 2011, Head of Syndication APAC
- May 2012, Head of Product Specialists APAC
- Nov 2012, Director, Partner Business Solutions, Japan
- Jan 2015, Director, PBS Japan and Korea
- 2016~ Kakaku.com Inc., Executive Officer, Corporate Strategy Division
- Board Director of Money Smart Group (Singapore)
- Board Director of TabSquare (Singapore)
- Board Director of Love, Bonito (Singapore)
- 2022~ AppsFlyer Inc., Japan Country Manager
- 2023 July, semiretired and started the GenZee Project
Licenses
- Certified Chief Telecommunications Engineer Type I
- Certified Digital & Analog Installation Technician
- Certified Network Specialist
- Certified Senior Programmer
- Certified Oracle Master Silver
- TOEIC Score 870
- 2nd grade Certified Skilled Worker of Financial Planning
- Diet Instructor
- Onsen Sommelier Premium
Special Skills
- Macho
I have continued muscle training since I started in elementary school, admiring Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and others. During my collage days, I won the Kanto region National University Powerlifting Championship in the 67.5kg weight class, placing champion, and the All Kanto Student Powerlifting Championship in the 67.5kg weight class, placing 6th. Currently, I continue to balance my strength training with aerobic capacity through mountain climbing and cycling.
- Dexterous
Despite my macho body, I am dexterous with my hands. I was an all-five in arts and crafts in elementary, junior high, and high school, and won prizes in national printmaking competitions multiple times. I once won a grand prize in a arts and literature magazine. When I was a junior high school student whose summer assignment was to copy a Renaissance painting, and the work I submitted was donated by the City of Nagoya to its sister city, Nanjing. I am still good at detailed work and DIY.
- Sunny Man
I am a strong “sunny man”. On the day of an important event for me, it almost always turns out to be sunny. Even if the forecast calls for rain, it often turns out to be fine on the day of the event. Even so, it is not always sunny throughout a long trip, and of course there are rainy days as well. Rain is necessary. But sometimes it stops raining at the right time. And I believe that I am very lucky man. I have been through many crises, both public and private, but I feel that I have made it this far with the help of my good luck.
Favorite Saying
- You must be the change you want to see. (Gandhi)
- Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. (Gandhi)
- Don’t hesitant! You’ll see if you try! (Antonio Inoki)
Services
I can help you if you;
- Want to research about Japanese IT industry and its related.
- Plan to bring your services into the unique and difficult Japanese market.
- Want to develop partners/clients in Japan.
- Want to develop Japanese LPs who invest into your VC fund outside Japan.
- Need an external board member who is veteran in the IT industry in APAC.
Please contact me at: gen@genzee.jp