Backstory

As a second-generation Japanese American, I was born and raised in rural California, the daughter of Japanese farming immigrants from Nara. Working on our family farm from a young age wasn’t easy, but it instilled in me a deep appreciation for the value of hard work and resilience. My parents arrived in the U.S. with little money and no English skills, yet with the support of their community and unwavering determination, they built one of America’s largest wholesale flower businesses. Their entrepreneurial spirit shaped my own career path, and as a venture capitalist, I hope to play a small role in helping other founders realize their dreams—just as my parents did.

A side project or hobby you’re obsessed with?

Empowering women and advancing gender equity have been central to my life’s mission. I’m a passionate believer in “Womenomics” and in the transformative power of women’s education as the ‘silver bullet’ for solving many of the world’s most pressing challenges. One of the initiatives closest to my heart is the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh, which provides women from underserved communities with a world-class education and the tools to become future leaders. I’m also proud to support organizations that strengthen U.S.-Japan ties, such as the U.S.-Japan Council, and to advocate for environmental causes through my involvement with The Nature Conservancy.

About Kathy

Prior to co-founding MPower Partners, I spent 26 years at Goldman Sachs Japan, where I served as Vice Chair and Chief Japan Equity Strategist. Before that, I was the Japan Strategist at Barclays for four years. My research career focused on structural reform themes in Japan—including corporate governance, sustainability, and diversity—long before they became mainstream investment topics. My 1999 Womenomics research spurred the Japanese government to promote gender diversity, and my 2020 book, How to Nurture Female Employees, offered practical advice for companies looking to develop diverse talent. I graduated from Harvard University and first came to Japan as a Rotary Scholar, with no plans to stay long term. But fate had other ideas. During graduate school at Johns Hopkins SAIS, I returned to Japan for a summer internship at Mitsui Bank, where I met my future husband. That experience changed my life and ultimately led to a move to Japan and a career in finance.

At MPower, I’m privileged to work alongside bold, purpose-driven entrepreneurs and a team that shares a passion for creating impact. I continue to learn and be inspired every day. Outside of work, I enjoy contemporary art, yoga, traveling with my husband and two children, and wandering around Tokyo with our two dogs.