Atsuyo Miller

Consultant | Japan Team

 

 

 

Tell me about the Skipping Stone Japan team?

AM: We have an innovative, analytical team with combination of strategy experts, market research capabilities, project managers and implementation resources.  The Japan team was built to provide the array of services Skipping Stone is known for and has a focus on making clients successful and happy.

Our newest team members bring some valuable skills.  Tomio has years of experience helping US companies enter the Japan markets as well as helping Japan companies enter US markets.  Kaoru has market research as well as translation skills being fluent in both English and Japanese. Lisa has spent years in the Japan financial markets which will be an invaluable skill as the energy financial market begins to develop.  I personally manage the market research initiatives, translation projects and work on client engagements, primarily with US retailers or technology companies entering Japan.

In addition to our new team members, we have people in the existing Japan team that have been working on bringing US retailers to Japan, as well as working on Japan’s wholesale market design. We are also working with a growing number of Japanese clients who are seeking to invest in US energy opportunities.

How does Skipping Stone keep up with all the changes going on in the Japan energy markets?

AM: We do an extensive amount of energy market research.  For non-Japanese clients, we convert that research into English and provide the analysis and experienced perspective in a series of monthly reports to help them make sense of the many changes.  In addition, our CEO Peter Weigand, and Managing Director, Sam Matsumoto spend time with regulators and university professors who are involved in various committees providing a US or international market perspective.

What kind of projects is the Japan team involved in?

AM: One of the things I like about working here is the wide diversity of clients and projects.  To highlight a couple, Skipping Stone has;

• Helped several US retail energy companies enter the Japan retail market
• Helped US energy technology companies modify and localize their systems to meet Japan market requirements
• Developed and implemented innovation programs for Japan utilities that have led to them investing in emerging technologies outside of Japan
• Working with Japan leaders to help shape the coming wholesale market design
• Assisted several large Japanese companies with their investments and acquisitions in US and EU companies
• Helped a biomass wood pellet supplier enter the Japan market

Thank you for your time, Atsuyo.  We appreciate your efforts working out of our Skipping Stone Los Angeles, CA Office.

For more information about our growing team or to connect with one of our offices, email Atsuyo Miller at amiller@skippingstone.com.