Honorary President SEM Kojiro Shiraishi

Japanese Ambassador to Switzerland.

President Herbert Haag

Founder and President of Re-insurance PartnerRe Ltd. (retired).
Director of Swiss Re (until 1993) and Director of Swiss Re business unit in Japan (1975-1984).

Vice President Kyoko Ginsig

Teacher of Japanese language and calligraphy.
Japanese narration and recitation.
Intercultural communication and translation in Japanese and German.
Born and raised in Japan and since 1983 in Switzerland.

Managing Director Marianne Häni-Lerch

Translator’s diploma, textile artist and family manager.
During the past years, intensive studies of Japanese language and culture.

Tomoko Kobayashi

Executive Director Wealth Management UBS Switzerland AG, Zurich, since 2007.
Capital Markets and Private Banking Nikko Bank (Switzerland) AG and Mizuho Bank (Switzerland) AG (1989 – 2007).
Bachelor of Arts, International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan.
CFA – Chartered Financial Analyst.

Treasurer Michael Schmid

Senior Information Technology Project Manager, Treasurer/Webmaster.
Married to a Japanese national.

Satoshi Sugimoto

Director External Communications – Europe/Asia, Novartis International AG (2019- )
Deputy Head Communication Switzerland, Novartis International AG  (2007- 2018).
Head of Group Communications, Japan/Emerging Growth Markets, Novartis International AG (2004-2007).
Brand Manager, Novartis Animal Health KK, Tokyo (2000-2001).
Communications Officer, CIBA-GEIGY Japan Ltd., Tokyo und Takarazuka (1994-1997).

Prof. Dr. Hans Bjarne Thomsen

Professor at the University of Zurich. Chair of the East Asian Art History Section.
Dissertation on Ito Jakuchu from Princeton University.
Born in Kyoto and grew up in Japan and Denmark.

Dr. Khanh Trinh

Curator for Japan and Korea at Museum Rietberg.

Curator and lecturer for japanese art in Berlin, Tokyo and Sydney.