Events & Engagements
Japan Mental Health Well-being Leadership Coalition
Upcoming Events
November 14, 2025
An Evening of Traditional Japanese Arts – Noh and Kabuki Theater
Performance | Hosted by Carnegie Hall
Location: New York, NY
January 2026
Global Wellbeing
Panel Discussion | Hosted by New York City Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Location: New York, NY
***Exact Date Coming Soon***
Interested in Attending an Event?
Please contact Haruka Kokaze at haruka.kokaze@onemind.org for more information.
Past Events
September 28, 2025
Integrating Culture into Corporate Mental Health: Supporting Japanese Expatriates and Their Families in the U.S.
Symposium | Hosted by World Association of Cultural Psychiatry & Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists
Location: Tokyo, Japan
September 30, 2025
Mental Health Support for Japanese Expatriates and Their Families
Panel Discussion | Hosted by Mitsubishi UFJ Americas Holdings Corporation
Location: New York, NY
July 2025
Facilitating with Care: Culturally Responsive Approaches for Engaging Japanese Students
Workshop | Hosted by Stanford School of Medicine
Location: Stanford, CA
July 2025
Mental Health and Well-being Support for Japanese Young Professionals: From Students to Early-Career Employees
Workshop | Hosted by Stanford School of Medicine & GPI
Location: Stanford, CA
June 2025
Listening Between the Lines: Harnessing AI for Mental Health Care
Panel Discussion | Hosted by Silicon Valley Japan Platform
Location: Los Altos, CA
May 2025
Culturally Competent Mental Health for AAPI and Latinx Employees
Panel Discussion | Hosted by Visa Inc.
Location: New York, NY
May 22, 2025
Mental Health Matters: The Corporate Role in Supporting Japanese Expatriates & Their Families
Lecture | Hosted by PASONA Group Inc.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
April 25, 2025
The Importance of Corporate Support for the Mental Health of Japanese Expatriates and Their Families
Speech / Hosted by Japanese Medical Society of America
Location: New York, NY
Ms. Haruka Kokaze delivered a speech at the Society’s Benefactors Appreciation Evening, reflecting on her ongoing efforts to advance workplace mental health for Japanese expatriates, their families, and locally hired employees in the United States. Drawing on both professional insights and personal experience, she highlighted the urgent need for Japanese subsidiaries to recognize and address the unique mental health challenges faced by expatriate communities. Ms. Kokaze emphasized that these challenges transcend generations and geographies, and underscored the importance of collaboration among corporate, academic, and nonprofit partners to build culturally relevant, evidence-based systems of support.
(Left to Right: Maki Kano-Lueckerath, President, Japanese Medical Society of America, Noriko Furuhata, Vice President of Corporate Planning Group, Office of Chief of Staff for the Americas, MUFG Bank, Ltd., Haruka Kokaze, Yutaka Nakabayashi, Chief of Staff for the Americas, MUFG Bank, Ltd.)
March 25, 2025
Empowering Women in STEM: US and Japan Perspectives
Panel Discussion | Hosted by The Japanese American Association of New York
Location: New York, NY
Ms. Haruka Kokaze served as emcee for the panel discussion held in celebration of International Women’s Month. Ambassador Mikio Mori delivered the opening remarks, and the event welcomed more than 60 participants to explore how to advance women’s participation in science and technology across the United States and Japan. The panel featured Dr. Angeliki Diane Rigos and Dr. Saori Watanabe, who spoke candidly about overcoming systemic challenges such as salary disparities, the glass ceiling, and balancing career and family. Dr. Maki Kano-Lueckerath moderated the discussion, highlighting the importance of both familial and institutional support in empowering women in STEMM. The event offered an opportunity to examine cultural and structural differences in gender expectations, underscore the role of mentorship and networking, and emphasize the need for leadership training and organizational commitment, reinforcing the importance of U.S.-Japan collaboration in creating supportive environments for women in STEMM careers.
(Left to Right: Haruka Kokaze, Maki Kano-Lueckerath, President, Japanese Medical Society of America, Saori Watanabe, Researcher, Eisai Co., Ltd., Angeliki Diane Rigos, Founder and President, Epistimi, Ambassador Mikio Mori, Consul-General of Japan in New York, Consulate General of Japan, New York)
Read a recap of the event from the Japanese Medical Society of America
March 21, 2025
Beyond the Title: Insights on Career Fulfillment for Japanese and Japanese-American Young Professionals
Panel Discussion | Hosted by The Japanese American Association of New York
Location: New York, NY
Ms. Haruka Kokaze served as emcee and moderated a fireside chat featuring Mr. Ryu Goto, a renowned violinist who transitioned into a career as a martial arts instructor, and Mr. Naoki Yaguchi, the first Japanese American to attain the rank of New York Police Department Inspector who has since become an attorney. The conversation explored themes of identity, discipline, resilience, and the pursuit of fulfillment beyond professional titles. Both speakers reflected on how luck, challenges, and personal choices shaped their unique paths. The event brought together more than 70 Japanese and Japanese American young professionals and their guests, who engaged in reflecting on their own career journeys, future aspirations, and the importance of mental health in the workplace.
(Left to Right: Haruka Kokaze, Naoki Yaguchi, Associate Attorney, The Law Offices of Nicole J. Zuvich, P.C., Ryu Goto, Founder, Japanese American Budokan)
Read a recap of the event from The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York Blog
March 12, 2025
Mental Health Matters: The Corporate Role in Supporting Japanese Expatriates & Their Families
Webinar | Hosted by The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York & Japanese Medical Society of America
Location: New York, NY
Ms. Haruka Kokaze, the 2024 Mitsui USA Foundation-JMSA Scholarship recipient, led a webinar alongside Dr. Kathy Pike and Dr. Robert Yanagisawa. The program combined academic insights, personal narratives, and practical strategies to equip Japanese subsidiaries in the United States with evidence-based tools for creating more supportive and resilient workplaces. The speakers shared personal stories – Dr. Yanagisawa’s experience growing up in an expatriate family decades ago, Dr. Pike’s reflections as an American expatriate in Japan, and Ms. Kokaze’s recent experience as the daughter of Japanese expatriate parents – underscoring that expatriate mental health challenges persist across generations and geographies. The event also featured a recorded message from Ms. Paola Campos, General Manager of Human Resources at Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc., affirming the company’s commitment to workplace mental health. More than 70 participants from the United States, Japan, Brazil, Singapore, and Australia attended, representing multinational corporations, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations, with many noting that the session not only provided evidence-based strategies but also validated their lived experiences.
(Left to Right: Haruka Kokaze, Kathy Pike, Masaaki Maeda, Vice President, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, Robert Yanagisawa, Professor of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)
(Pictured above: Paola Campos, General Manager of Human Resources, Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc.)
Read a recap of the event from the Japanese Medical Society of America
February 5, 2025
Mental Health and Workplace Well-being
Panel Discussion | Hosted by The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Dr. Kathy Pike spoke on a panel about the critical role of mental health in the workplace, joined by Ms. Vickie Skorji. She highlighted how leadership transparency can transform workplace culture by fostering trust, encouraging employees to seek support, and strengthening psychological safety. The discussion further emphasized that while many companies acknowledge the importance of mental health, few implement structured, evidence-based strategies that create meaningful change. Burnout, the panel noted, is not just an individual issue but an organizational one that affects employees at every level. Dr. Pike noted that companies must therefore take proactive steps to prevent stress and exhaustion and to promote long-term well-being.
(Left to Right: Michael Glazer, Vice Chair of the Human Resource Management Committee, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Dr. Kathleen Pike, One Mind CEO, Vickie Skorji, Lifeline Director, TELL Japan, Tom Pedersen, Vice Chair of the Human Resource Management Committee, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan)
November 16, 2024
Health Management for Expatriates: Thriving Physically and Mentally While Working Abroad
Webinar | Hosted by Japan Medical Association in Texas & Japan Business Association of Houston
Location: Houston, TX
Ms. Haruka Kokaze spoke at a webinar alongside Dr. Eri Ibaragi and Ms. Ami Kawaguchi. The discussion examined both the opportunities and challenges of overseas assignments for Japanese expatriates, noting that while such placements can offer invaluable career growth, they often come with significant mental health stressors. The panel highlighted challenges including cultural and language barriers, workplace pressures, social expectations, and family adjustment struggles. It also stressed the importance of extending mental health support beyond expatriates to their families, who often face career disruption, identity challenges, and difficulties adapting to new environments. The program concluded by affirming that caring for mental health is just as vital as achieving professional success, and that seeking help reflects strength, not weakness.
View a recording from the event
(Left to Right: Hideki Shimada, Director of Houston, Japan External Trade Organization, Eri Ibaragi, Occupational Physician and Anesthesiologist, Ami Kawaguchi, Dietitian, Memorial Hermann Health System, Haruka Kokaze)
October 31, 2024
Global Workforce Development: Leadership, Strategy, and Culture for a Resilient Future
Panel Discussion | Hosted by U.S.-Japan Council
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Dr. Kathy Pike spoke on a panel about why mental health must be recognized as a strategic priority for high-performing companies worldwide, particularly in Japan. The session, moderated by Dr. Curtiss Takada Rooks, also featured contributions from Dr. Hiroyuki Fujita, Ms. Yumiko Noda, and Mr. Gino Gordon. Together, the panel explored how mental health, belonging, and sustainability will shape the future of work in Japan and beyond. Dr. Pike emphasized that mental health is not simply a matter of employee well-being but a fundamental driver of organizational performance, innovation, and global competitiveness. The discussion reinforced the message that prioritizing mental health, alongside belonging and sustainability, is essential for companies seeking to thrive in 2050 and beyond.
(Left to Right: Curtiss Takada Rooks, Assistant Professor of Asian and Asian American Studies, Loyola Marymount University, Yumiko Noda, Chairman & Representative Director, Veolia Japan GK, Dr. Kathleen Pike, One Mind CEO, Hiroyuki Fujita, Founder & CEO, Quality Electrodynamics, LLC, and Gino Gordon, Chief Strategy Officer, Red Phoenix Entertainment)
October 30, 2024
High Performance Companies Today: Why Mental Health is an Essential Strategic Priority
Panel Discussion | Hosted by Asia Society
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Dr. Kathy Pike delivered a keynote address on why mental health must be recognized as a strategic priority for high-performing companies worldwide, particularly in Japan. She noted that Japan’s distinctive workplace dynamics present both challenges and opportunities for organizations seeking to attract and retain top talent. Introducing the 3P Framework – Protection, Promotion, and Provision – Dr. Pike outlined a model for creating healthier and more productive work environments. She also emphasized the strategic benefits of investing in mental health, from strengthening employee engagement to reducing turnover and driving innovation. The event underscored that mental health is not simply an employee benefit, but a fundamental driver of business growth, resilience, and long-term success.
(Left to Right: Jesper Koll, Chair of the Policy Committee, Asia Society, and Kathleen Pike, One Mind CEO)
October 29, 2024
Workforce Mental Health and Well-Being Cocktail Event
Webinar | Hosted by One Mind at Work, Columbia University, Heidrick & Struggles, and Pasona N A.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
One Mind co-hosted a convening at the Hotel Okura in collaboration with Columbia University, Heidrick & Struggles Japan, and Pasona NA, Inc. This event marked the inaugural launch of the Japan Mental Health and Well-being Leadership Coalition and brought together more than 60 senior leaders – including CHROs, executives, and in-house industrial physicians – from over 50 companies to address the growing importance of workplace mental health in Japan. Dr. Kathy Pike emphasized the urgent need for a scientific, strategic, and community-driven approach to workplace mental health, introducing the 3Ps Framework – Protection, Promotion, and Provision – as a comprehensive model for advancing well-being in organizations. Dr. Tsuyoshi Akiyama further urged a shift in mindset and encouraged companies to view employees facing mental health challenges as assets rather than burdens. The program underscored the urgency of Japan’s workforce challenges, including a shrinking labor pool, low employee engagement, and significant economic losses tied to mental health issues. As one of the first convenings of its kind to bring together U.S. and Japanese leaders around workplace mental health, the event signaled a new era of collaboration dedicated to embedding mental health into corporate strategy and workplace culture.
(Left to Right: Haruka Kokaze, Tsuyoshi Akiyama, President, World Federation for Mental Health, Dr. Kathleen M. Pike, Steven Greenberg, Partner-in-Charge, Japan, Heidrick & Struggles Japan, Kenji Furushiro, President & CEO, PASONA NA, Inc.)
August 20, 2024
Navigating Global Business in New York City
Panel Discussion | Hosted by The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York (JCCI)
Ms. Haruka Kokaze participated in a special program where she shared her experiences growing up within the Japanese expatriate communities of New York, Houston, and London. She emphasized the tremendous opportunity and responsibility of Japanese subsidiaries to proactively support the mental health and well-being of expatriates and their families. Ms. Kokaze also reflected on how this background has shaped her professional journey while engaging in dialogue with visiting students from Chuo University in Japan. This discussion prompted the students to reflect on the importance of mental health as they prepare to enter the workforce.
(Left to Right: David Ernst, Senior Gala Consultant, JCCI, Haruka Kokaze (One Mind), Masaaki Maeda, Vice President, JCCI)
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