Hideaki “Hank” Akimoto

Hideaki “Hank” Akimoto is the Founder and CEO of AMS, Inc., a business succession platform dedicated to supporting Japan’s manufacturing industry. Currently serving as a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University (September 2024 – May 2025) focusing on technology management research, and as a Fellow at the Stanford Lab for Drug, Device Development and Regulatory Science (SLDDDRS) in the Department of Anesthesiology at Stanford University School of Medicine.

With over 30 years of international business development and innovation strategy experience at Yazaki Group, a leading automotive parts manufacturer, Akimoto has served as President and executive in operations across Colombia, Italy, Germany, and the United States. He demonstrated practical leadership in technology innovation and organizational transformation within global enterprises. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Open Innovation Group at Yazaki’s Silicon Valley office from 2022, focusing on next-generation mobility technology development and ecosystem building.

Akimoto holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business and Economics from Temple University Fox School of Business and completed the Young Global Leaders Program at IMD Business School. He is also an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

His current research focuses on facilitating technology transfer between the US and Asia, building innovation ecosystems, and developing sustainable business succession models. He is particularly dedicated to addressing challenges in technology transfer and next-generation talent development within the manufacturing sector.