TEAM
BOARD
Kenji Suzuki, M.D., & Ph.D.
Professor, General Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University
CEO
Graduated from National Defense Medical College in 1990. Passed the National Medical Practitioners Qualifying Examination. Resident, National Defense Medical College in 1991. Completed the US Navy Undersea Medical Officer Course in 1993. Resident, National Cancer Center Hospital East in 1995. Senior resident specialized in oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East in 1997. Attending Surgeon, Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital in 1999. Head, Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital in 2007. Professor, General Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine in 2008. Received several awards, including the Japanese Association for Chest Surgery Award, the Japanese Cancer Association's Young Investigator Award, and the Japan Lung Cancer Society's Shinoi-Kawai Award.
Koichi Suzuki Member of the Board
Founded Internet Initiative Planning Inc. and became a board member in December 1992. Took on the roles of President and CEO of Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ) in April 1994. Since then, as a pioneer of commercial Internet services in Japan, has created the new communication infrastructure market for more than 30 years. Became Chairman of the Board and CEO in June 2013 and Co-CEO in April 2021. Since 2005, has organized a music festival in Ueno, Tokyo every spring.
Atsushi Yamamoto Member of the Board
Spent over 20 years in investment banking at The Industrial Bank of Japan, Ltd. and Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. From 2015, served as Head of Global Advisory, involved in domestic and cross-border M&A transactions in the TMT sector. Appointed Executive Officer in 2017. Joined CREEK & RIVER Co., Ltd. in 2019, overseeing M&A and investment activities across the group as Head of the Office of the President and Head of the Office of the Chairman. Currently President and Director of C&R EVERLASTING STORY Co., Ltd., and also serves as a director of other group companies and investee companies.
Ryota Oike Member of the Board
A certified public accountant. After joining Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking Company in 2004, achieved the top sales performance in Japan, selling financial products to wealthy clients. Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University Graduate School of Professional Accountancy in 2009 and passed the Certified Public Accountant Examination. Joined Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC in 2010, advising megabanks, asset management firms, and major securities companies regarding the introduction of Japan and U.S. accounting standards, audit standards, and international financial reporting standards. Met Prof. Kenji Suzuki in 2023 while working as CFO of multiple venture companies, and joined Thoracentes to help achieve the world's highest medical safety standards.
CORPORATE
Jin Narita General Manager, Corporate Division
Born in Akita Prefecture. Graduated from Akita Commercial High School in 2009. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Chuo University in 2013. Joined Nittaku Real Estate Co., Ltd. in the same year. Engaged in a wide range of accounting responsibilities for 10 years; for example, corporate tax returns, evaluation of land and houses, and recruitment activities, among others. Certified as a real-estate transaction specialist (currently known as real estate notary) in 2014. Joined Thoracentes in 2024 after being inspired by a speech by Prof. Kenji Suzuki, who expressed his commitment to improve the quality, safety, and reliability of medical care worldwide with a system that is first of its kind in the world.
DOCTOR
Kazuya Takamochi, M.D., & Ph.D.
A specialist in respiratory surgery. Doctor of Medicine. Graduated from Hamamatsu University School of Medicine in 1994. After training for five years at the National Cancer Center Hospital East from 1998, he has dedicated himself to community medical care at the First Department of Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine since 2003. Works at the Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University since 2008. Prof. Kenji Suzuki was his senior colleague when he was a resident at the National Cancer Center Hospital East, thus they know each other for a quarter of a century. Joined Thoracentes for the purpose of developing a system that combines AR (augmented reality) and AI (artificial intelligence) to transform advanced techniques of experienced surgeons into technologies safe even for residents to use.
Ryusuke Sumiya, M.D., & Ph.D.
Graduated from Juntendo University and passed the National Medical Practitioners Qualifying Examination. in 2017. Resident, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine in 2017. Senior resident in the Department of Surgery, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine; enrolled at Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine in 2019. Graduated from Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine in 2022; obtained a degree (Doctor of Medicine); received the Hakoneyama Incentive Award; and became an assistant at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital. Assistant Professor, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University; Researcher, Clinical Coordination Office, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine in 2023. Joined Thoracentes, aiming to build systems and develop technologies that directly reflect the needs of the medical field.
Takahiro Niimi, M.D., Ph.D.
Graduated from Juntendo University School of Medicine and passed the National Medical Practitioners Qualifying Examination in 2016. Completed initial clinical training at Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital. Joined the Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine in 2018. Resident, Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East in 2020. Received a Ph.D. in 2022. Assistant Professor, Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine in 2023. Obtained board certification in general thoracic surgery in 2024. Joined Thoracentes Inc. with the aim of applying the needs and challenges identified in clinical practice to the development of medical technologies and devices.
Kana Kinjo, M.D., Ph.D.
Graduated from Juntendo University School of Medicine and passed the National Medical Practitioners Qualifying Examination in 2020. Completed initial clinical training at Juntendo University Nerima Hospital. Entered the Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, and enrolled in the doctoral program at Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine in 2022. Staff Surgeon, Department of Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Tobu Chiiki Hospital in 2024. Rejoined the Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine in 2025. Received a Ph.D.; Assistant, Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine in 2026. Joined Thoracentes Inc. with the aim of contributing to the development of medical devices by applying clinical experience as a thoracic surgeon.
ADVISER
Masaaki Shintaku
Member of the Board of FAST RETAILING CO., LTD.
and NTT DOCOMO, INC.
Ko Okumura, M.D., & Ph.D. Specially Appointed Professor, Juntendo University
Hajime Arai, M.D., & Ph.D. Executive Advisor to the President, Juntendo University
Kazuhisa Takahashi, M.D., Ph.D. Visiting Professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University
