Akinori Kokubun

Senior Client Partner

Akinori (Aki) Kokubun serves as a Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry’s Tokyo office and is a member of the firm’s Global Life Sciences Market.

Since joining Korn Ferry in 2009, Mr. Kokubun has specialized in executive search across the pharmaceutical, medical devices, diagnostics, and broader life sciences sectors, working with both Japanese and multinational corporations.

Mr. Kokubun has spearheaded numerous executive recruitment projects for a diverse range of organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized enterprises, start-ups, and private equity portfolio firms. His expertise lies in successfully placing C-suite executives, board members, and senior leaders in key functional areas such as Sales & Marketing, Research & Development, Medical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Finance, Human Resources, Corporate Affairs, Supply Chain Management, and Operations.

Prior to Korn Ferry, Mr. Kokubun worked at a Fortune 500 recruitment company in Hong Kong, running its Japan Desk where he supported cross-industry recruitments and cross-border businesses in the Asia region.

Mr. Kokubun earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. He spent over 20 years outside of Japan, living and working in multiple countries including Hong Kong, Canada, and Australia. He speaks native Japanese, fluent English and conversational Cantonese.