Ken Obara is a Senior Vice President with Teneo’s Strategy and Communications business, based in Tokyo.

Prior to Teneo, Ken worked with NHK, one of Japan’s most prominent TV broadcasters. He started his career as NHK’s regional news reporter specializing in science, technology and healthcare. He was also NHK’s first science reporter posted in New York as a foreign correspondent. He broadened his expertise to international politics and became the first foreign correspondent to lead NHK’s Vienna Bureau and Geneva Office, spearheading the coverage of two key United Nations offices. Ken later became the prime-time evening news program chief editor of NHK’s regional broadcast of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. He oversaw the production of content with a firm understanding of the Japanese public’s appetite and interest for various topics.

Throughout his career, Ken has deepened his analysis and understanding of the cultural differences between Japan and other regions. He is keen on exploring opportunities and risks for international organizations in the Japanese market. Ken has consulted numerous organizations and businesses on communications strategy and reputation management. His win-win outcome approach is well depicted in the book he co-authored on the astronaut selection process in Japan.

Ken attended the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and received his Master of Business Administration degree with Honors. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Keio University, Japan.