Chairman, Mr. Shunichiro Kishioka
 Mr. Kishioka began his career by working for a Japanese trading company from 1964-1979. Since then he has expanded his scope by engaging in a wide range of business ventures with the purpose of enhancing American-Japanese understanding and prosperity. Mr. Kishioka is a unique entrepreneur with broad business experience. He has established 11 companies over the span of his career, including 3 which began as divisions of the trading company where he was employed.
The range of businesses Mr. Kishioka has been involved in include: distribution of construction and material handling equipment, metal forming, market research, consulting, introduction of unique items to the Japanese rental industry, radio control toys, package printing, distribution of Japanese factory automation/electronic parts, and bilingual Internet/Intranet services. He seeks out and is a pioneer of new goods and services, and offers support to other companies to accelerate their growth.
Below is a brief history of Mr. Kishioka's career:
- (1964-1969) Joined the Pulp & Paper Machinery Div. of Mitsubishi Corporation in Tokyo. Started as a salesperson and introduced forklift leasing, a new concept in the pulp and paper industry. He was also involved in the planning of a particleboard plant that manufactures boards from waste wood.
- (1969-1979) Transferred to the USA. As a countermeasure to the "Nixon Shock" and the oil crisis, Mr. Kishioka promoted the export of US auto parts and electric equipment to Japan.
- Established a sales/distribution network, inventory system, and maintenance service for construction equipment and forklift trucks, which was extremely rare for a trading company in the early 1970s.
- Introduced Japanese cast-in-place wall construction, rental of general equipment, and joint subcontracting. Completed construction of subway shaft in New York, drilling at White Sands Missile Range, and construction of the perimeter walls at Water Tower Place in Chicago. Also involved in tunnel shaft construction for the Sanitary District of Chicago.
- Other projects include: bridge girder in Tennessee, initiation of public hearings in Iowa to remove its "Buy American" clause from its state building code, and participation in construction of a steel burn-off plant in Matamoros, Mexico.
In 1979, Mr. Kishioka established his own company, I.T.A., Inc. ITA's business areas include: consulting and assistance for start-up and growth of companies entering the USA, market research, and export sales of new products to rental companies in Japan (e.g., large tents, portable toilets, aerial lifts, drilling equipment, etc.). At present, Mr. Kishioka is the president of the 3 companies described below:
- JAPANLINK Bilingual computer networking/systems integration. Creates and maintains Internet websites. Offers bilingual computer solutions utilizing Lotus Notes, Microsoft NT, Exchange Server, and others.
- ITA,INC: Conducts market research and consulting services for Japanese start-ups, exports US and European goods to Japan, provides translation services.
- MEIJI CORP: Supports Japanese transplants in the US by supplying electric/electronic parts & components. Assists with international technical transfer.
Born in Numazu city, Graduated from Tokyo University Law School in 1964,
Hobbies include golf, Go (Japanese chess), and reading.
Member/Director of Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Chicago (JCCC), Japan-American Society, and Japan Mid-America Club.
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