Board Chairman

Iwao Shibata

We put the safety and well-being of your child foremost in every aspect of our program, from the nutrition we provide to their physical and intellectual education. We provide a world-class curriculum that meets the needs of a quickly globalizing society. We prepare children to be competent in both Japanese and English to guide them towards an abundant life and confidently contribute to the betterment of society.

Kyoto University (MEng), London School of Economics (MSc), Kellogg Graduate School of Management (MBA). After founding a consulting firm, he went on to establish an internet industry business called EveryD.com in 1998. He also served as Representative Director of Orange Life, Shunkoubou and other companies. Currently, he serves as a board member at Business Breakthrough and as a professor at the Business Breakthrough University Graduate School. He is the Administrative Director of Aoba-Japan International School and JCQ Bilingual Preschool.

Board Member

Reiichiro Uno

The world that kindergartners will experience in the next 80 years of their lives will be vastly different from the world that we adults have known for the past several decades. The world is sure to become a place in which answers are increasingly difficult to find. The tools and skills children will need in order to live happy lives are different from the tools and skills we needed, and each and every child is sure to have his or her unique needs. How can we best design our school so that each and every unique child can confidently clear a path to his or her dream? This is an ongoing question we all share at Aoba, and one which grounds our mission to continuously improve our schools.

Master of Science in Instructional Systems from the Kumamoto University Graduate School, MBA from McGill University Management School, and a graduate from Keio University School of Economics. Board Member of Aoba-Japan International School, Executive Officer of Business Breakthrough Inc., and lecturer (part-time) for Graduate School of Instructional Systems at Kumamoto University. After joining the Bank of Tokyo (currently the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ), Mr. Uno became involved in investment projects both in Japan and across Asia. In 2009 he joined BBT to establish BBT University as a Director, and later from 2013 was involved with Aoba. He worked as a joint translator for the book Motivational Design for Learning and Performance: The ARCS Model Approach by John Keller (Kitaohji Publications), and co-authored Global ni Tsuyou Suru Inou Wo Kaika Suru (Business Breakthrough Publications).

Support Structure

Mr. Ken Sell,　Aoba-Japan International School (Head of School)

Originally from Australia, Mr. Sell graduated from The University of Queensland’s Department of Education. Since then he has been the Head of School for International Baccalaureate accredited international schools in Trondheim, Norway and Shen Wai, China. He was appointed as Head of School in August 2014 for Aoba-Japan International School.

Mr.Kevin Page　International School of Berne, Switzerland (Director Emeritus)

Originally from New Zealand, Mr. Page has taught at international schools in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia and Germany. He has been deeply involved in the development and growth of the International Baccalaureate’s PYP Programme for international infant & primary education, a curriculum not prescribed by any specific country.

Hirokazu Osako,　Aoba-Japan・International School (Advisor)

Born in Ota ward, Tokyo, Mr. Ota has lived his life in Yokohama. After graduating from the University of Tokyo, he lived in the UK from 1987 to 1991. His professional experiences include: Principal for Senri International School of Kwansei Gakuin Chisato International Academy, Principal for Doshisha International School Kyoto, Advisory Committee Member for IB Japan, and Committee Member for Tokyo English Education Strategy Council. He is currently the Principal of Linden Hall Middle School (IB accredited), Professor at Tsuru University of Science, Visiting Professor at Hiroshima Jogakuin University, Director of the International Baccalaureate Research Bureau, and Visiting Professor at Kobe Shinwa Women’s University. His publications include: “In order for knowing the International Baccalaureate,” (2014, Suiohsha); “Introduction to the International Baccalaureate, Education Innovation,” (2013, Gakugei Miraisha); “School,” (2012, Kamakura Shunjusha); “The International Baccalaureate For Active Learning, ‘You Remember to You learn’” (2016, Nippon Hyojun).