
ELIAS MIKA
Consultant
Our vision is to become the leading company within Danish-Japanese business development - with a special focus on design, culture, and innovation.
We create value by facilitating intercultural processes that require knowledge about Japanese and Danish language, culture, values, and habits.
From our base in Copenhagen we provide linguistic and cultural assistance to businesses with activities in Japan. Let us become your cultural ally. We create new possibilities to enter the market.
We are driven by the Danish-Japanese mindset.
Both nations have a long history within craftsmanship and creativity, and ayanomimi is founded on a deep understanding of the Danish and the Japanese culture. The Danish-Japanese mindset appreciates both tangible and intangible things in life. It is a mindset that shows respect to originality and functionality. We choose to be human-centered and sustainable in the solutions that we provide.
For us 'intercultural management' is more than the ability to bridge two cultures. We put light on the business potential that emerges when cultures meet, and clash. As a business ally we develop strategies based on cultural differences and similarities. We communicate on behalf of Danish and Japanese companies, and facilitate the collaboration process in order to create a common understanding. Our insight in Danish and Japanese culture is the essence in everything we do.
The 'ayanomimi hub' consists of business developers with special insights about Denmark and Japan. The team is an organic entity that works project-based from Copenhagen and Tokyo. Together we develop future platforms for Danish-Japanese collaborations.
ELIAS MIKA
Consultant
KOSUKE SHINOZAKI
Consultant
JENNI JENSEN
Consultant
LOUISE ROLFSTED
Consultant
TIM FRIEDRICH KUHLENDAHL
Consultant
We work with leading Danish and Japanese designers.
Managing director & Founder
AYA OKAMURA
Aya Okamura is born in Copenhagen by Japanese parents who both have a long time experience of working in the field of design.
Personal experience combined with academic training basically constitutes the unique platform for the company’s business philosophy; to create intercultural channels for design, culture and innovation. The company is specialized in Danish-Japanese relations and believe in high cultural synergy in the process of profitable, intercultural business relations.
Languages:
Japanese, Danish, English
Academic background:
MSc. Leadership & Management Studies, Copenhagen Business School.
Keio University Tokyo. ETEA University Córdoba.
Aya’s father Takashi Okamura originally moved to Denmark in 1971, in order to attend the Danish Design School. Later he founded the design company O&M DESIGN with Erik Marqaurdsen. Aya’s mother joined her husband and moved to Denmark. She has worked as freelance writer for several Japanese design magazines and she is the author behind the book ‘Jacobsen’s house’ (published in Japanese), which describes the Danish lifestyle experienced through a Japanese family who lives in a house designed by Arne Jacobsen.
Consultant
ELIAS MIKA
At the core for Danish-Japanese business potential one finds a unique mutual interest and respect for each others cultures, and, most importantly a willingness to collaborate and learn from each other. It it this attitude that determines the business potential between Denmark and Japan.
Languages:
Swedish, German, English, Danish, Japanese
Academic background:
Copenhagen Business School, Asian Studies Program
In many ways, Japan and Denmark share a common appreciation of nice design made of good materials. Japanese manufactures produce a wide range of traditional handicrafts that is yet to penetrate the Danish market. At the same time I think that Japan has seen a high increase of interest towards Danish urban design and future coorporation in this area holds great potential.
Languages:
Japanese, English.
Academic background:
Sophia University Tokyo, Department of science and Engineering Physics
I think Danes and Japanese share cultural values such as humility, respect for nature, sustainability and authenticity. These cultural values translate well into the appreciation for simplistic, functional and timeless designs.
Languages:
Finnish, Swedish, Danish, English, Japanese.
Academic background:
Copenhagen Business School, BSc. in Business, Asian Language and Culture
Exchange: Rikkyo University、Waseda University M.A. in International Culture and Communication Studies
I have spent some time in bookshops and interior stores here in Tokyo. As we already know, Japanese and Danish furniture and interior is very similar. There is a shared taste for the simple design, with a unique style. The mix of newly manufactured furniture and the retro-style by well-known designers is popular in both countries. Therefore, I think that there is a big potential in getting more Danish brands to Japan, both old and new designs.
Languages:
Danish, English, Japanese
Academic background:
Copenhagen Business School, BSc. Business, Asian Language and Culture
Consultant
TIM FRIEDRICH KUHLENDAHL
Languages:
German, Danish, English, Japanese, Cantonese.
Academic background:
Copenhagen Business School, MSc. Leadership and Management Studies.
Exchange: Rikkyo University Tokyo
Designer
Tobias Jacobsen
Textile designer
Krestine Kjærholm
Krestine Kjærholm has designed textile for public and private spaces world wide since 1984. With her modest, and functional design aesthetics she keeps the spirit of classic Danish design alive. Her father, Poul Kjærholm, was one of the most profound Danish furniture designers of the 20th century. Krestine is working as a textile designer and she is chief responsible of Poul Kjærholm Aps.
Design Studio
O&M DESIGN
O&M Design integrates the Danish and Japanese approach to simplicity, functionality, and esthetics. They create leading concepts for the global market and provide designs that challenge the emerging possibilities of the industry.
The design studio was established in 1973 in Copenhagen and the Danish-Japanese duo Takashi Okamura & Erik Marquardsen works with a broad range of international brands. Among others: Brdr. Krüger, Gallery Shuno, GETAMA, NELO, Skippers Furniture, Uchida Yoko. Their designs are made for private and public use, including places such as The Royal Theater in Copenhagen, Billund Airport, and Vejle Opera House.