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.

Dialogue partner & Advisory board member of:

• International Business and Culture, Copenhagen Business School.
• Asian Studies Program Advisory Board, Copenhagen Business School.

Publications:

• ”Kultur på arbejde” for danske handelsskolestuderende, Systime (2014), Kasper Asklund, CASE ”Made in Japan” (LINK)
• ”When culture means business – an ethnographic research of the Japanese market for Danish design” (2009).(LINK)

• Awards:

  • ”Creative Business Cup 2011 – 2nd prize”
    (from the Center for Culture and Experience Economy).
  • ”Best young entrepreneur 2009”
    (from Copenhagen School of Entrepreneurship).

MORE ABOUT THE FOUNDER

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.