Connecting Global Headquarters and Japan
Through Digital Program Delivery
JAPAN DIGITAL is the trade name under which Masaharu “Mike” Kuwabara works as an independent business-side Digital Project & Program Manager.
As a Japan-side lead for global digital programs, Mike connects global headquarters with Japanese subsidiaries and drives initiatives from planning through execution across digital transformation, B2B digital commerce, eProcurement, enterprise CMS, web, and AI-enabled initiatives.
Business-Side Digital Leadership
Japan-side planning, alignment, and execution for global digital programs.
Digital Project & Program Management
Connecting business objectives with delivery and leading initiatives from planning through implementation.
- Project planning, issues, and risk management
- Cross-functional stakeholder alignment
- Executive and global HQ reporting
Japan In-Country Leadership
Leading Japan-side delivery for digital programs initiated by global headquarters.
- Global HQ–Japan subsidiary liaison
- Japan-specific requirements and alignment
- Bilingual delivery in English and Japanese
Digital Transformation
Translating business challenges into practical digital initiatives rather than treating technology implementation as the objective.
- Business and functional requirements
- Roadmaps and execution planning
- Business, IT, and vendor coordination
Digital Commerce & eProcurement
Driving B2B commerce and eProcurement initiatives in line with Japanese commercial practices and distributor models.
- eProcurement, EDI, cXML, and PunchOut
- Distributor-based B2B processes
- Localization of global commerce initiatives
CMS & Global Website Integration
Japan-side leadership for global web and CMS integration, including migration, localization, approvals, and UAT.
- Adobe Experience Manager and Drupal
- Content migration, translation, and UAT
- Life sciences regulatory requirements
AI Optimization & Digital Marketing
Applying long-standing SEO and digital marketing experience to web strategy and information visibility in the AI era.
- SEO, AIO/AEO, and AI search optimization
- Generative AI for business improvement
- Human-in-the-Loop AI operations
Representative Experience
Business-side digital delivery across life sciences and global enterprises.
Waters Corporation Japan
Led Japan-side digital commerce and eProcurement initiatives, increasing digital transaction volume 33-fold.
Abbott Medical Japan
Served as Japan In-Country Lead for a global CMS integration program, coordinating more than 40 stakeholders.
Novartis Pharma
Supported Drupal-based web and CMS projects within the Commercial IT PM COE.
UBS Securities Japan
Worked as Business Analyst & PM on the Japan-side Office 365 and Windows 10 migration.
Webmake Co., Ltd.
Founded and led a digital agency for 10 years, supporting more than 300 organizations across multiple sectors.
B2B2C eCommerce Demonstration
An interactive business-model demonstration covering distributor proxy ordering, end-customer identification, distributor-based payment, order history, and a simulated SAP integration notification. View demo
Masaharu “Mike” Kuwabara
Independent Business-Side Digital Project & Program Manager
Mike brings more than 25 years of experience across web, digital marketing, digital commerce, and digital transformation. His background combines a business owner’s perspective developed through 10 years as Founder & CEO of a boutique digital agency with hands-on leadership of business-side digital initiatives in global enterprises.
In recent years, he has led Japan-side delivery for cross-functional and cross-regional digital programs in life sciences and global B2B organizations.
View Professional ProfileBusiness-Side Perspective
Leads projects from business goals, operational requirements, and stakeholder alignment rather than owning technical implementation.
Global–Japan Business Liaison
Connects global priorities with Japanese business practices, market requirements, and regulatory considerations.
Strategy to Execution
Moves beyond recommendations to requirements, stakeholder alignment, vendor coordination, implementation, and rollout.
Executive Stakeholder Management
Supports decision-making and alignment across executives, business functions, global teams, and external partners.
Project Engagement
Mike directly joins one primary mid- to long-term engagement as a business-side Digital Project & Program Manager.
Roles
- Digital Project / Program Manager
- Japan In-Country Lead
- Business-Side Digital Lead
Contract Options
- Independent contractor / long-term direct contract
- Fixed-term employment
- Staffing / dispatch assignment
Location & Language
- Tokyo
- Remote or hybrid
- Japanese and English
Project Engagement Enquiries
For opportunities requiring Japan-side leadership across global digital programs, B2B digital commerce, eProcurement, or CMS integration, please get in touch.