Naoko Kasai, a graduate of Lancaster University Management School (Master’s degree in Organizational Learning), is a qualified career-consultant and industrial counselor, and has 15 years of experience, working for three investment banks (Barclays, JP Morgan, Macquarie), mainly as an IR professional. Naoko switched to the field of higher education. She started working as a designated mentor for PHD students in the MEXT-sponsored special program, at the Tokyo Institute of Technology　(currently known as The Institute of Science, Tokyo).

She then became a higher education career advisor, and has accumulated more than 5,000 consultations with both Japanese and international students. At ICS, she is responsible for comprehensive career support for MBA students, that includes developing and executing internship programs in collaboration with companies and universities.

In addition to her role as ICS CSO Director, Naoko continues to be a part-time lecturer for Career Development Literacy at The Institute of Science, Tokyo.