If your life is in danger, call the police at 110
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If your life is in danger, call the police at 110
The demand for compassionate mental health support is more pressing than ever. Japan is navigating a complex landscape of mental health issues, from rising isolation to the multifaceted pressures faced by our youth in a hyper-connected world. We aim to welcome and serve the global English-speaking community in Japan. Our commitment extends to supporting people from all backgrounds, including those relocating for work or family, individuals seeking refuge from conflict, women on their paths towards equality, and LGBTQ+ individuals pursuing acceptance and fulfilment.
We recognise our responsibility to set and uphold exemplary standards in mental health services in Japan. Through our LifeLine, public awareness initiatives, and clinic offerings, we aim to encourage open conversations about mental health. By fostering understanding and providing essential support, we believe we can cultivate a stronger, more resilient community.
For over 51 years, TELL has been a beacon of hope and a source of practical assistance. Together, we can confront life’s challenges, dismantle barriers, and build a society where quality mental health care is accessible to everyone in need. Remember, you are not alone. We are here, and together, we are stronger.
– Joshua Bryan, TELL Chair
Joshua Bryan, Senior Director at Robert Walters Japan, leads the Financial Services, Legal, HR, and Support division in Tokyo. With over two decades of experience in Japan, he has become a leading figure in search and talent acquisition across various sectors within Tokyo’s global business community.
He is passionate about equality, human rights, and mental health. He was a founding member of the Robert Walters Group Global Diversity & Inclusion Council, and remains an active contributor to the work of Lawyers for LGBT & Allies Network (LLAN), a Japanese NPO promoting LGBT rights and marriage equality.
Joshua has a Postgraduate Diploma from Centro de Arte & Comunicaçao Visual in Lisbon and a BA in Painting from Edinburgh College of Art.
Tsuyoshi Akiyama graduated from Tokyo University in 1979 and has been practicing psychiatry in Japan ever since. In addition to his service for TELL, he currently serves as Secretary of Finances for the World Psychiatric Association, and as a board member for the World Federation of Mental Health, the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology and the Japanese Society of Transcultural Psychiatry.
In 2008, Tsuyoshi Akiyama received the Tokyo American Club Distinguished Achievement Award and in 2010 the Certificate of Honor from the Samaritan Institute. He received these awards on behalf of everyone who has been at TELL.
Barbara Hancock, with her husband Scott, owns and operates a corporate communications business serving international clients in Tokyo. She has served on the Board of Governors of the Tokyo American Club and as President of its Women’s Group. She has served as President of the Japan America Women’s Club and continues to be involved in fundraising activities for the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, helping to organize their yearly Charity Ball as well as serving on the board of the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund.
Hailing from Ireland and traveling for the past 30 years, Colette finds herself back in Tokyo for the second time and assuming the role of Head of Seisen International School since 2015. Her background as an experienced international school counselor, mother of two teen third culture kids ( TCKs), and her experiences as a “trailing spouse” reinforce her advocacy of holistic education.
Colette has a firm focus on social and emotional wellbeing, student voice, a global mindset, and a belief in cultivating the existence of a strong network of qualified professionals working in collaboration with international families. As a Head of School, top of Colette’s priorities is adhering to the international standards of Student Safeguarding and ensuring her faculty and staff are trained in child protection and advocacy. A proud and respected member of the Japan Council of International Schools ( JCIS), Colette represents JCIS on the TELL Board.
Sean is a digital and cybersecurity focused partner in PwC Consulting LLC, where he advises clients in the areas of IT strategy, IT risk, cyber/information security, and IT governance. He has extensive experience helping large domestic and multinational organizations in Japan navigate complex, cross-border issues. Sean is on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leadership team in PwC Consulting, where he is focused on the theme of nationality and committed to improving cross-cultural engagement across the firm.
Sean graduated from Northwestern University with a Joint Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Economics. He has resided in Japan for 25+ years and is well versed in local business culture and the Japanese language.
Alexander is a partner at Ashurst (Tokyo) focusing on compliance and regulatory issues (anti-bribery/corruption, sanctions, investigations, trade wars, cybersecurity, and product liability). He is an attorney qualified in NY, England & Wales, and Russia and registered as Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi with the Daini Tokyo Bar Association.
Alexander is also a co-Chair of Lawyers for LGBT & Allies Network (LLAN), a Japanese NPO promoting LGBT rights. He also supports (through fundraising and otherwise) an orphanage near Yangon, Myanmar. In his spare time, he serves as a “friendship ambassador” of Hachijojima.
Brian Wellings is an Information and Communication Technology Specialist. Since 2007 he has been a Vice President with Credit Suisse Japan, specializing in Investment Banking technology and a long standing member of the Japan IT management team. Prior to that Brian held a technical management position with BT Financial Group in Sydney. He holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Computer Science from Wollongong University in Australia.
Tiziana came to Japan the first time as a fellow student of the Japanese Ministry of Education at Kyushu University, where she obtained her Master in Economics. The years spent in Japan as a student were fundamental to growing her respect for the Japanese culture.
Since 2005, when she returned to Japan from Italy as a top executive in the automotive business, she has been combining her knowledge and love for the local culture with her creative approach. Her focus, in her current role as Marketing Director at FCA Japan is to connect the value of each Brand she manages to a responsible cause marketing strategy. Since 2011, she has promoted consistent support to 13 NPOs active in Japan in the field of women empowerment, LGBT rights, environment & animal protection, support to hospitalized children and to persons with diverse abilities.
Tiziana is a passionate lecturer and is often invited as a speaker by the Academia, at business associations networking events, other companies’ seminars and as an energetic testimonial to encourage women empowerment in Japan.
Maurice L. Rabb has been a TELL Japan Executive Board Member for several years. He is a California licensed attorney, professional development and strategy consultant, diversity & inclusion strategist, career coach, and legal tech evangelist.
He has been living and working in Asia for more than 15 years. During his time in Asia, Maurice has worked for U.S. and Japanese law firms as an international business lawyer and human resources professional and for a global education Non-Profit Organization. Currently, Maurice is the Senior Manager for Recruitment in Asia for Baker McKenzie, a leading global law firm.
Ross Rowbury, originally from Australia, has been living and working in Japan for four decades. Originally starting his career in the finance industry in Tokyo he later moved into public relations holding executive positions at Gavin Anderson & Company (now Kreab), PRAP Japan and most recently at Edelman Japan. He presently consults foreign and Japanese companies and organizations on communications strategy, market entry and business development in Japan.
Jin Song Montesano is Executive Officer and Senior Managing Director of LIXIL Corporation. As Chief People Officer, Jin oversees a broad range of functions including Human Resources and General Affairs, Communications, Corporate Responsibility, Investor Relations, and External Affairs.
Prior to joining LIXIL, Montesano held various senior positions around the world, including Vice President, Global Public Affairs at GSK Vaccines; Vice President, Corporate & Government Affairs, Asia Pacific in Kraft Foods; Vice President, Communications, Asia Region in GE Money and Corporate; Government Affairs Director, Asia Pacific in GlaxoSmithKline plc. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Columbia College of Columbia University and a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs.
Evan is an expert in market entry and digital transformation, currently helping Japan improve service-sector productivity through AI-driven experience optimization. He has co-founded several tech-related businesses in Japan in the adtech, martech, and tourism spaces, as well as helping several tech companies enter the Japanese market. Leveraging his 15+ years of experience in this market, his focus has been on helping Japanese society through innovations in sectors such as AI, Machine Learning, and Automation.
His passions include mentoring and advising startups, traveling, surfing, surfboard shaping, and ocean sailing.
Akemi is a Japanese attorney licensed in Japan and New York, and has been a Partner in the Tokyo office of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu since 2011. In addition to advising multinational companies on cross-border corporate transactions and privacy issues, she is passionate about diversity, sustainability, and human rights issues and serves on NO&T’s Diversity & Inclusion and Pro Bono Committees. Akemi holds an LL.M. from Stanford Law School and LL.B. from Keio University.
Simon is a Partner in Deloitte in their Tokyo office, focused on financial advisory services for Japanese and global clients. He has around 15 years of experience living and working in Japan, working in both English and Japanese languages. In addition to his work, Simon is passionate about education, diversity, equity and inclusion, and mental health matters.
Simon holds a Masters’ degree in Philosophy Politics & Economics from the University of Oxford and is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.
Seira Yun is a serial impact entrepreneur and an impact angel investor with years of experience in the impact sector, leading teams within the ICRC, UNHCR, and social ventures. Drawing from personal experiences as a migrant, an individual with autism, and a proud pansexual queer, Seira is driven to make the world a better place through social innovation. As a full-stack developer with a Master’s degree in Social Innovation from the University of Cambridge, Seira enjoys blending technology with purpose. Upon exiting his first social venture in 2021, he founded Socious, an impact talent marketplace. As someone who has faced mental health issues, Seira is passionate about contributing to TELL’s mission.