Ken Wakasa

CEO at Sakurabunsha LLC | ex-Mercari/LINE/Apple/Google/Sony/Sun Microsystems | Executive Advisor | Technical Advisor | Engineering Leadership

Tokyo, Japan

About

Seasoned technology executive with 30+ years of experience in software development and engineering leadership, spanning companies such as Mercari, LINE, Apple, Google, Sony, and Sun Microsystems. My work has focused on large-scale systems, product platforms, and organizational design, including establishing and scaling Mercari’s global engineering center in India. I currently operate independently as CEO of Sakurabunsha LLC, providing board-level and executive advisory support to a small number of startups and established companies, primarily around global engineering, cross-border team development, and technology leadership. I intentionally limit my commitments to maintain focus and effectiveness, and I am not pursuing full-time executive roles. Note: Due to limited capacity, I’m unable to review unsolicited resumes or respond individually to job-seeking inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

Experience

  • CEO / Executive Advisor / Technical Advisor at Sakurabunsha LLC
    Nov 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 8 mos

  • External CTO at メディフォン(株)
    Aug 2025 - Present · 11 mos

    Supporting ‘Mediphone’, a Japanese healthcare startup founded by ex-Googlers, as an External CTO to enhance their engineering capabilities through organizational development.

  • Angel Investor at HireRoo
    Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 3 mos

  • Technical Advisor at Topcon Corporation
    Feb 2025 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos

  • Technical Advisor at Talendy Holdings
    May 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 2 mos