ABOUT knots

Our Philosophy: The meaning behind knots associates

The term "knot" signifies connections and bonds, while "associates" refers to partners and colleagues. Our name, knots associates, embodies our belief that associates who share a common language of systems design connect as "knots," forming deep bonds with our clients.

We embrace the philosophy of "Kiss the Nature of things."

This concept involves gently engaging with the essence of things, like a soft kiss. We stand alongside our clients' vision, carefully untangling complexity to reveal what truly matters, and then reconnecting the pieces with purpose. Through this approach, we design systems that bring visions to life and contribute to the future alongside our clients.

Kiss the nature of things

COMPANY

Company name

knots associates Inc.

Location

〒154-0001

Shin Nihon Ikegiri Building, 7th Floor

3-21-28 Ikegiri, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

Milan Office

Via Cucchiari, Milano 20155 Italia

CEO

Yoshikazu Tomita

Establishment

June 2019

Business activities

・System design consulting/project support
・System design human resource development
・Product & service development
・Research

MEMBER

Representative Director/CEO

Yoshikazu Tomita

Yoshikazu Tomita is a multidisciplinary practitioner who bridges the worlds of research, education, and business practice. By leveraging insights from Systems Engineering, he consults on regional revitalization and business innovation, translating rigorous methodologies from the aerospace and defense industries into solutions for complex social systems.

Representative Director/CEO

Yoshikazu Tomita

Representative Director/CEO

Kyoko Watanabe

Education: * M.S. in System Design and Management, Keio University Graduate School of System Design and Management (Keio SDM) * B.A. in Economics, Keio University The excitement of learning, the graduate experience that connected all her previous experiences into a unified path, and her subsequent role as a project faculty member have led her to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including corporations and local governments, engaging in education, practice, and research. Guided by curiosity and passion, she has deepened her understanding of "design" in business contexts through studies in Milan, Italy, in recent years. Currently enrolled in the Master in Strategic Design program at Politecnico di Milano POLI.design as of October 2025.

Representative Director/CEO

Kyoko Watanabe

Associate

Yutaka (Charlie) Iimori

Associate

Kazuya Sawai

Associate

Norio Sasaki

Associate

Sunyong Lim

Associate

Ei Shimizu

Associate

Mayu Akaki

Associate

Chieko Tokuda

Associate

Asuka Yoshizawa

Associate

Yusuke Kamegaya

I&W PARTNERS

https://iandwpartners.com/

金融領域を専門に、主に広報・IR（インベスターリレーションズ）のコンサルティング、金融リテラシー向上等の活動に取り組む。その他、インターネットビジネス、フィンテックなどのビジネス開発、取材・編集、企業研修なども担当する。

児玉徳子 / Naruko Kodama

慶応大学経済学部卒。日本経済新聞社にて、広告営業、PR誌編集、IRコンサル、インターネットビジネスを経て、2020年I&Wパートナーズ起業。主に金融系コンテンツを中心としたビジネスに携わる。日本証券アナリスト協会認定アナリスト（CMA）、日本FP協会AFP資格、青山学院大学大学院（国際ビジネス修士）

Beside Japan

https://beside-japan.com/

林鉄朗 / Tetsuro Hayashi

英国ロンドンを拠点に、スポーツ・エンターテインメント領域におけるクロスボーダーのビジネス開発と戦略的パートナーシップの第一線で活動。リクルートおよび日本サッカー協会を経て、日本と英国で二度の起業を経験。現在は欧州と日本を繋ぐ「グローバル進出の架け橋」として、複数の国際的なプロジェクトを牽引している。日英での創業を通じ、文化や商習慣の壁を乗り越えて新たな「価値創造」を形にするための思考プロセスとシステムデザインを探求。多様なステークホルダーを束ね、構想を泥臭く社会実装へと繋げる実戦的なディレクションを得意とする。

knots associates

NEWS LETTER

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knots associates

NEWS LETTER

Get systems design insights delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for research-backed strategies and real-world case studies that help solve your organization's complex challenges.