Noboru Saito's career at the TDK Corporation began in 1989. His journey includes a term as President of TDK Electronics Europe GmbH starting in 2006, where he spearheaded operations across the continent, holding other pivotal roles such as General Manager of the Europe Sales Division and later Deputy General Manager at TDK-EPC Corporation.

He became Senior Vice President in June 2013. For the next two years, he also held the titles of General Manager of the Electronic Components Sales & Marketing Group and General Manager of Corporate Strategy HQ. He rose to the role of President and CEO in April 2022, where he has continued to spearhead the group's innovation and global expansion to date.

Nick has a particular focus looking at the intersection between geopolitics and trade, and regularly delivers briefings on how to navigate the shifting era of globalisation, particularly in the context of China’s evolving relationship with the West. Nick also concurrently helps to lead the EIU’s award-winning coverage of China, Taiwan and Macau. In that role, he shapes the EIU’s view on China-Taiwan relations, including how companies and governments can mitigate the risks attached to cross-Strait ties.

Nick previously conducted trade research in Beijing with the US-China Business Council, where he advised US companies on the Chinese market. He graduated from the University of Virginia with degrees in Foreign Affairs and Chinese, and holds graduate certification from the Johns Hopkins-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies.

Rodrigo González is the Director for Tokyo of Economist Intelligence Corporate Network.

He works closely with regional business leaders to assist them in economic and market trends, business competitiveness, monetary and fiscal policy and general economic advisory to help them optimise their business strategies and further enhance their connections to their c-suite peers.

He has vast experience in statistical analysis, strategy consulting and market research in different industries in and outside Japan. Rodrigo is a published author in environmental and transport economics and has spoken at international conferences in global warming and fiscal policy throughout the world.

Rodrigo holds a PhD in Economics from Keio University and is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Japanese.