Our Four Guiding Principles at YOUNEEDS

Think creatively and stay flexible, without being limited by convention.
Take ownership, make decisions, and act proactively.
Don’t let ideas end as ideas—turn them into progress and real results.
Build a team culture that people truly want to belong to.

Our values

We are committed to serving as a bridge between Japan and the global community. By placing cultural understanding and adaptability at the forefront, we build solid foundations for success across diverse international markets.　

Integrity

Culture of Respect for People

Action with Speed

High Flexibility and Responsiveness

Future-Oriented Vision

Leadership Team

Waka Someno

Founder & CEO

As the CEO of YOUNEEDS, Waka has spent over 15 years leading marketing strategy, demand generation, and new business development in the Japanese market. With deep insight into Japanese consumer behavior and business trends, combined with extensive experience in sales and marketing execution, he has successfully delivered strong results across numerous projects and industries.

Tatsuya Kawahara

CLO

Tatsuya is an experienced legal professional with extensive hands-on expertise, handling a wide range of cases for both individuals and corporations in Japan. He provides comprehensive legal support, including regulatory and licensing applications, contract drafting and review, and advisory services on Japanese legal systems. With his deep knowledge and practical insight, he ensures that international companies receive the legal guidance they need to successfully enter and operate in the Japanese market.

Ashley van Gool

CMO

Ashley is a multilingual Japanese language expert specializing in marketing and promotion. Fluent in Japanese, English, and Dutch, she has extensive experience in international project management, client relations, and media coordination.

She is highly skilled in Google Ads, online marketing, SEO, and analytics, and plays a key role at YOUNEEDS by helping clients strengthen their presence and achieve meaningful business results in the Japanese market.