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Makoto Kimura / 木村 誠
CEO / Founder
When he was a student, he went on a pilgrimage to Shikoku in an attempt to attain enlightenment but returned home with more troubles than he had expected. As expected, he failed in his job search and became a freelancer. After wandering the shopping streets of Koenji, he decided to start his own business as a physical trainer, and at the age of 28, he founded RUNART Inc. Having suffered from lower limb problems as a runner himself, he launched the runner support brand "RUNART" and developed its e-commerce/storefront business. His foot-specialized clinic has received 1,927 patients from 44 prefectures and 7 countries. Later, with the goal of "zero people suffering from lower extremity pains," he launched the "Japan Podiatry Association," a cross-industry educational organization for medical professionals/healthcare professionals. He is also the Japanese Chief Brand Officer of Formthotics, a global medical insole brand. He is a father of two children and lives to "make excitement the norm through a leadership revolution. His motto is "Rising to the occasion is a matter of courtesy". He is the author of "Rules for Running Success". His hobby is picking up stuffed rabbits that his daughter drops.
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Kazue Nishi / 西 一恵
Customer Success Department
Her motto is to work with a "Cool head but warm heart". After graduating from university, she worked for 10 years as a flight attendant/customer support for a major airline company, where she honed her hospitality skills. After that, she worked as an English learning coach/new business start-up/career advisor at an educational venture company. She acquired a down-to-earth but fast-paced work style in a fast-growing company. While working independently as a career consultant/coach, she joined RUNART in January 2022, sharing its mission of "expanding the possibilities of people who are willing to take on challenges". As a member of the Customer Success Department, she is in charge of leading the SFA system implementation project within the company and is mainly in charge of the onboarding department. Her mission is to carefully solve problems so that client therapists can introduce the insoles in their hospitals and make their patients happy. During her school years, she was a center for the volleyball team. Hobbies include online gaming, traveling, and music. Interested in Metaverse.
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Hiroyuki Hasebe / 長谷部 熙之
Marketing Department
Graduated from the College of Health and Medical Sciences of the Japan University of Health and Sport Sciences in 2022, after obtaining his national certification as a judo therapist, he turned down several job offers as a therapist and joined RUNART as a new graduate. As a student, he realized that there was a limit to the number of people he could directly help as a healer, and decided to make a career choice that was unprecedented in the industry. While working as a therapist who digs deep into the value of each patient on weekends, he is passionate about contributing to tens of millions of people by spreading the value of good products to as many people as possible. He has been in charge of managing a community of several hundred therapists since he was an intern before joining the company and is now taking on the challenge of making a great contribution to therapists across the country. He loves fishing so much that he once wanted to become a fisherman. He also loves to travel and broaden his worldview by experiencing the people and culture of unfamiliar places. His motto is "I love fish more than Sakanaction".
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Yuko Morimoto / 森本侑子
Customer Success Department
Born in a farming family in Hiroshima Prefecture. Her love of food led her to obtain a dietitian license in college.
After graduating, she started working in the nursing care industry and has been engaged for 5 years with a heart to be close to each and every resident of the facility.
In June 2022, she was introduced to RUNART by an existing member and joined the company with a desire to expand her unknown possibilities and to help others like herself who are challenged. In the customer success team, she supports therapists by demonstrating her ability to get close to people.
She loves to spend her spare time dancing and reading manga. Through dancing, she enjoys communicating with people, which opens up endless possibilities. Especially enjoys dancing by the riverside. Her favorite manga is HUNTER x HUNTER. -
Tatsuya Aiko / 愛甲 達也
Marketing Department
Currently enrolled in the master's program in International Health at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine. He is called "Tacchan" and "Tatsunii," but almost no one outside the company calls him that (?!). He used to live in the U.S. for a year. Highly Interested in the geographic distribution of determinants of health. Experienced long-term internships at several companies while in college. He joined as a long-term intern in July 2023 to contribute to society at a company that better suited his expertise and interests in English and healthcare. The deciding factors were the corporate philosophy and the "passion" of the founder. On his second day with the company, he devised and implemented a system to drastically improve operational efficiency in the translation business. His grasp of the situation, critical thinking skills, and technical expertise astonished everyone around him.
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Ayami Suzuki / 鈴木 彩未
Marketing Department
Studies in Keio University's Faculty of literature, specializing in Education. Joined Runart as a long-term intern in February 2024, starting with English translation and now tackling advertising banner creation. Despite struggles with weekly psychology experiment reports, she is passionate about children and volunteers while playing with them daily. Despite not being athletic, she goes all out at dodgeball with elementary students! She was drawn to Runart due to personal experience with hallux valgus. she is always striving to grow daily, influenced by her peers. She loves Disney so much that her emotions overflowed at a Disney concert.
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Akinobu Kumada / 熊田 暁宣
Marketing Department
Currently a junior at Keio University, Faculty of Law, Department of Law. He Joined the company as a long-term internship in May 2023. His nickname is “Kuma-chan". After his grandmother suffered from a lower limb dysfunction, he joined the company as an English translator, hoping to contribute to the realization of the company's philosophy of "bringing the number of people suffering from lower limb disabilities closer to zero. He passed EIKEN Grade 1 without having lived or studied abroad. In junior high school, he was selected as a publicly funded international exchange student and experienced a short-term homestay in Australia. In both high school and university, he was accepted to take English classes for returnees from English-speaking countries. After working as an English translator for an overseas podiatry program in the product development department, he was selected to head the recruitment and public relations project. Later, he participated as a core member in the launch of a web advertising team under the direct supervision of the president. He is in charge of a comprehensive range of web advertising production and operation, from system construction to creative production.
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Kenshin Oi / 大井 健新
Marketing Department
Enrolled in a top medical university in Tokyo, joined Runart in October 2023 to broaden horizons beyond medicine. Inspired by a doctor's advice during a hospital visit, striving to enhance English skills and gain diverse experiences. Currently promoting podiatry awareness and exploring solutions to improve foot care in Japan. Shocked to discover severe flat feet upon joining Runart. Admires philosophers Spinoza and Laozi, striving to live by their teachings. Recently took up mahjong as a hobby, even participating in national tournaments.
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Akari Fujisawa / 藤沢 茜梨
Marketing Department
A medical doctor based in Sweden. Graduated from a medical university in Hungary and is now expanding expertise in drug development and clinical trials at Karolinska Institutet, while also providing medical counseling at a refugee center in Stockholm.
Having experienced how pain from sports injuries can affect both daily life and mental well-being, joined Runart, drawn to their mission of “expanding possibilities for those who take on challenges.” The company’s vision of helping people overcome pain to pursue their goals resonated deeply, aligning with personal experiences and an understanding of the psychological and physical struggles patients face. Currently exploring new possibilities for the company’s future through some research and building international connections, drawing on a global perspective and experience within the EU.
In addition to work in medicine, a music enthusiast who, after moving to Europe, joined a choir. Actively participates in various musical scenes, including domestic and international performances and traditional events, while also hosting singing and conversation events for the elderly at nursing homes. Cherished like a “granddaughter” by the elderly and choir members, often spoiled with delicious coffee and sweets. -
Tamami Toya / 遠矢 珠美
Customer Success Department
Enrolled in Chiba University's Medical Engineering Course, she joined Runart as a first-term intern in her third year (March 2023). Motivated by her mother's struggle with osteoarthritis, she sought a path to help those with lower limb disabilities. Alongside her engineering studies, she works as a café waitress and cram school teacher, exploring her future. At Runart, she translates, drawing on her medical engineering expertise. Inspired by peers and colleagues, she's making strides in her role. Outside of work, she embraces new experiences and recently took up jumping rope for her health, aiming to achieve 100 double jumps after starting from just 3. Her favorite phrase, "Que sera sera," reflects her optimistic outlook on life.
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Takuma Kobayashi / 小林 拓真
Customer Success Department
Graduate of Japan University of Health and Sport Sciences, specializing in Physical Education. Former baseball team member with a teaching license. Engaged in entrepreneurship with share house management during university. After graduation, freelanced in event management, publicity, and nationwide school outreach, focusing on student career support. Introduced to Runart through a colleague, now works as a contractor in Customer Success. Enjoys cleaning, shrine visits, and weight training. Passionate about Meiji Shrine. Known for impressive pectoral muscles. Power!
