SASUGA! CORPORATE TRAINING
For global companies in Japan seeking trusted, culturally fluent training that builds
respected leaders, confident communicators,
and measurable business results—
without wasting time.
SASUGA! CORPORATE TRAINING
For global companies in Japan seeking trusted, culturally fluent
training that builds respected leaders, confident communicators,
and measurable business results—without wasting time.
SASUGA!
CORPORATE TRAINING AND COACHING
For global companies in Japan seeking trusted, culturally fluent training that builds respected leaders, confident communicators, and measurable business results—without wasting time.
With over 30 years’ experience in Japan—including 10 years as Manager of Client
Communications at McKinsey & Company in Tokyo—Helen Iwata and her expert team
design training and coaching grounded in real-world global business practice,
tailored to Japan-based professionals, and proven to deliver results.
With over 30 years’ experience in Japan—including 10 years as Manager of Client Communications at McKinsey & Company in Tokyo—Helen Iwata and her expert team design training and coaching grounded in real-world global business practice, tailored to Japan-based professionals, and proven to deliver results.
Struggling to find training that works
for your team in Japan?
With over 30 years’ experience in Japan—including 10 years as Manager of Client Communications at McKinsey & Company in Tokyo—Helen Iwata and her expert team design training and coaching grounded in real-world global business practice, tailored to Japan-based professionals, and proven to deliver results.
Too often, companies invest in “global” training that sounds impressive—yet misses the mark in Japan.
Why? Because Japanese business professionals face unique linguistic, cultural, and mindset challenges that many programs developed outside Japan—whether by global headquarters or international training firms—simply don’t address.
At Sasuga Communications, we understand what your people need to succeed.
With over 30 years’ experience in Japan—including 10 years as Manager of Client Communications at McKinsey & Company in Tokyo—Helen Iwata and her expert team design training and coaching grounded in real-world global business practice, tailored to Japan-based professionals, and proven to deliver results.
Too often, companies invest in “global” training that sounds impressive—yet misses the mark in Japan.
Why? Because Japanese business professionals face unique linguistic, cultural, and mindset challenges that many programs developed outside Japan—whether by global headquarters or international training firms—simply don’t address.
At Sasuga Communications, we understand what your people need to succeed.
Targeted Training for Tangible Results
We don’t deliver broad theory or “check-the-box” training. Instead, we build perspective, skills, and confidence through culturally fluent methods that work for your organization’s context—and for each individual’s needs, even in group sessions.
From developing leadership presence and delivering English presentations to contributing confidently in cross-border meetings and managing team dynamics, we equip your people with the mindset shifts and practical techniques to excel globally—with more energy
and enthusiasm for their work.
Our Most Popular Programs
Here’s how we help your people grow—with clarity, confidence, and cultural fluency. Each program is structured for real-world application, whether you’re training future leaders, supporting women’s advancement, or strengthening cross-border collaboration.
We offer all programs in English, Japanese, or a combination, delivered in person or online depending on your team’s needs.
Sasuga! Presentation Skills
A hands-on, 3-part training to help your team overcome nerves, organize messages clearly, and deliver with impact—whether in meetings, pitches, or formal presentations.
Key Content
Start strong and build leadership presence from the first minute
Use persuasive structures to craft clear, memorable messages
Engage the audience with effective body language, voice, and slides
Handle Q&A with calm, clarity, and confidence
Format: 3 × 3-hour sessions
Participants: Up to 6 (for maximum practice and feedback)
Ideal for: Global team members, sales staff, project leaders, or new managers presenting to key stakeholders
Women’s Success Essentials
In just 3 months, this unique program equips female leaders with mindset shifts and practical tools for greater clarity, confidence, and impact—while navigating the hidden pressures of leadership and life transitions.
Key Content
Build confidence, assertiveness, and leadership presence
Communicate strategically to manage stakeholders and team dynamics
Clarify priorities, improve focus, and use time and energy wisely
Develop sustainable habits for wellbeing and professional growth
Format: 6 live coaching calls, 12 on-demand modules, 3-month online forum
Participants: 6–12 per cohort
Ideal for: Mid-career and senior female professionals adjusting to increased leadership responsibilities
Sasuga! EXECUTIVE COACHING
1:1 coaching, thought-partnering, and practical tools for leaders in Japan preparing for bigger roles, managing global teams, or navigating complex stakeholder communication.
Typical Objectives:
Deliver confident, impactful presentations to senior stakeholders
Lead and align global teams in productive meetings
Communicate clearly with diverse personalities and cultures
Improve time and energy management for sustainable performance
Format: 12 × 1-hour sessions over 6 months
Participants: Mid-level managers to C-suite
Ideal for: Leaders with increased responsibilities or global visibility
Our Most Popular Programs
Here’s how we help your people grow—with clarity, confidence, and cultural fluency. Each program is structured for real-world application, whether you’re training future leaders, supporting women’s advancement, or strengthening cross-border collaboration.
We offer all programs in English, Japanese, or a combination, delivered in person or online depending on your team’s needs.
Sasuga! Presentation Skills
A hands-on, 3-part training to help your team overcome nerves, organize messages clearly, and deliver with impact—whether in meetings, pitches, or formal presentations.
Key Content
Start strong and build leadership presence from the first minute
Use persuasive structures to craft clear, memorable messages
Engage the audience with effective body language, voice, and slides
Handle Q&A with calm, clarity, and confidence
Format: 3 × 3-hour sessions
Participants: Up to 6 (for maximum practice and feedback)
Ideal for: Global team members, sales staff, project leaders, or new managers presenting to key stakeholders
Women’s Success Essentials
In just 3 months, this unique program equips female leaders with mindset shifts and practical tools for greater clarity, confidence, and impact—while navigating the hidden pressures of leadership and life transitions.
Key Content
Build confidence, assertiveness, and leadership presence
Communicate strategically to manage stakeholders and team dynamics
Clarify priorities, improve focus, and use time and energy wisely
Develop sustainable habits for wellbeing and professional growth
Format: 6 live coaching calls, 12 on-demand modules, 3-month online forum
Participants: 6–12 per cohort
Ideal for: Mid-career and senior female professionals adjusting to increased leadership responsibilities
Sasuga! EXECUTIVE COACHING
1:1 coaching, thought-partnering, and practical tools for leaders in Japan preparing for bigger roles, managing global teams, or navigating complex stakeholder communication.
Typical Objectives:
Deliver confident, impactful presentations to senior stakeholders
Lead and align global teams in productive meetings
Communicate clearly with diverse personalities and cultures
Improve time and energy management for sustainable performance
Format: 12 × 1-hour sessions over 6 months
Participants: Mid-level managers to C-suite
Ideal for: Leaders with increased responsibilities or global visibility
Flagship Programs
Flagship Programs
Sasuga! Presentation Essentials
3 × 3 HOURS
(EVERY 1-2 WEEKS)
Ease nerves, structure the story, engage others with effective body language, voice, and slides, and handle Q&A confidently to inspire trust and drive business results
Ideal for global execs, managers,
project leads
Participants: 6-12
Women’s Presentation Essentials (public)
3 MONTHS ONLINE
(LIVE CALLS EVERY 2 WEEKS)
Address the challenges of gaining visibility and being heard in a male-dominated, global business environment by speaking with clarity, confidence, and impact
Ideal for female managers
and above
Participants: 6-8
Women’s Success Essentials (public)
3 MONTHS ONLINE
(LIVE CALLS EVERY 2 WEEKS)
Enhance confidence, focus, and energy with proven strategies to lead effectively, communicate clearly, and achieve sustainable success as a woman in business
Ideal for mid-career
and senior women
Participants: 6-12
Sasuga! Presentation
Essentials
3 × 3 HOURS
(EVERY 1-2 WEEKS)
Ease nerves, structure the story, engage others with effective body language, voice, and slides, and handle Q&A confidently to inspire trust and drive business results
Ideal for global execs, managers,
project leads
Participants: 6-12
Women’s Presentation
Essentials (public)
3 MONTHS ONLINE
(LIVE CALLS EVERY 2 WEEKS)
Address the challenges of gaining visibility and being heard in a male-dominated, global business environment by speaking with clarity, confidence, and impact
Ideal for female managers
and above
Participants: 6-8
Women’s Success
Essentials (public)
3 MONTHS ONLINE
(LIVE CALLS EVERY 2 WEEKS)
Enhance confidence, focus, and energy with proven strategies to lead effectively, communicate clearly, and achieve sustainable success as a woman in business
Ideal for mid-career
and senior women
Participants: 6-12
Focused Training
Focused Training
Gravitas &
Confident Communication
3 HOURS IN PERSON
Boost professional presence and credibility though cultural awareness with verbal and nonverbal communication that leaves a lasting positive impression
Ideal for Japanese female leaders in
global teams, women’s networks
Participants: 6–12
Influencing &
Conflict Strategies
2 × 3-HOUR SESSIONS
Develop the confidence and communication skills to influence effectively, handle disagreement constructively, and build collaborative outcomes among stakeholders
Ideal for managers, HR professionals,
cross-functional teams
Participants: 6-12
Global Meeting
Facilitation
2 × 3-HOUR SESSIONS
Lead efficient, engaging meetings
that align diverse participants,
manage distraction, tension,
or low participation,
and deliver results
Ideal for managers, functional leads,
cross-border facilitators
Participants: 6-12
Gravitas &
Confident Communication
3 HOURS IN PERSON
Boost professional presence and credibility though cultural awareness with verbal and nonverbal communication that leaves a lasting positive impression
Ideal for Japanese female leaders in
global teams, women’s networks
Participants: 6–12
Influencing & Conflict Strategies
2 × 3-HOUR SESSIONS
Develop the confidence and communication skills to influence effectively, handle disagreement constructively, and build collaborative outcomes among stakeholders
Ideal for managers, HR professionals,
cross-functional teams
Participants: 6-12
Global Meeting Facilitation
2 × 3-HOUR SESSIONS
Lead efficient, engaging meetings
that align diverse participants,
manage distraction, tension,
or low participation,
and deliver results
Ideal for managers, functional leads,
cross-border facilitators
Participants: 6-12
Workshops & Coaching
Workshops & Coaching
Hormone Cycles & Workplace Performance
90-MIN WORKSHOP
Understand hormone cycles
to boost focus, creativity, and
wellbeing—for healthier, more productive workplaces
Ideal for women’s networks, DEI initiatives, mixed-gender teams
Participants: 10–20
Building Trust
in Global Teams
90-MIN WORKSHOP
Build credibility, reliability, and
genuine connection using a proven framework to foster trust, cultural understanding, and collaboration
Ideal for cross-functional teams, project teams, team kickoffs
Participants: 10–20
Sasuga! Executive
Coaching
12 x 60 MIN SESSIONS
Personalized coaching giving global business leaders in Japan the space, structure, and strategic skills to succeed at the next level
Ideal for mid-level managers,
team leads, C-suite
Participants: 1:1
Hormone Cycles & Workplace Performance
90-MIN WORKSHOP
Understand hormone cycles
to boost focus, creativity, and
wellbeing—for healthier, more productive workplaces
Ideal for women’s networks, DEI initiatives, mixed-gender teams
Participants: 10–20
Building Trust in
Global Teams
90-MIN WORKSHOP
Build credibility, reliability, and
genuine connection using a proven framework to foster trust, cultural understanding, and collaboration
Ideal for cross-functional teams, project teams, team kickoffs
Participants: 10–20
Sasuga! Executive Coaching
12 x 60 MIN SESSIONS
Personalized coaching giving global business leaders in Japan the space, structure, and strategic skills to succeed at the next level
Ideal for mid-level managers,
team leads, C-suite
Participants: 1:1
Meet our Coaches
Depending on the engagement, your colleagues will work with one or more Sasuga! Expert Coaches. Our coaches bring not only new professional insights and proven skills, but also genuine care for our clients’ growth and wellbeing.
Meet our Coaches
Depending on the engagement, your colleagues will work with one or more Sasuga! Expert Coaches. Our coaches bring not only new professional insights and proven skills, but also genuine care for our clients’ growth and wellbeing.
Helen Iwata
Women's Leadership & Presentation Skills Coach
Helen Iwata is an award-winning bilingual executive coach with over 30 years’ experience in Japan, known for helping global business professionals to communicate with confidence, have more time and energy, and lead with less effort and more impact.
During her 10 years at McKinsey & Company, she served as Manager of Client Communications, coaching consultants and clients in leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
As the founder of Sasuga Communications K. K., Helen partners with multinationals to design and lead high-level training and coaching programs. She has worked with rising leaders to seasoned executives in person across 11 countries in person (and more online!), combining deep cultural understanding with practical strategies.
Helen is a TEDx speaker and coach, Nikkei Online columnist, author of Eigo no Shigoto-jutsu (Shogakukan), host of the Sasuga! Podcast, and a member of the Executive Committee of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
Heather Dobbin
The Sustainable Transformation Coach
Heather Dobbin is a globally recognized, certified transformational leadership coach and educator with over a decade of experience helping individuals uncover their true potential and align their actions with their dreams. Her diverse background includes working with executives, leaders and managers in large corporate and startup environments in Japan and abroad to cultivate self-awareness, courage, and practices for success.
As a multi-modality coach, Heather integrates somatics, cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness-based practices, and more to empower leaders to thrive in business and life. She emphasizes self-acceptance and compassion, believing that these qualities are foundational for effective leadership and meaningful relationships.
Helen Iwata
Women's Leadership &
Presentation Skills Coach
Helen Iwata is an award-winning bilingual executive coach with over 30 years’ experience in Japan, known for helping global business professionals to communicate with confidence, have more time and energy, and lead with less effort and more impact.
During her 10 years at McKinsey & Company, she served as Manager of Client Communications, coaching consultants and clients in leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
As the founder of Sasuga Communications K. K., Helen partners with multinationals to design and lead high-level training and coaching programs. She has worked with rising leaders to seasoned executives in person across 11 countries in person (and more online!), combining deep cultural understanding with practical strategies.
Helen is a TEDx speaker and coach, Nikkei Online columnist, author of Eigo no Shigoto-jutsu (Shogakukan), host of the Sasuga! Podcast, and a member of the Executive Committee of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
Heather Dobbin
The Sustainable Transformation Coach
Heather Dobbin is a globally recognized, ICF-certified transformational leadership coach and educator with over a decade of experience helping individuals uncover their true potential and align their actions with their dreams. Her diverse background includes working with executives, leaders and managers in large corporate and startup environments in Japan and abroad to cultivate self-awareness, courage, and practices for success.
As a multi-modality coach, Heather integrates somatics, cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness-based practices, and more to empower leaders to thrive in business and life. She emphasizes self-acceptance and compassion, believing that these qualities are foundational for effective leadership and meaningful relationships.
We are happy to introduce the profiles of other Sasuga! Expert Coaches after confirming your needs.
Real Results
It was very helpful to get your feedback on each of the Managers. They were all super positive on the impact that you had and they mentioned they have learned a lot. They said it has been the best coaching on comms they have ever had!
Managing Partner
Financial Services Industry - Presentation & Influencing Skills
We rarely get the chance to learn effective presentation skills from a true professional. And Helen-sensei is the kind of trainer who boosts your self-esteem. I was nervous at first, but gradually relaxed, and the training turned out to be truly rewarding.
Presentation Skill Training Participant
Luxury Goods Industry
I received a lot of positive feedback from the participants. Clearly today's session motivated them to improve their presentations as their secret tool to win support from their partners and stakeholders.
HR Professional
Pharmaceutical Industry - Presentation Skills Training
The coaching gave me the confidence and skills to lead high-stakes business meetings—providing the techniques to improve my communication and helping me realize the underlying causes of my communication challenges.
Director
Financial Services Industry - Sasuga! Executive Coaching
When presenting in English, I used to worry mainly about pronunciation and grammar. But I realized that those aren't the most important things—what really matters is having confidence and presence to engage the audience.
Presentation Skill Training Participant
Luxury Goods Industry
Before the workshop, I created materials and gave presentations entirely in my own way, so I lacked confidence. But through the training, I learned how to express myself effectively and create presentations that truly engage the audience.
Presentation Skill Training Participant
Luxury Goods Industry
It was by far the most fruitful yet fun session I have had in my life. I will review my notes before going to bed and will exercise some of the tips with my team members/top management. I am looking forward to learning more from you.
Influence & Conflict Training Participant
Beauty Industry
Our sessions were very on point in helping me figure out what I wanted to work on and in pinpointing how to address that. I made it onto the promotion list. I am very excited to see how I can apply what I learned in my new role.
Senior Manager
Financial Services Industry - Sasuga! Executive Coaching
The benefit of Helen’s coaching has been huge. The biggest benefit is self-awareness—understanding my bad habits and behaviors and why they harm my performance and reputation as a leader.
Director
Financial Services Industry
Helen’s coaching has a high ROI in terms of time
and effort. It covers not only the technicalities,
but also very deep and essential principles of communication.
Director
Financial Services Industry
Real Results
It was very helpful to get your feedback on each of the Managers. They were all super positive on the impact that you had and they mentioned they have learned a lot. They said it has been the best coaching on comms they have ever had!
Managing Partner
Financial Services Industry - Presentation & Influencing Skills
We rarely get the chance to learn effective presentation skills from a true professional. And Helen-sensei is the kind of trainer who boosts your self-esteem. I was nervous at first, but gradually relaxed, and the training turned out to be truly rewarding.
Presentation Skill Training Participant
Luxury Goods Industry
I received a lot of positive feedback from the participants. Clearly today's session motivated them to improve their presentations as their secret tool to win support from their partners and stakeholders.
HR Professional
Pharmaceutical Industry - Presentation Skills Training
The coaching gave me the confidence and skills to lead high-stakes business meetings—providing the techniques to improve my communication and helping me realize the underlying causes of my communication challenges.
Director
Financial Services Industry - Sasuga! Executive Coaching
When presenting in English, I used to worry mainly about pronunciation and grammar. But I realized that those aren't the most important things—what really matters is having confidence and presence to engage the audience.
Presentation Skill Training Participant
Luxury Goods Industry
Before the workshop, I created materials and gave presentations entirely in my own way, so I lacked confidence. But through the training, I learned how to express myself effectively and create presentations that truly engage the audience.
Presentation Skill Training Participant
Luxury Goods Industry
It was by far the most fruitful yet fun session I have had in my life. I will review my notes before going to bed and will exercise some of the tips with my team members/top management. I am looking forward to learning more from you.
Influence & Conflict Training Participant
Beauty Industry
Our sessions were very on point in helping me figure out what I wanted to work on and in pinpointing how to address that. I made it onto the promotion list. I am very excited to see how I can apply what I learned in my new role.
Senior Manager
Financial Services Industry - Sasuga! Executive Coaching
The benefit of Helen’s coaching has been huge. The biggest benefit is self-awareness—understanding my bad habits and behaviors and why they harm my performance and reputation as a leader.
Director
Financial Services Industry
Helen’s coaching has a high ROI in terms of time
and effort. It covers not only the technicalities,
but also very deep and essential principles of communication.
Director
Financial Services Industry
Ready to Get In Touch?
If you’d like to explore the specific ways that Team Sasuga! can support your colleagues’ needs, please complete an inquiry form.
We usually respond within 2 business days.
Ready to Get In Touch?
If you’d like to explore the specific ways that Team Sasuga! can support your colleagues’ needs, please complete an inquiry form.
We usually respond within 2 business days.
