Book now to meet us at the la toy preview 4/20-4/24: sales@sakuratoysolutions.com

Get to know us

Our Story

We started as Merchandising and Technology Leaders in the Toy Industry. As we spent more time in Japan and across the EU and Americas, we realized that entering and operating in Japan is not easy: product feedback is vague or misleading; business deals are seemingly nearby but ultimately elusive; focus on innovation often is eclipsed due to conservatism. Moreover, Japanese budgets and priorities have changed. We realized we can solve for these challenges.

Given our success in this region, we decided to offer our experience, advisory support and operational expertise to help toy manufacturers and creators bring lasting joy, delight and innovation to the Japanese market.

gray concrete wall inside building
gray concrete wall inside building
white and black abstract painting
white and black abstract painting

People and culture

With a combined experience of 25 years in the toy industry, we represent creators, inventors, manufacturers. We bring innovation to the table in a low-risk culturally sensitive way.

Unlike other operators, our team is based in Japan, Japan-native, Japanese / English bilingual, and solely focused on Japan market entry, Japan market operations and Japan market growth. Our USA team, likewise, is solely based in USA.

Recent News

We were recently recognized for our thought leadership in the Japan Times, click here & read more: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/06/30/companies/lego-japan-kidults/

Professional headshot of John Bancroft, Founder / Partner
Professional headshot of John Bancroft, Founder / Partner
John Bancroft

Founder / Partner

Professional headshot of Paul Winslow, Founder / Partner
Professional headshot of Paul Winslow, Founder / Partner
Paul Winslow

Founder / partner

Professional headshot of Baba Kazuyoshi, PMO & Digital Marketing Expert
Professional headshot of Baba Kazuyoshi, PMO & Digital Marketing Expert
Professional headshot of Sakurai Masanori, Partner
Professional headshot of Sakurai Masanori, Partner
Sakurai Masanori

partner

Baba Kazuyoshi

PMO, Marketing Strategy

Professional headshot of Satomi Kataoka, Client Success Manager
Professional headshot of Satomi Kataoka, Client Success Manager
Satomi Kataoka

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER

Professional headshot of Takuya Azaka
Professional headshot of Takuya Azaka
Takuya Azaka

General manager

Setsuko Toda

OFFICE MANAGER

Coming Soon