Many Japanese companies operating in the United States face significant challenges in local talent management and organizational leadership. Gaps often arise between leadership and frontline teams, between Japan headquarters and local subsidiaries, and across differences in culture and values.
These gaps hinder strategy execution and limit the potential of people and organizations. Challenges such as high turnover and low engagement among locally hired employees, outdated or ineffective performance evaluation systems, difficulties in developing global talent, and lack of leadership development are widespread.
These are not simply issues of systems or rules—they require a strong connection between management and HR, as well as a deep understanding of local contexts.
At our firm, we take a hybrid approach that combines coaching and consulting to address the unique organizational and people challenges of the U.S. subsidiaries. We support both strategic execution and the development of self-sustaining, locally empowered organizations.
We work closely with our clients to face these challenges head-on and help build a process in which the local organization strengthens its ability to grow independently while driving strategy forward.
For more information about our HR consulting services,
feel free to contact us.
What We Do
Structure of HR Strategy and Policies
Explore Our Consulting Service Areas
At Cornerstone Strategy, we provide consulting services focused on the following key areas to address people and organizational challenges faced by the U.S. subsidiaries. We specialize in bridging the policies and values of Japanese headquarters with the realities and industry practices of the local market—co-creating solutions that are rooted in both global strategy and local context.
Strategic Alignment of Global HR Policies and Overseas Entities
- Support in designing global HR policies aligned with corporate philosophy, mid-term business plans, and behavioral guidelines
- Ensuring alignment between headquarters’ HR direction and the local HR strategies of overseas subsidiaries
- Developing mechanisms to promote policy rollout as a collaborative process, not a top-down imposition from headquarters
Developing HR Strategies and Talent Policies for the U.S. Entities
- Redefining ideal talent profiles in alignment with the local business environment.
- Designing development programs for local management and future executive candidates.
- Supporting the implementation of leadership models rooted in the core values of Japanese companies.
Building and Localizing Talent Management Policies
- Designing policies for recruitment, assignment, training and learning, compensation (incl. grading, evaluation, and rewards), and talent flow.
- Localizing HR systems in consideration of the local talent market, legal frameworks, and cultural context.
- Establishing mechanisms to retain high performers and enhance employee engagement.
Clarifying Organizational Management Policies and Embedding Them in Daily Operations
- Designing organizational structures and frameworks; standardizing and visualizing business processes
- Supporting cultural transformation and the embedding of values and corporate culture.
- Developing systems and communication channels that promote cross-functional collaboration.
Hybrid Approach
Integrate Coaching and Consulting Approaches to Build a Foundation for Growth and Transformation
We drive projects through the dynamic interplay of both approaches.
Coaching
Through in-depth dialogue with our clients, we help them verbalize their underlying thoughts, dilemmas, and awareness of challenges. This process cultivates the ability to uncover their own answers from within.
Consulting
Building on these clarified intentions and insights, we support the design of systems, development of strategies, and implementation planning to translate ideas into practical, functioning solutions.
Rather than treating these two approaches as separate or linear, we move between them in a cyclical and iterative way. This enables sustainable transformation by fostering both a deep sense of ownership and the ability to act.
What sets us apart is our hybrid approach that combines strategic consulting with people-centered coaching.
We don’t just design systems or strategies—we also draw out the internal will and aspirations of the people who bring them to life. By nurturing this inner foundation, we empower organizations to drive change from within. That is the true essence of our consulting.
Not Giving Answers―But Asking Questions Together
We don’t impose ready-made answers.
Instead, we engage in dialogue to co-create meaningful questions with our clients―returning to the essence and clarifying the true purpose.
Through mutual insight and learning, we help shape a vision and course of action that is uniquely yours.
Supporting Both the Individual and the Organization
Our support goes beyond designing strategies and systems―we walk alongside the leaders and employees who bring them to life.
We foster mindset and behavioral transformation, honoring your unique identity, culture, and pace.
Together, we build a strong organization that grows from within.
Bridging External Perspectives and Internal Contexts
We connect external expertise with on-the-ground realities, serving as a bridge between the unique character of Japanese companies and global standards.
Rather than focusing solely on systems and processes, we work to redefine the very backbone of your organization―its values, culture, and ways of working―so that meaningful change can take root where it matters most: in the field.
A Future Beyond Transformation
Our vision is to unlock the full potential of people and organizations, and to co-create a future that connects meaningfully with the world.
To achieve this, we combine two powerful engines: the pursuit of insight through consulting and the accompaniment of action through coaching.
Together, we help lay a strong foundation of capability and confidence that fuels sustainable growth.
Theme
We provide comprehensive HR consulting services across a variety of focus areas.
Our work is grounded in the belief that HR should serve as a strategic driver for both organizational performance and individula growth.
Strategy & Organization
HR Strategy
We help design and implement HR strategies aligned with your business objectives to maximize the potential of your people and organization.
Our approach goes beyond policy design—we emphasize practical implementation and behavioral transformation at the ground level.
Rather than short-term fixes, we aim to build systems that generate long-term, sustainable value.
Organizational Development & Culture Transformation
We identify issues related to organizational culture, management practices, communication, and cross-functional collaboration. We facilitate dialogue among executives, managers, and employees, and support organizational development that leads to behavior change in the workplace. Taking into account differences in expectations, communication styles, and organizational norms between Japan and the United States, we help build a culture that supports sustainable growth.Change Management
We support the implementation and adoption of changes such as new HR systems, organizational restructuring, HR operations transformation, and technology implementation. We clarify the purpose and background of the change, support stakeholder engagement, design communication approaches, and help managers and employees understand and adopt the change. Our focus is not only on launching initiatives, but on helping new behaviors and operating practices take root.HR Infrastructure & Risk Management
HR Function Setup
We help companies establish the HR foundation needed to start or expand operations in the United States. This includes HR documentation, employee handbooks, employment processes, vendor selection, and practical HR infrastructure aligned with local regulations and business practices.
HR Compliance Audit
We review employment practices, HR policies, internal documents, payroll-related processes, and workforce management procedures from a compliance perspective. We identify potential risks and provide practical recommendations that can be implemented in day-to-day operations.
HR Due Diligence for M&A
We identify people- and organization-related risks and value drivers that may not appear in financial statements. Our HR due diligence covers workforce structure, compensation and benefits, employment arrangements, organizational culture, and key talent to support more informed M&A decisions and post-merger integration.
Talent & Performance
Learning & Development
We design and deliver learning programs tailored to organizational objectives, including leadership development, management training, global talent development, and next-generation leader programs. Our focus is not only on knowledge transfer, but also on behavior change and practical application in the workplace.
Performance Management
We help organize performance management processes, including performance evaluation, goal setting, feedback, one-on-one meetings, linkage with compensation, and low-performance management. Beyond designing systems, we support practical implementation so managers can use them effectively and connect employee growth with organizational results. We design approaches that reflect both the policies of the Japanese headquarters and the management realities of the U.S. subsidiary.HR Operations & Technology
HR Operations Transformation
We visualize current HR processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and employee experience. Incorporating technology trends and external service options where appropriate, we redesign HR operations to be practical, scalable, and sustainable.
AI Enablement
We identify opportunities to use AI in HR operations, learning and development, employee support, document creation, knowledge management, and management support. Based on your HR and organizational needs, we also support the planning and development of AI-powered business applications and internal tools, such as chatbots, FAQ applications, internal knowledge search tools, training support tools, and HR operations support applications. Our goal is to help HR teams improve both efficiency and capability through safe, practical, and effective AI adoption.For more information about our HR consulting services,
feel free to contact us.
for Startups and Small Businesses
Virtual HR Partner
We help companies identify the HR functions needed for your U.S. operations before your hire individual HR team members.
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