Jobplex Establishes its First Presence in Japan
January 22, 2026 – Jobplex, the Chicago-based partner company of DHR Global, has launched in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and established its first presence in Japan with the appointment of Eimi Akanuma as a partner in Tokyo. “Japan and the broader Asia-Pacific region are critically important markets for our clients, many of whom are navigating growth, succession, and cross-border leadership challenges, said Priya Taneja, CEO of DHR. “Launching Jobplex in Japan is a meaningful step in expanding our global platform, and Eimi brings the local expertise, judgment, and leadership required to build an enduring business in the region.”
Justin Hirsch, CEO and HR practice group leader at Jobplex, said Ms. Akanuma’s background aligns closely with the firm’s approach to emerging leader search. “Eimi understands how leadership decisions shape organizations at pivotal moments, whether that’s scaling a business, entering a new market, or building depth at the emerging leader level beneath the C-Suite,” he said. “She brings deep regional knowledge, a strong client mindset, and a disciplined approach to search. We’re excited she’s joined our team as we establish Jobplex in Japan and across APAC.”
Ms. Akanuma said the opportunity to build Jobplex’s presence in the region was a natural next step in her career. “Many organizations in Japan and across APAC are thinking more deliberately about leadership; not just who they hire, but how teams are built to support long-term growth,” she said. “Jobplex values partnership, rigor, and perspective, and I’m excited to help bring that approach to clients in this market.”
Ms. Akanuma brings more than 12 years of executive recruiting experience across Japan and APAC, with a focus on mid-to-senior leadership searches spanning strategy, finance, operations, and technology. She has advised multinational organizations and fast-growing businesses on leadership hiring as they scale, expand into new markets, and strengthen management teams beneath newly appointed executives.
Before joining Jobplex, Ms. Akanuma held senior roles at boutique and international executive search firms, where she supported leadership hiring initiatives and market expansion efforts in Japan and internationally.
Related: Jobplex Appoints Partners
Jobplex, founded in 1996, is a global talent acquisition solutions company that serves a diverse client base. With three integrated talent solutions, Jobplex helps clients identify, hire, and coach leaders who drive change and lead through complexity. The firm was created to meet the needs of the next generation recruiting market, complementing the senior-level retained executive search services provided by DHR International. In partnership, the two companies are designed to provide a total recruitment solution.
Recent Acquisition
Joblplex also recently acquired Healthcare Management Group and appointed Brooke Wedding as managing partner. This strategic partnership strengthens Jobplex’s healthcare services and solutions practice and expands its reach in the Midwest. Based in Columbus, OH, Ms. Wedding has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare recruitment, leadership development, and talent acquisition. “DHR has been focused on expanding our healthcare footprint in the Midwest, and Brooke’s expertise and her firm’s established presence in the region helps fill a critical gap,” said Mr. Hirsch. “Brooke is a remarkable addition to our healthcare services and solutions practice and will play a key role in helping our clients secure top healthcare talent in an increasingly complex environment.”
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Ms. Wedding led Healthcare Management Group for more than nine years and spent nearly five years directing leadership selection and talent acquisition at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Her background spans in-house and retained healthcare search, giving her a unique perspective on building effective teams and optimizing recruitment strategies, with deep expertise in placing leaders into newly created positions and programmatic roles—particularly for companies expanding into new markets or scaling operations.
“Brooke brings extensive experience working closely with leading healthcare organizations,” said Peter Blau, managing partner, global healthcare services and solutions at DHR. “She has a deep understanding of the changing talent needs of our healthcare clients and brings an expansive professional network that make her a great asset for our growing healthcare practice.”
Related: Jobplex Launches Sports Practice Group
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
