Ai Kono

Ai Kono has a diverse work experience, starting with their current role as a Senior Manager - Approval and Acquisition Support - at Crunchyroll since January 2020. Prior to that, they held various roles at VIZ Media Europe, including Business Development Senior Manager from June 2018 to December 2019. In this role, they were responsible for preparing licensing contracts and negotiating with clients in Europe and South America. Ai also managed a small team and played a crucial role in launching the digital publishing licensing business and reviewing licensing agreements. Before that, they worked as a Publishing Licensing Administrative Manager, Publishing Licensing Contract Coordinator & Royalty Analyst, Accountant & Royalty Financial Analyst, Publishing Licensing Contract Coordinator, and Publishing Assistant at VIZ Media Europe from 2010 to 2018. Ai Kono also worked as a Community Manager Japan at Toluna from February 2009 to February 2010.

Ai Kono completed their Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Computer Science at Shimane University from 2002 to 2006. Ai then pursued a Master's degree in International Relations at Oxford Brookes University from 2006 to 2007.

In terms of additional certifications, Ai Kono obtained a "Test d'evaluation de Francais (Niveau 4 / B2)" from the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de région Paris Ile-de-France in December 2009. Ai also obtained a "TOEIC" certification from the TOEIC® Program in 2008. More recently, they completed the following courses: "Confirmation on Participation for German language course (Level A1 and A2)" from the Goethe-Institut e.V. in December 2020, "Microeconomics: An Introduction" from the University of Oxford, Department for Continuing Education in November 2020, and "Macroeconomics: An Introduction" from the University of Oxford, Department for Continuing Education in April 2021.