Grace Sayuri Ahearn is a Tokyo-based Associate in The Asia Group’s Japan practice, where she supports clients by providing in-depth analysis and advice on political, regulatory, and geostrategic issues in Japan.
Prior to joining The Asia Group, Grace was a Senior Policy Analyst at Sumitomo Corporation of Americas’ Washington DC office, where she worked on a wide range of issues including trade policy, U.S. regulatory affairs, industrial policy, and geopolitical developments. Her experience at Sumitomo gave Grace a nuanced understanding of the unique needs and challenges that Japanese multinationals face in an increasingly complex business environment. Before her role at Sumitomo, Grace worked as a Senior Research Manager and Japan research team lead at Exiger Diligence, where she worked to develop the company’s Japanese due diligence research capabilities. Grace also worked as an intern with the Council on Foreign Relations, where she focused on public opinion polling on constitutional change in Japan during the Abe administration.
Grace holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs with a concentration on Asia and Economic Policy from the George Washington University (GWU) Elliott School of International Affairs. Her graduate research looked at Japan’s economy and “womenomics,” energy policy, and export control policy. Grace was also President of the Organization of Asian Studies at GWU. Grace received her Bachelor of Arts in International Service from American University, with concentrations on Asia and Foreign Policy. She leveraged a U.S. Department of State scholarship for study in Hikone, Japan. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Grace is fluent in Japanese and English.