Kento Miura on Content-Driven Innovation

*Kento Miura on Content-Driven Innovation President and Representative Director, Thomson Japan

As industries evolve at an unprecedented pace, global enterprises are increasingly leaning on data-driven insights and intelligent automation to maintain competitive advantage. At the heart of this transformation is Thomson , a company long synonymous with trusted information and legal expertise, now boldly repositioning itself as a leader in AI-powered professional services.

At the helm of this evolution in Japan is Kento Miura, who joined Thomson in July 2024 as President and Representative Director of Thomson Japan. With over three decades of experience spanning global tech giants such as Apple, Dell, Microsoft, and NTT, Miura brings a unique cross-cultural lens to his leadership role — one that bridges Western innovation with Japanese business sensibilities.

In a conversation with our publication, Miura shares his vision for transforming how professionals work through intelligent content, the strategic importance of AI in today’s regulatory landscape, and what it takes to lead change in a legacy-rich organization.

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our publication: Thomson has undergone a significant shift from being primarily a content provider to becoming an AI and technology company. How would you describe this transformation?

Kento Miura: It’s not so much a departure from who we’ve always been, but rather a natural evolution. We’ve always been about empowering professionals with critical information. Now, we're simply using smarter tools to deliver that value. AI enables us to go beyond content access — we're enabling understanding, analysis, and action. Our platform integrates trusted content with intelligent automation to help professionals make faster, better-informed decisions.

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You joined Thomson with a storied career across multinational technology firms. What drew you to this role and to Japan specifically? Japan holds immense potential. It's a market where precision, trust, and deep domain knowledge are non-negotiable — especially for companies operating globally. My personal mission is to help Japanese enterprises navigate complex international regulations more effectively by providing them with the clarity they need to grow confidently.

Having spent years bridging cultures between Japan and the West, I see tremendous opportunity in aligning global innovation with local needs. That alignment is core to what we’re building here.

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A major part of that innovation comes in the form of CoCounsel, your generative AI assistant. Can you tell us more about its impact? Absolutely. CoCounsel is designed not to replace human expertise, but to amplify it. Think of it as a digital colleague — someone who can quickly process vast amounts of structured and unstructured data, summarize findings, and surface insights based on natural language prompts. For professionals in law, tax, compliance, or global trade, this translates into hours saved and higher-value work delivered.

We're not automating judgment; we're enhancing it. The real value lies in allowing experts to focus on strategy and decision-making — the uniquely human elements that drive outcomes.

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How do you ensure trust and reliability in an era where AI raises concerns around accuracy and ethics? Trust is our North Star. Every AI solution we deploy is grounded in our proprietary, curated content — content that has been vetted, verified, and refined over decades. This gives our AI a solid foundation, reducing ambiguity and increasing confidence in the results.

Moreover, we’re committed to transparency and responsible AI practices. Our systems are built with explainability in mind, so users understand how conclusions are reached. This is especially crucial in regulated environments like Japan, where accountability is paramount.

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With regulations becoming increasingly complex and interconnected globally, how does Thomson support professionals in staying ahead? Regulatory landscapes are evolving rapidly, particularly in areas like ESG, cross-border taxation, and international trade compliance. Professionals need more than just updates — they need tools that help them interpret and apply these rules efficiently.

Our integrated platform provides real-time awareness and contextual analysis. Through CoCounsel and our broader suite of AI-driven tools, we’re helping clients anticipate changes, mitigate risks, and identify new opportunities. This isn’t just about efficiency — it’s about resilience in a dynamic world.

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What leadership principles guide you in driving innovation within a well-established organization? Innovation thrives when there’s clarity of purpose and alignment across teams. As a leader, I focus on setting bold yet achievable goals, fostering collaboration, and ensuring our people feel empowered to experiment. We must be agile without losing sight of our core mission: delivering trusted answers to the world’s most complex questions.

Change is inevitable, but meaningful transformation requires both vision and patience. You have to respect the past while embracing the future.

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Looking ahead, what does success look like for Thomson Japan under your leadership? Success means making a measurable difference in how professionals work — especially those navigating global markets from Japan. If we can reduce complexity, increase confidence, and unlock new levels of productivity for our clients, then we’ve done our job.

Ultimately, I want Thomson Japan to be recognized not just as a provider of tools, but as a strategic partner in growth. One that understands the nuances of doing business in Japan, while delivering the scale and innovation of a global leader.

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*Final question — what keeps you motivated in your role? Seeing the tangible impact of our work. When I hear from a client that CoCounsel helped them close a deal faster, or that our platform enabled them to avoid a compliance pitfall, that’s when it all makes sense.

Japan has a rich tradition of craftsmanship and dedication to excellence. I’m honored to contribute to that legacy by bringing forward-thinking technology to bear on some of the most pressing challenges facing today’s professionals.

In a world full of noise, we strive to be the signal.