Health Corporate and Public Affairs Expert Yuko Kidoguchi Joins APCO as Director in Tokyo

TOKYO – July 23, 2025: Yuko Kidoguchi, award-winning health industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, joined APCO as a director in the firm’s Tokyo office, Seiko Indo, managing director of APCO’s Tokyo office, announced today.  

“Yuko’s exceptional track record in the pharmaceutical industry and her deep understanding of health policy, advocacy and communications make her an invaluable asset to our clients navigating today’s fast-changing global landscape,” Indo said. “Yuko’s ability to connect innovation with impact will help organizations respond to rising societal expectations and deliver meaningful solutions in Japan and beyond. It is a pleasure to welcome Yuko to APCO.” 

Specializing in policy shaping and advocacy, media relations, corporate communications and branding, as well as reputation and crisis management, Kidoguchi combines her expertise in communications and advocacy to build integrated strategies to communicate the value of innovations, facilitate access to solutions, address societal issues and help shape a sustainable future. 

“I am thrilled to be part of the purposeful team in Tokyo,” Kidoguchi said. “As public affairs become increasingly crucial in addressing societal issues and tackling business challenges, I look forward to working in partnership with stakeholders to help facilitate solutions to pressing problems of the time.”  

Prior to joining APCO, Kidoguchi served as vice president of corporate affairs at AstraZeneca Japan, overseeing communications, government affairs and policy, and patient advocacy. She also previously served as operating officer at Bayer Japan, holding leadership roles in communications, advocacy, sustainability, government relations and market access. She initiated a women’s health education program for adolescents to enhance their literacy on women’s health, offering classes to over 60,000 high school students in the past 10 years. She also previously chaired the Communications Committee of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations Japan and served as a board member of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group and vice chair of the Healthcare Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan. 

Kidoguchi joins APCO’s dynamic global team of health experts, including health care strategist Michael O’Brien, who joined APCO as a senior director in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. In addition to Kidoguchi and O’Brien, APCO’s global team of industry experts and market-leading advisors include:  

• Alexandre Marie Saint Germain, Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, EU  

• Allison Parker-Lagoo, Public Affairs and Policy, North America   

• Anne Wang, Corporate Advisory, Advocacy and Communications Strategy, China  

• Iris Shaffer, Corporate Communications and Media Relations, North America  

• Jumana Nabulsi, Public Affairs and Public Health, MENA  

• Mathew Shearman, Corporate Health Advisory, Advocacy & Communications, Global 

• Sanya Pavri, Corporate Public Relations, MENA  

• Vusi Moyo, Corporate Communications, North America