Maki Kobayashi
Japanese Performing Artist, Educator & Cultural Producer
From Corporate to Culture
My journey didn't begin in the performing arts.
I began my career in the corporate world, where I spent over a decade working across Japan and Sweden.
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As technology accelerated and AI began reshaping the way we work and live, one question became increasingly important to me:
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What will make us truly human in the age of AI?
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That question eventually led me to Japanese performing arts, education, and cultural production.
A Bit About Me
I'm a Japanese performing artist, educator, and cultural producer based in Stockholm, Sweden.
My work brings Japanese performing arts into museums, schools, festivals, companies, and local communities through performances, workshops, and cultural collaborations.
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Before dedicating my career to the arts, I worked in supply chain, management consulting, innovation and startup. That experience continues to shape how I design programs that are both culturally meaningful and professionally relevant.
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Today, I lead Stockholm Taiko Center, collaborate with museums and organizations across Sweden, and develop new ways of sharing Japanese culture through The Zenjo.
I believe culture is not something to observe—it is something to experience, create, and share together.
My Journey
2009 - 2017
2018 - 2023
Building Business Foundations
I began my career in business, strategy, and consulting in Japan while completing my Master's degree at the Stockholm School of Economics.
These years taught me how organizations grow, how decisions are made, and how people work together across cultures.
Exploring Innovation
I worked with startups, venture capital, and corporate innovation, connecting Nordic ecosystems with Japanese companies and investors.
During this time, I became increasingly interested in how innovation could serve not only business, but people. Working with the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) movement further deepened this question:
What qualities remain uniquely human in a world shaped by technology?
2024 - Now
Creating Through Culture
In 2024, I founded Stockholm Taiko Center and began dedicating my work to Japanese performing arts, education, and cultural production.
Today, I collaborate with museums, schools, organizations, and communities to create meaningful cultural experiences.
I believe that creativity, human connection, and culture will become even more valuable in the age of AI.
Let's Get
Connected
