Akira Kudo is executive director of the Japan Association of Latin America and the Caribbean (JALAC). He previously worked for Mitsubishi Corporation, including as senior advisor to the executive vice president of global strategy, senior vice president of Mitsubishi Corporation in Tokyo, and president of Mitsubishi Corporation of Brasil S.A., among many other positions. While with Mitsubishi, Kudo spent considerable time posted to Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela.

Kudo was an event speaker at the Dialogue.