Our Philosophy

KIKUTORA is a Japanese neologism meaning "Chrysanthemum Tiger."

Our name is a symbol of the paradoxes that shape the world and define our approach.

Evil and good. Beauty and brutality. Obedience and will.

These contradictions coexist in every culture. We operate at the intersection of these opposing forces.

The sharpness of the Tiger and the grace of the Chrysanthemum 

We confront the world’s highest-stakes risks and crises with a philosophy rooted in duality:

Corporate Profile

Company Name

KIKUTORA SPECIAL RISKS KK

Head Office

804 Niidaka Building, 1 Hachimancho Ichigaya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN

Establishment Date

1 September 2025

Representative Director

David Suzuki

Branch Offices

Hong Kong, SAR, PRC
Gurugram, Delhi NCR, INDIA
Seoul, KOREA

Operating Principles

We operate with

DISCRETION

Crisis Response & Investigation

We act with

DISCIPLINE

Crisis Response & Investigation

We submit to

DUTY

Crisis Response & Investigation

Why Kikutora

1.

Exclusively built for multidomain, high-stakes risks and crises

2.

Tech-powered action and not just advisory

3.

At the fulcrum of Indo-Pacific geopolitical and regulatory dynamics

Our Partners

Elite DFIR & Cyber Insurance

Blockchain Analytics & Tracing

Web3 Insurance Solutions

Web3 Infrastructure & Security Technology

Smart Insurance Claim Solutions & Forensic Expertise

Operational Resilience, Forensic Intelligence, & Risk Mitigation

Leadership

David Suzuki is a corporate investigations and intelligence professional with nearly 30 years of experience across the Indo-Pacific region. Having divided his career between Hong Kong and Tokyo in roughly equal measure, David has built a reputation for leading complex, high-stakes investigations at the intersection of cyber, crisis response, and geopolitical risk.

 

He began his career in security and investigations with Kroll, before joining International Risk, the forerunner of FTI Consulting’s risk and investigations business in Asia. Over the ensuing decades — including through his own corporate security and investigations consultancy — David’s work has encompassed advising multinational corporations, investors, and law firms on complex matters of security, crisis response, and investment intelligence.

 

In recent years, David has been deeply involved in investigations targeting transnational cybercrime syndicates, working alongside U.S. federal law enforcement and international law firms engaged in civil forfeiture and cross-border cyber fraud litigation.

 

David has been associated with Blackpanda, the Indo-Pacific region’s premier cyber crisis response and cyber insurance group, since shortly after its founding in 2015. In 2018, he was appointed Special Advisor for Japan, supporting the group’s entry into the region’s largest cybersecurity market. Two years later, he joined Blackpanda full-time to establish its Cyber Crime Investigation (CCI) unit and subsequently co-founded Blackpanda Japan KK (“Blackpanda Japan”) as the company’s official Japanese operating entity.

 

Under his leadership, Blackpanda Japan officially launched operations in early 2023 with a commemorative Hanami Launch Party, marking the company’s full entry into Japan. In May 2025, David transitioned from his executive role to make way for the next generation of leadership, continuing to serve as Founding Director and Advisor.

 

In September 2025, David rebooted CCI as a standalone firm under the name Kikutora Special Risks — a tech-powered security intelligence firm built exclusively for crisis response and special risks consulting across the web3, cyber, and physical domains. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan — the fulcrum of the Indo-Pacific — Kikutora embodies the convergence of intelligence, technology, and strategy that defines David’s professional philosophy.

DAVID SUZUKI

Founder & CEO, Kikutora Special Risks


Founding Director, Blackpanda Japan

A multilingual risk mitigation and intelligence leader, Katya Gozias has spent nearly two decades advising global corporations, law firms, and financial institutions on some of the world’s most complex and sensitive matters involving integrity, operational, and reputational risk.

 

Known for transforming chaos into clarity, Katya has directed high-stakes investigations on five continents — tracing assets across opaque jurisdictions, uncovering internal fraud, and navigating sanctions and compliance breaches with precision and discretion. Her work bridges traditional investigative tradecraft with modern technology, from blockchain analytics to open-source intelligence and deep social media forensics.

 

Prior to this, she served as Managing Director at Guidepost Solutions and FTI Consulting, where she advised C-suites, boards, and counsel on investigations spanning financial crime, sanctions compliance, and cross-border disputes. Case studies have included the recovery of stolen digital assets, US Department of Justice-appointed monitorships, and cultural integrity assessments within global organizations.

 

A recognized authority in anti-money-laundering, financial crime prevention, and blockchain investigations, Katya holds multiple certifications — including CFE and CAMS-Audit, is a Certified Blockchain Expert, and Certified Cryptocurrency Expert — and has authored and spoken extensively on emerging risk, compliance innovation, and the convergence of AML and technology.

 

A mentor, thought leader, and former president of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ Los Angeles Chapter, Katya continues to shape the profession through education, advocacy, and collaboration across the global financial crime community.

KATYA GOZIAS

Managing Director, Kikutora Special Risks

Operations Management

With over 15 years of experience in risk management, security, and intelligence, Richard specializes in complex cross-border investigations, litigation support, and global asset recovery.

His work has spanned financial misconduct, corporate disputes, and geopolitical risk assessments across diverse jurisdictions. He has led engagements requiring the coordination of multidisciplinary teams, the analysis of opaque corporate structures, and the navigation of sensitive regulatory or political contexts.

Richard’s practice bridges financial investigation with strategic intelligence — integrating traditional investigative methods with open-source intelligence, asset tracing, and discreet human-source inquiries. His focus lies in bringing structure and clarity to high-stakes matters involving financial crime, fraud, and reputational exposure, ensuring that clients can make informed decisions grounded in fact and context.

Before entering the investigative field, Richard spent 15 years in investment banking and corporate finance, focusing on financial analytics and derivatives at a bulge bracket American investment bank.

In that capacity, he supported the firm’s expansion into new and emerging markets, assessing local financial and regulatory risks and developing mitigation frameworks. His work also encompassed international treasury management, including liquidity and currency exposure across multiple jurisdictions — experience that continues to inform his understanding of complex global financial flows.

At Kikutora Special Risks, Richard leads engagements that require clarity amid complexity, guiding clients through challenging environments with discipline and precision.

His approach emphasizes thoughtful analysis, quiet diligence, and the steady pursuit of facts in service of sound decision-making.

RICHARD LAM

Executive Director, Kikutora Special Risks

Jim Pelczar is a seasoned technology executive and risk strategist with more than two decades of experience securing critical infrastructure and guiding global Fortune 100 organizations through digital transformation. A United States citizen and Japan Permanent Resident, Jim bridges the gap between Western governance standards and Asian business operations, specializing in cyber resilience, AI governance, and crisis management.

Professional History



Jim has held significant leadership roles within the Big Four and global consultancy spheres. Most recently, he served as Partner, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Enterprise Security Architect, and Acting Chief Information Officer (CIO) at a Big Four global professional services firm’s Japan business. In this capacity, he directed the cyber and IT risk posture for all member firms, serving as the designated Incident Response Commander. His tenure was marked by a massive transformation initiative that reduced operational costs by approximately 50% across back-office platforms while establishing the firm’s first cyber insurance program.

Previously, Jim held senior leadership roles at Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting and Financial Advisory, where he led international engagements in IoT security, "Red Teaming," and forensics. His early career was forged in the defense sector, serving as an R&D Program Manager for the United States Department of the Navy (Naval Surface Warfare Center), supporting national defense initiatives.

Expertise & Credentials 



Jim’s technical and operational authority is backed by continuous certification as a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). He is a subject matter expert in:

  • Crisis Command: Leading large-scale simulations and wide-area disaster recovery frameworks for global financial institutions.
  • AI Governance: A published author on "Shadow AI," hallucinations, and human oversight, providing guidance on the risks of rapidly evolving technologies.

JIM PELCZAR

Executive Consultant, Forensics, Kikutora Special Risks

Ruben Hoornveld is a senior crisis response consultant with over 30 years of experience managing high-risk incidents and securing personnel, assets, and operations in complex environments. A former Officer in the Royal Netherlands Army, he has spent much of his career operating across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. He stabilization in resolving acute threats to life, liberty, and organizational continuity, combining operational leadership with structured executive advisory.

Professional History

Ruben’s career is defined by work in weak-governance and high-threat environments where rapid stabilization and disciplined decision-making are critical. Over the past 15 years, he has focused on organizational crisis management for multinational corporations, development agencies, energy and extractives firms, media organisations, and technology-enabled businesses. He has advised during severe threat scenarios including kidnap-for-ransom, detention, extortion incidents, and complex evacuations. Increasingly, his work reflects hybrid threat environments where cyber-enabled crime, insider risk, and cryptocurrency-related exposure intersect with physical security risks.


Based in Vietnam, Ruben supports clients and partners across Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific. He integrates operational response with crisis communications, stakeholder coordination, and legal risk considerations, ensuring tactical actions remain aligned with corporate governance and reputational resilience.

Expertise & Credentials

Ruben is a certified Kidnap Incident Manager with extensive experience supporting adversary engagement during extortion and ransomware cases. His core areas of expertise include:


  • Extortion & Ransomware Negotiations: Structured support during coercion, proof-of-life processes, and adversary communications.
  • Hybrid Threat Management: Addressing converged physical, cyber, and cryptocurrency-related risk exposures.

RUBEN  HOORNVELD

Executive Consultant, Crisis Response, Kikutora Special Risks

Angela Kubo is a multilingual risk and compliance specialist with over a decade of experience conducting investigations and due diligence across Asia, North America, and the emerging digital asset ecosystem. She has advised financial institutions, blockchain companies, and multinational corporations on complex matters involving fraud, sanctions, and financial crime risk.

 

Known for her analytical rigor and cross-cultural fluency, Angela has led investigations spanning cryptocurrency fraud, sanctions evasion, and corporate integrity breaches. She bridges traditional investigative methodologies with cutting-edge blockchain analytics and open-source intelligence, helping clients navigate regulatory scrutiny, mitigate exposure in high-risk markets, and strengthen compliance resilience in the fast-evolving digital economy. Fluent in Japanese and English, she has collaborated with global teams and stakeholders to transform complex, opaque risk environments into actionable intelligence. Her investigative work includes tracing illicit cryptocurrency transactions, assessing politically exposed person (PEP) exposure, and advising on compliance with international sanctions regimes.

 

At a major Bitcoin ATM operator, Angela led fraud and sanctions investigations involving virtual asset transactions, developing typologies and enhancing compliance workflows to bolster anti-fraud defenses. Earlier in her career, she designed and managed a program for a leading blockchain engineering firm behind a top-ten market cap cryptocurrency—evaluating blockchain counterparties, assessing decentralized finance risks, and integrating investigative research into executive compliance strategy.

 

A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), and Certified Financial Crimes Specialist (CFCS), Angela continues to deepen her expertise at the intersection of compliance, technology, and financial integrity. She is particularly passionate about advancing transparency and accountability in the digital assets space through research, collaboration, and mentorship.

 

ANGELA KUBO

Project Manager, Kikutora Special Risks

Patricia Chen is a due diligence and risk advisory professional specializing in cybercrime investigations, financial crime analysis, and cross-border compliance. With over five years of regional experience across Japan, Taiwan, and Greater China, she has developed a career that bridges corporate intelligence, regulatory compliance, and investigative risk management. Now based in Sydney, she continues to contribute her expertise to strengthening financial integrity and cyber resilience across diverse industries.

 

As a Senior Analyst at the Cyber Crime Investigation (CCI) unit of Blackpanda in Tokyo, Patricia led complex investigations into cybercrime, IP theft, internal fraud, and asset tracing. She worked closely with forensic, compliance, and legal teams to deliver actionable intelligence to multinational clients and advised on risk mitigation and compliance. Following CCI’s transition into a standalone firm, she continues her investigative and advisory work at Kikutora.

 

Previously, at Blackpeak Japan (ION Analytics), Patricia conducted enhanced due diligence (EDD) and open-source intelligence research for pre-IPO, M&A, corporate compliance, and anti-bribery projects. She has investigated cases of counterfeiting, corruption, and financial misconduct, producing analytical reports that have informed major investment and operational decisions across Asia-Pacific.

 

Patricia holds a Master’s degree in international Affairs from National Chengchi University, Taiwan, where her research on East Asian political economy and Chinese State-Owned joint ventures shaped her understanding of corporate governance. Fluent in Mandarin and English, with working proficiency in Japanese, she bridges linguistic and cultural boundaries in her work. She has been actively involved in the Taiwanese community in Japan, serving as a Director of the Asia Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Junior Chapter (2021–2024) and Secretary General of the Japan Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Junior Chapter (2020–2021).

 

Committed to continuous learning, Patricia has pursued advanced certifications in compliance, intelligence, and financial crime prevention, including the ICA Certificate in KYC and CDD (2025). Combining investigative rigor, strategic foresight, and cultural fluency, she remains dedicated to advancing transparency, accountability, and resilience in an increasingly digital and interconnected world

PATRICIA CHEN

Project Manager, Kikutora Special Risks

Advisory Board

General Partner at RevolutionDAO (RVLD), a Tokenized Investment Fund, governed by a DAO. Contributed to the launch of two satellites into space. Designed and built SEGA.NET. Worked with NTT DoCoMo, Intel, IBM, and MySQL. Handled the MySQL Database exit for $1B and prior to that, led the global expansion of SEGA's node networks.

To date, involved in exits:

  • $50M acquisition RIMNET
  • $1B+ acquisition  MySQL
  • $7.5B+ acquisition  SUN (Oracle Corporation)
  • $600M+ MariaDB IPO (NYSE)

DANIEL SAITO

Founder & CEO,

Red Robot K.K.

Cybersecurity expert and investigator with nearly 20 years of experience in digital forensics and incident response (DFIR).

Led high-stakes investigations with the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Justice. Trained the U.S. Secret Service in cybercrime investigations.

Advised Fortune 50 companies on large-scale incidents while at Palantir.

Co-Founder and CTO of Horangi Cyber Security in Singapore, the city state's first ever cybersecurity startup.

Passionate about mentorship and community. Contributed to initiatives such as Free side Atlanta and DEFCON’s Tamper-Evident Village and continues to guide the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and entrepreneurs.

LEE SULT

Chief Investigator, Binalyze

Over 15 years of cybersecurity leadership across the military, government, and private sector.

Former U.S. Navy officer and expeditionary cyber unit leader, with extensive experience in vulnerability research, incident response, and strategic cyber operations in high-stakes national security environments.

​At Cybereason, doubled customer growth while maintaining industry-leading retention and margins. Spearheaded the re-platforming of Cybereason’s XDR service architecture, enabling advanced AI/ML-driven threat detection and automation at scale.​

Now CISO at Astronomer, continues to build resilient teams and technologies to defend against advanced cyber threats.​

JOSHUA DOMAGALSKI

Chief Information Security Officer, Astronomer

Strategically Positioned at the Fulcrum of the Indo-Pacific

Let’s Connect Now