Meet the Dag team

Chizu

Chizu Iwaki
General Manager

After working in a corporate firm for some time, Chizu changed her life's course by going into managing international artists, and has been in the business since. At another time, she was a full-time backpacker, traveling. Chizu began playing classical piano at age 3 (and continued playing jazz piano for 8 years, but her fingers would not budge now!) Chizu lived in Denmark for 10 years and is fluent in Danish , and has a passion for cooking.

Erika

Erika Hirokawa
Events Coordinator

Right after she was born in Japan, Erika and her family left for America, and returned to her home ground at 5. She then attended an international school in Tokyo, got cast in "Annie", and continued to pursue her dreams in muscial theatre at a college in New York. After graduating, Erika worked in an Off Broadway theatre production company, assisting the director and organizing shows. Her English is native-level, but her Japanese, at times, is a little odd!

Mieko

Mieko Takayama
Manager & Accounting

As a student, Mieko was part of the school's brass band as their flute and sax player. Being a true music lover, she continued on to study and play the keyboard. Although Mieko has a very gentle and quiet personality, she used to be a hard-core heavy metal fan, and also worked in a concert promotion company. Her hobbies include taking walks, and is said to be often spotted hanging out around the Azabu area.

Philip

Philip Madeley
Design & Marketing Manager

Philip was brought up in a small village in the U.K. which greatly contrasts with his now hectic lifestyle. He studied art & design in his home country and Holland. Philip loves to travel and has visited about 25 countries, including Peru, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and China. Although a designer, Philip is also an artist and DJ, spinning in England, Shibuya, and Roppongi. He likes to speak Japanese and can often be found kicking back in some bars in and around Naka Meguro.

Ben

Ben Franklin
Music Director

Ben grew up in Berlin. When the wall came down, he left. Intermittently popping up in LA, Mexico City, New York, Costa Rica, London, and Paris, Ben finally made Tokyo his home. Addictions: Good beer, news, chocolate, music. And having a beer with friends and talking about news & music.