Where Vision Meets Action.

Every bold initiative starts with a clear vision. But in Japan’s complex political and business environment, ambition alone is not enough. Influence must be earned. Relationships must be built. Execution must be precise. At Gemini Group, we translate strategy into results. Whether you’re aiming to shape public policy, engage senior government officials, or drive high-impact media visibility, we turn objectives into outcomes through clear planning, targeted execution, and deep local insight.

About Us

At Gemini Group, we don’t just understand Japan’s public affairs landscape. We operate within it. Our strategies are designed to engage the people who matter most: policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, academia, and the public.

With over a decade of experience leading public affairs in Japan, we bring the local fluency, cultural nuance, and business perspective needed to shape outcomes, not just respond to them. We go beyond traditional consulting. As an embedded extension of your team, we align your goals with smart, actionable strategies that open doors, build trust, and create lasting value.

Influence in Japan isn’t improvised. It’s earned through insight, credibility, and flawless execution. That’s what we deliver.

Why Choose Us

  • Responsive by Design: We move at the speed of your business. As a true extension of your team, we’re ready to step in, act decisively, and support you through fast-moving challenges and opportunities alike.

  • Deep Japan Expertise: Japan is our sole focus. With decades of experience in Tokyo’s policy, business, and regulatory arenas, we deliver nuanced, actionable insights that others miss.

  • Embedded, Aligned, Effective: We don’t work at arm’s length. We embed within your team to deliver integrated, cross-functional support that aligns with internal priorities and external influence to maximize impact.

Our Team

Kelly Langley, Co-CEO

Kelly Langley is a seasoned government affairs specialist with over a decade of experience leading strategic public policy initiatives for Fortune 500 companies in the technology, energy, healthcare, and defense sectors. An active member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), Kelly has chaired the Chamber’s Task Force on innovation, startups, and foreign direct investment that has helped shape the business community’s voice on Japan’s future growth. Before co-founding Gemini Group, he led the Japan market strategy for a global fintech and banking solutions firm; advising on diversified and alternative investments. Fluent in English and Japanese and holding an MBA from GLOBIS University, Kelly combines local fluency, global perspective, and a strong bias for execution.

Mickey Langley, Co-CEO

Mickey brings over a decade of experience managing operations and driving strategy for a leading public affairs firm in Tokyo. He specializes in project planning, communications, and stakeholder engagement with a proven track record in executing high-impact campaigns across public relations, events, and government affairs. Mickey played a key role in expanding a UK-based agency into the Japanese market: advising on market entry, localization, and brand positioning. His cross-cultural expertise and hands-on approach have made him a trusted partner for organizations navigating Japan’s complex policy landscape. Fluent in English and Japanese, Mickey holds an MBA from GLOBIS University and is passionate about bridging international organizations with Japan’s business and political ecosystems.

Alexander Craney, Director of Public Policy

Alexander Craney is a government relations and public affairs specialist with over 20 years of experience living in Japan, which has given him a deep understanding of the country's cultural and business landscape. He has provided strategic advice to C-level executives during his tenure at a publicly traded education technology company in the tech sector. Most recently, Alexander spent four and a half years in the Canadian federal government, serving as Policy Advisor and Senior Policy Advisor for the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, as well as the Minister of Labour and Minister for Seniors. He holds a master’s degree in public policy and governance and is fluent in both English and Japanese.

Connor Cislo, Senior Policy Analyst

Connor Cislo oversees content creation at Gemini Group, shaping and producing much of the company's communications. He also serves as a senior policy analyst, assisting with client projects across the finance, technology, and healthcare sectors. Connor previously worked as a journalist at Nikkei Asia and Bloomberg News in Tokyo, where he covered the Finance Ministry, economic policy, and politics. He is proficient in both English and Japanese.

Dr. Alan Hardacre, Advisor

Dr. Alan Hardacre is a renowned expert in Advocacy and Public Affairs, specializing in crafting and delivering top-tier public affairs strategies. With a background as Director of Group Corporate Affairs at Imperial Brands, he brings extensive consulting experience to clients like CropLife Africa & Middle East and the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association. Alan holds a PhD in International Economic and Political Relations from Loughborough University.

Dr. Paul Shotton, Advisor

Paul Shotton is co-founder of Advocacy Strategy and Advocacy Academy in Brussels and is dedicated to advancing the professionalization of advocacy practice through innovation and bridging research with practice. With over two decades of experience in Brussels, London, and The Hague, Paul has worked across media, trade associations, companies, NGOs, and academia. His passion for exploring advocacy with professionals and students has driven his work in structuring the advocacy process and gathering best practices. He holds a PhD in Information and communication science from the University of Nancy II in France.

Paul Ashton, Advisor

Paul Ashton, the CEO of Ulpa.jp and Head of Global Sales for Giftee, is an expert in market growth and strategic partnerships. With over 20 years of experience in consulting, tech, cyber security, logistics, and civil engineering, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, Paul most recently successful launched, localised and scaled Nord Security's suite of apps, including NordVPN in Japan. Fluent in Japanese, Paul also mentors emerging leaders in various organisations, leveraging his strategic planning and digital marketing expertise to drive business success and innovation. In his spare time, he coaches rugby to junior high school kids in Japan.